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Go To Meeting
Roy Assanti—December 11, 2020
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I was speaking to a friend of my brothers, and the subject was the enemy, Satan the devil! He was aghast as to why speak about or give the devil airtime.
He is not actually a member, nor does he understand what we understand. But he was aghast. As we spoke, and as I continued to raise the issues as to why we need to be aware of what our enemy is doing, and his designs, he slowly fell into silence and began to listen.
- Why talk about Satan the devil?
- Why highlight this beast?
I've done a little bit of reading pertaining to General George S. Patton, and one of his strategies was know your enemy! He would study his enemies and their strategies and what they did, how they moved, and how to block them. He was one of the top, if not the top, American general, attack general, of WWII.
One of his strategies was that whenever he setup camp, he would defend it so vigorously with a plan so that when the enemy attacked they would be repulsed, bounced back and they moved forward.
There were three cherubs mentioned in the Bible: Michael, Gabriel, Lucifer. Let's look at the representation of God's Throne at the time of Moses:
Exodus 25:18: "And you shall make two cherubim of gold; of beaten work you shall make them, on the two ends of the mercy seat. And make one cherub on the one end, and the other cherub on the other end. From the mercy seat you shall make the cherubim, on the two ends of it. And the cherubim shall spread out their wings above, overshadowing the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces, each toward the other; the faces of the cherubim shall be toward the mercy seat. And you shall put the mercy seat on top of the ark. And in the ark you shall put the testimony that I shall give you" (vs 18-21).
Verse 22: "And I will meet with you there, and I will talk with you from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim on the Ark of the Testimony, of all things which I will give you in commandment to the children of Israel."
The point here was that there were two cherubim; at one time there were three cherubim in God's realm. We're going to see that other cherubim, another great creature that God made who no longer occupies the position or the authority of a cherub.
We can take this casually, but we need to realize the gravity, the reality what this actually represents. It is real! It has happened!
Ezekiel 28:12: "Son of man, lift up a lamentation over the king of Tyre, and say to him, 'Thus says the Lord GOD…'"
This is a prophecy about a physical leader, ruler. However, now it does not describe the physical ruler. It begins to describe the power, the spiritual unseen power, behind him.
"'…You seal up the measure of perfection, full of wisdom… [no physical person could ever fulfill that] …and perfect in beauty'" (v 12). It is not describing any physical man!
Verse 13: "You have been in Eden, the Garden of God…" Now we know the context!
This Lucifer was the greatest God Himself could create.
"…every precious stone was your covering: the ruby, the topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the turquoise, and the emerald, and gold. The workmanship of your settings… [the very best that the Great God Himself could create] …and of your sockets was prepared in you in the day that you were created. You were the anointed cherub that covers…" (vs 13-14).
We read about two cherubs that covered the representation of the Throne of God. Here is another one!
Verse 14: "You were… [at one time; not now] …the anointed cherub that covers, and I set you so; you were upon the Holy mountain of God; you have walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire."
Would that some day that we will get to see the stones of fire in God's realm.
Verse 15[transcriber's correction]: "You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until iniquity was found in you. By the multitude of your merchandise they have filled your midst with violence, and you have sinned…." (vs 15-16).
What happened to this great being's greatness and beauty? He became conceited!
"…Therefore, I will cast you as profane from the mountain of God, and I will destroy you, O covering… [with wings covering the Throne of God] …cherub, from among the stones of fire" (v 16).
This is what happened. He was so great that the beauty, brilliance and magnificence with which God created this being:
Verse 17: "Your heart was lifted up… [that's what happened] …because of your beauty; you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness. I will cast you to the ground; I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you."
Then the spiritual lessons goes down to the physical. There's a principle that we're given, that whoever humbles himself/herself will be made great. But there's a principle of life that the great God learned of character: Whoever exalts themselves will be humbled! So, we need to be humbled! That's the lesson!
Isa. 14 tells us about this shining star, which are symbols of angelic beings. This shining star that God made, and what happened to him.
Isaiah 14:12: "How you are fallen from the heavens, O shining star, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations!"
This is what was going on inside; v 13: "For you have said in your heart, 'I will ascend into the heavens…'"
So, it looks like that his original domain of Lucifer and the angelic realm that was with him was on the earth.
"…I will exalt my throne… [he was given a throne] …above the stars of God; I will also sit upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High" (vs 13-14).
I will make a comment about what we've just read about ascending above the heights of the clouds and be like the Most High. Is this the real source of the trinity, where we have the Most High—God the Father—and the Logos, the Spokesman who became Christ? Was the plan in this great beings mind to be #3 with them, the bright shining star? That's something to consider! In other words a closed Godhead!
Revelation 12:3: "And another sign was seen in heaven: and behold, a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns on his heads; and his tail swept away a third of the stars of heaven… [symbolic of the angelic realm] …and cast them to the earth…. [because of his action, rebellion] …And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to deliver, so that he might devour her child when she gave birth. And the great dragon was cast out, the ancient serpent who is called the Devil and Satan… [the competitor of God] …who is deceiving… [and continues to deceive] …the whole world; he was cast down to the earth, and his angels were cast down with him" (vs 3-9).
Luke 10:18: "And He [Jesus] said to them, 'I was watching when Satan fell from heaven like lightning.'"
Jude 6: "And the angels who did not keep their own original domain, but deserted their habitation…"—the earth, and follow Lucifer who became Satan; the enemy and competitor of God!
"…He is holding in eternal bonds under darkness unto the judgment of the Great Day" (v 6). That is the ultimate fate!
How does it affect us in our walk? Again, my friend said, 'Don't give the devil air time! Don't speak on him!' There are times when we need to understand, repeating what George S. Patton learned about military and confrontation and war: Know your enemy!We're commanded not to be ignorant!
This being—Satan—is like a crazed murderous lunatic seeking to devour; that's his nature!
1-Peter 5:8: "Be sober! Be vigilant! For your adversary the devil is… [not was, but is in continuum] …prowling about as a roaring lion, seeking anyone he may devour."
I wonder if we can imagine the gravity of that? I've been close to a lion in a cage in a zoo, but can you imagine being close to a unrestrained wild lion? Quite a thought!
- Does it awaken a danger in us?
- Does it wake up the adrenalin?
Think about what's being said! We cannot see this being, but it doesn't mean that there are designs for your destruction! We have to be armed and prepared!
2-Cor. 2—here's a little bit more about his nature and schemes and strategies for who? He's got the people in the world! He's after anyone who understands the Truth, because that is leading to his demise and destruction!
2-Corinthians 2:11: "So that we may not be outwitted by Satan…" He's trying to outwit us! Understand the words and the serious and danger of it.
"…for we are not ignorant of his schemes." We know what he's up to!
- (KJV): "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."
- (Amp. Classic): "To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us, for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions."
- (Complimentary English): "I have done this to keep Satan from getting the better of us. We all know what goes on in his mind!"
- (Darby): "That we might not have Satan get an advantage over us, for we are not ignorant of his thoughts."
So, we must be aware! We need to beware, because it's a very real danger to all whom God calls at this time!
Ephesians 2:1: "Now, you were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you walked in times past according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now working within the children of disobedience" (vs 1-2). What does this mean? He puts:
- thoughts
- fears
- concerns
- impressions
- lures
- stirs up emotions
in our mind and broadcasts them! These are feelings! Thoughts! We need to understand where they come from. That's one of his devices.
Verse 3: "Among whom also we all… [no one is excluded] …once had our conduct in the lusts of our flesh…"
Satan has been and seeks continually to be on our wavelength.
"…doing the things willed by the flesh and by the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as the rest of the world" (v 3).
The battle for our mind, for the control of our mind, goes on a daily basis. Feet down, stand up, it happen right through. There is a beast lurking to control, to maneuver, to put is off balance continually on a daily basis. So, there's a need to be on guard!
Psalm 141:2: "Let my prayer be set forth before You as incense… [this is serious] …and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice."
- we bow down before God
- we lift your hands up
Verse 3: "Set a guard…"
Look at the thinking of David who went through so many trials. He's putting together strategies, a defense!
"…O LORD, to my mouth… [Why? He didn't want to be taken off guard!] …keep watch over the door of my lips"—that's where it starts!
We believe what we say. We can be tricked, and we have to repent and go back.
Verse 4: "Let not my heart turn aside to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity…"—don't let me be taken off guard!
We know that he was, but he came back. We will be, but we have to come back. If David was 'a man after God's own heart' and he was taken off balance, that means that we can be! This was his prayer.
Verse 4: "Let not my heart turn aside to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity and let me not eat of their delicacies."
We all have fears, concerns, thought of the mind, because we have to continually get on track. By our nature we get off track. We have to be in the habit of being on track with God, keeping His commandments, understanding and walking and living. We can't do it of our own power.
We need God's power to strengthen us and empower us. IF we think differently, we've got it wrong! It all begins in the mind! The mind is fed by the heart: the emotions, attitudes, outlooks, feelings.
Proverbs 17:14: "The beginning of strife is like letting out water; therefore drop the dispute before a quarrel breaks out."
It is interesting how other people can put these Scriptures, adding extra words, but looking at the intent.
- (Amplified Version): "The beginning of strife is like letting out water as from a small break in a dam. First it trickles and then it gushes. Therefore, abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode."
We have a quarrel with ourselves, as well, in our mind. The point is:
- don't give an inch
- guard the door of your mind
- don't be ignorant
You're under attack every day! We read about the designs of the 'arch enemy'; the enemy of God!
- Should we say that he's not our enemy?
- Should we say that the devil doesn't exist?
NO! Satan broadcasts! He's there with attitudes waiting! In military terms, you don't attack the strong points, you attack the weaknesses! You attack the soft underbelly!
That's the intention of God to allow that to happen. Why? So we're strengthened! So our weaknesses put in joint, not out of joint, and are strengthened!
- What are our trials?
- What are our hardships?
- What are our difficulties?
- What are our concerns?
- What are our troubles?
- Where are we being pushed?
- What's happening?
Let's understand! Know your enemy!
- What are our buttons if pushed? The soft underbelly is where Satan goes to!
Obviously, in WWII that's where the term came: the soft underbelly of Europe is where the allies attacked the enemy!
Matthew 6:24: "No one is able to serve two masters…"
That's a wide-ranging principle and very personal that we need to meditate on, understand and assimilate.
"…for either he will hate the one and love the other… [you can't love both] …or he will hold to the one and despise the other…." (v 24).
If we hold onto something that is not of God, it means that we despise God's ways! Isn't that what happened to Judas? This is just one application of this principle: you can't serve God and mammon: possessions, stuff, things. That's one application.
"…You cannot serve God and mammon" (v 24).
But the bottom line is that you can't be of two minds, wherever it applies. It's either God and Godly character or something else! The point is that we're not able to serve two masters! It's either one or the other!
2-Corinthians 10:3: "For although we walk in the flesh, we do not war…" What is war? War is:
- desperation
- life and death
- the cessation of life or the continuing of life
"…we do not war according to the flesh" (v 3).
George S. Patton talked about war as a 'sting of battle,' a desperate struggle. That's the word that's used!
Verse 4: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal…"
- not our own things
- not of the flesh
- not what you see
- not what's apparent
"…but mighty through God to the overthrowing of strongholds" (v 4)—against us! Anyone who would call on the name of God and seek to live… All who seek to live in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution!
"…but mighty through God to the overthrowing of strongholds" (v 4)—against us! If we think they're not, we're immediately at a disadvantage. This is serious!
Verse 5: "Casting down vain imaginations… [of the mind and heart; that's where we are attacked] …and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God… [this is our mandate]: …and bringing into captivity every thought into the obedience of Christ."
Why do we have to bring into captivity every thought? We're told to! Obviously, this is where the enemy works; this is how we can be destroyed.
The battle, the conflagration, the strife, the striving is in the mind and heart. That's where we are attacked. We read of the flaming darts of the devil. A dart that not only enters, but it burns!
Matthew 5:1: "But seeing the multitudes, He [Jesus] went up into the mountain…"
Why did He go into the mountains? Not many people can go there. He didn't go into the flat, but into the mountains! In a private place!
"…and when He sat down… [learning time] …His disciples came to Him…. [into the mountain] …And He opened His mouth and taught them…" (vs 1-2).
Likewise, is He teaching you and me today? In a sense, if we have understanding we are there on the mountain with Him to take in the information, the lessons, the instruction that He gives us. Do we forget basic foundations that are revealed in Matt. 5-7. There's a lot of instruction there. We've read it how many times?
But there's a lot of danger revealed there. There's a lot of instruction that we need to continually go through so that it's current. Do we forget the basics? That's our mandate! The basics!
- Do we surrender? Sometimes we're in a fight! We've got to fight! It's serious!
- Do we cave?
or
- Do we strive?
- What do we do?
- What's it like for you when you have a difficulty?
Our natural nature is contrary to God's way! We have to fight! We have to strive!
Gen. 32 is a good example for us with Jacob. He tricked his brother Esau, who had a small army that was going after Jacob.
Genesis 32:6: "And the messengers returned to Jacob saying, 'We came to your brother Esau, and also he comes to meet you, and four hundred men with him.'"
Are they just friends? Friends do not cause this reaction:
Verse 7: "Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed, and he… [worked out a strategy] …divided the people with him, and the flocks and herds, and the camels, into two bands."
This was Jacob the supplanter, the shyster! He got his brother when he was weak, hungry—starving—and came out from hunting and said, 'Sell me your birthright.' So, Jacob took his brother's blessings.
There are lessons here in the strivings of Jacob. This is what happened, and it's a lesson for us:
- of tenacity
- of not letting down
- of keeping the fight
Never ever surrendering!
Verse 24: "And Jacob was left alone. And a Man wrestled there with him until the breaking of the day."
Why was Jacob such a good wrestler? He probably thought he would have to fight his brother one day, and he prepared! Consider that he wrestled to the break of day; he wrestled all night.
When you and I wrestle with a problem, with a difficulty, with a contention, weakness, whatever. Do we keep going through the spiritual night? or Do we yield!
Verse 25: "And when the Man saw that He did not prevail… [got to make it obvious] …against him, He touched the hollow of his thigh. And the hollow of Jacob's thigh became out of joint… [we're put at a disadvantage the minute we stop] …as he wrestled with Him."
Verse 26: And He said, 'Let Me go, for the day breaks.' And Jacob said, 'I will not let You go except You bless me.'" Do we stop? No!
- I need Your strength
- I need Your help
- I need to overcome
- I need to be different
- I need to be like You
- I'm not letting go
It is an expression that we need to have, all of us!
Verse 27: "And He said to him, 'What is your name?' And he said, 'Jacob.'" In other words, shyster, supplanter, trickster!
Verse 28: "And He said, 'Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel…"—one who strives with God and man and prevails!
A new name! Those who overcome are given a new name, and there's also a Book of Remembrance, all the good things!
"…for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed" (v 28).
We need to prevail with whatever faces us!
Verse 29: "And Jacob asked and said, 'I pray You, reveal Your name.' And He said, 'Why do you ask after My name?' And He blessed him there."
Who was the Man? "…for you have striven with God…"—that should tell us!
Verse 30: "And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel, saying, 'For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.'"
Let's look at the other side of the coin. There are also lessons for us with the example of Esau.
Hebrews 12:15: "Looking diligently…" It's not a 'walk in the park'; it's determination, determined effort. It's serious!
"…lest anyone fall from the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness…" (v 15).
That's one of those flaming darts, one of those communications of the enemy.
"…springing up trouble you, and through this many be defiled; lest there be any fornicator… [spiritually after other gods, or physical fornication] …or godless person, as Esau… [How?] …who for one meal sold his birthright."
He was a strong man, big and hairy! But inside he was weak and gutless! He/she who faints in the day of adversity, his strength is small indeed!
Verse 17: "Because you also know that afterwards, when he wished to inherit the blessing, he was rejected…" That's not the example we want!
There is a contrasting attitude, outlook, one of striving. Not giving in! He was starving, 'What's the use of this birthright to me if I die.'
We need to value the calling, the inheritance above everything else; the blessing that God has for us! We need to prioritize it above all else!
"…and he found no room for repentance, although he sought it earnestly with tears" (v 17).
When Satan attacks us—he's the prince of the power of the air and we are under attack whether we like it or not—when he's finished with us, we're no good other than to be thrown on human junk heap! Useless! Worthless! He promises empty treasures; empty promises! Here's an example:
Matthew 27:3: "Now, when Judas, who had betrayed Him…"
He wanted the money; probably could have bought a house in those days. That applies to Judas, not to us.
- What about being given one pound we have been given? We have to increase it!
- What about the talents that we are given? We have to increase it!
If we have the same that was given, there's no reward, and it's taken from you!
Verse 3: "Now, when Judas, who had betrayed Him saw that He was condemned, he changed his mind…" Got him! Gottcha! It's too late!
"…and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying" (v 3).
Then he realizes it's too late; let's not seek to repent when it's too late! We need to repent now, while we're on the journey! While we're on the way!
Verse 4—Judas says: 'I have sinned and have betrayed innocent blood.' But they said, 'What is that to us? You see to it yourself.' And after throwing down… ['I don't want this anymore'; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth] …the pieces of silver in the temple, he went out and hanged himself" (vs 4-5).
Never let your guard down! That's the lesson! Never become someone like that. It's a day-by-day thing! Sufficient is the trouble of day thereof! A battle a day, every day; take it a day at a time. It's cinch by the inch, and it's hard by the yard. Our trials are serious. We need to prevail continually, not just surrender! Never! Remember the example of Jacob! That's just one example.
This is the reality, we don't look to the left or to the right; we go straight forward! We walk straight!
Matthew 7:13: "Enter in through the narrow gate… [it's not the wide way, it's very specific] …for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction…"
It's easy! It's broad! What is that telling us? That to prevail, to succeed, to earn talents and pounds, it's hard! It wasn't easy for Jacob. What an example to wrestle all night, and he was given a new name! So will you and I be given a new name if we prevail!
"…and many are those who enter through it; for narrow is the gate and difficult… [wrestle through the night; the hardship, difficulty] …is the way that leads to life, and few are those who find it" (vs 13-14).
Matthew 24:25: "Behold, I have foretold it to you."
Aren't we told here, as well. Likewise here we're being told; bear it in mind!
Luke 13:23: "And one said to Him, 'Lord, are those who are being saved few?' Then He said to them, 'Strive with your whole being to enter in through the narrow gate; for many, I say to you, will seek to enter in, but shall not be able" (vs 23-24).
Is this a reference to Matt. 25 where there were ten virgins of all that were called, and 50% made it and 50% did not. They said, 'Open to us, too.' No! Go away, I don't know you!
Let's look and make sure that we make our calling and election successful.
Verse 25: "Once the Master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside the door and knock, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us'; then shall He answer and say to you… what would it be like to put your name there and say] …'I do not know you or where you are from.'"
Serious business! Which side of the door do you want to be on? Now is the time we need to ask these questions, and answer them for ourselves. Simulate, think! Think now! Now your in the fray, in the fight!
Verse 26: "And you shall begin to say, 'We ate and drank in Your presence, and You have taught in our streets.' And He shall say… [we never want to hear these words]: 'I tell you, I do not know you…'" (vs 26-27).
I know I'm, dwelling on the negative here, but all of us need a 'kick in the pants.'
"…or where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of unrighteousness" (v 27).
We know what happens, we can reference this; v 28: "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see… [we want to be there] …Abraham and Isaac and Jacob…"
He's there because he prevailed; he fought all night, refused to give in. He was lame, but he hung on.
"…and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you yourselves are cast out" (v 28).
We need to take heed now! Today! Not tomorrow, but today! Every day we need to stay awake and not go to sleep. Here's a principle; we've seen the danger, the trouble!
Proverbs 22:3: "A prudent one foresees the evil and hides himself, but the thoughtless plow ahead and are punished."
That's what we need to consider and take to heart today, every day. It's not an easy path.
Those who are close to us, whom we love, they are the ones who can be used to confuse us, deceive us. The situation can come back again and again. Don't think 'we've done it, we're finished, we've overcome it.' No, it will come back.
Matthew 10:34: "Do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man at variance against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man's enemies shall be those of his own household" (vs 34-36). Those close to us!
Satan the deceiver will stop at nothing! Those close to us: bothers, sisters, in-laws, cousins, all included, connected blood relatives. Double crossing, no holds barred; that's how you can classify the deceiver, the enemy of God.
Here's the instruction! Who do you love first; what are your preferences. Who do you listen to?
Verse 37: "The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And the one who does not take up his cross…" (vs 37-38).
Suffer through the night, even though your hip is out of joint, or whatever the equivalent is.
"…and follow Me is not worthy of Me" (v 38). I don't know you! It's not an easy path; it's not a 'walk in the park.'
Verse 39: "The one who has found his life shall lose it; and the one who has lost his life for My sake shall find it."
Here's another warning that we need to take heed of today:
Hebrews 3:12: "Beware, brethren, lest perhaps there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief… [take the warning seriously; don't just coast along] …in apostatizing…"
Who wants to apostatize? Ten virgins, five were wise and five were foolish! Take the admonition, take the warning! We don't realize that we can be taken and not be aware of it. In apostatizing:
"…from the living God" (v 12).
We're warned, otherwise why do we have to beware if it couldn't happen?
Verse 13: "Rather, be encouraging one another each day, while it is called 'today,' so that none of you become hardened by the deceitfulness of sin."
We say we're okay. Well, here's another warning! We have to careful, continually examine and think. Pray through the day, seek! Don't take it for granted.
1-John 1:8: "If we say that we do not have sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the Truth is not in us."
2-Corinthians 13:5: "Examine… [it's an ongoing process] …yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; prove… [test] …your own selves. Don't you of your own selves know that Jesus Christ is in you? Otherwise, you are reprobates."
- Are you close to God?
- Do you have His Spirit?
- Do you have His strength?
Test! Here's another admonition:
1-John 1:9: "If we confess our own sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned…" (vs 9-10). We can't say that we're okay!
"…we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us" (v 20). We need to say or think:
What else can I change? Perhaps it will mean occasional fasting, and surely daily prayer, meditation and studying God's Word!
This is part of the examination, course correction, self-correction and the alignment to God. We have to be aligned, because our nature is contrary.
1-John 2:3: "And by this standard we know that we know Him: if we keep His commandments." We haven't even touched he surface of Matt. 5-7!
Verse 4: "The one who says, 'I know Him' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar… [we better make sure that we're not liars] …and the Truth is not in him."
1-John 4:20: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother …."
This person here is a jackass! Do we recognize any jackasses who have been baptized. Even if you call your brother a bad name. Remember 'Raca'?
"…he is a liar…." You don't love God!
"…For if he does not love his brother whom he has seen, how is he able to love God Whom he has not seen? (v 20).
That's a principle we can't get away from! We have very real and unseen enemy. If we think he's not there, we give him and advantage, and ourselves a disadvantage. We need to watch and be close to God on a daily basis.
Luke 12:35: "Let your loins be girded about and your lamps burning, and you yourselves be like men who are waiting for their lord, whenever he shall return… [this is instruction, the admonition, the inspiration that Christ gives us] …from the wedding feast; so that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the lord, when he comes, shall find watching…." (vs 35-37).
Watching our own personal, spiritual development. Our state of mind, what we're thinking, what we're doing, examining.
"…Truly I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them sit down, and will come and serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, or comes in the third watch, and finds them watching, blessed…" (vs 37-38).
That's where we want to be; not as one who sleeps, but as one who is awake. Strives though the night even though his hip is out of joint.
"…blessed are those servants… [when He finds them watching] …\ But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief would come, he would have watched…" (vs 38-39).
We have to watch all through the night, like the example of Jacob.
"…and would not have allowed his house to be broken into" (v 39).
- watch your house
- watch your life
Do not be taken off guard and suffer loss! Beware! You have real enemy who seeks to take a lot away from you! Do not give him an advantage!
Scriptures from The Holy Bible in Its Original Order, A Faithful Version (except where noted)
Scriptural References:
- Exodus 25:18-22
- Ezekiel 28:12-17
- Isaiah 14:12-14
- Revelation 12:3-7
- Luke 10:18
- Jude 6
- 1 Peter 5:8
- 2 Corinthians 2:11
- Ephesians 2:1-3
- Psalm 141:2-4
- Proverbs 17:14
- Matthew 6:24
- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
- Matthew 5:1-2
- Genesis 32:6-7, 24-30
- Hebrews 12:15-17
- Matthew 27:3-5
- Matthew 7:13-14
- Matthew 24:25
- Luke 13:23-28
- Proverbs 22:3
- Matthew 10:34-39
- Hebrews 3:12-13
- 1 John 1:8
- 2 Corinthians 13:5
- 1 John 1:9
- 1 John 2:3-4
- 1 John 4:20
- Luke 12:35-39
Scriptures referenced, not quoted: Matthew 5-7
RA:bo
Transcribed:
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