I CHARGE YOU
Song 8:3 His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. 4 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, that ye stir not up, nor awake my love, until he please. 5 ¶ Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon her beloved?
The true believer is commanded to have both the wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Therefore here in our text we see them both active. The Shulamite (Song 6:13), who represents the church – the true Bride of Christ – is told that she reminds Solomon – representing our Lord Jesus Christ – of the dove. (Song 1:15, 2:14, 5:2, 6:9). And here she is (v.3), in her attractive dove-like harmlessness, enwrapped in love. But also, immediately we see her wise as the serpent, being on guard (v.4), so as not to allow either the grieving, nor quenching of the embraces of the Holy Spirit. For she strongly instructs the daughters of Jerusalem – those nominal church members – not to disturb her time of tender fellowship with the lover of her soul.
And this is a continuous battle. For we find this same admonition to these daughters of Jerusalem in chapter two and verse seven, then in chapter three and verse five. For that which is born of the Spirit shall always be in contention with that which is born only of the flesh. Even though, like these daughters of Jerusalem, the natural man has taken on religious affiliations!
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
Those who really come to know the true love of God, come to also know, and to guard against that which would disturb it. 1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
And we have presently entered into a day in which, due to abounding iniquity, the love of many towards the Lord has gone cold. Matthew 24:12 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.
Many of those dedicated to religion in our day have become like the great church of Ephesus – strong in religion’s practical matters – but have left their loving relationship with Him who IS love! Revelation 2:1 Unto the angel (messenger), of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
For you see, dear Reader, the true church is an organism, not an organization! And failing at that realization has reduced us from the living fire of the spiritual, to the dead ashes of the religious! Our minds being now so unable to see the things not seen, that now we think “heaven” is just a place, which has expensive street coverings and gates made from elaborate materials! But God’s heaven is a condition of spirit! To be ‘in Christ’ is to presently sit in these spiritually, heavenly places!
Ephesians 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
It is even the widely accepted understanding that when our Lord said, “I go to prepare a place for you,” that he, as a carpenter’s son was going to heaven, after stopping by Home Depot to obtain building supplies, to build us a physical ‘mansion.’ James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
But what he was strictly referring to was that he was going to the cross to prepare us a place of redemption! Poor blind religionists! They shall truly die in their sins and slide into eternal darkness from their church bench! God have mercy!! Proverbs 14:12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Already now, we have the examples that neither Esau, nor Satan have the benefit of any ‘place’ for themselves, either in repentance, nor in the spiritual realm! Hebrews 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. Revelation 12:7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven.
These “daughters of Jerusalem” were those who had always been in Jerusalem. They had never come from “the wilderness,” as the Shulamite had. They had never had to say, “I am black,” that is with sin, as she had. These are the church members of our day who have never made a radical breach with sin, for they have never considered themselves as ‘bad people!’ But they are among those called by the general outreach of the gospel, but not among those comparative few that have heard it effectually to their souls. Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen. For they received gospel light, but not gospel life!
Their leaders sit in Moses’ seat, assuming, without either regeneration or the call into service from the Holy Spirit, to be God-authorized religious leaders. For they have assumed authority over local churches, becoming lord’s over God’s heritage, but never servants of their souls. 1 Peter 5:2 Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.
Therefore we are warned by our Lord to beware of making them our example, for they say and do not! Matthew 23:1 Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat: 3 All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not.
Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
Therefore they bear the description, and also the punishment of the greatest sinners! James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. Luke 12:47 And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required:
For a while, they get away with presenting themselves as true companions and friends. In order to expose Judas, our Lord quotes the Psalm that sets this forth. Psalm 41:9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.
Psalm 55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
John 13:18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. 21 When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
But he wasn’t just referring to the biscuit, or whatever the bread that was called a “sop!” No! He was more strongly referring to the bread of the covenant, as he instituted the Lord’s Supper! Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.
And the violation of this bread taken unworthily carries with it a most severe judgment. 1 Corinthians 11:27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
And as “daughters of Jerusalem,” every church member assumes themselves to be a “christian.” They have all eaten this bread, without concern. But thereby, have eaten damnation to their eternal souls!
And just how have we come to this state? It came about when America kept a form of godliness, but rejected its power. “O! We must be religious! But not so much as to love the Lord and his truth with all our hearts! We are not that fanatical!”
The god that these people proclaim to worship, but do not know, has sent a “strong delusion.” And it is so strong a delusion that they will believe its lie and be damned! But why?!? Simply because we have not received the truth in love! 2 Thessalonians 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
Dedication to a religious program for whatever personal reward is not at all the same as having the Spirit’s love within one’s heart and soul. Here is a description of the characteristics of God’s love within the heart of the renewed believer. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity (that is, “love”) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, (that is, it is not boastful) is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. These traits are only manifest within the hearts of true, regenerate believers, possessed of the spirit of Christ!
For even Satan, as the angel of light, with his cunning craftiness, cannot duplicate the character of the love of God within his counterfeits. So the Harlot church runs on ‘inordinate affections,’ which is his substitute for the Holy Spirit’s presence. Therefore the work of the Harlot church is carried on by the affections of guilt or pity! So to promote their ‘missions program’ they present a photo of a skinny child, with a swollen belly and a fly on his nose in order to get into the wallets and purses of their members by guilt.
But the true church goes forth in faithfulness to her Lord’s commission out of love and obedience to him! For her faith only works by love! Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Therefore, the true Bride – Christ’s true church – is careful to maintain that which she has obtained! And in order to faithfully stand, she must withstand the evil of her day! Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Pastor Gene Breed
February 25, 2017
