PROSPERITY: Profitable or Perilous? PROVERBS 22:28-29

PROVERBS 22:28-29
28 Do not remove the ancient landmark Which your fathers have set. 29 Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; He will not stand before unknown men.

Listen to the audio message on SHINE BRIGHT Church YouTube Channel!

Let’s open the Holy Revelation of GOD’s Word!

INTRODUCTION: “All men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is something we know from the Declaration of Independence.

What many don’t know is that there was a hot debate among the architects of this document about what three things should be mentioned. Life and Liberty were agreed upon, because you can’t have one without the other. And while its true that you can have neither of those as intended by our Creator without happiness, there is another crucial element that must be included.

So many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence strongly believed that this line should read, “…among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of land”!

In an agricultural world such as it was in those days, life was inextricably linked to land; people lived off of the land. But more than this:

Private ownership of land is essential to our liberties. Why?

Because as owner of your own land, you were sovereign over that domain. As an American citizen people were autonomous under the Republic and in control of their own destinies without any interference from government or the wealthy who could oppress free-loving people.

If someone came onto your property and did something you didn’t like, you would and could exercise your right and tell them, “Get off my land!”

LEVITICUS 19:11
'You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another.
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A TTUF EXAMINATION OF HEAVEN – PART TWO: The First Heaven

Now that we have looked over some preliminary observations regarding “the heavens” and the fact that Scripture speaks of “the third heaven” but not a fourth or a fifth, we can reasonably assume that there must be a first heaven and a second.

We believe that the third heaven is that eternal domain of the LORD GOD that existed prior to the commencement of creation. That place is eternal and will never change; such is not the case with the first and the second however!

PSALM 102:25-27

25 Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. 26 They will perish, but You will endure; Yes, they will all grow old like a garment; Like a cloak You will change them, And they will be changed. 27 But You are the same, And Your years will have no end.

Some contend that the Earth will remain forever as is, but when verses that suggest this is taken in context with the whole, we understand what’s being said much better.

PSALM 119:90-91
90 Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You established the earth, and it abides. 91 They continue this day according to Your ordinances, For all are Your servants.

ECCL 1:4
One generation passes away, and another generation comes; But the earth abides forever.

In the sense of GOD’s created order in the present universe, in this context, yes: the Earth abides forever. There will be no time in human history in this present reality where the unthinkable happens, WW III is unleashed and every H-Bomb that exists will explode and leave this planet as a smoldering cinder in the black vacuum of space! Nor will a mega-meteor or a colossal comet strike the Earth, devastating the surface and extinguish human life forever!

No, despite any dystopian forecast, planet Earth will survive… until…

2 PETER 3:10-13
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. 11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

REVELATION 20:11
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.

But until that happens, we can count on this planet spinning in orbit, faithfully abiding until GOD decides to make for His children the upgraded, new and improved version!

But now, concerning “the second heavens” what is its distinctions and functions?

Just as the human body as many layers of defense (body hair, skin, capillaries, deep tissue, antibodies, etc.) our planet has many layers as well that protect us from all kinds of solar radiation including such things as gamma rays. Some parts of the second heavens actually collect certain thermal radiation in order to maintain an equilibrium in our atmosphere!

So let’s briefly go over these various meteorological layers and see what they do as GOD designed them! You can also check out the following website Center For Science Education and the article Layers of the Earth’s Atmosphere that describes all of these aspects and links at the bottom of the page for more detailed information!

1. Atmosphere

Atmosphere Layers That Surround Planet Earth

The atmosphere is the envelope of gases that surround Earth. If you look at the atmosphere’s chemical composition, it’s mostly nitrogen and oxygen. Air is denser closer to Earth because of Earth’s gravitational pull. As you move outwards, the air becomes less dense.

You can divide the atmosphere into layers. From bottom to top, it consists of the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. Then, the thermosphere has two parts: the ionosphere and the exosphere.

These all work together like a gigantic engine, whose parts all serve a specific purpose to ensure life is sustained on our planet.

2. Troposphere

The innermost layer of the atmosphere is the troposphere. Like all layers of the atmosphere, the height of the thermosphere depends on where you are located. On average, it extends about 13 km (28,000 to 70,000 feet) from ground level.

The troposphere contains 75-80% of the atmospheric mass and 99% of the total mass of water vapor and aerosols. Most importantly, it’s the air we breathe, it contains most of our daily weather, and most air traffic flies in it (as well as birds, bats and beneficial and baneful spirits [those being holy and unholy angels… and demons]). It’s here that the water cycle for our world operates (the science of this is hydrology).

The turbulence of air in this sphere and its rotational friction against the planetary surface affects the flow of air and forms the planetary boundary layers (which can vary in height (from thousands of feet to over a mile). Think of the planetary surface is the engine GOD uses to help ‘stir the pot’ as it were, of our atmosphere. The other thing that creates turbulence is the temperature gradient that occurs where sunlight and therefore heat, is most intense on the planet and its atmosphere and where its least intense.

Theory suggests that without the “ice shield” (discussed briefly in Part One), weather is far more violent and in some respects has an instability which is not what GOD originally intended.

Between this sphere and the Stratosphere is a thin transitional layer called the Tropopause. It’s this boundary that separates the Troposphere and the Stratosphere which has the highest concentration of nitrogen, and it’s also where atmospheric temperatures increase dramatically.

Because of the amount of water vapor stored here (and nitrates and sulphites) our air is cleansed of various pollutants caused by industry and natural gases sourced from decomposed biomatter. Our oceans, oceanic and terrestrial plant life are major contributors to cleansing our atmosphere as well as providing oxygen and humidity.

Thanks to gravity, the density of our atmosphere is higher at our surface (hydrostatic equilibrium) and decreases as altitude increases. This allows water to remain in liquid state. If our finely-tuned gravity was anything less, water would not remain in a liquid state.

Due to higher pressure at lowest altitude (and the nearer to the equator one is), retention of heat is effectively maintained, allowing life to flourish. Essentially the troposphere is thickest at higher temperatures, and thinnest at cooler temperatures. This is where high pressure and low pressure systems are born, typically with low pressure weather systems containing higher degrees of water vapor, humidity, clouds, higher winds and precipitation.

3. Stratosphere

If you move 12 to 50 kilometers upward into the atmosphere, you’d hit the stratosphere. The stratosphere is known for its large concentration of ozone (O3).

The ozone layer raises the temperature in the stratosphere because ozone absorbs radiation from the sun. Lucky for us, it also protects our skin like a shield from harmful solar rays. This sphere has its own set of layers. There are no storms or turbulence found here so cold, heavier air stays at the bottom and warm, lighter air remains at the top. There is little water vapor found here, but surprisingly, you might find some bird species flying in the lower levels as well as commercial airlines, reason being there is very little resistance here, so planes can maximize their fuel efficiency at these altitudes. Two such aircraft are the SR-71 and the Concorde.

4. Mesosphere

There are 2 different mesospheres that make up Earth’s spheres. This mesosphere is not to be confused with the mesosphere deep inside the Earth. This mesosphere is part of the atmosphere and spans a vertical distance from ~50 to 90 km.

Air is very thin in the mesosphere. It’s almost like a vacuum. But it’s thick enough to cause meteors to burn up and disintegrate. The mesosphere reaches temperatures around -100° to -130°C. It has very little impact on weather, air pollution, and water storage capacity. So where the ozone layer in the Stratosphere protects us from solar radiation and directs warmth collected there towards the surface of the planet, the Mesosphere is responsible for protecting our world from meteoroids and other kinds of space rocks like bolides (explosive meteorites).

5. Thermosphere

The thermosphere is the uppermost part of the atmosphere. There are two parts to the thermosphere. It consists of the ionosphere and exosphere.

Although the thermosphere extends up to about 550 km altitude, its mass is only 0.002% of the total atmosphere. The thermosphere is home to the International Space Station (ISS). It orbits in the middle of the thermosphere between 330 and 435 km (average of 237 miles). Within this layer of the atmosphere, ultraviolet radiation causes photoionization / photodissociation of molecules, creating ions. Thus within this region the greater percentage of the ionosphere is found. Depending on the intensity and frequency of solar radiation, this sphere can range in temperature up to about 2,000°C (3,630° F) or more. Radiation here causes particles to become electrically charged, enabling radio waves to be refracted and received beyond the horizon. A portion of the thermosphere is considered outer space with the greater part of the exosphere classified as such.

6. Ionosphere

Magnetic Fields are generated in this sphere of Earth the name of which is derived from the word “ion” meaning electrically charged. So, it should be no surprise that this is the sphere of Earth that becomes ionized from cosmic radiation.

The interaction between charged particles from the sun and Earth’s magnetic field in the ionosphere creates beautiful natural light displays in the polar regions known as the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) and Aurora Australis (Southern Lights).

7. Exosphere

The outermost part of the atmosphere is the exosphere. It’s so far away and has such thin air that some scientists don’t even recognize it as a layer of the atmosphere.

Its thin air is why the thermosphere has a whole fleet of satellites (and space junk) that freely orbits it. The exosphere extends to about halfway to the distance of the moon. There’s no outer edge because it gradually fades in density to the vacuum of outer space.

8. Magnetosphere

There is a significant overlap between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere. In fact, the ionosphere is just the inner edge of the magnetosphere. The magnetosphere varies in extent and is bound by the extent of Earth’s magnetic field.

It’s not only Earth that has a magnetosphere. Other planets have them and it’s key for habitable life. Like a bubble that surrounds Earth, the magnetosphere protects us from the fury of the sun.

9. Plasmasphere

If you take the inner section of the magnetosphere and track where it consists of low energy electrically charged gas (plasma), this is the plasmasphere. At all times, the sun ejects vast amounts of plasma into the solar system.

When plasma enters Earth’s magnetosphere, Earth’s magnetic field is relatively unaffected. But during large solar storms, plasma can enter into rifts at the poles. It has the potential to disrupt satellites and network communications around the world.

Before we proceed to the next topic in regards to “the first heavens”, I’d like to include a video about a favorite subject of mine, meteorology – weather! It’s something we all experience, and when we don’t know what to talk about, we fall back on this phenomenon!

The following video is 53 mins and 26 secs from Meteorologist Dan Treiber and includes very detailed (and fun, fascinating!) scientific information.

BASIC UNDERSTANDING Of The WEATHER

Now we leave the more mundane aspects of the “first heaven’ and consider the other aspects that involve the spiritual domain.

The PRINCE of the POWER of the AIR

Adam and wife Eve were created to care for this world and to rule over it (GEN 1:28), but when the Head of the Human race fell into sin, essentially he was ‘dethroned’ by Satan, who then became “the god [ruler] of this world” (1 COR 4:4). In the wilderness where the LORD Jesus fasted for 40 days, He never disputed Satan’s claim:

LUKE 4:5-7
5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 "Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.

We don’t really know where Satan’s throne is on the Earth today; but once it was in Pergamos (REV 2:13). Today, perhaps it’s in Rome, or Washington D.C. or London?

In any event, we understand that this world system is governed by Satan, and anywhere it isn’t ruling, it’s because there is a holy stronghold in place in select locations because of the saints of GOD who yet have some salt and light to sanctify with! I suspect however that these places are few and far between these days!

Not only is Satan “going to and fro in the Earth and up and down in it” (JOB 1:7; 2:2) but because he is in fact a spirit (a fallen angel) he can be anywhere, at any location he chooses throughout the Earth and into the first (and second, and [for now] even the third) heaven.

He is, after all the “prince of the power of the air” (EPH 2:2) and like Satan, his entire hierarchy of various rank and file (EPH 6:12) can travel – perhaps faster than light (how fast can a spirit travel anyway?)?, the kingdom of darkness can appear to be omnipresent, and Satan would like nothing better than to have us believe that!

But these fallen angels – and demons (I believe these are not synonyms but are distinct classes of evil spirits) form a sort of “Wicked Web of the World”. Just like how the Internet is connecting people world wide and can share information at the speed of light, I think the Kingdom of Darkness can do very much the same at the “speed of spirit”.

I recall a time in Upstate NY when I was on my way to a Prayer Meeting and as I was nearing the end of my street, my attention was drawn upward. I saw nothing up there but clouds and blue sky, but I could sense tumultuous activity, somewhat similar to what you might expect on intersecting highways with cars dashing about in this direction and that.

I don’t typically put a lot of stock in “spiritual experiences” but the valid ones will always bear out in the counsels of Scripture. One of the names for Satan is Beelzebub or “Lord of the Flies”. Just as flies are restlessly flitting about, never idle for very long, and attracted to death, so too is Satan ceaselessly working in orchestrating his “wiles” in order to achieve his goals – ultimately, the restoration of his One World Order that he attempted back at the Tower of Babel.

This frenzied beehive-like activity I sensed was a temporary unveiling of the spiritual domain where the holy and evil angels are contesting, each for the sake of their respective kingdoms (DAN 10:13-20).

We are likewise called upon to contest the agendas and aims of Satan – obviously not in our own power, but in the Name and authority of Jesus Christ (LUKE 10:19) – which by the way is not a blank check! We don’t go ordering the subjects of the Kingdom of Darkness around to suit our fancy, no!

We use the authority of Christ according to the will of GOD; anytime we pray or perform in the Name of Jesus Christ, we should be doing so according to His will, His nature, His heart, in accordance with His character which in biblical type is synonymous with His Name!

Can Satan orchestrate an army by his inspiration to attack another nation? Was he the prime motivator behind Rome? Nazi Germany? What about the Bolshevik Revolution? What about the deeds of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un, or the actions between Russia and Ukraine? Or even more so, the Hamas and their assaults against Israel?

I think so! And he is quite active here in America, stripping our nation of its Judeo-Christian ethic, of our biblical roots, of our freedoms as outlined in the Constitution of the United States!

On his nefarious agenda is the utter destruction of the nation of Israel. Why? Because prophecy intertwines the Second Coming with the nation of Israel. Scripture indicates that the Messiah will return to rule over Israel from the reestablished throne of David (LUKE 1:31-33). If Israel is destroyed, prophecy can’t come true, and Satan would therefore (in his own eyes) feel justified in calling GOD a liar.

Plus he just hates Israel because GOD loves Israel: so, there is that also!

Can Satan whip up storms and manipulate the weather? Can he perform miracles?

We see that he did that very thing with Job; a storm leveled the house of one of his ten children while all of them were there and were killed (JOB 1:18-19). I strongly suspect he was responsible for the storm on the Sea of Galilee when the LORD and His twelve were on their way across – and on the other side was a man (or two) who were possessed of “many” demons and identified itself as “Legion”. Obviously Satan didn’t want to lose one of his slaves (but he did anyway, because the LORD Jesus rules over the storm!

Only GOD can truly work miracles in the sense that they are supernatural. While Satan in his being is a supernatural creature (that is, not a natural being of flesh and blood as are humans and animals) but he can’t operate outside of the natural law; only the Creator of the natural law can do so.

A bit of conjecture here:

However, in between the supernatural power of GOD and the natural abilities of humanity, there is a middle ground where angels (holy and evil) operate, and that would be the preternatural realm. I believe that they can manipulate the various laws of nature in very intricate, very profound ways so as to appear miraculous.

Scripture testifies that angels witnessed the creation of GOD (JOB 38:7). To what degree angels can perceive reality we are not told; but I think that they are able to analyze and process information far more efficiently than we can with all of our technology. Perhaps they’re quite familiar with reality on a quantum level and comprehend the laws of physics and nature to a far higher degree than we can. Having preternatural abilities therefore, and with such knowledge, I think Satan and his followers are quite capable of fabricating convincing pseudo-miracles.

We know false prophets will perform ‘miracles’ – “signs and wonders” to greater degrees of deception as we approach the end of days, and we know who inspires them (MATT 24:24)!

Can Satan contend with the saints to such a degree that he can thwart the saints of GOD? He managed to harass apostle Paul sufficiently to hinder him and his entourage (1 THESS 2:18).

As saints, we appreciate that Satan has considerable power, but he is not even close to being GOD’s equal. He stands about as much chance going toe to Toe with GOD as I do going against Satan (by my own power)! GOD is infinite by every measure of authority and power, Satan – while far more powerful than us humans, is still quite finite by every measure!

And if we learn anything from the book of JOB it’s that Satan can’t mess with any of GOD’s children without His say so! However, if one of His saints is walking in the flesh – well, that’s Satan’s domain. While GOD won’t let Satan destroy any of His children (again, not without His express permission!) He will let him tangle with us and sting us if we are walking in disobedience – for the intent of getting us back in line, walking with Him rather than in the ways of this fallen world!

We will continue this four part series with an examination of the second heaven – the cosmos of celestial wonder – in the next article, and then conclude this series by looking at the third heaven – the domain of GOD where His throne abides!

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The G.E.P.C Study – GALATIANS 5 – PT. 1 of 2

Going Through Paul’s epistles to Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, and Colossi
("Great Electric Power Company" is a convenient way to remember the order of these epistles!)

INTRODUCTION: There was in those days severe persecution for Jews who converted to Christianity. The temptation to revert back to Mosaic Judaism so as to avoid persecution by their fellow Jews was very real. But to revert back to the old covenant for the means of salvation would mean returning to animal sacrifices and the rites of the Temple, and that was no longer viable, much less effective because the LAMB of GOD had come as an offering for sin: the only absolute atonement. As well as this, sacrifices were no longer available after 70 AD, for the Temple was destroyed along with most of Jerusalem.

For some of the Galatian disciples it was a matter of desiring an escape from persecution and poverty, but it was really a matter of remaining faithful to the LORD.

For those tempted to return to Judaism, that was familiar to them; having adhered to the old covenant for the entirety of their lives it would be a simple thing to return to it. This ‘Christian life’ was new, and strange – and they were unaccustomed to it.

This would surely separate the real converts from the pretenders. Persecution has a way of doing that.

The apostle Paul in this 5th Chapter is emphasizing some of these points, and underscoring the need to cleave to the LORD, the ONLY Way to the Father!

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WISDOM GLEANINGS FROM PROVERBS:

Hearing and Applying the Written Word of Truth

PROVERBS 22:17-21

INTRODUCTION: In a day and age in which the very existence of truth is doubted or relegated to nothing more than relative truth (“What’s true for you isn’t true for me”, and vice versa), we face the challenge of shining the light of GOD’s Truth revealed in His Word before this dark world.

Shining this light is more than reading the Bible, but knowing GOD and His Word, having studied it, with the intent of living it out. It’s in the living out of GOD’s Word that we shine the brightest. We can do so confidently with all assurance and be completely narrow-minded only because GOD has the monopoly on truth, and He is eager to share with those who are searching for and those who love the truth!

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PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS: MATTHEW 25:1—13

PARABLE OF THE TEN VIRGINS

MATTHEW 25:1—13

For more on MATTHEW 25, check out this expositional treatment from our TTUF study on the book of MATTHEW!

To watch the video teaching on Facebook, click here.

Why Did JESUS speak in parables?

Parables are good teaching aids but only to those who desire and love the truth; the LORD Jesus spoke in parables to illustrate truth to truth lovers.
To those who reject truth, declared by Him Who is the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Messiah, parables are both a judgment and a mercy.
A judgment because parables bar any truth-rejecters from receiving more truth; it denies them any greater revelations from GOD. This is however also a mercy, in that even greater and more severe judgment would come upon them if they DID receive more truth and rejected it as well (the LORD Jesus explains all this in MATT 13:10-17)!

MATTHEW 25:1-4
1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 "Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 "Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them. 4 "but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

The subject in this chapter is the Kingdom of Heaven. Specific to this particular parable is the matter of shining the Light while on the way to the wedding of the Lamb, but who are these ten virgins?

From the Jamieson Fawcett and Brown commentary we have the following:

“[these]…virgin attendants [for the] Bride, who go forth at night with lamps and are ready for the appearance of the Bridegroom, conduct the Bride to his house and go in with him to the marriage.
“…But as in the parable of the Marriage Supper, the Bride [herself] doesn’t come into view at all... The virgins and the Bridegroom [hold]… all the intended instruction: … believers couldn’t be represented both as Bride and Bridal Attendants without incongruity.”

In my opinion these ten represent Israel – those who will come to know and express saving faith that the Messiah is Y’shua (those with oil in their lamps), and those who do not express faith (who have no oil). The conduct of this bridal party that meets the bridegroom is very traditional in Jewish customs. And these ten brides maids lead the bride to her bridegroom.

The bride of Christ, which is the church (2 COR 11:2) has indeed been led to her bridegroom (Christ Jesus Himself; LK 5:34-35) by Israel. How so? Through the holy revelation that GOD inspired through Israel’s prophets that testified of the coming Messiah who would be a “light to the Gentiles” (ISA 42:6), Who is Himself the Son of Abraham, the Son of David. However I think the identity of these ten virgins isn’t as important as the lesson they teach us!

These ten virgins are divided into two groups: five of them were wise, and five were foolish. What made them different? It wasn’t only that the wise had oil in their lamps, and five did not. The wise also brought “vessels with their lamps” both of which were full of oil. They brought a backup supply of oil!

The wise would be able to shine the light of their lamps for an extended period of time, anticipating that it could be a long while before the bridegroom appears. So they need to faithfully keep their lamps shining. That shows spiritual wisdom, faith, foresight; it demonstrates proper preparation, patience and watchful diligence. The foolish exhibited none of these qualities, and the light from their lamps, at best, without oil would be short lived. They’d be left in darkness! King Solomon declared:

ECCLESIASTES 2:13
Then I saw that wisdom excels foolishness [just] as light excels darkness.

MATTHEW 25:5-7
5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

These five virgins without oil aren’t exactly scoffers. But like scoffers, they fail to shine the light, to watch and pray, and are in danger of becoming scoffers themselves. Scoffers believe the LORD is delaying, He’s slack in His coming, and they mock the idea of His Second Advent (2 PET 3:4-9).

Their response to this perceived “delay” brings about a terrible witness: they say, “my Master delays His coming”. Then what? In MATT 24 they “began abusing their fellow servants”, they took part in drunkenness: “under the influence not just of wine” but of the world, [watch for the idea of “drunkenness and soberness” in a bit in 1 THESS 5]). They think the worst of the LORD, that He is uncaring or ‘too late in coming’.

2 PETER 3:9
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

The LORD isn’t slack, He is suffering long (patient!), wanting all to come to repentance.
And as He suffers long, delaying His arrival to judge unrepentant sinners, to end the reign of evil, He currently seeks to save the lost. And we are to remain watchful, prayerful, and faithful in shining GOD’s Light of Gospel truth:

The LORD said in MARK 13:32-33
32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

“Heed” – to be aware, perceive, ‘to understand the times’; know what’s going on prophetically!
“Watch” – sleeplessness [in the context of this parable we could say, spiritual insomnia], to keep awake, don’t doze off! Pay attention!

Prayerfulness should be connected to watching (“watch and pray”) and understanding the prophetic signs of the times and the coming of the LORD (It’s what Daniel did in DAN 9 when he read a prophecy given by Jeremiah, re: the return of Israel from captivity. He prayed!).
In the model prayer the LORD taught us (MATT 6:9-10): “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on Earth as it is in heaven”. This is regarding the coming Messianic Kingdom that will throw down the kingdom of antichrist (DAN 2).

MATTHEW 24:42,44
42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. 44 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.

LUKE 21:34-36
34 "But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares [“distractions”] of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 "For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:4-9
4 But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. 8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 9 For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

“…they all slumbered and slept.” There were those who were without oil that I believe “slept”. The Greek implies “sleeping deeply, soundly”. The others, presumably those with oil “slumbered” that is, “dozed off intermittently”. So while none kept watch with 100% vigilance, there was the endeavor on the part of those with oil to keep watch.

Our hearts look with expectation for the LORD’s coming kingdom and of His reward for faithful, diligent service:

COLOSSIANS 3:23-24
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

LUKE 12:32-35
32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 35 Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning;

“Girding the waist” – that is, bringing your carnal nature into submission by the power of Christ and bearing our cross (Apostle Paul talked about "keeping my body under" in 1 COR 9:27); this allows us to be free of those ‘devil-designed distractions’ in this world and for the Spirit of GOD to burn brightest in you!

“The bridegroom is coming!” Even though our LORD tells us that no man knows the day or the hour, some claim that “after deep study of the Scriptures they know the day of the rapture!” … NOT!

I heard once that this Bible Scholar figured out that Christ would return precisely at 3:15 a.m. His friend said, “Really?... 3:15 am? what time zone?”
To which the scholar replied, “I don’t know!”

In this parable, the bridegroom arrives “at midnight”. Indeed the LORD will return when human history is at the spiritually darkest time of all time – when Satan and the Beast are worshiped globally. We don’t know the day or the hour, only the “times and the seasons” (1 THESS 5:1-2).

MATTHEW 25:7
Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

The Herodian lamp is that oblong clay vessel with a handle on one end and a spout on the other. But those used in the Middle East for wedding processions were actually torches: they had a long hollow handle with a funnel shaped top that held long, thick wicks down the shaft of the handle. Those shafts were full of oil and so those sorts of “lamps” were easy to walk with, rather than the traditional Herodian lamp. They would burn for a long time before requiring more oil.

They “trimmed their lamps”; they cut away excess wick that has burned. This reminds me of circumcision, the cutting away or crucifying the sinful flesh. The very thing that the fire of GOD’s Spirit is intent on burning away. GOD desires to spiritually burn up and cut away the old you and refine the new you!

The fire of GOD purges us and brings purity to our character. As we know, “oil” in the Scriptures represents the Holy Spirit, They who have their lamps (and vessels) full of oil are indwelt and filled with the Spirit of GOD.

Any lamp full of oil and with a trimmed wick will burn clear and bright. As we cut off (that is “trim”) those sinful practices, sinful thoughts and sinful prizes, and being filled with the Spirit, Christ will be seen all the clearer in our lives!

What if those lamps had some sand in them: how much oil could they hold? Not as much as a clean, empty lamp. Those born again, saved by faith, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb saints are those that GOD desires to see FULL of the Spirit – so we seek GOD in our desire to rid our vessels of the “sands of sin” as it were! Then we can walk in the power of the Spirit – faithful, sanctified, bold witnesses of GOD’s Gospel! Less sand, more oil; less sin, more Spirit!

Those without the oil have not the Spirit of GOD. Lighting those wicks will result in burnt destruction. These sort have a form of godliness (the lamps without oil look just like the other lamps filled with oil) but they deny the power of godliness, that is: the Spirit of GOD that shines through us, sanctifies and transforms us saints is absent in them.

2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5
1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control [their waists are not “girded”], brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power.

They have religious externalism but no expression of Christ’s righteousness living in them. They are truly “unholy” and “lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God”. Full of the “sands of sin”. And GOD doesn’t know them!

MATTHEW 25:8-10
8 "And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' 9 "But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' 10 "And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

There is no sharing of oil between these bride’s maids. Those without the oil must go to those who provide such.

We saints are branches who are to abide in the Vine that is Christ from Whom we receive this eternal life, the eternal Spirit and produce fruit. You will never see a branch abiding in another branch that abides in the Vine. My salvation counts for nothing to you. Yours counts for nothing to me.

Young person, you’re not a part of the Kingdom of GOD because your parents are saved. Christians, you’re not saved because you belong to SHINE BRIGHT Church or any other fellowship. You must belong to The Church of the LORD Jesus Christ – being a member of the body of Christ, having received Him as LORD and Savior! Then you’re able to have your vessel full of oil, the Holy Spirit. But you can’t borrow oil from another (unless their name is JESUS! And He lets you keep it)!

Those without oil recognized their need once they saw that their lamps wouldn’t stay lit, and they left to procure the necessary oil, but too late. The bridegroom came, and only the wise: those ready, watchful, and praying; those whose lamps were full of oil, trimmed and burning brightly were welcomed in!

MATTHEW 25:11-13
11 "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' 12 "But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' 13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Note that these other five bride’s maids return, still with no oil! They claim the bridegroom as “Lord” but they “deny Him by their wicked works”. We were all once without GOD; we were all children of darkness. But then by faith we received salvation and came to know GOD Who knows us as His own, purchased of blood (GALATIANS 4:8-9).

MATTHEW 7:21-23
21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' 23 "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness [wickedness, iniquity]!'

Three times they say “in Your Name” implying that they know JESUS. But He never knew these practitioners: these who live a lifestyle of sinful wickedness!

Lamps shining the light should never be hidden, but have GOD ordained “good works” put on display to a dying world:

MATTHEW 5:14-16
14 You [church] are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before others [in your house, in GOD’s house, in other people’s houses], that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Those “good works” are spoken of in EPH 2:10; they are ordained of GOD and accomplished through us, we who are GOD’s artistry or “workmanship”. As we allow GOD to work in us the beautiful nature of Christ to deeper and greater degrees, it’s then that those works He has prepared for us are accomplished wonderfully, and to His glory!

Let’s be shining that light as a testimony to the Word of Life and Truth and as a rebuke to the perverse:

PHILIPPIANS 2:15
that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.

Lamps whose light in the Holy Revelation of GOD’s Word leads us safely through this world full of darkness and deception:

PSALM 119:104-105
104 Through Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

The Lamp of GOD’s Word searches us, reveals sin and impurities, and calls upon us to repent, to willingly yield to the sanctifying fire of His Spirit!

PROVERBS 20:27
The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inner depths of his heart.

PSALM 139:24
…see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

GOD’s Light remains ever and always victorious over spiritual darkness! Our victory in the here and now depends on us shining GOD’s Light through our lives.
Kerosene lamps that are filthy and dusty – the light won’t shine so clearly will it? Clean that glass up so the light will shine brilliantly. GOD’s Light shines best through clean vessels which are suitable for the LORD’s use (homework assignment: 2 TIM 2)!

JOHN 1:4-5
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not [“overcome”] it.

REVELATION 16:15
Behold, I am coming as a thief [unpredictable]. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.

 

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TRIUMPHANT TRILOGY – PSALM 22,23,24 - PSALM 24: The Messianic Kingdom

Three Psalms, Three Tenses 

PSALM 24: The Messianic Kingdom 

INTRODUCTION: As we indicated previously, there are often great reservoirs of truth contained in triplicate such as in ROMANS 6,7, and 8 (Part One, Two and Three). We have looked at this triple treasury of truth as found in PSALM 22, 23 already and are currently examining and 24.

In PSALM 22 we saw the Suffering Servant and Savior Who paid the ULTIMATE of ultimate sacrifices, Who shed His own blood, Whose soul the Father made as an offering for sin. It is finished and has been (by our reckoning) for two thousand years! Done deal!

Then in PSALM 23 we see the LORD Jesus as the Good Shepherd Who tends His flocks with tender care, compassion and correction. Indeed, He is the Chief Shepherd (one might say THE Senior Pastor of the body of Christ, His church). This is and has been His current occupation (among others) since the dawn of the church age (but let’s not forget He’s been the True Shepherd of Israel for much longer and will manifest Himself as such to them at the time appointed by the Father).

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