THE LORD MAGNIFIED JOSHUA

Joshua 4:10 For the priests which bare the ark stood in the midst of Jordan, until every thing was finished that the LORD commanded Joshua to speak unto the people, according to all that Moses commanded Joshua: and the people hasted and passed over. 11 And it came to pass, when all the people were clean passed over, that the ark of the LORD passed over, and the priests, in the presence of the people. 12 And the children of Reuben, and the children of Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh, passed over armed before the children of Israel, as Moses spake unto them: 13 About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho. 14 On that day the LORD magnified Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life.

As has already been noted, Joshua of the Old Testament is a vivid picture of our Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Their names are so interchangeable that the 1611 King James translators use Jesus in the Greek for “Joshua” in the Hebrew, in Hebrews 4:8.

And Joshua had a special relation with Moses, superseding him, and bringing the children on into the land of promise. So also did our Lord Jesus Christ! John 1:17 For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. Matt. 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

And we read in verse ten above, that the earthly Joshua received commands both from the LORD, and from Moses! And of our Heavenly Joshua we read in Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. He too, received commands from the Father and from the law!

Again in Matthew five we hear the very Son of God stating, For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Matthew 5:18).

For there is nothing wrong with the law! Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. It is righteous not to kill, or to steal. The problem is in our fleshly nature; in our inability to keep the law! Romans 8:3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

(Please note: The condemnation was for sin – Never again for the redeemed sinner! Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.)

For the Lord Jesus not only kept and fulfilled the law, but he always was completely obedient to his Father’s voice! John 8:28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

Joshua’s Magnification

The word magnified, is found translated from the Hebrew in Genesis 12:2 as, and made … great. And that same Hebrew word is in Isaiah 28:29 translated as, excellent in. And as the Lord made the earthly Joshua to be magnified, great and excellent in the eyes of Israel, so he does the Lord Jesus Christ in the eyes of every justified soul!

But when did he do this? This is a valid question, and not outside of the pale of revelation. For then it would only be a matter of sinful speculation! For the same verse that states that this magnification was done, begins with the words, On that day. The when we are looking for is listed in verse eleven. For there we read that it came to pass only WHEN all the people were clean passed over! Glory to God, and the Lamb forever! Not a single soul left behind! Not a single casualty in the crossing of the swollen Jordan!

For not a single soul of those chosen in him before the foundation of the world shall ever perish! (Ephes. 1:4). Our Lord addresses this when he states, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:37 & 40)

The exaltation and magnification of both “Joshua’s” took place when all the ransomed church of God were saved from the old world and all brought into the new. The Heavenly Joshua (Christ), as a lion, roared out from the cross his victory cry, It is finished! And so it was!

His cross work actually did something! His cross work actually changed everything! The entire multitudes of all believers, of all ages were provided justification, to be applied at the time of their being granted spiritual life! Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. And a definite purchase was made! … the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. Acts 20:28.

Therefore we read that this was the point of his exaltation. Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; There again is our when. The actual point of his exaltation is marked as the time of his accomplishment of the purging our sins! The Lord Jesus Christ is the presently reigning Lord! The Father has already set him down at the right hand of His Majesty! And it was at the point of the accomplished redemption.

This has satisfied the Father. Why is it that it does not satisfy Christendom?!? Some had rather believe Scofield’s “Bible” than God’s word! Just listen for a moment at God’s inspired word. (You do know that Mr. Scofield’s notes are not ‘inspired,’ don’t you?) Isaiah 53:11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. And it was there that the Father “magnified” him.

For the very next verse brings in a “Therefore,” revealing the Father’s point of exaltation of his Son being at the redemption of every one elected in him from before the foundation of the world. Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Listen to this in the Apostle Paul’s inspired writings. Philippians 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

My dear readers, make no mistake about it! Look not at the disorder of present day society! For everything in this present realm is exactly as the Lord of Glory has purposed it. It may not fit the mould of the form of religious order that moralism demands. But it is according to God’s eternal purposes! Eph. 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

Never allow the outward look to be the determining factor for your unbelief in the present, absolute reign of the Lord Jesus Christ! It is the upward look that shall sustain your peace in knowing that Thy God reigneth.

Psalm 47:8 God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.

Psalm 93:1 The LORD reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

Psalm 96:10 Say among the heathen that the LORD reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.
Never allow anyone, or any doctrine to convince you that Christ has yet to ascend his throne! Have you noticed that word, till in 1 Corinthians 15:25? For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

That does not say, “He shall one day begin to reign, WHEN!” It clearly states that he shall continue his present reign UNTIL every enemy is subdued! And that means that he is presently reigning in his Mediatorial reign, and shall continue to do so until the last enemy is destroyed. 1 Cor. 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. And he shall destroy that last enemy at the resurrection of the dead!

And these times are even according to the foretelling of it in his word. Matthew 24:10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

Even these times of the falling away from the by-product of morality in the general public, that imputed righteousness produces, is fore told. 2 Thessalonians 2:1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

And that man of sin is the modern day hypocrite, sitting in the local church, believing that he is a god unto himself. He has swallowed Satan’s lie to Eve that he can determine what is good and evil for himself!

 

Psalm 50:20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son. 21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. 22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.

Fear Not, Little Flock

Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Look unto Jesus! Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:2). For the Lord has everything well in hand! Psalm 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

He is infinite in both his wisdom and in his power. None of this ‘escapes’ his knowledge! None of this is out from under his control! He shall preserve the church so that not a hair of their heads shall perish, and shall do that in the very midst of all this evil. For not one evil person, or their evil deeds shall go unpunished!

2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

2 Peter 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:

For the day of his vengeance upon the wicked, and the time of his redemption of all believers, are not contrary parts that he cannot handle at one and the same time! Isaiah 63:4 For the day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Our assurance that one eternal day we shall be glorified, and be like him, is strengthened by the fact that the man, Christ Jesus, the Head of the Body of believers, is already sitting upon the throne of glory! And Satan, knowing that, has done all he can to prevent it from being preached in our day in order to attempt to keep the church from her victorious reign, here on earth with him!

Pastor Gene Breed
December 1, 2011

EVERY OPPRESSOR

Zechariah 10:4 Out of him came forth the corner, out of him the nail, out of him the battle bow, out of him every oppressor together.
We have seen that Christ alone is our corner stone, both sustaining and defining the church. We then saw Christ alone as God’s nail fastened in a sure place to bear the glory we came short of in sin, and to uphold all the vessels of mercy in his house. (Isaiah 22:23-24). We also saw Christ alone as our battle bow, going forth on his white horse (Rev. 6:1,2; 19:11ff), conquering the hearts of men by his gospel weapons. (2 Cor. 10:4,5; Eph. 6:17). And now we come to see him as sovereign over “Every Oppressor,” or, every “exactor.” For we clearly read in Psalm 76:10 Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
That Christ is presently reigning Lord over all the universe shall soon be the realization of every living being. Some may have to be staked out on the White House lawn like Nebuchad-nezzar, in order to come to that realization, but get there they will! Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Listen to the conclusion of Nebuchad-nezzar’s ordeal, from his own mouth: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? Daniel 4:35.
Do you believe Christ’s words, or Mr. Scofield’s? This is what the Lord Jesus said; To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Rev. 3:21.
And this is what the Holy Spirit said, Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Hebrews 1:3. That verse even gives the time of his enthronement! It was after he had “purged our sins!” But most religionists in our day don’t believe anything really was accomplished on the cross!
Here is what the Apostle Peter recorded of this in 1 Peter 3:22, Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
And some are very careful NOT to quote verse eighteen of the Matthew passage that they so often use to attempt to set a fire under their members,in order to get them to bring in more warm bodies to their services. And they even hurriedly read over the therefore, and its intended implication, in verse nineteen of that Matthew twenty eight passage. Just take a moment and see that world wide evangelism is to be solely based on the present reign and Lordship of Christ!
Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
But they DO quote a verse in their soul winning endeavors that they really don’t think about, even as it comes out of their mouth! Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Wait a minute! Call upon whom?!? – Did you just say, “the name of THE LORD?” Yep! That’s exactly what you said.
For his Lordship is the basis upon which faith can be granted! 1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. Christ has to be “given glory” now, or none can be granted saving faith and enduring hope!
The blood of bulls and goats could not sustain world wide evangelism! In fact, it never cleansed one single sinner from one single sin! {Gal. 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.} That commission recorded in Matthew was never issued for any to go into all the world, until Christ came and made an end of sins and finished the transgression! (Daniel 9:24). Until the very Lamb of God Himself proclaimed, “It is finished,” from the cross, the teachings of God were, primarily to remain within national Israel! It was only upon his being seated at God’s right hand, being witnessed by the sending of the Holy Spirit, that God assembled 17 nations at Jerusalem to hear the gospel for the first time, to take it back to their own countries!
Christ’s present reign is called a Mediatorial Reign in order to distinguish it from his continued, Eternal Reign. But he is the same Lord, and his reign and kingdom are eternal! In fact the Scriptures instruct us that he must continue to presently reign, until he has put down all other rule and authority! 1 Corin. 15:24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
And it is not just pastors, evangelists and religious authorities who are said to be his ministers. Three times in the thirteenth chapter of Romans the civil authorities are clearly said to be “ministers of God!” (Rom. 13:4.6). And upon this basis the church is instructed to “be subject” to them both, for the fear of wrath from them, and for conscience sake towards God! To be in rebellion against the civil authorities is to resist the very ordinance of God!
Slander towards, and evil speaking against governmental authority is very prevalent in this hour. And there are many reasons given, even among church folk to justify such. But the scriptures clearly state, 2 Pet. 2:9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
The sovereign power of God is here clearly set against “the unjust!” And that designation is defined by the Holy Spirit as those who “despise government,” and those who “speak evil of dignities!” God has no anarchists in his kingdom! His people have his nature and character living within them, conforming them to the submissive spirit of his obedience to authority. For he yielded to the Roman authorities, without resistance to the most horrible crime exacted against the only perfect Man who has ever lived on earth! He even instructed his judge that he could have no power over him except it was given to him from the Father! (John 19:11). If ever there was going to be a revolt against authority – that would have been the time!
And even the holy and pure angels, when dealing with the essence of evil himself, Satan, dared not, from their consciousness of God, bring “railing accusation” against him! For they respected the authority that the Creator had placed, even in such a wicked one!
Jude 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.
The most basic of Christian instruction gives us understanding of the true, spiritual character by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. When the regenerating Spirit of life enters into the sinner, old things pass away. He becomes a cheek turner; a second mile goer; an overcoat giver to that one who took his coat; and a bestower of mercy!
He becomes poor in his spirit, where once naught but haughtiness dwelt. He becomes mournful, as now realizing his own eye beam! He is now meek of heart, taking on the lowly nature of his master. His ambition, now seen as the cancer of his spirituality, is abated, and his hunger is for righteousness. He has now seen his great need for mercy; a grace designed exclusively for the guilty, which renders him willing to forgive and restore others. His old, wicked heart, darkened under the evil influences of sin, is now becoming pure, as he is constantly seeing the revelation of God, by the Spirit, in the Holy Scriptures. He becomes worthy of being a member of the heavenly jury on earth, by his gospel formed heart, making peace between himself and between others.
His christianity is not just another of many religions. His christianity is a way of life! And it all is derived from the new nature within providing him with the greatest deterrent against sin – God consciousness! For with the loving eyes of his Heavenly Father affixed to his heart’s awareness, how could he possible be ought else? For God’s kindness to him sets the standard for his treatment to others!
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
He has no problem when he hears the expounding of the Present Reign of the Lord Christ! For God presently reigns within his own heart, mind and soul! And he remembers how it was before the Sovereign applied that unsolicited and free grace therein!
Pastor Gene Breed
April 6, 2011

WHAT SEEST THOU?

Zechariah 4:1 And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord? 5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. 7 Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.
We begin in this passage with a prophet who was cold and distant to the things of the Spirit, but winds up with proclamations of Grace, grace! How we greatly need that resurrection power among the believers in our day!
For although the prophet had been given several opportunities before this revelation to hear the word from God, his mind was now distant and cold concerning spiritual matters. Therefore before receiving yet another instruction from God he had to be awakened to a spiritual consciousness as a man that is awakened from natural sleep. In order to fellowship with God the true believer is awakened in regeneration, but must often bestir himself in sanctification!
We must be awakened to walk in righteousness and not in sin! 1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; We must be awakened in order to recover sight of the glory of God! Luke 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. For it was at the point of coming short of the glory that we became sinners! Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
One must see the glory of Christ in order to believe! John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. And it is in a continued seeing the glory of God wherein one is matured spiritually in sanctification! 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
And not one single soul shall obtain the eternally glorified state without seeing Christ in his final glory, when once mediation is finished! Colossians 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
One who is interested in his own spiritual and eternal well-being must be very cautious in these days! For these are days when humanity has no thought of the Lord or of his return! And it is in such an hour when ye think not the Son of man cometh! (Matt. 24:44). And it must be kept in mind that every one represented by either the wise, or foolish virgins were asleep at the midnight cry announcing the Bridegroom’s coming! (Matt. 25:5.6).
Also like eating a large meal causes us to get drowsy, so God’s bountiful provisions tend to make us lax and spiritually sleepy! We tend to take him and his grace for granted and get lazy! After her banquet with the King, the Bride has a sleepy head, but a waking heart. She leaves him out in the cold with the dew falling on his head. Song 5:1 I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved. 2 I sleep, but my heart waketh: it is the voice of my beloved that knocketh, saying, Open to me, my sister, my love, my dove, my undefiled: for my head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night.
Let us be careful! 1Thess. 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. 6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Matt. 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

What the Prophet Didn’t See

Listed in the above passage are the candlestick, the bowl, the oil, and the olive trees. There is even an explanation given concerning God’s meaning. The massive mountain of political impossibility, along with physical probability of the removal of the mound of debris to reconstruct the temple in Jerusalem would not be by the governor’s might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord! But what you do not see is the sceptre!
We have the word of the Lord coming to the Prophet Zechariah! We have the candlestick for the illumination in which the Priest Joshua is to work. But we have no sceptre for Governor Zerubbabel! And that is because the Lord has taken the right of rule away from Israel and put it into the hands of their captors!
Ezekiel 21:25 And thou, profane wicked prince of Israel, whose day is come, when iniquity shall have an end, 26 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Remove the diadem, and take off the crown: this shall not be the same: exalt him that is low, and abase him that is high. 27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him.
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is mine indignation. The Hebrew word translated here as, rod is the exact same Hebrew word translated sceptre in Genesis 49:10! There is no governmental power granted to any nation for it’s own indiscriminate use! The Assyrians were only granted national supremacy to correct the sinfulness of Israel as a hypocritical nation! 6 I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.
The sceptre, meaning to rule (Ezek. 19:14), is only to be held by a man, not a nation. If any nation does have to opportunity to rule over other nations for any period of time, it is strictly because that one Man delegated that power to them for his purposes!
But who is that man whose right it is to have the authority to rule given to him? Gen. 49:10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be. Num. 24:17 I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Hebrews 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.
That man is none other than the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ! And listen to him announcing his receipt of the sceptre of God to reign and to rule over the entire universe! Matt. 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
In verse eighteen he states that ALL the authority of God in heaven and earth are his! The sceptre was his upon his resurrection! And in verses nineteen and twenty he announces how he will rule! He will rule the world with a gospel sceptre! Rev. 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. That word rod, underlined above, is the exact same Greek word translated sceptre as listed in Hebrews 1:8, also listed above!
Christ is the presently reigning Lord of all! He began to reign after finishing his cross work! Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; 1 Corin. 15:25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 1 Peter 3:22 Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
This is how the believing church is said to rule and reign with him in the thousand years which represent the present gospel age! Rev. 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. That which the true church binds on earth by the exacting of Christ’s crown rights on human kind by His gospel, God binds in heaven! (Matt. 18:18).
And no preacher, bishop, pope, or any form of religion has the right to rule over any soul except by the preaching of the word in the Holy Spirit! They only rule over souls by watching in gospel obedience for those souls! Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. The word rule is strongly connected with the word feed in the care of God’s sheep!
Pastor Gene Breed
December 17, 2010