“And Jesus opened His mouth and taught them, saying…”

(This is not meant to be just a recapitulation of Scriptures, nor is it meant to be just a commentary. 

I pray each of us will find, in these words, the path we are to walk; the very path Jesus carefully laid out for us –  to walk. 

This is the path of His Authority and of His Works.  The path of health and healing, the path of purpose and of Kingdom conquest.  This is the path that leads us to the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, coming from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This is the path leading to the healing of the nations where there will no longer be any curse; and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and we, His bond-servants, will serve Him and we will see His face, and His name will be on our foreheads and there will no longer be any night; and we will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine us; and we will reign forever and ever.)

Matthew 4:17  From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Began:   Strong’s Concordance #757 (Greek: ἄρχω archo ar’-kho)  AV-rule over 1, reign over 1; 2

1) to be chief, to lead, to rule

This word tells us that Jesus time had come to rule and reign over the physical and spiritual world.  This is vitally important, as you will see a little later.  We need to remember this.

Preach:   Strong’s Concordance  #2784 κηρύσσω kerusso kay-roos’-so

AV-preach 51, publish 5, proclaim 2, preached + 2258 2, preacher 1; 61

1) to be a herald, to officiate as a herald

1a) to proclaim after the manner of a herald

1b) always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed

2) to publish, proclaim openly: something which has been done

The world used here is a word of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed; something which has been done, first in the Spiritual to be manifest in the natural.  It is not a general statement nor is it a request.  It is a prophetic command.

(Matthew 6:18“Truly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.”)

The concept of “binding and loosing” is taught in the Bible in Matthew 16:19: “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” In this verse, Jesus is speaking directly to the apostle Peter and indirectly to the other apostles, ((and subsequently, to future disciples)).  Jesus’ words meant that Peter ((and subsequently, future disciples)) would have the right to enter the kingdom himself, that he would have general authority symbolized by the possession of the keys, and that preaching the gospel would be the means of opening the kingdom of heaven to all believers and shutting it against unbelievers.  The book of Acts shows us this process at work. By his sermon on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-40), Peter opened the door of the kingdom for the first time. The expressions “bind” and “loose” were common to Jewish legal phraseology meaning to declare something forbidden or to declare it allowed.

This is IMPORTANT as we see what Jesus says about the Authority of the Kingdom and who may enter and what they are commanded to do in His Name.

 

Matthew 4:18 ¶  Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.

19  And He *said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

20  Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Walking:   Strong’s Concordance    #4043 περιπατέω peripateo per-ee-pat-eh’-o

AV-walk 93, go 1, walk about 1, be occupied 1; 96

1) to walk

1a) to make one’s way, progress; to make due use of opportunities

From:  3961 πατέω pateo pat-eh’-o

AV-tread 3, tread down 1, tread under feet 1; 5

1) to tread

1a) to trample, crush with the feet

1b) to advance by setting foot upon, tread upon: to encounter successfully the greatest perils from the machinations and persecutions with which Satan would fain thwart the preaching of the gospel

Jesus is setting the example for His disciples, present and future.  The word used for WALKING is demonstrating His Authority.  We must take notice, for by this He is teaching us to be His disciples, and we must walk in His Steps (Chapters 10, 11 and 28 of Matthew, Jesus sends His disciples.)

Saw:  Strong’s Concordance    #3708 ὁράω horao hor-ah’-o

AV-see 51, take heed 5, behold 1, perceive 1, not tr 1; 59

1) to see with the eyes

2) to see with the mind, to perceive, know

Jesus was on mission.  He was watching for and SAW, both with His eyes, His Mind and He Knew.  So it is with us, as we are being filled with The Holy Spirit.  THIS IS IMPORTANT as we are sent, and we are watching for those to whom we must preach the Gospel.

Peter:  Strong’s Concordance #4074 (Greek:  Πέτρος Petros pet’-ros)

AV-Peter 161, stone 1; 162

Peter  = “a rock or a stone”

Andrew:  Strong’s Concordance #406 (Greek: Ἀνδρέας Andreas an-dreh’-as)

AV-Andrew 13; 13

Andrew  = “manly”

Casting:  Strong’s Concordance #906 (Greek: βάλλω ballo bal’-lo)

a primary word; v; TDNT-1:526,91;  {See TDNT 122 }

AV-cast 86, put 13, thrust 5, cast out 4, lay 3, lie 2, misc 12; 125

1) to throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls

1a) to scatter, to throw, cast into

1b) to give over to one’s care uncertain about the result

This word is a good description of how most people view their lives, in general.  “To throw or let go of a thing without caring where it falls;  to scatter, to throw, cast into;  to give over to one’s care uncertain about the result.”

Jesus is calling all of His disciples, past, present and future, to a life that has purpose, meaning and eternal value.

Net:  Strong’s Concordance #293 (Greek: ἀμφίβληστρον amphiblestron am-fib’-lace-tron)

AV-net 2; 2

1) anything thrown around one to impede his motions, as chains, a garment, a net for fishing 

This word describes the lives of the disciples before meeting Jesus as are most of our lives ‘bound up’ as in anything thrown around one to impede his motions, as chains, a garment, a net for fishing”

Freedom is where and why Jesus calls us to follow Him.

Follow:  Strong’s Concordance #1205 (Greek: δεῦτε deute dyoo’-teh)

AV-come 12, follow + 3694 1; 13

1) come hither, come here, come  (sense of urgency)

2) interjection, come!, come now!

The word used for ‘follow’ has a sense of urgent command.  Come, now!  It is IMPORTANT that we remember Jesus was speaking prophetically then and is speaking prophetically to us, today!

Make:  Strong’s Concordance #4160 (Greek: ποιέω poieo poy-eh’-o)

AV-do 357, make 113, bring forth 14, commit 9, cause 9, work 8, show 5, bear 4, keep 4, fulfil 3, deal 2, perform 2, not tr 3, misc 43, vr do 3; 579

1) to make

1a) with the names of things made, to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.

1b) to be the authors of, the cause

1c) to make ready, to prepare

We are the clay in the Potter’s Hands; once He touches our lives, we are made new, into His image for His purpose.  This is IMPORTANT to grasp.

 

Immediately:  #2112 εὐθέως eutheos yoo-theh’-oce

AV-immediately 35, straightway 32, forthwith 7, misc 6; 80

1) straightway, immediately, forthwith

From:  2095 εὖ eu yoo   AV-well 3, well done 2, good 1; 6

1) to be well off, fare well, prosper

2) acting well

This word tells us, not only of the urgency to Jesus’ call, but how the state of our lives is made to be well of, to fare well and to prosper, by answering His call and following Him.

Kingdom:  #932 βασιλεία basileia bas-il-i’-ah

from 935; n f; TDNT-1:579,97;  {See TDNT 127 }

AV-kingdom (of God) 71, kingdom (of heaven) 32, kingdom (general or evil) 20, (Thy or Thine) kingdom 6, His kingdom 6, the kingdom 5, (My) kingdom 4, misc 18; 162

1) royal power, kingship, dominion, rule

1a) not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom

1b) of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah

1c) of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom

2) a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king

3) used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah

This word is so descriptive that you must take each definition and consider the impact and importance.  “Royal power, kingship, dominion, rule,  not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom; the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.”

This is our calling and our role as Christians, Disciples of Jesus,

Healing: Strong’s Concordance #2323 (Greek: θεραπεύω therapeuo ther-ap-yoo’-o)

from the same as 2324; v; TDNT-3:128,331;  {See TDNT 307 }

AV-heal 38, cure 5, worship 1; 44

1) to serve, do service

2) to heal, cure, restore to health

This comes from a root word, #2324 θεράπων therapon ther-ap’-ohn   AV-servant 1; 1

1) an attendant, servant: of God

1a) spoken of Moses discharging the duties committed to him by God 

The definitions of this word are complimentary:  To serve, to worship, to heal, to cure, to restore to health.  Jesus healed the whole person, body, mind/will/emotions and spirit.  His healing is complete.  We are called to this ministry, so we would do well to be disciples and learn.

Disease:  #3554 νόσος nosos nos’-os

AV-disease 6, sickness 5, infirmity 1; 12

1) disease, sickness

2) plague

3) misery, suffering, distress

4) madness, vice (moral filth)

5) bane

Sickness:  #3119 μαλακία malakia mal-ak-ee’-ah

AV-disease 3; 3

1) softness

2) in the NT infirmity, debility, bodily weakness, sickness

*This come from a root word, # 3120, malakos mal-ak-os’

AV-soft 3, effeminate 1; 4

1) soft, soft to the touch

2) metaph. in a bad sense

2a) effeminate

2a1) of a catamite

2a2) of a boy kept for homosexual relations with a man

2a3) of a male who submits his body to unnatural lewdness

2a4) of a male prostitute

Again, Jesus heals the body, the mind, the soul and the spirit of all infirmities, including homosexuality.

There is nothing outside the reach of God and we are on mission with Jesus.  Please, don’t stand idly by and watch.  Join God is what He is already doing!

Matthew 4:21 (and following), NEXT

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

Matthew 4:8  Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory;

v9  and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.”

The third part of His testing is the devil’s entry point to the Mind, the Will and the Emotions (The Soul). 

The natural eye can see about 12 miles on a clear day.  From the vantage point of a very high mountain, Jesus could see all of man’s accomplishments, the glory of the Temple and all the man made and natural wealth of the area.

Imagine the folly of this temptation, offering Jesus anything that God has created through His Word.  It all belongs to Him – already.

Nonetheless, the devil will tempt our weak and frail minds with wealth and riches as if he could give us all these things if we would only fall down and worship him.  

We would do well to remember that we, who are called by His Name, are joint heirs with Jesus, and have inherited all that He has.

Our response must be as Jesus’ response:  According to the Word of God:

10  Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”

Jesus has been tested at all points, His physical body, His Spirit and His soul.  He is worthy.

 Jesus has given the final Command and it is bound on earth and in the heavens.

Matthew 4:11  “Then the devil left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.”

Jesus has shown us how to draw near to God and that God will draw near to us.  We are to resist the devil and the devil will flee.  (James 4:7,8)

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?

The Living Word of God is God’s love letter to His children.  His Living Word, Jesus, is the image of God for us to see so we can know and understand Him.  Jesus is our Lord, our Savior and our example.

God’s written Word, The Bible, reveals God’s plan, His purpose and His Ways.  Every word on every page points the way.  The path is difficult but clear.  We are to follow Him, and in Him, we find refuge.  Any deviation from this clear path, leads to confusion, doubt, fear and defeat.  Again, the path is difficult but clear.

Success and wealth can have a strong attraction to most of us.  Just thinking about “being successful and rich” might cause you to feel “tempted”.  But, is pursuing a career and making money – perhaps a lot of money – wrong?

Simply put…

 1.  If the pursuit of success or goals tempts you to misuse or neglect our relationship with God and the authority He has granted us, then it is wrong – terribly wrong.

2.  If the pursuit of success or goals tempts you to take unhealthy or dangerous risks instead of following the teachings of Jesus, then it is wrong – terribly wrong.

3.  If the pursuit of success or goals tempts you to become self-seeking, prideful, full of envy, boastful, arrogant, filled with hate and strife, jealously, prone to outbursts of anger, engaging in endless disputes, dissensions and factions, then it is wrong – terribly wrong.

Our response should be as Jesus’:  Always According to Scriptures.

v 10  Then Jesus said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’”

This is our command:  “Go Satan! For it is written…”

Jesus has been tested at all points, His physical body, His Spirit and His soul.  He is worthy.  

Mark 10:28  “Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.”

v29 “Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake,

v30 “but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

v31 But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”

He has told us the Words to say.  He has shown us the Way to go.  Now, we can confidently and obediently follow Him.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The Next Teaching in Matthew 5:13
https://whitestone2020.com/2021/01/04/being-jesus-disciple/

Matthew 4:5  “Then the devil took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple,

6  “and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’”

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Notice, in verse 1, “The Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness”.  Then in verse 3, the devil came to Jesus.  Now, in verse 5, the devil takes Jesus into the holy.  This is becoming personal.

The devil challenges Jesus with “If You are the Son of God” prove it to me and jump!  The devil accurately recites the Word of God to Jesus, but carefully and craftily twists the intention of God’s Word to fit the contrived circumstances. 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

The Temple was in the Holy City which is Jerusalem and was 60 cubits or approximately 90 feet high.  Jumping from that height would mean certain death for anyone.  As in his first test, the devil is calling Jesus to misuse His authority and to question His position as the Son of God.

Now, the devil is demanding that Jesus obey him and prove His Authority and His Ability as the Son of God.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO YOU?

If God allowed Jesus to be tested in this way, you can expect the same in your life.  Remembering that Jesus set the example and passed the test so we would know how to successfully follow Him through fiery trials!

When you find yourself vulnerable through circumstances or attitude, the devil will find his opportunity to test you, too.

It may well be, that you will ‘hear the Word of God’ whispered to you, offering a way out of your present circumstances.  You might hear what seems like a solution lines up with the Word of God, the Bible. 

In desperation and hopelessness, You may think, “All is lost.  What’s the point of going on?!  I think I will just jump! ” 

Or, you might be thinking, “I can take this risk.  I will just “step out in faith!”

DON’T DO IT!  What you might be hearing or thinking requires that you:

1.  Search the Bible.  Holy Scriptures are never contradictory and will confirm themselves.  If what you are ‘hearing’ and thinking is not clearly found in several places in the Bible, it is not from God!  REPEAT:  If what you are ‘hearing’ and thinking is not clearly found in several places in the Bible, it is not from God!

2.  Seek the Wisdom from a multitude of counselors.  Go to several trusted believers who have proven their trustworthiness in spiritual matters.

3.  Discernment is from the Holy Spirit.  Pray, listen and wait.  If your emotions continue to be in turmoil – either high or low – wait for the peace of God to rule in your heart before you act.  

4.         (a) Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!  Let your gentle spirit be known and the Lord will be near.  

            (b)  Be anxious for nothing, but in all your current circumstances by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

            (c)  When the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, begins to guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus, your emotions settle, then your answer will come. 

Matthew 4:7  “Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘YOU SHALL NOT PUT THE LORD YOUR GOD TO THE TEST.’”

Jesus’ response, again, is according to scriptures, and a rebuke to Satan and his lies.

It is true that, ‘HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU’; and ‘ON their HANDS THEY WILL BEAR YOU UP, SO THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST A STONE.’” But it is not ours to put ourselves in danger to prove a point, to gain an advantage or to test God!

We are to rely solely on Him and His Word.  Call out to God and say:

               Psalms 27:11

Teach me Your way, O LORD,
            And lead me in a level path
            Because of my foes.

      12 Do not deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,
            For false witnesses have risen against me,
            And such as breathe out violence.

      13 I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD
            In the land of the living.

      14 Wait for the LORD;
            Be strong and let your heart take courage;
            Yes, wait for the LORD.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The Next Teaching in Matthew 4:8
All Of This Can Be Yours

There is a prevalent view of the an event called “the rapture”, which has been popularized in movies and novels, which depicts Christians being caught up into the air as by some mysterious force, with their clothes lying at the place of their departure, which must assume them to be naked as they rise into the sky to meet Jesus.

True enough, perhaps, but, mysterious.  And several popular suppositions doubtful. 

The rapture is an eschatological concept held by some Christians, particularly within branches of American evangelicalism, consisting of an end-time event when all Christian believers who are alive, along with resurrected believers, will rise “in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.” In Paul the Apostle’s First Epistle to the Thessalonians in the Bible, he uses the Greek word “harpazo”, meaning “to snatch away” or “to seize,” and explains that believers in Jesus Christ will be snatched away from earth into the air.

John Nelson Darby first proposed and popularized the pre-tribulation rapture in 1827.  The idea has been revised and discussed since it was first proposed and there is much discussion and differing views about the details.

The rapture event is not important to know about, in and of itself, because it does not affect a person’s salvation or faith in Jesus Christ.  The Bible tells us something spectacular is going to happen – and your view of “a rapture” and whether you believe it or not changes nothing.

READ AND REASON WITH ME:

1 Thessalonians 4:13 ¶  But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.

14  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus.

15  For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

v16  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

v17  Then, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

And, there are these verses:

1 Corinthians 15:51 ¶  Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

53  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

54  So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

HERE IS WHAT WE CAN KNOW:

1.  The word “rapture” is never used in the Bible.  Here is what it does say:

(a) “God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus”

(b)  the dead in Christ will rise 

(c)  we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,

(d)  we shall all be changed, 

(e)  the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and

(f)  we shall be changed 

Key Words used:

• bring with Him
• will rise, raised, rose
• caught up
• changed

2.  We who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:15)

3. (a)The Lord Himself will descend from heaven

    (b) with a shout, with the voice of the archangel

    (c) and with the trumpet of God,

    (d) and the dead in Christ will rise first.

4. (a) Then, after the dead in Christ have risen to meet Him in the air,  we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air,

    (b) and so we shall always be with the Lord.

5.  (a) We shall not all sleep (die),

     (b) but we shall all be changed,

6. The corruptible (body) must put on (become) incorruption, and this mortal (body of death) must put on (become) immortality.

7.  Death is swallowed up (ended), i.e., we shall live forever with God.

WE CAN ALSO KNOW:

 1.  Revelation 1:7  “BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.”

Many commentators and Bible teachers assume that since “every eye will see Him (Jesus), that every eye will see people being “caught up” with Him, which is never said nor is it implied.

2. We also know that the Rapture (Caught Up – Harpzo, as written and described in the New Testament Greek language) is a Spiritual event, a Spiritual matter, and that a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned or appraised. 

Those left on earth will most likely be astounded at the aftermath but they will be seeing only what is LEFT BEHIND!  How do we know these things?  The Bible says them, very clearly. 

And, with a careful study of these scriptures IN CONTEXT of the verses and chapters which come before and after, AND staying in CONTEXT of the entire Bible,

WE CAN SURMISE THIS:

1.  Our mortal bodies at the time of the rapture will cease and will be changed or transformed into something completely new.

2.  What goes up to meet Jesus in the air will not be our mortal corruptible bodies.  It is likely the earth will be covered with the scattered clothed corpses (bodies) of Christians.  What a phenomenon! 

IMPORTANT COROLLARY VERSES

Matthew 24:29  “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

30  “And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.

31  “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

Hebrews 9:27  “And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment,  28  “so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”

(Then there are two instances in the Bible in which men, Enoch and Elijah, are taken away by God before they die.  But, these are unrelated to the “rapture”.  https://www.gotquestions.org/Enoch-Elijah.html)

Just know, we must be ready for His return and His catching us up to meet Him in the air!  So, as the Apostle Paul said, “Comfort one another with these words”.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  My study notes which are primarily taken from the New American Standard Bible version, and from Strong’s Bible Concordance, the The Dictionary of the New Testament and The Theological Workbook of the Old Testament, are available upon request.

Matthew 4:4  But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

Matthew 4:4 starts with “But He answered and said”.  These words project the image of the Jesus literally separating Himself, (The Truth), from Satan’s lies.  And, His Words are in a tense which is eternal, reaching from past to the present and into the future, continuous and with no end.

“It is written”, from the language Jesus is using, we see the tip of a spear, in other words, He is piercing Satan’s lies with His Words.  He is impaling the lies of Satan with His Own Words.   (What I am presenting may seem excessive, but, the importance of what Jesus is doing and teaching us cannot be overstated.)

“MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE”  TO LIVE means to breathe, and to be among the living, but it means much more:  It literally means to enjoy real life, to have true life and worthy of the name of Jesus.  To be active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God.  It is like living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul, to be in full vigor, to be fresh, strong, efficient, active, powerful, and efficacious.  All of this is in the FUTURE TENSE!

“EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.”   This is the Rhema or the spoken word of God and the image here is words ‘flowing or rushing like a river’ and is in the PRESENT TENSE!

The first part of His testing, the PHYSICAL, is an entry point.  Be ready, as this is the model for our testing as well.   Jesus’ responds exactly according to scriptures, and the significance of this cannot be overstated.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Jesus is being tested as proof of His ability and worth as Messiah.  This is also the model of our coming test.   

The greatest benefit lies in Jesus what Jesus has done for us, but our lesson to be learned and practiced is found in His demonstration of

• The authority He will grant us, and
• The method by which we may both live counter the evils which may beset us along life’s way: 
• BY “EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.”   

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

John15:7  states perfectly the outcome or application what we must learn from  Jesus’ temptation, “If you abide in Me, and My words (rhema) abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

Know His Words.  Speak His Words.  They are the way to life.

This is how we successfully overcome and endure to the end!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Matthew 21:21  “And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. 22“And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive.”

The Next Teaching in Matthew 4:5,6,7
When You Reach The Pinnacle

Matthew 4:3  And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”

WHAT DOES IT SAY?

First, let’s remember, this is a real event and that Jesus is both leading by example and giving us lesson and a warning as His disciple.

The tempter begins by asking “IF You are…” , tempting Jesus to question Himself, His position as the Son of God, and His authority.

The first test appears to be about the survival of Jesus’ physical body.  However, it is really about “who has the authority” and this temptation reaches past the body into the mind and soul and spirit.

We will now see if Jesus is worthy and will pass this test.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Secondly, let’s remember that Satan is a liar and has always been crafty with his lies.  Such was the case with Eve in the garden of Eden when he said, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”  The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’”  The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die!” 

But, they did die, in unfathomable ways  –  and all of mankind still suffers under that curse of the devil.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU?

Satan has been given access to the Son of God and is casting doubt, tempting and daring Jesus to misuse His authority by commanding stones to become bread.

Next, let’s remember, John 1:12  tells us that  “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”  and that we, too, as the children of God, will be tested.

In the most difficult of times, Satan will agree, in part, with the Word of God, then create doubt to tempt and dare you to put misuse the authority God has granted you so will put God to the test.

It is not within the authority which God has granted us to demand nor to command anything.  “For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13

Finally, let’s remember that we are His servants, surrendered to His Will and His Ways, only and always.  Anything more or anything less, is separation from God, which is a dangerous and deadly place to find yourself.

Temptations are coming, and like Jesus, we will be tested to see if we pass this test. 

Know His Words.  They are the way to life.

He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock
That shadows a dry, thirsty land
He hideth my life in the depths of his love
And covers me there with his hand – The Cleft of the Rock

I pray that God cover us, protect us and strengthen us.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The Next Teaching from Matthew 4:4
It Is Written

Matthew 4:2  “And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry.”

WHAT DOES THIS SAY?

Fasting, in the Jewish tradition, means you should pray have nothing to eat or drink for a specified period of time.  In this case, Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Spirit to pray and fast for 40 days and 40 nights. 

Normally, it would seem highly improbable that anyone would attempt such a thing, since credible medical and scientific sources tell us a person cannot stay alive for more than 8 to 21 days without food and water.  Yet, The Bible plainly states, Jesus fasted in an arid and hostile environment, alone, for 40 days and 40 nights.

Imagine wandering in a hostile, arid wilderness, having no food or liquid for 40 days.  Imagine the weakened state of a person!  You might even wonder if anything you see or think is real or rational?  This was Jesus’ condition.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

First, you must ask yourself “Do I believe it?”, because ultimately, this is what the Bible and faith in God comes down to:  Belief.

Next, perhaps you should ask “Why prayer and fasting” and why for “40 days and nights”, specifically?  What was Jesus trying to accomplish, and what was He telling and showing us?

I would have to surmise it was very important to go to this extreme and to take this kind of risk, wouldn’t you think so, as well?!!

FIRST about FASTING.  One primary reason for fasting, found in Psalms 35:13  is to “humble my soul with fasting”.   Jesus was being tested through temptation.

SECONDLY, in Isaiah 58:6  God says, “This is the kind of fasting I want:

• Free those who are wrongly imprisoned;
• lighten the burden of those who work for you.
• Let the oppressed go free,
• and remove the chains that bind people.
• Verse 7.  Share your food with the hungry,
• and give shelter to the homeless.
• Give clothes to those who need them,
• and do not hide from relatives who need your help.
• Verse 8.  “Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and
• your wounds will quickly heal.
• Your godliness will lead you forward,
• and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind.
• Verse 9.  Then when you call, the LORD will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.
• “Remove the heavy yoke of oppression.
• Stop pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!
• Verse 10.  Feed the hungry, and
• help those in trouble.
• Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
• Verse 11.  The LORD will guide you continually,
• giving you water when you are dry
• and restoring your strength.
• You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
• Verse 12.  Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities.  Then you will be known as a re-builder of walls and a restorer of homes.
• Verse 13.  “Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the LORD’s holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly. Verse 14.  Then the LORD will be your delight.
• I will give you great honor
• and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob.

I, the LORD, have spoken!”

Finally, the number 40.  FORTY shows up often in the Bible.  Forty often appears in contexts dealing with judgment or testing.  Many scholars understand it to be the number of “probation” or “trial.”  This doesn’t mean that 40 is entirely symbolic; it still has a literal meaning in Scripture. “Forty days” means “forty days,” but it does seem that God has chosen this number to help emphasize times of trouble and hardship.

In the Old Testament, when

• God destroyed, purged and cleansed the earth with water, when He caused it to rain 40 days and 40 nights (Genesis 7:12).
• After Moses killed the Egyptian, he fled to Midian, he spent 40 years in the desert tending flocks (Acts 7:30).
• Moses was on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (Exodus 24:18).
• Moses interceded on Israel’s behalf for 40 days and 40 nights (Deuteronomy 9:18, 25).
• The Law specified a maximum number of lashes a man could receive for a crime, setting the limit at 40 (Deuteronomy 25:3).
• The Israelite spies took 40 days to spy out Canaan (Numbers 13:25).
• The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years (Deuteronomy 8:2-5).
• Before Samson’s deliverance, Israel served the Philistines for 40 years (Judges 13:1).
• Goliath taunted Saul’s army for 40 days before David arrived to slay him (1 Samuel 17:16).
• When Elijah fled from Jezebel, he traveled 40 days and 40 nights to Mt. Horeb (1 Kings 19:8).
• The number 40 also appears in the prophecies of Ezekiel (4:6; 29:11-13) and Jonah (3:4).

In the New Testament

• Jesus was tempted for 40 days and 40 nights (Matthew 4:2).
• There were 40 days between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension (Acts 1:3).
  
  

It is interesting that Dr. Paul Halpern, Ph.D in theoretical physics, an M.A. in physics and a B.A. in physics and mathematics, writes, “The universe is built on (mathematical) harmonies. The Pythagoreans had it right when they married mathematics, music, and the cosmos. Just as mathematical patterns underlie the musical scales and intervals most pleasing to the ear, they also describe the probability waves at the heart of quantum theory. 

“More than 2500 years ago, according to ancient sources, Pythagoras applied his discoveries in music theory to the behavior of the celestial objects. Pluck a string, and the pitch of the note it produces is related to the length of the string. When the lengths of two strings are a simple ratio—1/2, 2/3, and so on—the notes together sound harmonious. Pythagoras believed that the universe itself hummed with its own harmony—beautiful, divine, and inaudible to human ears. He characterized the intervals between successive orbits, such as those of Mercury and Venus, as either tones or halftones (the smallest intervals in the musical scale), adding up to seven whole tones that form a perfectly harmonious natural order.”

Is it any wonder that the Word of God is replete with the repetitive use of certain numbers and patterns to remind us of certain Truths, or as symbolism of God’s Intentions and Ways.

After Jesus had fasted for 40 days and 40 nights, “He then became hungry”.  This statement seems straight forward enough, right?  But, look at the word “hungry” as used here:  It is the Greek word, “peineo”.  Through the idea of pinching toil, or to “pine” for a need; to suffer want and to be needy, to crave ardently, to seek with a desperate and eager desire   It could describe one who is “starving”.

 This word is synonymous with the Greek word, “ptochos” found in Matthew 5:3, translated as “poor” which could easily read, “Blessed are the POOR / the STARVING in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven”!

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?

Jesus is telling and showing us that it is at a time like this, a condition like this, when we are POOR & STARVING in our Spirit, destitute in our body, mind and soul, that He may prepare us to come into His Kingdom! 

When you make your decision to follow Christ, and you bind it by covenant of your mouth, something miraculous happens.  It ORIGINATES in the Spiritual realm of God’s Kingdom and is manifest in the natural world – your natural world.  And, make no mistake, you are being readied to enter His Kingdom.  This is the One and Only way you and I may enter His Kingdom.  By way of faith in Christ!  

And, just like Jesus’ testing in the wilderness, He strengthens the souls of His disciples, encouraging us to continue in the faith, saying, “It is through many tribulations we enter the kingdom of God.”  Acts 14:22

Our Promised Land is within our reach!  Scout it out and be ready, for we are about to Enter The Kingdom!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The Next Teaching from Matthew 4:3
If You Are Who You Say You Are

PS: Please be aware that this is not metaphorical. This Kingdom is real. It is not so much a defined territory as it is the dominion, authority and the power of God manifest. Jesus demonstrated Kingdom Life as He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. THIS IS OUR CALLING!

 

Matthew3:11, “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Verse 12. “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

I will present these vitally important verses in 2 segments. The FIRST segment deals with the Prophetic Nature of these verses. The SECOND segment deals with the Practical Nature and application of these verses.

THE PROPHETIC NATURE:

Matthew 3:12 when he says, “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

THERE ARE FOUR POINTS GIVEN IN VERSE 12 WHICH ENCAPSULATES THE ENTIRE TRIBULATION PERIOD, BEGINNING WITH THE BREAKING OF THE TRIBULATION SEALS, CONTINUING THROUGH THE TRUMPET AND BOWL JUDGMENTS, INCLUDING THE  WHITE THRONE JUDGMENT AND CULMINATING WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF THE 1ST HEAVEN AND THE FIRST EARTH WITH INTENSE HEAT.

(a)  “His winnowing fork is in His hand:  Cleansing, refining, purifying His Church.

(b)  He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor:  Preparation through tribulation.

(c)  He will gather His wheat into the barn:  Jesus gathering His Church through the rapture and taking us to our eternal Home.

(d)  He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire: The Great and Terrible Day of the Lord and the destruction of the first heavens and earth.

Listen and read carefully. The Ultimate Purpose of God’s Eternal Plan is Perfection. He is maturing His people, of all the ages, by His Plan, to live in perfect harmony with Him and with one another. In the end, God is going to destroy this earth and heavens with an intense heat, and will create a New and Perfect heaven and earth.

Having become a Christian, a disciple of Jesus, you are no longer of this world. You are to take up your rightful place as a child of God, and as the righteousness of God, you must stop thinking as this world thinks. God is preparing you to be an active participant in the events of these Last Days.

THE PRACTICAL NATURE AND APPLICATION:

John is telling us, “As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

This may well be one of the most important statements made by John, and one of the most overlooked in the entire New Testament. 

Ask yourself, “Do you know what this means to you?” and have you been baptized with the Holy Spirit and with Fire?

First, about baptism:  The word in the original Greek is “baptizo”, pronounced bap-tid’-zo.  It means, in this case, to cleanse by dipping or submerging, to wash, to make clean with water, to overwhelm with permanent change.

This word is not to be confused with “bapto” which is to dip in or immerse in water, as to dip into dye, or to color.  This is simply and change of the exterior. 

The clearest example that shows the meaning of baptizo is a text from the Greek poet and physician Nicander, who lived about 200 B.C.   It is a recipe for making pickles and is helpful because it uses both words.  Nicander says that in order to make a pickle, the vegetable should first be ‘dipped’ (bapto) into boiling water and then ‘baptized’ (baptizo) in the vinegar solution. Both verbs concern the immersing of vegetables in a solution. But the first is temporary. The second, the act of baptizing the vegetable, produces a permanent change.

When used in the New Testament, this word more often refers to our union and identification with Christ than to our water baptism. (Mark 16:16).  ‘He that believes and is baptized shall be saved’.  Christ is saying that mere intellectual assent, a coloring of the outside of a person, so to speak, is not enough.  There must be a spiritual union with him, a real change, a permanent change which only the Holy Spirit can accomplish, is needed, like the vegetable to the pickle!

JOHN’S BAPTISM is the act of Binding, on earth.  “Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Matthew 18:18

Second,  John is saying, in fact he is prophesying, that Jesus will baptize you – BAPTIZO – with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

We can see what is meant by this in the next verse:

Matthew 3:12 

(a)  “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and

(b)  He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and

(c)  He will gather His wheat into the barn, but

(d)  He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.“

A winnowing fork is an instrument used to separate the grain of the wheat from the chaff.  It is a violent act of beating and threshing.  This is symbolic of the process of salvation, sanctification and being made ready to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus will thoroughly clear His threshing floor.  Nothing is left untouched.  Everything will be “purged, purified and refined” and made ready for the Kingdom of God.

THIS IS FOR THE BELIEVER in preparation for what is coming upon us.  This is your first and last line of defense against the evil day.  You cannot and will not survive what is coming upon the world if you have not allowed Jesus to Baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire!

(*NOTE:  This is NOT some postmodern or contemporary reenactment of ‘speaking in some strange tongue’ and behaving strangely.  It is NOT an elevation of your adrenaline or some ‘excited fit’ where you supposedly ‘take dominion over demons’.  This IS an awesome and a fearsome act of God.  It IS God’s steady hand, filling you with His power and Presence.  It IS HIM doing HIS works through you.  It is HIM speaking His Words and HIM doing His bidding through you, while you are quiet and yielded to Him.)

We can also see this prophecy given and this process described in

Daniel 12:1  “Now at that time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise. And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued. Verse 2. “Many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt.  Verse 10. “Many will be purged, purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but those who have insight will understand.”

These are prophetic pictures of Jesus Second Coming as Judge and Conquering King. In His first coming, Jesus arrived in the most humble of circumstances.  His second coming,  Jesus will arrive with the armies of heaven at His side.

Revelation 19:11-16, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice, he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter.’ He treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Dear Brothers and Sisters, it is urgent that we understand,

(1).  What is coming.

(2).  That it is already upon us. 

(3).  We are to be participants in these Last Days, and not standing idly by looking up into the sky wondering about His Return.    

(4).  He will prepare us to join with Him to complete His earthly mission and then (5). Comes His Judgment.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The Next Teaching from Matthew 3:12, His Winnowing Fork

Matthew 3:12  “His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN – TO YOU & TO ME?

Because these verses and John’s words are prophetic they have a special significance for you and for me.  You will be either a participant or an observer.  You will be either a disciple, a follower of Jesus or not.  You will either,

• “Endure to the end and be saved, and
• you will overcome and be a pillar in the Temple of God“
• Or you will perish.

FIRST, Prophecy is never a one-time thing.  Prophecy, once “God Breathed”, will repeat and reverberate throughout time and history, until Jesus fulfills it.

Jesus explains this when says in Matthew 5:17  “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill.  “For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.”

SECOND, Prophecy is something we apply internally, to our hearts, to our minds and within our spirit.  We must internalize God’s Prophetic Word in order to be part of prophecy and not be overcome by it.

“His winnowing fork is in His hand”.  The meaning of this prophetic phrase is also found in Matthew 24:27  “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 28“Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather”.

He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; can be seen in Matthew 24:29 “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 30“And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory”.

He will gather His wheat into the barn, and you can see Jesus gathering His Wheat in Matthew 24:31  “And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.  And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET, and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.”

He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”  Just of example of this can be found in Revelation 20:15  “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

THESE FIVE POINTS, ENCAPSULATED HERE, DESCRIBE THE ENTIRE TRIBULATION PERIOD, BEGINNING WITH THE BREAKING OF THE 1ST THROUGH THE FOURTH TRIBULATION SEALS FROM AROUND AD 69 AND CONTINUING UNTIL THE  WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT AND CULMINATING WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF ALL EVIL, THE 1ST HEAVEN AND THE FIRST EARTH.

These verses tell us and show us for the fourth time just in the New Testament, that the tribulation period, known as

• the ‘Time of Distress’ (Daniel 12:1) or
• ‘The Beginning of Sorrows’ (Matthew 24:8) had its beginning in or around AD 1, most likely between AD 69 and AD 100.

Similar remarks, as those made by Jesus in Matthew 24:3-8, are also made by Paul in Hebrews 1:2 and by Peter in Acts 2:14-21 and again in 2 Peter 3.

JESUS’ BAPTISM is “the spiritual, heavenly sealing of an earthly act” of binding.  The earthly baptism is temporal, but Jesus’ Baptism is eternal and permanent.

GOD tells us how to do this through the Book of Joshua, particularly Chapter 1.

Come with me on the adventure in prophecy, learning and doing!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The Next Teaching from Matthew 4:2
Yours is the kingdom of heaven

“He will baptize you with The Holy Spirit and Fire”  John 3:11(b)

The literal and practical outcome of our baptism “With The Holy Spirit and With Fire” is found in the book of Joshua and it shows us how we enter a Kingdom Relationship with Him.

Joshua 1:3 “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

4 “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.

5 “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

7 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

v8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

These prophetic words of God show us HOW WE CAN ENTER INTO A PRACTICAL KINGDOM RELATIONSHIP with Him.

Again, we are told, in John 6:31-35  “Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘HE GAVE THEM BREAD OUT OF HEAVEN TO EAT.’”

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven.

“For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven, and gives life to the world.”

Then they said to Him, “Lord, always give us this bread.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.

“Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.  This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.

“He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.   “For My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink.

 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him

 “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me.

“This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever.”

“I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

These prophetic words of Jesus tell us HOW WE CAN ENTER INTO A SPIRITUAL KINGDOM RELATIONSHIP with Him.

Jesus is telling us that His Baptism of believers “With The Holy Spirit and with Fire” requires that His Word permeate every part of your being: body, soul, mind and spirit.  You are called to continue His Works until He returns to consummate the age.  This His Command and this is your calling!

This command is NOT A METAPHOR or is it HYPERBOLE.  THIS COMMAND IS LITERAL! 

For this to happen, for you and I to obey Jesus’ Command and to respond to our calling, we must do as John (and Jesus) say, and “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

The Kingdom of Heaven, The “Basileia”, is of royal power, kingship, dominion and rule, the right or authority to rule over a kingdom.  It is the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah and of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah’s kingdom.

It is at hand, “Eggizo”, the Greek words which means it is so near that is joined as one thing to another.  In other words, nearer than is your wrist to your hand.  This word refers to the crook of your arm or a curl as in a wave.  It is near, it is active and powerful, it can overpower and you can be joined to This Kingdom.  You can enter into it, or better understood, THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU!  (Luke 17:21)

Jesus is revealing the location of His Kingdom which is accessible – but only for the few who are willing.  Jesus  makes no secret of it, yet, not many will understand and fewer yet will be willing to follow Him and enter His Kingdom.  (“For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”)  Matthew 7:14

As the word of The Kingdom spread, questions began to surface.  “Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; (v21)  nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in within you.”  Luke 17:20

You can only imagine the consternation created, especially among the religious ruling elite.  They must have asked, “Is Jesus saying that Heaven has come down to earth?”  And, in the minds of the Pharisees, they wondered “who is this Jesus and what gives Him the right to say these things?”

These same questions and this same controversy persist until this day.  For example, many of the contemporary Bible translations or versions, purposefully and deliberately changed the Greek-to-English translation of Luke 17:20-21,

from saying…

“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in within you.”  

to saying…

“The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” 

“In your midst” is a deliberate misquote and a deliberate misinterpretation of God’s literal Word which should read “Within you”!  They are miles apart in meaning and will have the effect of misleading and misdirecting a Believer from his or her ultimate goal in serving God.

In this day and age, The Kingdom of God is at hand and Jesus will baptize the willing believer with The Holy Spirit and with Fire. 

“Now therefore arise, you and all this people, cross this Jordan, to the land which I have given to you.

“Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

“From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.  (The land God promised)

“No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

“Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

“Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

Read these words, drink them in, consume them.  Now, GO!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

 

WHAT DOES THIS SAY?

“Bear Fruit in keeping with repentance”: 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

This is the “Gateway to Safety and Freedom”.  I will almost guarantee you that most have never heard this verse taught or preached in any detail.  Why is that? 

Going forward in some church building, whispering or whimpering some ‘magic words’ which we call “the sinner’s prayer” is not going to save you.  Oh, it might be a ‘first step’, but, until you “Bear Fruit in keeping with repentance”, you are not safe.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?

Have you ever heard this before?  “Please, bow your heads and close your eyes and repeat this prayer after me. 

“I know that I am a sinner.  I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross for my sins.  I ask you to come into my heart.  I promise to serve you to the best of my ability. Please save me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“For all who prayed this prayer, CONGRATULATIONS!  You are NOW, a child of God!!  (Congregational applause)  Please pick up some literature after our service.  It will tell you what to do next.”

It is called, “The Sinner’s Prayer”.  But, is It Biblical?  And, is it enough to save your soul and get you into heaven?  The Sinners prayer – is it biblical?

Is it enough, to utter a scripted prayer, and expect a magical transformation of your life and a free pass to heaven?

Perhaps this little mimicked prayer, almost like an incantation, will get you thinking about salvation, but, the Bible seems to consider this a more serious matter and addresses it a bit differently.

The Bible and Jesus say there has to be a commitment to follow Jesus in His teachings and His commandments.

The facts are that neither Jesus nor His disciples ever used a “sinner’s prayer” to induce people to follow Jesus.

And, neither Jesus nor His disciples minced their words on this important matter.  They just gave it straight, and then you either dropped what you were doing, what you had been, and followed Him – or not. 

So, what are you to do?  Has Jesus changed His mind about how we are to follow Him and become a Christian?

Additionally, and more importantly, the Bible tells us, in Matthew 4:17  “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Repentance, a necessary step for Salvation, refers to an emotional change, and to a change of choice and has reference to particulars for one’s entire life.  Repentance signifies only regret, even amounting to remorse.  In a Christian sense, repentance is a reversal of moral purpose, a change of attitude and behavior to the teaching of model of Jesus.

Another example of the seriousness of this matter is found in Philippians 2:12 which says,

“So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling…”

Being saved is not just a simple prayer, repeated at the urging or insistence of someone else. It requires a serious commitment to follow Jesus and to accept a radical change in our life.  And, once prayed, it is someone’s responsibility to then disciple, walk with the person who is seeking salvation in discipleship.

Finally, and most importantly, Jesus told us at least a couple of things we are to BE and what we are to BE DOING while we wait for His return:

1.  Matthew 10:7  “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Verse 8. “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

a)  Verse 9. “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, Verse 10. or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.

b) Verse 11. “And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. Verse 12. “As you enter the house, give it your greeting. Verse 13. “If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.

c) Verse 14. “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. Verse 15. “Truly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

2.  Verse 18. And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Verse 19. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,

a)  Verse 20. teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

WE THE CHURCH  have been warned by Jesus

“Matthew 7:21  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Verse 22. “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Verse 23. “And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’  

We, THE CHURCH, need to get to the Gospel Message and the Teachings of Jesus and make disciples in the likeness of Him.  We have drifted far and are now at great risk.

                     A PROPHECY FOR TODAY – Part 3

Matthew 3:7, says, “But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME?

Suppose with me, that you were sent to deliver a message, a warning of a pending disaster, to a specific group of people.   And, you were tasked with getting them ready to escape a coming disaster.  How soon would you tell them?

Also, would you be busy warning people who would not encounter the disaster, or would you spend your time warning those who would be affected?  This is a simple, if not a silly question, isn’t it?  No one in their right mind would waste time telling someone to flee a coming disaster if it was not going to affect them!

John the Baptist is warning and preparing those who would be affected by the wrath to come.  And, he was wondering who had warned the Pharisees and Sadducees – the brood of vipers – who were coming for baptism, to flee from the wrath to come.

There are two important messages here:

1.  The “coming wrath” was immanent!  In fact, it would begin within just a few years of John’s warning.  And, it began as Jesus said, “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.”  And, these birth pangs continue to this day!  And, they are intensifying as we near the breaking of the 6th tribulation seal.

This has not been our only warning. 

The period of the breaking or opening of the first FIVE Tribulation Seals, which began between around A.D. 33 is also referred to THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS or the LAST DAYS.

John the Baptist began warning about this period in or around A.D. 27, the time of Jesus’ baptism.

Jesus calls this period the LAST DAYS or the END OF THE AGE in Matthew 24:3-8

The Apostle Peter calls this period the LAST DAYS in Acts 2:16-17

The Apostle Paul calls this period THESE LAST DAYS in Hebrews 1:1-2

The Apostle Peter again reminds us THESE ARE THE LAST DAYS in 2 Peter

The Bible tells about the END OF DAYS and the Tribulation.  It is important to know that the Tribulation period actually is called by three prominent, although variant names: 

(a)  The Beginning of Sorrows, Birth Pangs, The End of The Age or the Last Days

(b)  The Tribulation also known as The End of Days 

(c) The GREAT Tribulation also know as the Wrath of God or the Wrath of the Lamb.

2.  This warning was for the “children of God” only.   You can know this since  John 1:10 tells us that “Jesus was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.  v11  He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him.  v12  But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name”.

And,  Matthew 13:10 tells us, “The disciples came and asked Jesus, “Why do You speak to them in parables?” 11  Jesus answered them, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. 12 “For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. 13 “Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.”

YOU have been warned.  The time is near.  Are you ready?  (And, if you do not know what “being ready” entails, you are not ready.  BE WARNED! )

If you have concerns, please contact me and let’s talk.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

Whitestonefellowship1@gmail.com

The Next Teaching from Matthew  3:8, Escape the Coming Wrath

(More reading on this subject: It Has Been Spoken)

(You can listen to this study on audio, and pause the audio to follow page links for important details, then, resume the audio when you are ready.  Please note that I use page links in lieu of references and footnotes.)

Matthew3:4  Now John himself had a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.

Verse 5.  Then Jerusalem was going out to him, and all Judea and all the district around the Jordan;

Verse 6.  and they were being baptized by him in the Jordan River, as they confessed their sins.

The Bible can be easier to read with all the ‘new versions’ floating around.  And, assuming they are correctly written, you can begin to think you understand what the Bible is saying.

But, even that is not enough.  Unless you have the Holy Spirit and you see the Word in the correct context, you are still “seeing through a glass darkly”.  In the case of these verses, context is everything to understanding and to doing.

We are told that John is living in the wilderness, dressing in garments of camel’s hair, eating locusts and wild honey.  This is a description of first century poverty.  In reality, John is beyond being financially poor, he is destitute of any earthly possessions. 

So, why so much talk about poverty and the seeming conflict between wealth and poverty in the Bible?  Should we embrace poverty also?

Matthew 5:3, will give you understanding of the meaning of true poverty, its purpose and insights through context. 

We learn that,  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Again, Matthew 19:21  Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

And again in Mark10:17  “As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

Verse 18.  And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

Verse 19.  “You know the commandments, ‘DO NOT MURDER, DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, DO NOT STEAL, DO NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS, Do not defraud, HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER.’”

Verse 20.  And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”

Verse 21.  Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Verse 22.  But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

Verse 23.  And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!”

Verse 24.  The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus *answered again and *said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

Verse 25.  “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Verse 26.  They were even more astonished and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?”

Verse 27.  Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

Verse 28.  Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.”

Verse 29.  Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake,

Verse 30.  but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

John the Baptist is an example to us that it is possible to live and walk in the power, in the provision and in the presence of The Kingdom of God, while on earth. 

Setting your mind, your focus, on Earthly possessions effectively blocks access to Kingdom life.  If you dispute this, look at Jesus’ life and example and hear His Words again:  “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Everything you have is the result of how you think.  Very few come by their possessions by accident or happenstance.  People toil, day and night to earn and possess.  And this is what God is saying to you, “Think on Me.  Toil, day and night, to possess Me and my Greatest of all Gifts to you.”

Jeremiah 29:13 ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.’

Matthew13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”

Matthew 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, Verse 46, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.”

It is not wealth or possessions, in and of themselves, which blocks access to Kingdom life and walking in His Authority.  IT IS THAT YOUR MIND IS SET ON THINGS OF THIS WORLD which blocks access.

Romans 7:6 says, “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, Verse 7, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, Verse 8, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

 And finally,  Matthew 6:19 cautions us, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. Verse 20. “But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; Verse 21. for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

 Verse 22. “The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. 23“But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

Verse 24. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve, (douleuo, Greek = be a slave to), God and wealth.

Poverty, difficulties, stress, lack, need and want are the trip wires at the doorway into the Kingdom of Heaven, placed there by God to assist us, to strip us of the obstacles preventing us access to the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Jesus has already said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, but that you will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.

1.  Let go of your possessions of wealth, intellect, position, status or anything you treasure on earth and you will receive a hundred times as much NOW!  (If you cannot let go on your own, God will aid you, just don’t resist Him)

2.  You will also receive persecution.

3.   And, you will inherit Eternal life.

These are some of the greatest secrets contained in the Word of God.

Please, brothers and sisters in Christ, do not turn the Bible into a text book.  It is a portal into the Kingdom of God.  It contains all the mysteries of God, the earth and the entire cosmos, and it unlocks those mysteries. 

You have the opportunity to know by experience that we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them!  This is WHAT THIS MEANS TO YOU, NOW!

More to come.

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

The Next Teaching:  A Brood of Vipers, (Matthew 3:7)

Previously:  A PROPHECY FOR TODAY – Matthew 3:2-3

(You can listen to this study on audio, and pause the audio to follow page links for important details, then, resume the audio when you are ready.  Please note that I use page links in lieu of references and footnotes.)

Matthew 3:2, says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Verse 3.  “For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!’”

 

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ME?

This is important to you because you must be ready for His Return.  Most protestant denominations have been taught that the tribulation period will begin at some future date and that all Christians, without exception, will be Raptured off the earth and into heaven.  They teach that if you have prayed ‘a sinner’s prayer’, nothing more is needed for you to avoid the coming tribulation and to go to heaven.  This is a false and dangerous message.

The Bible teaches, and we see this teaching here, that the “Days of Distress” also known as “The Birth Pangs” of the tribulation began in the early 1st century.  Earth and all its inhabitants will experience – and, already, have experienced – the opening or breaking of the first 5 Tribulation Seals. 

The 6th Tribulation Seal will signal the beginning of the Great and Terrible day of the Lord, the Rapture, followed by a half hour of silence in the heavens while the saints are sealed and found to be before the Throne of God, and the 144,000 of faithful Jews will be sealed.

However, if you are not found doing or to have been doing what Christ has commanded of all Christians, before His Return, you are is grave danger of being left behind and cast into the outer darkness where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth!

The day of His return is very near.  There is likely little time left.   If you should die before that day, you are still accountable.

The Great Apostasy, found in the 5th Seal, has begun.  The revealing of the anti-Christ is all that is left to happen before Jesus Returns.

Matthew 3:1, says, “Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,”

The spirit of Elijah, (John the Baptist), has come as prophesied.  (For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet when he said, “THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS, ‘MAKE READY THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT!’”) 

John’s preaching (kerusso, Greek) is one of authority to be a herald, to officiate as a herald to proclaim after the manner of a herald, always with the suggestion of formality, gravity and an authority which must be listened to and obeyed.

His message is, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  This message is the “golden key” for entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven.

His method is, “I baptize you with water for repentance”.  This is the preparation for your salvation.

His missive is, “He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  This is your salvation and your calling.

John is announcing to you the Day of the Lord is now at hand.  John conducted his ministry with an eschatological authority that demanded immediate action. He taught that judgment is at hand.

Interestingly and importantly, Jesus is telling you that whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven. And, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.

John is still speaking, and he is pointing you to Jesus.  He is telling you that you must be baptized with water for repentance which requires that you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, so you will be saved, and you will escape the coming Day of God’s Wrath; for it is with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”

Baptism is a form of binding.  Once you have believed, called on the name of the Lord, repented of your past life, the covenant of baptism is next.  Once that is completed, thankfully, God’s promises and covenants are permanent.  Make your decision and agree with another believer and make it permanent.  (Remember, that breaking this vow can be catastrophic.  Make your decision wisely.)

You can remain safe in the shelter of God.  Your present life made new and clean;  your past forgotten and your future secure.  Do so, and you will be on the greatest adventure of your life. 

Embrace it.  Do it.  Finish strong!

Your Brother and Friend,

Mike Young

PS:  Many think that ‘repentance’ is a one-time act.  It is a daily act.  Every day is made new in God.  Stay up-to-date with God and let’s get this done, together!

The Next Teaching:  Poverty and the kingdom of heaven, (Matthew 3:4)

Previously:  The Axe is Laid – A Prophetic Word, (Matthew 3:10-12)