1. God has created a sphere of protection for
the believer from the Cosmic System called the Divine Dynasphere.1
2. Residence in the Divine Dynasphere is standing, while falling into sin results in residence in the Cosmic System.
3. God is able to make a person stand or fall (Ps 1:1-6; Jer 49:19; Rom 14:4; Eph 6:13-14; Jude 1:24).
4. The believer in the Divine Dynasphere stands in fellowship with God (1 Jn 1:7). He has:
a. The Filling of the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18; 1 Jn 4:4).
b. All the power of God available to him (Eph 1:19, 20; Col 1:11; 1 Pet 1:5).
c. Spiritual freedom (Rom 8:2; Gal 5:1, 13; 1 Pet 2:16).
5. The person who sins falls from the Grace of God into slavery to the Old Sin Nature (Rom 6:6, 12, 19; 2 Pet 2:19) and Satan (1 Tim 3:7; 6:9; 2 Tim 2:26).
Standing in Christ
Hebrews 3:14 Standing in Christ1. The Church Age Believer in the Divine Dynasphere stands in partnership with Christ.
For we have become partners with Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our standing, stabilized until the end.
2. The Greek u&povstasi" (hupostasis), from (u&po, under) + (vstavsi", standing) = standing, essence, actual being, reality; instantiation (used for sediment falling out). The meaning depends upon what one is standing under, e.g. (ref. Heb 1:3, "essence," Heb 11:1, "realization").
a. Standing (hypostatic relationship) is the partnership of the CAB with Christ, the Head of the Body.
b. The standing in Christ is unique to the Church Age. It begins at Salvation with Positional Truth when the CAB is entered into union with Christ. It continues for all eternity.
c. Holding fast to our standing means continuing to execute the Spiritual life by staying in the Divine Dynasphere (Heb 10:23).
3. "Stabilized" – requires alignment of X, Y, Z, and Time axes.
4. "Until the end" – refers to the end of our life.
Promotion/Demotion
1. Promotion and demotion are Sovereign decisions of God (Psa 75:7; Dan 2:21; Phil 2:9-11; 1 Pet 5:6; Rev 3:21).2. Promotion corresponds to making a person stand, and demotion corresponds to making a person fall.
3. Promotion comes after waiting in the Divine Dynasphere (Psa 37:34).
a. Waiting may be accompanied by Divine Punishment or Testing (1 Pet 5:6).
b. God promotes after the test is passed (Jas 4:6).
c. God promotes at the right time (1 Pet 5:6).
Giver of Grace
1. God gives Grace to the humble believer in the Divine Dynasphere (Isa 66:2; Jas 4:6).2. The believer in the DD has all his needs met through Grace (2 Cor 9:8; Phil 4:19).
3. Grace is the free gift of God. It is not earned or deserved. Only what God does is acceptable to Him. The believer must orient to the Grace of God in order to live the New Spiritual life. Grace Orientation is symbolized by the Door of the Holy Place in the Tabernacle (Rom 5:1-2).
4. Every aspect of the Christian life must be lived in Grace, even Spiritual Warfare and handling demon attacks (2 Cor 12:9; Eph 6:12-15).2
Fallout
1. Just as sediment falls out, blessing or cursing may fall out from the hand of God (Deut 11:26).a. Blessing is promised for obeying the Lord's commandments (Deut 11:27).
b. Cursing is promised for disobeying the Lord's commandments (Deut 11:28).
2. When David obeyed God, he received great blessing (Psa 16:6).
3. Those who disobey God are opposing Him and must suffer the consequences of His wrath (Heb 10:29-31).
a. The reversionist will get the Divine punishment he deserves (Isa 3:11).
b. Judah received double cursing for idolatry (Isa 65:6-7; Jer 16:18).
c. Judah was destroyed because of sins of rejecting Bible Doctrine (Ezek 11:21 22:31; Hos 4:6).
d. Tyre, Sidon, and all Philistia would receive the fallout of the wrath of God for opposing Israel (Joel 3:4).
e. The Prostitute of Babylon will be repaid with double cursing and destruction in the Tribulation (Rev 18:6).
4. Under the principle of testing and assaying the good or the worthless falls out.
a. Testing (Ps 62:12; Prov 24:12; Eccl 3:18; Jer 17:10 32:19; Heb 12:7; Rev 2:23).
b. Assaying (Is 1:25; Jer 6:27-30; 9:7; Mal 3:3).
5. Threshing and winnowing separates the wheat from the chaff.
a. Threshing (Prov 20:26; Isa 21:10; 28:27; Jer 51:33)
b. Winnowing (Ruth 3:2; Job 21:18; Ps 1:4; 35:5; Jer 15:7; 51:2; Matt 3:12).
Sowing and Reaping
1. Sowing and reaping are the agricultural analogy of production. Under this analogy a person reaps what he sows (Gal 6:7).a. A person who sows to his Old Sin Nature by sinning will reap corruption, but a person who sows to the Spirit (faith in Christ) will reap Eternal Life (Gal 6:8).
b. Those who perform Divine Good will reap their rewards if they do not grow weary and give up (Gal 6:9).
2. Double Cursing
Job 4:8 Double Cursinga. Plowing iniquity and sowing sorrow are temporal decisions under the Law of Volitional Responsibility.
According to what I have seen, those who plow iniquity
And those who sow sorrow, reap it.
b. Reaping sorrow is spiritual cursing of Divine discipline.
c. Double cursing is (1) cursing under the Law of Divine Responsibility (what we do to ourselves) and (2) Divine discipline from God.
3. Those who reject Bible Doctrine will eat the bad fruit they produce and be sated with their own devices (Prov 1:30-31).
4. The reversionist earns deceptive wages, but the believer who sows Divine Righteousness will receive a true reward (Prov 11:18).
5. Sowing iniquity
Proverbs 22:8The one who sows iniquity (sin) reaps trouble. For this one the rod of God's wrath fully punishes him.
He who sows iniquity reaps trouble,
And the rod of His wrath will be completed.
6. Under the Law of Double Discipline those who sow to the wind reap the whirlwind (ref. Hosea 8:7). The people of the Northern Kingdom of Israel made bad decisions to reject Bible Doctrine, practice idolatry, and negotiate peace treaties with their enemies. These bad decisions under the Law of Volitional Responsibility were like sowing to the wind. After suffering for their own bad decisions, God added Divine Punishment. They were destroyed by the Assyrians. They reaped the whirlwind.
7. The believer who sows Divine Righteousness will reap God's Gracious Love (ref. Hos 10:12). Sowing Righteousness means making decisions and performing deeds based on God's Righteousness, X-axis alignment.
8. Those who cultivate reversionism will reap wrongdoing and eat the fruit of lying (ref. Hos 10:13).
a. Cultivation, or plowing, reversionism refers to temporal decisions under Law of Volitional Responsibility.
b. Reaping wrongdoing is spiritual production that will bring Divine punishment.
c. Eating the fruit (production) of lying means reaping the result of a policy based upon the lies of the devil's world. The people did not trust the Lord with Divine viewpoint but followed Satan's policy of evil.
9. Living the old life of sin after Salvation is like sowing sin from the OSN. It will result in spiritual death (Rom 8:13). However, putting to death the sinful deeds of the body through Rebound will result in Spiritual life (Filling of the Holy Spirit) and the ability to live the New Spiritual life in Christ.
10. A person will reap what he sows.
Galatians 6:7a. "God cannot be mocked" means God is watching and no one can escape His notice.
Stop being deceived, God cannot be mocked; for whatever a person sows, that he will also reap.
b. Under the Law of Volitional Responsibility a person will reap the results of what he sows (Hos 8:7; Jas 4:9).
11. Sowing to the flesh results in reaping corruption, but sowing to the Spirit results in reaping Eternal Life.
Galatians 6:8a. "The one who sows to his own flesh" is the one who sins and reaps spiritual death ("corruption").
For the one who sows to his own flesh (OSN) shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap Eternal Life.
b. "The one who sows to the Spirit" is the one who lives the New Spiritual life in the Filling of the Holy Spirit. He will reap Eternal Life and Eternal rewards.
12. Christians must avoid discouragement as they wait to reap.
Galatians 6:9"Producing Divine Good" comes from executing the Spiritual life. The Christian must not be discouraged and faint in his soul. Fainting means falling into emotional subjectivity. Even if the testing is difficult, Eternal rewards await those who persevere.
Let us not become discouraged in producing Divine Good, for in due time we will reap if we do not faint.
13. Peacemakers sow the fruit of Righteousness (ref. Jas 3:18). "The fruit of Righteousness" is Eternal Life, which results from the Gospel that is given by the peacemaker. The peacemaker resides in the Peace of the Divine Dynasphere and invites others into that Peace through Reconciliation.
14. Those who produce Divine Good will reap Eternal rewards, but those who produce evil will reap the wrath of God on Judgment Day (Rom 2:5-10).
The Church
1. The Church is founded upon the Rock of Christ and cannot be overpowered by the gates of Hades.Matthew 16:18 Future Church Universala. Peter is the Greek Pevtro" (petros), meaning stone, boulder. Peter was a nickname. He was originally called Simon (Jn 1:42).
And I also say to you that you are Peter (which means rock), and upon this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it.
b. "Rock" is the Greek pevtra (petra), meaning rock, used for a large, solid rock or cliff, used for the rock in which a tomb is hewn (Matt 27:60; Mk 15:46) or a foundation (Matt 7:24). "This rock" refers to Jesus Christ, the founder of the Church.
c. However, the pun is best appreciated in the original Aramaic, where the same word for rock (kepha) is used both times.
d. "Hades" (or Hell) is the fiery abode of departed unbelievers and fallen angels. It will be replaced by the Lake of Fire (Matt 25:41; Rev 19:20; 20:10, 14-15).
e. "The gates of Hades" refers to openings into Hades. However, the underworld will not be able to rise up and attack the Church because the Church is protected by a Divine Dynasphere.
2. Body of Christ
a. Christ is the Head, and individual Church Age Believers are members of His Body (Rom 12:4-5; Eph 4:15-16; Col 1:18; 2:19).
b. The Body is God's Design, and individual members are called to serve in different capacities (Col 3:15).
c. They are given special gifts to perform different functions (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 7:7; 12:4-31; 1 Pet 4:10).
d. Local congregations are called out for teaching and training individuals to perform their role in the Body (Eph 4:11-13).
Spiritual Temple
1. Individual believer-priests of the Church are like stones of a spiritual temple according to the building analogy.2. Believer-priests draw near to Christ, the Living Stone.
1 Peter 2:4a. Drawing near to Christ means coming into fellowship with Him.
Toward Whom (Christ) we are drawing near, Himself a Living Stone who was rejected by men, but in the sight of God choice and precious.
b. Christ is called a "Living Stone" in the spiritual analogy of a building stone. Unlike a physical stone, He has Spiritual life.
c. Christ was rejected by men, who chose not to believe in Him.
d. But in the judgment of God, Christ was "choice" and "precious."
- "Choice" – highest quality
- "Precious" – great value. Precious stones are gem stones like diamonds, rubies, etc.
3. Holy
Priesthood
1 Peter 2:5 Holy Priesthooda. "Living stones" – individual believer-priests in the Church who are Spiritually alive (with Eternal Life and the Filling of the Holy Spirit). The living stones are spiritual.
You yourselves also as living stones are being built up a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer up Spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
b. "Built up" refers to the calling out of the Holy Priesthood as well as edification of individual believer-priests.
c. A "spiritual house" is a temple, which corresponds to the Church, the congregation of CAB's.
d. "Holy priesthood" means set apart to God.
e. A priest represents himself and others before God.
f. The priests offer "Spiritual sacrifices," which include:
- Faith, Hope, and Love; use of Spiritual gifts, prayer, praise; execution of the Spiritual Life, Spiritual Warfare.
- The life of the CAB is offered up to God (Phil 2:17; 2 Tim 4:6).
g. "Acceptable to God" – acceptable to the will of God and compatible with His essence. This requires obedience to Bible Doctrine.
h. "Through Jesus Christ" – all that we offer to God is through Christ, beginning with Salvation and continuing in the daily execution of the Spiritual life following His example in Hypostatic Union and our standing in the Divine Dynasphere.
4. Living
stones forming a Spiritual temple indicates the spiritual bodies
of believers are the building stones. The pressure points
of the spiritual body would thus be analogous to crystals or gem
stones.
Crystals of Spiritual BodyCrown – Amethyst
Soul - Topaz, Citrine
Throat – Blue Chalcedony, Sodalite
Breast – Sapphire
Solar Plexus – Emerald
Womb – Carnelian
Genitals – Sardonyx
Feet – Milky Quartz
4. Christ the Cornerstone
1 Peter 2:6 Christ the Cornerstonea. This a quote from Isaiah 28:16 in which the cornerstone of the Temple in Jerusalem symbolized the Lord.
For it stands written in Scripture,
"Behold I lay in Zion a Stone, a choice and precious Cornerstone,
And the one who believes in Him will absolutely not be disappointed."
b. The cornerstone of a building symbolized the head, or most significant, stone in the building. The cornerstone was the reference point for the layout of the rest of the building. Since the cornerstone was the foundation stone for two walls of the building, it must be perfectly shaped and able to sustain the load without shifting, turning, or buckling. The laying of the first cornerstone of a building was usually accompanied by a ceremony that often included sacrifices and offerings to invoke Divine providence for the prosperity and protection of the building.
c. Jesus Christ is symbolized by a cornerstone that corresponds to the Head of the Church.
d. Jesus Christ is also the Cornerstone of Jewish believers and brings both Jews and Gentile believers together (Eph 2:13-20).
e. Those who believe in Christ will not be disappointed (Isa 28:16; Rom 5:5).
5. Rejected Stone
1 Peter 2:7a. "Honor" is the precious value bestowed on the cornerstone. Cornerstones were special, and this one has been afforded the highest honor and esteem.
This honor therefore is for you who believe, but for those who disbelieve, "The Stone which the builders rejected,
This has become the head of the corner (cornerstone)."
b. The honor afforded to the cornerstone is recognized by believers.
c. Those who disbelieve are like builders who reject the stone.
d. Jesus Christ was rejected like the stone (Matt 27:42; Mark 12:10; Luke 20:17; Acts 4:11).
e. "Head of the corner" is a Hebraism (Ps 118:22) for cornerstone.
f. Jesus Christ became the Cornerstone – the symbolic Cornerstone of the Old and New Testament congregations of believers.
6. Stumbling Stone
1 Peter 2:8a. The Lord is the stumbling stone and rock of offense (Isa 8:14; Luk 2:34; Rom 9:32; 1 Cor 1:23).
and,
"A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense";
They stumble because they are disobedient to the Word, to which (stumbling) they were even appointed.
b. They stumble over Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone, because they do not believe His Word (Bible Doctrine).
c. They do not stand but stumble and fall into the Cosmic System.
d. They who stumble were destined for stumbling and falling and going to destruction (Ex 9:16; Rom 9:22; 1Th 5:9; 2Pe 2:3; Jude 1:4).
7. Royal Priesthood
1 Peter 2:9 Royal Family of Goda. This is a quote from Exodus 19:6 in the Septuagint. Here it applies to the Church, but it also applies to Israel in the Millennium. In the Millennium:
But you are a chosen family, a royal priesthood, a Holy nation, a people for God's possession, that you may declare the excellencies of Him who called you out from darkness into His marvelous Light.
- The Church will rule and reign with Jesus Christ, the King and will be a Royal Priesthood.
- Israel will be a Client Nation and serve the Lord Jesus Christ, the King on the Throne of David. Israel will have royal status and a priesthood. The Gentile nations will serve Israel, and Israel will be concerned with administration of people on Earth. Israel will not enjoy a higher status than the Church.
b. Church Age Believers are a "chosen family," the Royal Family of God. Jesus Christ is the King, and the Church is His Royal Family.
c. "Royal priesthood" means the Church has royalty and priestly function (Rev 1:6; 5:10; Heb 11:40). Jesus Christ is the High Priest of the Church. Royalty is temporal and identified with Jesus Christ the King, and priest is Spiritual under Christ the High Priest.
d. "Holy nation" means a people without sin and consecrated to God.
e. "A people for God's possession" – CABs are purchased property from the slave market of sin (Eph 1:14) and God's valued property (Ex 19:5; Deut. 7:6).
f. CABs will be the Lord's possession at the Rapture (Col 3:4) just as Israel will be the Lord's possession at the Resurrection on the Day of the Lord (Second Advent) (Mal 3:17; Isa 43:21).
g. CAB's will stand in the Divine Dynasphere in the Light of God.
8. The Church is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ as the Cornerstone.
Ephesians 2:19-20 Church Building Analogya. The prophets taught the doctrine about the future Savior and His work of Redemption.
19 Consequently, therefore, you (Gentiles) are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow-citizens of the saints and members of the Family of God.
20 Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Himself being the Cornerstone.
b. The apostles provided the Church Age doctrine for the Church.
c. Cornerstone is the Greek a*krogwniai'o" (akrogoniaios) from (a!kro", extreme point) + (gwniva, corner) = lying at the extreme corner; cornerstone or capstone.
d. Christ, the Cornerstone, holds the building together.
9. The Church is a Holy temple.
Ephesians 2:21 Church Built Around the Lorda. The Church is analogous to a building built around Christ, the Cornerstone.
In Whom (Christ) the whole building (Church), being joined together under construction, is growing into a Holy temple in the sphere of the Lord.
b. "Joined together" is the Greek sunarmologevw, (sunarmologeo) = fit or join together (Eph 4:16)
- Can be used for joining together stones to construct a building as the masons do in Israel with irregular stones.
- This indicates that the spiritual bodies of believers are connected.
- Stones joined together are analogous to the joints of human bodies, which symbolize pastor-teachers (Eph 4:16; Col 2:19).
c. The Church is growing "into a Holy temple."
- Refers to the Church in the spiritual realm.
- Refers to the Church in the Heavenly Jerusalem (Gal 4:26; 2 Ti 4:18; Heb 12:22-23; 13:10-14),
d. "In the sphere of the Lord" means the Church Temple grows in relation to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone.
e. Thus, the Temple, or building, corresponds to the Body in the Body of Christ analogy. The Head and the Body correspond to the Cornerstone and the Temple (or building).
10. God dwells in the Church.
Ephesians 2:22 Dwelling Place of Goda. "A dwelling place of God in the sphere of the Spirit" – God will dwell in the Church in the sphere of the Holy Spirit.
In Whom (the Lord) you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the sphere of the Spirit.
b. Not only are individual members of the Church indwelt by the Trinity, but they are collectively members of a Temple that is built around Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit for the indwelling of God.
c. God the Father lives in the Spiritual house (Temple) with His family, the Church.
Spiritual Growth of the Body
1. Spiritual growth comes through the metabolization of Bible Doctrine taught by the local pastor-teacher.Ephesians 4:15 Spiritual Growtha. The local pastor-teacher communicates truth (Bible Doctrine) to the local congregation.
But communicating the truth (Bible Doctrine) in the sphere of Divine Love, we may grow up in Him in all things, who is the Head, Christ.
b. "In the sphere of Love" refers to reciprocal Love for Christ
c. "We may grow up in Him in all things" – refers to Spiritual growth.
- "In Him" means the believer-priest is in the Body, which is in union with the Head, who is Christ.
- In contrast is a person under the influence of the Cosmic System.
- "All things" refers to growing up in all aspects of the Spiritual life, including Faith, Hope, and Love.
2. Body of Christ
Ephesians 4:16 Body of Christa. "From Whom" is ablative of source, meaning "from the source of Whom." The Head directs the entire Body (the Church).
From Whom (Christ the Head) the whole Body, being integrated and united through every joint of supply, according to the proper function of each individual part, produces growth of the Body resulting in the edification of itself in the sphere of Divine Love.
b. "Being integrated" – this is union with Christ of all local churches.
c. "And united" – this is the harmonious rapport of the Body in relation to the Head.
d. "Through every joint of supply" – joints symbolize pastor-teachers. The pastor supplies nourishment to the local congregation.
e. "According to the proper function of each individual part" – refers to the proper and proportionate function of the parts of the Body which will be integrated into the whole.
f. "Of each individual part" – these are the local congregations and individual members.
g. "Produces growth of the Body" – refers to Spiritual growth and evangelism.
h. "Resulting in the edification of itself" - Edification refers to erecting the Edification Complex of the Soul. The ECS is built from metabolized doctrine.
i. "In the sphere of Divine Love" – this is the Love relationship of Christ and the Church (Eph 5:25-26).
The Local Church
1. The local church consists of a pastor and a congregation of believers who assemble for the purpose of worshipping God through the communication of Bible Doctrine.a. The pastor as the under shepherd teaches the congregation Bible Doctrine in order to edify them (Eph 4:11-13; 1 Pet 5:2-4).
b. The congregation assembles for the purpose of worship and being taught Bible Doctrine (Heb 10:25).
2. The local church with the pastor as the head and the congregation as the body symbolizes the overall Church, or Body of Christ, with Christ as the Head and Church Age Believers as the Body (Rom 12:5; Eph 4:12; Col 1:18, 24).
a. The joints of the human body symbolize the pastors and the parts of the body that function with the joints symbolize the local congregations (Eph 4:16).
b. Individual local churches throughout the history of the Church Age comprise the Body of Christ.
3. The Lord as the High Priest appoints pastors, administrators, and members of local churches for His purpose (1 Cor 12:28; Col 1:25).
a. The Lord selects the location of the churches, names them personally, supports, and protects them in the Divine Dynasphere.
b. The Lord provides Spiritual gifts to support the church and serve others (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:4-11; 1 Pet 4:10).
4. Individual believers are the salt of the land, and local churches are the pillars of support for the Client Nation (Matt 5:13; 1 Tim 3:15).
a. As goes the church, so goes the nation (Lev 26).
b. Strong, doctrinal churches support historical blessing (Deut 11:27).
c. Apostate churches bring national cursing (Deut 11:28; Hos 4:6).
5. The congregation in fellowship with God in the Divine Dynasphere should have Divine Love, unity, peace, and harmony with Christ (Col 3:14-15).
a. The congregation should be full of doctrine and songs of praise (Col 3:16).
b. The congregation should be full of thanksgiving (Col 3:17).
6. Sin and carnality in local churches cause them to fall out of the Divine Dynasphere into the Cosmic System.
a. Such local churches are not serving God but sin (Jude 1:16, 18).
b. Sin may cause jealous ambition, strife and divisions, and quarrels (1 Cor 1:10-12; 3:3; 11:18).
c. Sin may cause confusion (1 Cor 14:33).
d. To avoid arrogant ambition in women in the church, they were commanded to keep silent in church (1 Cor 14:34).
7. Local churches are attacked by Satan through false teachers, antichrists, and Jezebel (2 Cor 11:3-4, 13; 1 Tim 6:5; 1 Jn 2:18, 22; 4:1-3; 2 Jn 7; 2 Pet 2:1-3, 14; Jude 1:16; Rev 2:20).
Right Man – Right Woman
1.
Just
as we are "one Body" in Christ (Rom 12:5), Right Man and Right
Woman are one body (Gen 2:24; Eph 5:31). Their two bodies
are bound together into one body by the genitals in sex.
2. The Right Man and Right Woman are a corporate system and a team. God created them for each other, and they are inseparably united until death (ref. 1 Cor. 11:11).
a. Because Right Man and Right Woman are a system, they cannot be separated.
b. If one is Judged, both are Judged.
c. If one is sanctified, both are sanctified (1 Cor 7:14).
d. They have authority over each other's bodies (1 Cor 7:4).
3. The Right Woman is sanctified by Right Man (2 Cor 6:14-17; ref. Eph 5:25-26).
4. Thus, the Right Man – Right Woman system illustrates the intimate spiritual connections that are possible for two bodies in a Divinely ordained system.
Divine Institutions
1. Blessing or cursing of Divine Institutions, corresponding to standing or falling, is based upon the Sovereign decision of God.2. Nations rise and fall through the Cycles of National Blessing and Cursing based on the Sovereign decision of God.
3. Family is another Divine Institution that may be blessed or cursed in relation to the nation and the Church.
4. Within a nation the Military and Civilian Establishments may be blessed or cursed.
Bearing One Another's Weaknesses
1. Under the Mosaic Law if you saw the donkey of one who hated you lying helpless under its load, you were required to help the donkey and release him from his load (Ex 23:5).2. Moses complained to the Lord about having to bear the burden of the people of Israel, who were stubborn and rebellious (Num 11:11, 12). He also complained to the people and proposed that they select leaders to help govern themselves (Deut 1:12, 13).
3. In Isaiah's day the people wondered why God was not answering their prayers when they fasted.
Isaiah 58:3The Lord's answer was that when they fasted they continued to seek their own pleasure and oppress their workers. How could they expect the Lord to deliver them when they were oppressing others?
Why have we fasted and You do not see? Why have we humbled our soul and You do not notice? Behold, on the day of your fast you seek your own pleasure, and you oppress all your workers.
4. Fasting should be accompanied by turning away from reversionism and freeing the oppressed.
Isaiah 58:6 Z-Axis Alignment - FreedomThe Lord explained the purpose of fasting was:
Is this not a fast that I choose: To loose the bonds of wickedness, to unfasten the bands of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?
- To "loose the bonds of wickedness" – to free people from evil.
- To break the yokes of slavery.
- To let the oppressed go free.
5. Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons to free those who were oppressed (Matt 8:16). This was to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah (Isa 53:4; Matt 8:17).
6. Jesus accused the Jewish legal scholars of the Mosaic Law of weighing men down with burdens hard to bear while they wouldn't touch the burdens with one of their fingers (Lk 11:46). These were burdens from having to keep legalistic interpretations of the Law.
7. Mature believers should help weaker believers, who are positive. (Gal 6:1-2 1Th 5:14).
Romans 15:1a. "We who are strong" refers to mature believers (2 Tim 2:1).
Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of those without strength and not just please ourselves.
b. Bearing weaknesses of those without strength means helping weaker believers. This may include helping them Rebound, helping with hang-ups and protection from false teachers. It includes putting up with their shortcomings and not being judgmental or trying to straighten them out (counseling).
c. Bearing weaknesses is a Spiritual relationship that includes comfort, encouragement, and intercessory prayer.
d. "Bearing weaknesses" includes dealing with Biorhythm relationships with the weak person (offsets of 90, 180, and 270 degrees). Weakness corresponds to the valley of the 23-day cycle.
8. Providing what is Good for edification.
Romans 15:2a. "Good" refers to Divine Good.
Let each of us strive to please his neighbor in respect to what is Good for edification.
b. What we do to please our neighbor should be Divine Good. We should be engaged in Divine Good production toward our neighbor so that he will be edified.
9. Christ helped others and bore their reproaches.
Romans 15:3a. "Christ did not please Himself." He was engaged in helping others.
For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me."
b. "Reproaches" – includes antagonisms from sin and evil (Psa 42:9-10); rejection of the Cornerstone (1 Pet 2:7), stumbling stone (1 Pet 2:8); persecution (Jn 15:20; 1 Cor 4:12); insults (Matt 5:11; 2 Cor 12:10).
c. Jesus Christ bore reproach from those who were negative to God the Father (Ps 69:9).
d. Christians (like believers throughout history) can expect to bear the same reproach from those who are negative to God and the Lord Jesus Christ (Ps 22:6; 69:9, 20; 89:50-51; Isa 14:11; Mt 10:25; Jn 15:24).
10. Comfort comes from Scripture.
Romans 15:4a. Scripture is the revelation of God (1 Cor 9:10; 10:11). It was written in earlier times (Old Testament) for our instruction in the Church Age. It is still applicable.
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, in order that through endurance and through comfort from the Scriptures we might have confidence.
b. "Endurance" refers to enduring suffering.
c. "Comfort" in dealing with the pressures of the world comes from the Scriptures (Bible Doctrine).
d. "Confidence" (hope) is Spiritual Self-Esteem (Heb 10:35,36; 1Pe 1:13).
11. Harmonious and Spiritual Rapport.
Romans 15:5a. God provides endurance and comfort in the face of suffering and reproach. He gives Peace and harmony.
Now may the God who gives endurance and comfort grant you to be thinking the same thing with one another according to Christ Jesus,
b. "Thinking the same thing with one another" – refers to harmonious rapport with others.
c. "According to Christ Jesus" – refers to Spiritual rapport with Christ.
12. Harmonious rapport with other like-minded believers in glorifying God comes from believing the same true doctrine.
Romans 15:613. Accepting others.
in order that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:7a. "Accept one another" – means to accept a love relationship with another. Christians should have Divine Love.
Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.
b. This may require impersonal Love and putting up with weaknesses and shortcomings of the other.
c. "Just as Christ also accepted us" – refers to Salvation.
d. "To the glory of God" also means "for the glory of God." God was glorified when Christ accepted us at Salvation.
14. Helping others Rebound.
Galatians 6:1a. A person caught in a trespass is a person in sin. He is in the Cosmic System enslaved to sin and Satan.
Brethren, even if a person is caught in any trespass, you who are Spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of humility; looking out for yourself, lest you also be tempted.
b. A person who is Spiritual is one who is filled with the Holy Spirit.
c. A person who is filled with the Holy Spirit can help a person Rebound.
- However, this must be done with "humility," which means non-judgmental and operating under God's authority – not being arrogant or legalistic.
- Intercessory prayer is also in order (1 Jn 5:16).
d. Care must be taken when dealing with a sinner to avoid the temptation to sin.
- The sinner is a slave to the Cosmic System and a source of temptation. He can be a snare and a trap (Josh 23:13; Job 18:9; Ps 69:22; 140:5; 141:9; Eccl 9:12; Rom 11:9).
- The sinner is a magnet for Satan and demons.
- The sinner is in the Cosmic System enslaved to Satan and demons.
- Any relationship with another person is a relationship with his angels or demons.
15. Bear one another's burdens.
Galatians 6:2a. Bearing one another's burdens is a metaphor for team work and helping another with his load.
Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
b. A person burdened, or weighted down with sin, needs help, e.g. intercessory prayer and forgiveness, and needs to Rebound.
c. The Disciples of Jesus had a burden of "heavy eyes" that made them fall asleep (Matt 26:40-45). Their sleepiness was due to pressure from the Cosmic System and the influence of Satan.
d. There are many types of burdens due to roles and responsibilities in Divine Institutions, e.g. Marriage, Family, Church, Nation. Burdens also come from sin, especially worry, and involvement in the Cosmic System. Burdens are also associated with people or Biorhythm relationships, animals, the environment, or weather,
e. Bearing burdens is a Spiritual relationship that includes comfort, encouragement, intercessory prayer (1 Jn 5:16), and Spiritual Warfare.
f. A person burdened, or weighted down with sin, needs help, e.g. intercessory prayer and forgiveness, and needs to Rebound.
g. Help must be provided in the Divine Dynasphere by means of Grace Orientation. This excludes counseling, judging, and violating privacy.
h. "The Law of Christ" is the Royal Law (Jn 15:12; Jas 2:8 1Jn 4:21).
- He bore our sins (Isa 53:5-6; Rom 4:25; 1 Cor 15:3; 1 Pet 2:24-25).
- If you Love your neighbor, you will help him.
16. Avoid the arrogance skills.
Galatians 6:3 Arrogancea. Arrogance is deceptive.
For if anyone assumes he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
b. Bearing one another's burdens cannot be done by using the arrogance skills. Humility and Grace Orientation are required.
17. Each person must examine his own work – mind his own business (Gal 6:4).
a. A person's work is the burden that he carries.
b. If a person gets arrogant or worries about his work, he has fallen into sin.
18. Individual Responsibility.
Galatians 6:5 Individual Responsibilitya. "Burden" – the weight of deeds, work, and actions assigned to a person.
For each one will bear his own burden.
b. Burdens are pressures, stresses, strains, and constraints.
c. Burdens may hinder the Spiritual life along any axis.
- X-axis: right, wrong, truth, lies, doctrine, apostasy.
- Y-axis: light, love, friendship.
- Z-axis: authority, standing, hope.
- Time-axis: patience, speed, rhythm, movement, acceleration.
d. Burdens may hinder Capacity for Life, Love, Righteousness.
e. Burdens may affect the spiritual body and weaken the pressure points.
f. Burdens may be due to personal problems or outside influence.
g. The Galatians had burdens caused by false teachers (antichrists).
h. Bearing his burden refers to doing one's own work and accepting responsibility for decisions and actions. Each one is accountable to God (Rom 14:12; 1 Cor 3:8).
19. The Lord bears our burdens, protects, preserves, provides, and helps our weaknesses (Ps 16:8; 27:14; 37:5, 24; 42:10-11 55:22; 62:2, 6, 8 63:8; 121:3;; Isa 50:10 1 Sam 2:9; Mt 6:25,31-34 11:28 Lu 12:22; Rom 8:16; Phil 4:6-7; 1 Pet 1:5; 5:7), raises up (Ps 146:8), and sustains the fallen (Ps 145:14; 147:6).
Stalling
1. Stalling may occur when a burden is too heavy or the path is blocked, as was the case with Balaam's donkey (Num 22:22, 27; Job 3:23; 19:8; Lam 3:7-9; Lu 19:43; Hos 2:6).2. Stalling may include passing out or falling asleep (Matt 26:40-45), not understanding, or falling into a state of confusion.
3. Just as not eating makes a person weak, failing to complete the metabolization process leads to stalling.
a. Just as a person walks on the right foot (spiritual) and then the left (temporal), advancing Spiritually requires learning Bible Doctrine (right foot) and applying it (left foot).
b. Stalling may result from not learning doctrine or not applying it.
4. The Lord will not place on us more than we can bear.
1 Corinthians 10:13 Testing
Testing has not overtaken you except such as is common to mankind; moreover, God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tested beyond what you are able, but will with the testing also provide a way of escape that you may be able to endure it.
Standing Before God
1. Standing at the Rapture (1 Jn 2:28; Jude 1:24)2. Standing at the Evaluation Throne (Rom 14:10)
3. Standing at the Second Advent (Mal 3:2; Lk 27:36; Rev 6:17)
4. Standing in Heaven (Rev 7:9), before the Throne, in His presence (Lk 1:19; Rev 8:2).
Satan's Attack
1. Satan attacks people to get them to fall into sin, keep them from standing, and become his slaves.2. Satan is allowed to attack believers who are in the Divine Dynasphere (Job 1:8; 2:3).
3. Satan employs devious schemes to lure people into his snare.
a. Satan convinces (Gen 3:1-5)
b. Satan tempts, seduces, pressures, deceives, accuses, lies, fights (Dan 10:13, 20; 1 Pet 5:8).
c. Satan enslaves and controls (1 Tim 2:26) – becomes lord (Matt 12:24), master, god (Matt 4:9; 2 Cor 4:4; Rev 13:4) over his subjects.
d. He pretends to do good (2 Cor 11:14), is a false teacher (2 Cor 11:13, 15; 2 Pet 2:1; Jude 1:12), and sponsors religion (1 Cor 12:2; Gal 1:8; Rev 2:14).
References
2. Larry Wood. "Dealing with Demons in Grace," Oct. 31, 2015