Q:"Are the four and twenty elders entrusted with the prayers of saints in the will of God?"
A: Yes they are part of the mystery of his Will so parables are one manner, by which what have been kept secret from the foundation of the worldis revealed. These elders are the memorial and witnesses to the manner God shall frame the worlds by his word. (He.11:3) Their position and their crown establish the sovereignty of the Law and of the Gospel.(4:4) The same faith of the creative God gives them foreknowledge so when the Lamb is found worthy to let the unseen world appear they "fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints."(Re.5:8) Additional clue we have from their circle about the throne."And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices." This is the Gospel which shall be preached by angel in heaven as well as on earth and lower parts. The number 24 is made up of 3x8 so the Spirit of Christ will preach gospel to the souls in prison.
The same thunderings appear as God descends mount Sinai.(Ex.19:16,18) The Spirit gives us a snapshot of heaven (lightening, thunderings voices) the earth (the mount) and lower parts is represented by the smoke "And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because theLorddescended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace. cf."and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace."(Re.9:1).
Prayers of saints redeemed from the earth are as incense.(Ex.30:23) It was made of three principal spices. Number three refers to the Son and also signify "hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;/And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."(Re.5:9-10)
Offering of Noah on the altar, "And the Lord smelled a sweet savour."(Ge.8:21) Prayer is associated with altar.
Q: Isn't the householder in the Parable of Jesus about the Son?
A: Parable itself as the Spirit introduced through the prophet refers to it. "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."(Matt.13:35). The Word establishes Jesus Christ as the son, as the householder of whose house are we."But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."(He.3:6)
Mysteries which have been from the worlds began, the Gospel of God Jesus made manifest in his life. He was like the householder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. Much of these things his disciples could not first understand but the Word made flesh made them catch on,"Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord."(Matt.13:5-52). How does the Spirit teach but by principle of Association? "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."( Luke 10:16; Matt.10:40)
Synoptic gospels are written by men of old as taught of the Spirit. Jesus presents the doctrine of God against the backdrop of the mountain God. Sermon on the mount is how the householder sets him emblem as the stone cut not with hands. Where as in Luke we have Jesus sending the other seventy disciples and it is concerned with the everlasting gospel and the end times. Beatitudes as delivered by Jesus is set in the plains, "Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain" (Ze.4:7) This is also about the same mystery, of 'the house of my rest'. (Is.66:1) which St Matthew ans St Luke are approaching from different angles.
Q: If Ark is intended simply as a chest, the body of a believer can be called an ark. Does it not?
A: Yes if the body is born of the incorruptible Word. In Joseph's case he was anointed before the Israelites "embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt."(Ge.50:25-26). In v.25 we read that "And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence./So Joseph died." He had faith that he was created 'after our likeness' so he died in hope. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" is our hope since Jesus Christ the captain of our salvation has gone before us. (1 Pe.1:23) God chose Joseph before he was born and his dreams are clear indication of it, and the Spirit includes it for our edification. He was hated by his brethren without a cause as Jesus was. The Hebrew word Aron is an ark, which when associated with Egyptian funerary purposes is called Canopic jar. It is in this sense Joseph deemed his bones for his after life. Our body is a tabernacle, built without hands which liveth Jesus Christ.
"And the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant" (He.9:4). What does manna signify for a new creation? "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." ( John 4:34) The tables of the covenant is the Law as we read in the Psalm,"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."(Ps.40:8). Aaron's rod is our abiding life in Christ so the same power of resurrection that worked with Jesus, - in all things he might have the pre-eminence explains the ark of his testimony. "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament."(Re.11:19)
Q: Similitude sets heaven correspond to the earth. What role man play 'After our likeness' while the earth is 'after our image'?"
A: Principle of Similitude governs the actions so like begets like. 'The earth abides forever' because Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. The two worlds framed by the word of God relates the Father Son relationship. The Law of the Spirit sets 'the Word was with God' after our likeness which relates the humanity of Christ. For and example Joseph is set after our likeness' so the Ark of his testament is a heavenly pattern for Joseph after his death. Death and burial of Christ among the heathen and in the tomb intended for another carries a pattern on the earth. The Spirit as with the role of Moses set the life of Joseph 'after our likeness'. "And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor."(Josh.24:32)
The Similitude sets the worlds framed by word upon faith which is the only way one could be made after 'our likeness' To be conformed after the image Jesus Christ is set as the captain our salvation. It is what makes our volume word-based . The book of life itself corresponds to our heart. So the revelation that God through an angel to John is the testament of Jesus Christ. This explains the last verse in the Gospel of John. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." John 21:25)
I am asking for prayers for my husband Robert, he goes by Bobby, she has been battling long covid and Rheumatoid Arthritis, the log covid has affected his cognitive abilities, and he has very bad fatigue, I pray that he be healed soon and that he can drive safely again, I pray that he will be happy and I pray for inner strength for Bobby. And I also ask for prayers that our family on all sides be reunited, and that they reach out to one another and come back into our lives. I pray for healing for my mother Sharon, she has a lot of ailments, I pray her left arm and hand be healed and I pray that her back be healed. I pray that my brother Shane is healed from any back pain and that he be able to open his own business, I pray that his wife Becky be healed of any carpal tunnel in her hands and I pray that my brother Greg be healed of his alcohol addiction. Thank you in Jesus name Amen
Before the world was ever created, before there ever was an earth, a Mars, a Jupiter, a Venus; before there ever was a sun, or moon, or stars, there was a Heaven. God lived in the Heaven, in fellowship with His angels. It isthought there were three different companies of angels under three different archangels, Gabriel, Michael, and Lucifer, who is the Devil. Three different (you might say) battalions or regiments of angels. Now Lucifer decided he wanted to take over Heaven, so Lucifer rebelled against God and took his group of the angels and started a war in Heaven. Immediately God put down the rebellion of Lucifer, and cast him and his angels out of Heaven. They were excommunicated from Heaven.
If that be so, immediately God prepared a place for the Devil and these angels, Heaven's fallen angels and the Devil. The place was called Hell. In Matthew 25:41 it says they were cast into everlasting fire "prepared for the devil and his angels." As I have said many times, if you go to Hell, you will be an intruder. Hell was not made for you. But if you do not receive Christ, you will go there, and you will burn forever. I don't care how many degrees you have; I don't care how smart you are; I don't care how rich you are; I don't care how influential you are; you will go to Hell and you will burn forever unless you have been born again. So Hell is a place made for the Devil and his angels. My precious friend, you can be a Baptist, you can be a Methodist, you can be a Presbyterian, you can be a Catholic, you can be an Episcopalian, you can be a Lutheran and all the rest of them; you can be baptized in this pool, and sprinkled in another church, and confirmed in another, and reared in another, but if you die without Jesus Christ, without being born again, the Bible says you will go to Hell and suffer in a bottomless pit.
I believe in Hell people constantly fall forever and forever. There is no bottom to Hell. It is a bottomless pit. While people are burning, BY: DR. HYLES
We must never forget the power of the holy spirit and what can be achieved through prayer. The Father is listening at all times to us and will assist us throughout our journey through life.
You do not need to pray aloud or at a particular time of the day. Just have God, Jesus and the Angels in your mind, travelling with you at all times.
Cast the devil away from your life into oblivion. Satan is trying to take control at this very moment throughout the World and has been diligently working on his plans for some time.
We are nearly at Midnight on the time clock . The last testament of the Bible (Revelation) is for these last days.
Revelation must be read and ask God for understanding of what it is all about.
You won't hear voices in your head when talking quietly to God. He will guide and show you the righteous path to travel.
Until my next piece of prose stay loving your life, yourself, family and friends whilst treating everybody you come into contact with as you would like to be treated. Remember it is not hard if you obey God's word as is in the Bible.
Acts 10:43 - To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Two things about this verse:
The word believes is a Present Participle which means continuously believing. Secondly: the term "in him" is the most common term for believing in Christ. It is EIS AUTON, and it means "into him."
It is a word that expresses surrender, so that whosoever continually believes, and continually surrenders to Christ, will receive forgiveness of sins.
Acts 10:45 - And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The word "gift," DOREA, and there are several words for gift in the bible but there is only one word out of several that means to give you a gift, (actually give it to you), and that's this word! DOREA is always associated with the Holy Spirit. According to the New Testament, the only "gift" that has been given to the believers is the Holy Spirit.
People are told that God gives you "other things." Unfortunately, those words do not mean to give a gift. "Gifts of the Spirit" has nothing to do with giving gifts. It is the word CHARISMA. CHARIS is the word for grace. CHARISMA, with just an MA on the end of it means an expression of grace. That's what it means!
1 Corinthians Chapter12 tells us that there are many expressions of grace or gifts of the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is the one who has the capacity for all of these expressions of grace. The unfortunate thing about teachings of "the gifts of the spirit" today is that they tell you "You have one!" A talent! There are people out there in the ministry that will teach their people how they need to use their "gifts" for God's work, combining God's "gift" with their personality, and their "God given talents." The problem with this is that it centers on us.
Acts 10:25 - And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
I'll share an important side note. The word for worship in the New Testament, PROSKUNEO, doesn't have anything to do with worship. It's literally to pay respect or homage. He was going to the extreme, but Peter says you don't have to do that. Now how does that fit into the New Testament for the believers?
I'll use John Chapter 4 as an example when Jesus was talking to the Samaritan woman and He say to her that those who worship God must worship Him in Spirit and in truth, and He's using the same word. What Jesus is saying is true worship is bowing down to and submitting to God's Spirit and God's truth. That's worship!
Worship can be expressed in singing, but the bible doesn't say singing is worship. It can be an expression of worship. That's why Jesus said you worship me with your lips, but your heart is far from me, and in vain you worship me.
So just going through a routine and being involved in certain activities that deal with music, or preaching, or prayer, or whatever, God says you can go through whatever you want to, but I see your heart, and if your heart is not in it, it's not acceptable!
Acts 10:38 - How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
There are a couple of words for "good" that we need to know. There's the word AGATHOS which is the word for spiritual good. And then the word KALOS for human good, and neither one of those words are used here!
It is the prefix "EU." He went about doing well for everybody. And here's what is described for doing good: We are doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. People who had physical health problems because they were oppressed by the devil. And He freed them from the devil and healed them.
Acts 9:26 - And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself, that is, he was continually (Imperfect Tense), he was continually trying to join himself to the disciples.
And the word "joined" is the word glue. He was continually attempting to be a permanent part of the fellowship of the disciples in Jerusalem. But they were all afraid of him, and they believed not that he was a disciple.
Acts 9:36 - Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Secondly: Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas, which is Aramaic. And her names, both Tabitha or Dorcas mean either Gazelle or Deer.
She is called that because they picked an animal that had large, beautiful eyes. So, they named her Tabitha because of her large, beautiful eyes that means Gazelle or Deer.
So anyways, there's a disciple who belongs to Christ, and this woman was full of good works. The word "good" is Agathos which pertains not to humanitarian good, but spiritual good. And almsdeeds, which means acts of mercy, which she was doing!
Acts 9:41 - And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he called the saints and the widows, he presented her living. In the Greek text, it's a Participle. Not alive, but living, all human functions working as if they never stopped!
Acts 10:10 - And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
More literally, the Greek text says, "the trance fell on him." That is very important. The trance fell on him.
Acts 9:11 - And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight. This is Straight Street. The reason why it was called that was because it is a two-mile street, and it is about as straight as an arrow. The engineering in that town didn't have much of a problem naming that street!
Jesus goes on to say and enquire in the house of Judas (not Judas Iscariot). Judas was a common name. Enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus.
Now I want to share with you that the text never says, "Saul of Tarsus." There's no Genitive case. It is "Saul the Tarsinian." But they say Tarsus so that we know he is from the city of Tarsus. He is Saul the Tarsinian. So, enquire for one called Saul the Tarsinian: for, behold, he is praying.
Acts 9:18 - And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Here is the literal translation. And immediately there fell from his eyes as if scales. This is Dr. Luke describing it for us. It didn't say they were scales, but to him it looked like scales just falling off of his eyes. And he received sight immediately, and arose, and was baptized.
Acts 9:3 - And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
I do find some humor in this! He travelled 135 miles, mad as a hornet, saying, "I've got official paperwork to go from house to house." God doesn't save him at the beginning of the journey or the middle of the journey, but right before he goes into the city, 135 miles away.
The word "shined" (or shown), it's the word that is used for lightning, only this is lightning frozen in time. It's not a one quick flash thing like lightning. It's like it appears and just holds right over this entire contingent of people that Saul has with him. And it came from heaven.
Acts 9:5 - And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
In the Greek text, there's emphasis in both places. He says, "I myself am Jesus, and you yourself are persecuting me." You are directly persecuting me. You are responding to me in my people!
It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. The Greek word for "pricks" means both a cattle prod, and a bee sting. You can imagine a cattle prod sticking you. It was making Saul madder. What would make him so mad? I can see him being mad enough to chase the Christians out of Jerusalem. But then to say "Hey, I hear there's Christians in Damascus, 135 miles away." It's not like you can take a plane and go over there.
He gets legal papers to travel 135 miles away to go house to house and round up Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem bound. That's obsessed! The Lord says, "I myself am Jesus whom you yourself are persecuting." It's hard for you to kick against the prods.
He's telling him that that's what it's like to get stung by a bee, every time you come across a Christian, and that sting just irritates you and you just want to "rub them out!"
I have prayed for you and will keep you in prayer. I hope you will be able to see a doctor for a thorough evaluation soon. I pray that you will be hedged around by the protection of the Lord Jesus on every side and that He will give you shelter and peace from any attack from the enemy. I have prayed that you will receive proper medical treatment to see if you respond well to it. That will give you some answers as to whether this is due to mental illness/impairment or the work of evil spirits or both. I know that God loves you and cares for you. You can cast all of your cares on Jesus and find rest for your soul and have your burdens lifted from you because He did take all of these on the cross as well as all of our sins. Blessing dear sister.
I agree with making sure it is not a mental medical issue, I was my mother's caregiver, she had dementia, and a smell, sound, or taste could cause her to have hallucinations, which was horrible, but it was her medical condition not demonic. I just misunderstood what you said demons did not exist, but I am glad I asked you because your reply is very good and helpful information.
I also agree some people give Satan more power than he has, blaming the devil for their actions, Satan is not omnipresent he can be only in one place at a time. I also have known people who do not believe demons are real, they think they are a fairytale. I can testify they are very real and even if you are not firmly in faith, they can be vicious, if one or more attacks a loved one, as we read in Acts 19:13-16. I guess that is why I replied to you on that. Thank you for what you do on this site.
Loretta, I am sorry for the confusion but I initially placed part B in the wrong place.
HERE IT IS NOW:
PART B
You may have noticed that something happens before his demons abuse you. There is either a scent / smell/ noise, sound, a sudden odd taste in your mouth, a flutter against your skin etc. They do this to announce themselves and also to get permission from you. When you say nothing because you do not know they do not care. They see your silence as permission.
So the second you hear or smell or taste or feel; speak out loud; THE LORD YESHUA REBUKES you with fire. Then immediately begin to read the bible verses that you wrote. Do this in your mind. Keep it up for a good 30 minutes. I promise you the neighbor is going to run out of his house. But you don't stop.
You need weaponry. Remind yourself what the full armor is [ Ephesians 6:10-18]
So go to Youtube and play this [Prayers that Route Demons] 24/7 . Find the one with the written prayers and say it along with the video. [Buy the book if you can] Do this every day. Do not stop. People who are committed to evil do not stop. They are dedicated.
Choose the time to play it aloud. Midnight is a great time as this is the time when wicked people start their nonsense. But at sundown or sunrise is good also as these are time of change and new beginnings. I am suggesting these times because these are 3 of the 7 original prayer watches of the Hebrews.[ Mark 13:35]
In the meantime. Go through your house and remove every occult item from your house including crosses, virgin marys [ Exodus 20:4] masks; things that you may have picked up on holidays made in heathen nations and dedicated to heathen gods etc . Confess for having these items in your home.
Dedicate your space to YAH/GOD. How does that look? Imagine HIM to be there , as HE actually is there with you [ Ephesians 1:22]. Do not do, or say anything in your space that would displease HIM. Crazy music, sexually explicit, violence , wicked movies etc
Q: "We are set under the shadow of the Almighty, and yet we are made a spectacle to the world. Can you elaborate on this?"
A: You have quoted St Paul, "for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." Taking into context of his times a spectacle would suggest the bread and circus where baiting a Christian was a public sport. Unto the immediate circle of kith and kin becoming a Christian was looked at some sort of madness that could not be got rid of except by a good thrashing. But what Paul is referring to his circumstance in Ac.13:2. He did not become an apostle as they could choose to reign if they wanted to without him ministering unto them. Witnessing of a Christian before the world has its secret place under the shadow of the Almighty as well as becoming lights, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world"(Ph.2:15). Spectacle unto angels refer the great congregation.
We can understand the significance of the saying of Jesus,"Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."( Luke 12:3). Nuclear Age was ushered in utmost secrecy. The father of the bomb, a brilliant scientist himself was not trusted, so much so it was as the right hand could not trust the left hand. Despite of all these it spread especially with the Age of internet. In the Bible we read that King of Syria could not keep his war plans either. 2 Ki.6:11) Prophet Elisha only need trust in his God that it was revealed. This brings to my trust in my Saviour King that what I have privately posted online shall be public knowledge. all glory to him. Amen.
Hello brother Giannis. Just stepping in here briefly, but wanted to acknowledge what you had written, both to Loretta N & to Ronald. I wanted to respond earlier but felt that the matter was both too sensitive & outside my knowledge to do so. I know that this type of problem (with its various manifestations) is actually quite common, having observed two people well known to me, suffer this. One, where Satan was continually accusing a young lady, placing her salvation in doubt & putting horrible blasphemous thoughts in her head. The other was a young male school teacher I worked with (on the mission field) who was a lovely man but lived in fear every time he went into public areas; he was highly disturbed believing that everyone was watching him & following him with the intention of harming him. In the first example, the lady was helped by a Christian psychologist & given proper treatment & medication. The medicines helped, & if she forgot to take them, her mind began acting up. I lost contact with the teacher, but I suspect that he too was in a similar predicament, though a different problem. In both cases, they truly loved the Lord & desired to please Him; and the problems they experienced were very real to them, that forces outside of them were acting against them.
So, I agree that this type of suffering, though very real & debilitating to the sufferer, must not always be associated with satanic actions, but a proper assessment & diagnosis be given. And this should be done as far as possible with a Christian doctor & Church leader as very often a non-believer will not consider the spiritual aspect that also could be very real. So, thank you for putting these wise directions forward, and I do hope that Loretta N will seek both pastoral & medical help to get to the root of her problems. GBU.
Study in Greek or Hebrew certainly helps us understand the text but in order to grow spiritually we must take the hints from the Spirit and helps us in our infirmities so we may follow according to the Will of him who sealed us with his Spirit according to his purpose. In big strokes what are we considering in the Bible but our salvation which is being bonded to Jesus Christ from everlasting to everlasting. So as a new creation we are from the beginning. It is thus the Bible opens. In the beginning. How we were born but from the incorruptible seed. (1 Pe.1:23). So John's Gospel begins with, In the beginning' Thus we have a birth according to the will of flesh and blood. New birth is according to the Will of God. It is for this He sent his Son and we are called and we are blessed and it is what the everlasting covenant in the Ge. ch.1 is all about. The Bible is not about tribes, nations or of the world. It has nothing to do with Jewish customs and traditions but how we may be perfected as men of God. Jesus showed us that it is doable. How God framed the worlds by his word we are also born of his word. It is the only pattern we need follow in our personal lives. As you and I are created and are answerable to God alone let us serve him with fear and trembling. How others fare let them beware. God is in control that holds true for us and holds true for the Word outside. Calamities, plagues genocides are all out there. But God is in charge. Hallelujah.
Yes I removed my posts because I decided not to intervene at all any more in other brothers' work. Some brothers do get insulted or upset when someone else tells them a different thing than what they consider as right, maybe I would have felt the same myself if I were in their shoes. Actually my intention was not to intervene in your posts but to say what I know when I see that some other brothers disagree or ask for further explanations, like Gerald did. Also like Chris did in the past.
Thanks for your good words brother. May God bless you more.
Now the question is. Is the right interpretation of the scripture crucial for us christians? Sometimes a more accurate translation does not add much (or not at all really) to our knowledge and benefit of our souls. Example. If "phileo" and "agapao" are the same or somewhere near in meaning does not have any effect in our salvation. But there are few cases that a translation can lead to wrong beliefs. I believe we should mainly focus on those verses (this does not mean that I reject your work). Also our faith does not rely on a single verse but on the entire Bible. And if a verse seemingly is in contrast to others, if we search the scriptures carefuly we will eventually come to the right conclusion. As I see it the Bible is like a puzzle. If one wants to have the right image about something they must firstly find and pick up all the relevant pieces/verses from throughout the Bible and put them together. And this takes time and study, it can not be done overnight. The less pieces one puts the less accurate image one has. And if the pieces are not enough at all, then the green thing we see may be a green field or a green rocket, we can make it anything we like. I believe this is how wrong doctrines emmerge.
And definitely we need the Holy Spirit to intreprete the scriptures to us, especially the prophesies. GBU
Q: "The great congregation referred in the Psalm 40 must refer to the cloud of witnesses? Is it David referring to himself?"
A: No. Volume of a believer without the Son or the Man component does not arise. Consider in steps how he could preach righteousness to the great congregation? "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." (40:3) The new song is cue for salvation. Next we have the reference to the Word become flesh, " I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."(vv.6-8) He is identifying himself with Jesus Christ so David is set down in the book of life 'after my own heart' and that is Thou-in-me" speaking. Law of the Spirit control the sequence so the unseen is made to appear which is like the Book of Remembrance."And in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."(Ps.139:12)
To sum: the gospel of Christ preached by Jesus Christ in flesh is in continuity of the word of God sent forth before the worlds were created. David's life and works are before the great congregation that God has called and entrusted to his Son.
This body, the Temple is in heaven so the Psalm 40 is referring to the body, the temple 'not made with hands but eternal in the heavens'. It is to which the vision of St John opens, "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein".(Re.11:1) The Gentiles are not counted nor are the heathen,"and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of theLordof hosts."(Ze.14:21). We have the testimony of Jesus Christ and what is the ark of his testament? "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament." (Re.11:19) The ark carries the great congregation, his body.
Now I laugh everytime I think of those moments but at the time it was tormenting for me. After some time I realized that the pain was due to the extreme stress I was putting on myself because of a wrong feeling of guildness. You know such stress can even lead to heart attack. It has nothing to do with God or devil, it was me who did it to myself.
Some years later I met another christian who was describing the same thing. He was having pain around his neck and the doctors couldn't find anything wrong. When we talked and heard what he was going through I immediately realized it was something similar to what I went through.
Third and final case. Someone was sometimes feeling an evil presence in his dreams like a an evil spirit was threatening him. He was a guy who was careful with his sanctification so he couldn't understand why the devil kept coming to his dreams so often. He talked to some christian friends and one said this, the other said that. Until he read somewhere that this is something that lots of people go through when they face extreme pressure. I think it is called anxienty disorder or something similar in English. As soon as he realized what he was actualy going through and calmed down those bad dreams went away for good. (right or wrong some christians believe that the devil has no access to our dreams at all. Personally I am not sure about it, there is nothing in the scriptures about it)
So you see it is not always the devil behind everything.
Back to Loretta and people like her. I believe the first thing she must do is to go and see a doctor. But she can also ask for prayers from her church. The devil can not keep tormenting her if she is 'clean", praying, etc, He has to go. We have been given authority over him, not the other way around. I believe she needs a doctor.
Q:"Are the four and twenty elders entrusted with the prayers of saints in the will of God?"
A: Yes they are part of the mystery of his Will so parables are one manner, by which what have been kept secret from the foundation of the worldis revealed. These elders are the memorial and witnesses to the manner God shall frame the worlds by his word. (He.11:3) Their position and their crown establish the sovereignty of the Law and of the Gospel.(4:4) The same faith of the creative God gives them foreknowledge so when the Lamb is found worthy to let the unseen world appear they "fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints."(Re.5:8) Additional clue we have from their circle about the throne."And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices." This is the Gospel which shall be preached by angel in heaven as well as on earth and lower parts. The number 24 is made up of 3x8 so the Spirit of Christ will preach gospel to the souls in prison.
The same thunderings appear as God descends mount Sinai.(Ex.19:16,18) The Spirit gives us a snapshot of heaven (lightening, thunderings voices) the earth (the mount) and lower parts is represented by the smoke "And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because theLorddescended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace. cf."and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace."(Re.9:1).
Prayers of saints redeemed from the earth are as incense.(Ex.30:23) It was made of three principal spices. Number three refers to the Son and also signify "hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;/And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."(Re.5:9-10)
Offering of Noah on the altar, "And the Lord smelled a sweet savour."(Ge.8:21) Prayer is associated with altar.
Q: Isn't the householder in the Parable of Jesus about the Son?
A: Parable itself as the Spirit introduced through the prophet refers to it. "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world."(Matt.13:35). The Word establishes Jesus Christ as the son, as the householder of whose house are we."But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."(He.3:6)
Mysteries which have been from the worlds began, the Gospel of God Jesus made manifest in his life. He was like the householder which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. Much of these things his disciples could not first understand but the Word made flesh made them catch on,"Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord."(Matt.13:5-52). How does the Spirit teach but by principle of Association? "He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me."( Luke 10:16; Matt.10:40)
Synoptic gospels are written by men of old as taught of the Spirit. Jesus presents the doctrine of God against the backdrop of the mountain God. Sermon on the mount is how the householder sets him emblem as the stone cut not with hands. Where as in Luke we have Jesus sending the other seventy disciples and it is concerned with the everlasting gospel and the end times. Beatitudes as delivered by Jesus is set in the plains, "Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain" (Ze.4:7) This is also about the same mystery, of 'the house of my rest'. (Is.66:1) which St Matthew ans St Luke are approaching from different angles.
Q: If Ark is intended simply as a chest, the body of a believer can be called an ark. Does it not?
A: Yes if the body is born of the incorruptible Word. In Joseph's case he was anointed before the Israelites "embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt."(Ge.50:25-26). In v.25 we read that "And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence./So Joseph died." He had faith that he was created 'after our likeness' so he died in hope. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever" is our hope since Jesus Christ the captain of our salvation has gone before us. (1 Pe.1:23) God chose Joseph before he was born and his dreams are clear indication of it, and the Spirit includes it for our edification. He was hated by his brethren without a cause as Jesus was. The Hebrew word Aron is an ark, which when associated with Egyptian funerary purposes is called Canopic jar. It is in this sense Joseph deemed his bones for his after life. Our body is a tabernacle, built without hands which liveth Jesus Christ.
"And the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant" (He.9:4). What does manna signify for a new creation? "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work." ( John 4:34) The tables of the covenant is the Law as we read in the Psalm,"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."(Ps.40:8). Aaron's rod is our abiding life in Christ so the same power of resurrection that worked with Jesus, - in all things he might have the pre-eminence explains the ark of his testimony. "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament."(Re.11:19)
Q: Similitude sets heaven correspond to the earth. What role man play 'After our likeness' while the earth is 'after our image'?"
A: Principle of Similitude governs the actions so like begets like. 'The earth abides forever' because Jesus Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. The two worlds framed by the word of God relates the Father Son relationship. The Law of the Spirit sets 'the Word was with God' after our likeness which relates the humanity of Christ. For and example Joseph is set after our likeness' so the Ark of his testament is a heavenly pattern for Joseph after his death. Death and burial of Christ among the heathen and in the tomb intended for another carries a pattern on the earth. The Spirit as with the role of Moses set the life of Joseph 'after our likeness'. "And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, buried they in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought of the sons of Hamor."(Josh.24:32)
The Similitude sets the worlds framed by word upon faith which is the only way one could be made after 'our likeness' To be conformed after the image Jesus Christ is set as the captain our salvation. It is what makes our volume word-based . The book of life itself corresponds to our heart. So the revelation that God through an angel to John is the testament of Jesus Christ. This explains the last verse in the Gospel of John. "And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen." John 21:25)
If that be so, immediately God prepared a place for the Devil and these angels, Heaven's fallen angels and the Devil. The place was called Hell. In Matthew 25:41 it says they were cast into everlasting fire "prepared for the devil and his angels." As I have said many times, if you go to Hell, you will be an intruder. Hell was not made for you. But if you do not receive Christ, you will go there, and you will burn forever. I don't care how many degrees you have; I don't care how smart you are; I don't care how rich you are; I don't care how influential you are; you will go to Hell and you will burn forever unless you have been born again. So Hell is a place made for the Devil and his angels. My precious friend, you can be a Baptist, you can be a Methodist, you can be a Presbyterian, you can be a Catholic, you can be an Episcopalian, you can be a Lutheran and all the rest of them; you can be baptized in this pool, and sprinkled in another church, and confirmed in another, and reared in another, but if you die without Jesus Christ, without being born again, the Bible says you will go to Hell and suffer in a bottomless pit.
I believe in Hell people constantly fall forever and forever. There is no bottom to Hell. It is a bottomless pit. While people are burning, BY: DR. HYLES
You do not need to pray aloud or at a particular time of the day. Just have God, Jesus and the Angels in your mind, travelling with you at all times.
Cast the devil away from your life into oblivion. Satan is trying to take control at this very moment throughout the World and has been diligently working on his plans for some time.
We are nearly at Midnight on the time clock . The last testament of the Bible (Revelation) is for these last days.
Revelation must be read and ask God for understanding of what it is all about.
You won't hear voices in your head when talking quietly to God. He will guide and show you the righteous path to travel.
Until my next piece of prose stay loving your life, yourself, family and friends whilst treating everybody you come into contact with as you would like to be treated. Remember it is not hard if you obey God's word as is in the Bible.
God bless.
Acts 10:43 - To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Two things about this verse:
The word believes is a Present Participle which means continuously believing. Secondly: the term "in him" is the most common term for believing in Christ. It is EIS AUTON, and it means "into him."
It is a word that expresses surrender, so that whosoever continually believes, and continually surrenders to Christ, will receive forgiveness of sins.
Acts 10:45 - And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The word "gift," DOREA, and there are several words for gift in the bible but there is only one word out of several that means to give you a gift, (actually give it to you), and that's this word! DOREA is always associated with the Holy Spirit. According to the New Testament, the only "gift" that has been given to the believers is the Holy Spirit.
People are told that God gives you "other things." Unfortunately, those words do not mean to give a gift. "Gifts of the Spirit" has nothing to do with giving gifts. It is the word CHARISMA. CHARIS is the word for grace. CHARISMA, with just an MA on the end of it means an expression of grace. That's what it means!
1 Corinthians Chapter12 tells us that there are many expressions of grace or gifts of the Spirit, and the Holy Spirit is the one who has the capacity for all of these expressions of grace. The unfortunate thing about teachings of "the gifts of the spirit" today is that they tell you "You have one!" A talent! There are people out there in the ministry that will teach their people how they need to use their "gifts" for God's work, combining God's "gift" with their personality, and their "God given talents." The problem with this is that it centers on us.
Acts 10:25 - And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him.
I'll share an important side note. The word for worship in the New Testament, PROSKUNEO, doesn't have anything to do with worship. It's literally to pay respect or homage. He was going to the extreme, but Peter says you don't have to do that. Now how does that fit into the New Testament for the believers?
I'll use John Chapter 4 as an example when Jesus was talking to the Samaritan woman and He say to her that those who worship God must worship Him in Spirit and in truth, and He's using the same word. What Jesus is saying is true worship is bowing down to and submitting to God's Spirit and God's truth. That's worship!
Worship can be expressed in singing, but the bible doesn't say singing is worship. It can be an expression of worship. That's why Jesus said you worship me with your lips, but your heart is far from me, and in vain you worship me.
So just going through a routine and being involved in certain activities that deal with music, or preaching, or prayer, or whatever, God says you can go through whatever you want to, but I see your heart, and if your heart is not in it, it's not acceptable!
Acts 10:38 - How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
There are a couple of words for "good" that we need to know. There's the word AGATHOS which is the word for spiritual good. And then the word KALOS for human good, and neither one of those words are used here!
It is the prefix "EU." He went about doing well for everybody. And here's what is described for doing good: We are doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. People who had physical health problems because they were oppressed by the devil. And He freed them from the devil and healed them.
Acts 9:26 - And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself, that is, he was continually (Imperfect Tense), he was continually trying to join himself to the disciples.
And the word "joined" is the word glue. He was continually attempting to be a permanent part of the fellowship of the disciples in Jerusalem. But they were all afraid of him, and they believed not that he was a disciple.
Acts 9:36 - Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
Secondly: Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas, which is Aramaic. And her names, both Tabitha or Dorcas mean either Gazelle or Deer.
She is called that because they picked an animal that had large, beautiful eyes. So, they named her Tabitha because of her large, beautiful eyes that means Gazelle or Deer.
So anyways, there's a disciple who belongs to Christ, and this woman was full of good works. The word "good" is Agathos which pertains not to humanitarian good, but spiritual good. And almsdeeds, which means acts of mercy, which she was doing!
Acts 9:41 - And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he called the saints and the widows, he presented her living. In the Greek text, it's a Participle. Not alive, but living, all human functions working as if they never stopped!
Acts 10:10 - And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
More literally, the Greek text says, "the trance fell on him." That is very important. The trance fell on him.
Acts 9:11 - And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight. This is Straight Street. The reason why it was called that was because it is a two-mile street, and it is about as straight as an arrow. The engineering in that town didn't have much of a problem naming that street!
Jesus goes on to say and enquire in the house of Judas (not Judas Iscariot). Judas was a common name. Enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus.
Now I want to share with you that the text never says, "Saul of Tarsus." There's no Genitive case. It is "Saul the Tarsinian." But they say Tarsus so that we know he is from the city of Tarsus. He is Saul the Tarsinian. So, enquire for one called Saul the Tarsinian: for, behold, he is praying.
Acts 9:18 - And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
Here is the literal translation. And immediately there fell from his eyes as if scales. This is Dr. Luke describing it for us. It didn't say they were scales, but to him it looked like scales just falling off of his eyes. And he received sight immediately, and arose, and was baptized.
(Acts Part 21):
Acts 9:3 - And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
I do find some humor in this! He travelled 135 miles, mad as a hornet, saying, "I've got official paperwork to go from house to house." God doesn't save him at the beginning of the journey or the middle of the journey, but right before he goes into the city, 135 miles away.
The word "shined" (or shown), it's the word that is used for lightning, only this is lightning frozen in time. It's not a one quick flash thing like lightning. It's like it appears and just holds right over this entire contingent of people that Saul has with him. And it came from heaven.
Acts 9:5 - And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
In the Greek text, there's emphasis in both places. He says, "I myself am Jesus, and you yourself are persecuting me." You are directly persecuting me. You are responding to me in my people!
It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. The Greek word for "pricks" means both a cattle prod, and a bee sting. You can imagine a cattle prod sticking you. It was making Saul madder. What would make him so mad? I can see him being mad enough to chase the Christians out of Jerusalem. But then to say "Hey, I hear there's Christians in Damascus, 135 miles away." It's not like you can take a plane and go over there.
He gets legal papers to travel 135 miles away to go house to house and round up Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem bound. That's obsessed! The Lord says, "I myself am Jesus whom you yourself are persecuting." It's hard for you to kick against the prods.
He's telling him that that's what it's like to get stung by a bee, every time you come across a Christian, and that sting just irritates you and you just want to "rub them out!"
I have prayed for you and will keep you in prayer. I hope you will be able to see a doctor for a thorough evaluation soon. I pray that you will be hedged around by the protection of the Lord Jesus on every side and that He will give you shelter and peace from any attack from the enemy. I have prayed that you will receive proper medical treatment to see if you respond well to it. That will give you some answers as to whether this is due to mental illness/impairment or the work of evil spirits or both. I know that God loves you and cares for you. You can cast all of your cares on Jesus and find rest for your soul and have your burdens lifted from you because He did take all of these on the cross as well as all of our sins. Blessing dear sister.
I agree with making sure it is not a mental medical issue, I was my mother's caregiver, she had dementia, and a smell, sound, or taste could cause her to have hallucinations, which was horrible, but it was her medical condition not demonic. I just misunderstood what you said demons did not exist, but I am glad I asked you because your reply is very good and helpful information.
I also agree some people give Satan more power than he has, blaming the devil for their actions, Satan is not omnipresent he can be only in one place at a time. I also have known people who do not believe demons are real, they think they are a fairytale. I can testify they are very real and even if you are not firmly in faith, they can be vicious, if one or more attacks a loved one, as we read in Acts 19:13-16. I guess that is why I replied to you on that. Thank you for what you do on this site.
God bless,
RLW
Loretta, I am sorry for the confusion but I initially placed part B in the wrong place.
HERE IT IS NOW:
PART B
You may have noticed that something happens before his demons abuse you. There is either a scent / smell/ noise, sound, a sudden odd taste in your mouth, a flutter against your skin etc. They do this to announce themselves and also to get permission from you. When you say nothing because you do not know they do not care. They see your silence as permission.
So the second you hear or smell or taste or feel; speak out loud; THE LORD YESHUA REBUKES you with fire. Then immediately begin to read the bible verses that you wrote. Do this in your mind. Keep it up for a good 30 minutes. I promise you the neighbor is going to run out of his house. But you don't stop.
You need weaponry. Remind yourself what the full armor is [ Ephesians 6:10-18]
So go to Youtube and play this [Prayers that Route Demons] 24/7 . Find the one with the written prayers and say it along with the video. [Buy the book if you can] Do this every day. Do not stop. People who are committed to evil do not stop. They are dedicated.
Choose the time to play it aloud. Midnight is a great time as this is the time when wicked people start their nonsense. But at sundown or sunrise is good also as these are time of change and new beginnings. I am suggesting these times because these are 3 of the 7 original prayer watches of the Hebrews.[ Mark 13:35]
In the meantime. Go through your house and remove every occult item from your house including crosses, virgin marys [ Exodus 20:4] masks; things that you may have picked up on holidays made in heathen nations and dedicated to heathen gods etc . Confess for having these items in your home.
Dedicate your space to YAH/GOD. How does that look? Imagine HIM to be there , as HE actually is there with you [ Ephesians 1:22]. Do not do, or say anything in your space that would displease HIM. Crazy music, sexually explicit, violence , wicked movies etc
Q: "We are set under the shadow of the Almighty, and yet we are made a spectacle to the world. Can you elaborate on this?"
A: You have quoted St Paul, "for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." Taking into context of his times a spectacle would suggest the bread and circus where baiting a Christian was a public sport. Unto the immediate circle of kith and kin becoming a Christian was looked at some sort of madness that could not be got rid of except by a good thrashing. But what Paul is referring to his circumstance in Ac.13:2. He did not become an apostle as they could choose to reign if they wanted to without him ministering unto them. Witnessing of a Christian before the world has its secret place under the shadow of the Almighty as well as becoming lights, "That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world"(Ph.2:15). Spectacle unto angels refer the great congregation.
We can understand the significance of the saying of Jesus,"Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."( Luke 12:3). Nuclear Age was ushered in utmost secrecy. The father of the bomb, a brilliant scientist himself was not trusted, so much so it was as the right hand could not trust the left hand. Despite of all these it spread especially with the Age of internet. In the Bible we read that King of Syria could not keep his war plans either. 2 Ki.6:11) Prophet Elisha only need trust in his God that it was revealed. This brings to my trust in my Saviour King that what I have privately posted online shall be public knowledge. all glory to him. Amen.
So, I agree that this type of suffering, though very real & debilitating to the sufferer, must not always be associated with satanic actions, but a proper assessment & diagnosis be given. And this should be done as far as possible with a Christian doctor & Church leader as very often a non-believer will not consider the spiritual aspect that also could be very real. So, thank you for putting these wise directions forward, and I do hope that Loretta N will seek both pastoral & medical help to get to the root of her problems. GBU.
Please read the line: God is in control that holds true for us and holds true for the Word outside,"
as
"God is in control that holds true for us and holds true for the world outside."
Study in Greek or Hebrew certainly helps us understand the text but in order to grow spiritually we must take the hints from the Spirit and helps us in our infirmities so we may follow according to the Will of him who sealed us with his Spirit according to his purpose. In big strokes what are we considering in the Bible but our salvation which is being bonded to Jesus Christ from everlasting to everlasting. So as a new creation we are from the beginning. It is thus the Bible opens. In the beginning. How we were born but from the incorruptible seed. (1 Pe.1:23). So John's Gospel begins with, In the beginning' Thus we have a birth according to the will of flesh and blood. New birth is according to the Will of God. It is for this He sent his Son and we are called and we are blessed and it is what the everlasting covenant in the Ge. ch.1 is all about. The Bible is not about tribes, nations or of the world. It has nothing to do with Jewish customs and traditions but how we may be perfected as men of God. Jesus showed us that it is doable. How God framed the worlds by his word we are also born of his word. It is the only pattern we need follow in our personal lives. As you and I are created and are answerable to God alone let us serve him with fear and trembling. How others fare let them beware. God is in control that holds true for us and holds true for the Word outside. Calamities, plagues genocides are all out there. But God is in charge. Hallelujah.
Yes I removed my posts because I decided not to intervene at all any more in other brothers' work. Some brothers do get insulted or upset when someone else tells them a different thing than what they consider as right, maybe I would have felt the same myself if I were in their shoes. Actually my intention was not to intervene in your posts but to say what I know when I see that some other brothers disagree or ask for further explanations, like Gerald did. Also like Chris did in the past.
Thanks for your good words brother. May God bless you more.
Now the question is. Is the right interpretation of the scripture crucial for us christians? Sometimes a more accurate translation does not add much (or not at all really) to our knowledge and benefit of our souls. Example. If "phileo" and "agapao" are the same or somewhere near in meaning does not have any effect in our salvation. But there are few cases that a translation can lead to wrong beliefs. I believe we should mainly focus on those verses (this does not mean that I reject your work). Also our faith does not rely on a single verse but on the entire Bible. And if a verse seemingly is in contrast to others, if we search the scriptures carefuly we will eventually come to the right conclusion. As I see it the Bible is like a puzzle. If one wants to have the right image about something they must firstly find and pick up all the relevant pieces/verses from throughout the Bible and put them together. And this takes time and study, it can not be done overnight. The less pieces one puts the less accurate image one has. And if the pieces are not enough at all, then the green thing we see may be a green field or a green rocket, we can make it anything we like. I believe this is how wrong doctrines emmerge.
And definitely we need the Holy Spirit to intreprete the scriptures to us, especially the prophesies. GBU
Q: "The great congregation referred in the Psalm 40 must refer to the cloud of witnesses? Is it David referring to himself?"
A: No. Volume of a believer without the Son or the Man component does not arise. Consider in steps how he could preach righteousness to the great congregation? "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord." (40:3) The new song is cue for salvation. Next we have the reference to the Word become flesh, " I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."(vv.6-8) He is identifying himself with Jesus Christ so David is set down in the book of life 'after my own heart' and that is Thou-in-me" speaking. Law of the Spirit control the sequence so the unseen is made to appear which is like the Book of Remembrance."And in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them."(Ps.139:12)
To sum: the gospel of Christ preached by Jesus Christ in flesh is in continuity of the word of God sent forth before the worlds were created. David's life and works are before the great congregation that God has called and entrusted to his Son.
This body, the Temple is in heaven so the Psalm 40 is referring to the body, the temple 'not made with hands but eternal in the heavens'. It is to which the vision of St John opens, "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein".(Re.11:1) The Gentiles are not counted nor are the heathen,"and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of theLordof hosts."(Ze.14:21). We have the testimony of Jesus Christ and what is the ark of his testament? "And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament." (Re.11:19) The ark carries the great congregation, his body.
Now I laugh everytime I think of those moments but at the time it was tormenting for me. After some time I realized that the pain was due to the extreme stress I was putting on myself because of a wrong feeling of guildness. You know such stress can even lead to heart attack. It has nothing to do with God or devil, it was me who did it to myself.
Some years later I met another christian who was describing the same thing. He was having pain around his neck and the doctors couldn't find anything wrong. When we talked and heard what he was going through I immediately realized it was something similar to what I went through.
Third and final case. Someone was sometimes feeling an evil presence in his dreams like a an evil spirit was threatening him. He was a guy who was careful with his sanctification so he couldn't understand why the devil kept coming to his dreams so often. He talked to some christian friends and one said this, the other said that. Until he read somewhere that this is something that lots of people go through when they face extreme pressure. I think it is called anxienty disorder or something similar in English. As soon as he realized what he was actualy going through and calmed down those bad dreams went away for good. (right or wrong some christians believe that the devil has no access to our dreams at all. Personally I am not sure about it, there is nothing in the scriptures about it)
So you see it is not always the devil behind everything.
Back to Loretta and people like her. I believe the first thing she must do is to go and see a doctor. But she can also ask for prayers from her church. The devil can not keep tormenting her if she is 'clean", praying, etc, He has to go. We have been given authority over him, not the other way around. I believe she needs a doctor.