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Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages

Liars

To His Own, Jesus says …

“If a man abide (remain, continue) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:6

Testifying concerning his walk with the LORD and how he was initially misled by his then leaders, Brian Ivey writes:

“I was saved in my home church at the age of 12.  I knew then God had been speaking to my heart and went down the aisle and said the prayer and repented and received Jesus.  My life was clearly changed as I had been born again. Then, after being saved, I was immediately told by those same pastors that I was ‘once saved always saved.’ I believed this and though knowing I had been saved, I went right out and continued living a sinful lifestyle. Since I was ‘once saved always saved’ I reasoned ‘why should I change my ways?’ Well, being a brand-new believer in Christ, I took these leaders and their teaching literally. Following this I grew older and was faced with many temptations and I followed those temptations and did not resist them, thinking I was ‘once saved always saved.’  While living in sin I knew full well I was in the wrong. I remembered what I was told, ‘once saved always saved’, and continued believing this for about 7 years.  Then, I went to a friend’s church one night and the leader was talking about salvation and that ‘once saved always saved’ was a lie from the devil. At the hearing of this truth my heart was convicted again of my sins and I repented afresh and went thru a discipleship program on how to walk with God. Since then I have often wondered how many people have been led astray to believe ‘once saved always saved’ who really think that they are eternally secure no matter how they live. This is very disturbing. I was headed for destruction and didn’t know it, but God intervened and saved me again. My prayer is that people will have the chance to know the whole truth about salvation before it’s too late.”

Was Brian offered biblically blessed assurance or blessed presumption? Brian was told that God loved Him, yet there was no hint to what the LORD required of him (Mic. 6:8; 1 Pet. 1:15-16). Brian was never told that the LORD wanted him to choose to love God with all of his heart, mind and strength (Matt. 22:37-39; Jn. 14:21). Was this new believer (babe in Christ) led to believe he could presume upon and take advantage of God’s grace? (See Rom. 6:1-2, 15; 2 Cor. 6:1.) Was Brian told about denying the self-life and lifting up Jesus in all things, fearing God, the essential of personal holiness, living his life by faith, the danger of falling away, trusting and fully obeying the LORD in all things He commanded, etc.? Was Brian instructed to “desire the sincere (pure) milk of the word” to grow as a believer and that God’s Word is final authority and to be studied and obeyed? (See Ps. 119; Lk. 4:4; 1 Pet. 2:2.) Was this new believer informed about nurturing intimacy in his new relationship with Jesus? Was there any hint of personal responsibility and accountability communicated to this new saint in order to help him to walk at peace with the LORD? Or, was Brian given man’s blessing to be presumptuous upon the grace of God and a license to be as irresponsible as he wished?

Brian is like millions today who have been lied to by their very leaders to believe something the Bible never teaches—an unconditional eternal security (Isa. 9:16).

Of the deluded religious leaders of his day, the prophet Ezekiel says:

“Because with lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life.” ~ Ezekiel 13:22

Ezekiel the prophet cites the false teachers of his day for doing two evil things:

  1. “With lies ye have made the heart of the righteous sad.”
  2. “Strengthened the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising him life.”

The Holy Spirit reveals here that the “heart of the righteous” remnant is made “sad” by the false prophets who “with lies” strengthen the position of those who while claiming to be followers of Christ, live in unrepentant sin. Those who teach unconditional eternal security lie against the truth (James 3:14). In the LORD’s eyes, they are liars.

Promising eternal life, assurance with God to any person who is not born again, abiding sanctified in Christ, is sin! Stop it now. Ask God to forgive you! Begin preaching repentance. Memorize Proverbs 28:13.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Only a deceiver would give hope to a “Christian” who is living in sin. It doesn’t matter if one believes he is a deceiver or not, if the Word of God reveals that we are teaching falsehood, such is obvious (2 Tim. 3:7, 13; Titus 1:10-12, 15-16).

“Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment?” ~ Malachi 2:17

How had God’s people “wearied the LORD?” When they said that “Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delighteth in them.” Did you catch this? The LORD said that it wearied Him when His people that were sinning people (in the church) were said to be “good in the sight of the LORD” and also said that “He (the LORD) delighted in them.” God is holy and unchanging and does not see sinning people as “good” or delightful, regardless of whether or not that person served the LORD in the past. The Word instructs “The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity (2 Tim. 2:19).

He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.” ~ Proverbs 17:15   

Is it okay to believe OSAS? Is it okay to believe ANY heresy – anything that does not agree with God, with His written Word? No.

QUESTION: IF Adam and Eve who were born sinless, who were in perfect communion with God, who NEVER knew sin, fell only AFTER they were told by Satan that they were “eternally secure”, how could those possibly born in sin not fall away? hmmmmm Satan himself is the author of the doctrine of “once saved always saved.” See Genesis 2:17; 3:4.


Anita Padgett writes: “I just want to say I’m very pleased with you speaking out against that ‘once saved always saved’ doctrine. Somebody has to stand up to it. You have been ordained for this very day and age, so don’t give up. I believe those who preach that doctrine may mean well but there is not one Scripture that says that we can profess Christ and go back out in sin. No matter how hard they try to interpret the Scriptures it just does not say that! I was a part of a church that preached that … but it’s leading people astray. It leads people to believe ‘I’m saved by grace and that means I can do anything I want,’ and it’s leaving people worse off than what they were before coming to know the Lord. I have a very dear close relative who was under that preaching for a long time and he of course left the church and returned to sin and addictions. All he knows is, ‘I’m saved by grace,’ and he’s really messed up now. That false doctrine makes people think they have a license to sin. In fact, that very same pastor who taught that doctrine adamantly, preached it so much that now his own son who was raised in this Baptist Church is gone out into homosexual living. And of course, he has been taught ‘I’m saved by grace, so I can do whatever I want.’  Well I know one thing for sure, no homosexual is going to enter into the Pearly Gates of Heaven. I believe, had the Pastor taught about our need to turn from our sins—not just professing Christ and going back in sin—things would have been different for them. I truly believe it. The pastor is to be blamed as well as those who hear this heresy – just as Adam and Even were accountable when Satan first told this life in Genesis (2:17; 3:4). I do know that teaching ‘I’m saved by grace. I’m going to be sealed forever, so I can do whatever I want,’ has a lot to do with it. It’s a horrible teaching, it’s a stumbling block for the blind, and it comes straight from the pit of hell. Glory be to God. Amen.”

The Damning Myth of Un-Conditional Eternal Security! 

RADIO: OSAS Debate Todd Tomasella and Chris Bradford [podcast] 

Eternal Security / OSAS (Once Saved Always Saved)

WHY do eternal securists get all upset when their fairy tale is exposed? Well, they are hiding behind the thin veneer of this heresy, feeling all secure, emboldened to live as they please, feeling assured in their lukewarmness and sin … denying Jesus instead of self, refusing to take up the cross that Jesus commanded all who would follow Him truly (Luke 9:23-24). Christ’s apostle Paul speaks of self-serving “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19) What’s behind this myth? The Psychology of Eternal Security [book]

Support | STORE | PodcastsThe Return of ChristStewardshipWhere to Give and Where Not to Give | Fruit Abounding to Your Account! | Consider Your Ways [podcast] | Consider and Build [podcast] | Holes in Your Money Bags? [podcast] | Dollar DialogueJesus Sat Over Against The Treasury [podcast] | Escaping Sodom!Waste | Stewardship | Giving | Fellowship

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Abiding

“Fear hath Torment” – 100% Deliverance from all Fear! [podcast]

Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear [podcast]


Fear Stifles and Stains our Lives – “Fear hath Torment”

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalms 23:4 

Fear, hides, it lurks, and it controls us until it is dealt with. It seems to me that we have little knowledge yet of how fear has controlled us the whole of our lives. Today is the day of salvation, deliverance from the evil of fear.

“How very little can be done under the spirit of fear.” Florence Nightingale

Fear stifles and robs.

One study Bible note says:

“Fear is a dark shadow that envelops us and ultimately imprisons us within ourselves. Each of us has been a prisoner of fear at one time or another – fear of rejection, misunderstanding, uncertainty, sickness, or even death. But we can conquer fear by using the bright liberating light of the Lord who brings salvation. If we want to dispel the darkness of fear, let us remember with the psalmist that “the Lord is my light and my salvation.”

“Fear hath torment.” The quality of life God intends you to enjoy with Him is spoiled by fear. “fear hath torment.” Did He provide the solution in Christ? Yes. His “perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.” Notice below is this golden passage of Holy Writ that oneness with the LORD who “is love” is when all fear is vanquished from our lives (John 17). This disciple would like to invite and to encourage you to pour over this passage prayerfully and to make it part of your life from today forward. You will want to share it with others also.

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” 1 John 4:16-18 

Did you note in this passage above that the eradication of fear is God’s will not only for now but also for all eternity? | Why We Need not Fear Death 

You can’t conjure up boldness, conviction, valiancy. It must come out of the cross life, the crucified life with Christ – from which all fear is vanquished (Romans 6; 1 John 4:16-18). Then we know that “The righteous are bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1)

Someone has rightly stated: “Fear is the currency of control.”

“O LORD, my strength, and my fortress, and my refuge in the day of affliction…” Jeremiah 16:19

The struggles and fallen sinful nature of this world should lay us at the feet of Christ. There are many things that can cause us to fear and yet, we run to our LORD who is our refuge and our fortress and we don’t run to the world for a mood drug or psychobabble, etc.

“The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

Notice in the verse above that the God fearing man does not run to the world, to a mood drug, to a “fix” that mere sinful man offers, but rather He runs to the LORD!

We we are experiencing worrying, anxiety, and fear, that simply means that we need to repent and draw nigh to our God and He will draw nigh to us and all fear will be vanquished. Beware of the coping mechanisms beloved!

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

It’s one thing to know this verse above and yet another to truly, diligently, daily be seeking the face of the LORD. Memorizing and meditating upon and declaring this one below has helped this lowly disciple immensely!

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

When a man truly fears the LORD, that man doesn’t run to the world to find a coping mechanism because that man seeks the LORD continually and is continually filled with His Holy Spirit and the corresponding fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace… (Galatians 5:22-23).

Why do we fear?

“People fear because their faith is in self, not in God. Therefore they try and meet their own needs. Matt. 6:33 says when we make God’s kingdom and His righteousness a priority He will meet our needs.” Karen Cochran

Read Psalm 1 every day this week! Pray before you begin beloved of the LORD …. and realize that He loves you more than you can possibly fathom!

The only way to know true love is to know God via the Son of His love – Jesus Christ – who in the greatest act of love ever, came and died for us, sinners.

“What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39

Here are 2 more passages that clearly reveal that the LORD loves His people immensely:

“How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.” Psalms 139:17-18

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 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.” 1 John 3:1-2

MESSAGE:

“Can you guys pray for my anxiety, it’s amped up at the moment. Thank you so much.”

REPLY:

Who’s battling anxiety, fear? Divine prescription: Memorize Proverbs 1:33 and meditate on it. King James Bible as always. Also pour prayerfully over 1 John 4:16-18 and worship Him afresh beloved!!!! Jesus Christ is LORD. Write out Proverbs 1:33 (KJB) on an index card. Begin pouring over it, reading it prayerfully. Memorize it. Meditate upon it. As the song says, “ALL fear is gone”!

As the Hymn Says “ALL Fear is Gone”

Deliverance from all fear happens from the inside out according to 1 John 4:16-18 and Proverbs 1:33 etc.

ARE YOU bound by fear? What’s the source? Not God because “God hath NOT give us the spirit of fear.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

Denounce the fear verbally and ask God to make you one with Him (John 17), to fill you with His love which eradicates all fear 1 John 4:18 …. Also, in prayer, denounce all fear and never say “I am a worry wart” ever again. Memorize Proverbs 1:33 and 2 Timothy 1:7. Search, meditate upon, and speak God’s Word (Joshua 1:8).

Internalize Proverbs 1:33 today. God is going to change your life forever. Especially by memorizing Proverbs 1:33 !!!!

Love this:

“Fear hath torment” ….

Take, ingest these 2 GosPills: Proverbs 1:33; 1 John 4:18 all fear vanquished.

As we read in 1 John 4:16-18, we see that intimacy with the LORD is the only answer to man’s fear and such is available exclusively and only to the children of God. May we learn to kiss the waves of fear which slam us against the Rock of ages who alone can and will vanquish them!

IF I am not truly seeking the face of the LORD, engaging daily in the life-giving abiding relationship He desires, I am simply going through religious motions, have a hardened heart, and a mere “form of godliness.” (1 Chronicles 16:11; Psalms 27:4, 8; Philippians 3:10; 2 Timothy 3:5) | Seeking God 

“The chains of love are stronger than the chains of fear.” William Gurnall

Fear’s only cure is the love of God – us being made one with Him (John 17; 1 John 4:16-18). Pouring prayerfully over John 17 and 1 John 4:16-18 is a life-changer! Thank YOU Jesus! Asking the LORD to make you ONE with Him goes to the center of why Jesus came! (John 17:3).

Studies reveal that the vast majority of things we fear never come to pass.

After promising specifically that He is always going to provide the necessities for His children, protect them, and nourish them, Jesus says:

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:33-34 

The Holy Spirit inspired the prophet Isaiah to pen these wonderful words:

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

Fear is not of God but rather comes by an evil spirit – “the spirit of fear.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7

“We have to move out of our spiritual boxes and abandon the doubt, the guilt, and the fear that constrict our souls. There’s a wideness in GOD’S mercy.” Liza Young

WHO to Fear and Who not to Fear

“And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28

Are Christians to Fear God?

“If you fear God, you really need fear nothing else.” Zac Poonen

Memory truth:

“Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Luke 10:19

Prayer is communing with the LORD which causes all fear to be vanquished.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

“I’m not afraid of the devil. He can’t handle the One to whom I’m joined.” AW Tozer

Are you facing fear today? Perhaps you are afraid of losing your job, of developing cancer or being left by your spouse. At times all of us experience fear. But don’t allow fear to keep you from being used by God. He has kept you thus far; trust Him for the rest of the way.” Woodrow Kroll

“Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear.” Corrie Ten Boom

“Fear is something that we’ve all struggled with at some point in our lives. Whether it’s the fear that comes with a bad report from a doctor or a low bank account, or a more nameless fear of people and life in general, it can steal our joy and life. But it’s not supposed to be that way! God wants us to “fear not.” If you’re trying to overcome fear in your life, I pray that these quotes and verses will give you encouragement, faith, and renewed strength!” unknown

God wants His children “quiet from fear of evil.” (Proverbs 1:33) Memorizing Proverbs 1:33 today from the King James Bible is a life changer.

The fear of evil is vanquished as we draw nigh to God in faith, truly trusting Him …

“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33 

“We shall be quiet from the fear of evil, for no threatenings of evil shall penetrate into the high tower of God.” Hannah Whitall Smith

Seeking the LORD is always the answer. Getting delivered from “ALL” fear:

“I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” Psalms 34:4

Notice here that one must seek the LORD for deliverance from fear.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I come now to You in the name of Jesus Christ my Master, King, and Savior. LORD, please forgive my sin of unbelief and for not seeking Your holy face continually. Here and now I turn to You afresh, openly admitting my own sin in repentance LORD. I now confess my sin of self-idolatry, asking You to forgive and wash me afresh in Thy blood LORD Jesus. Please establish my life in You, grounded in the faith of Your beautiful Gospel and identify and remove all fear from my life other than the fear of You. I ask You to make me one with You LORD, allowing me to dwell in an ever-deepening oneness with You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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Abiding

Jacob’s Ladder: What Does it Mean to Us? [podcast]


Jacob’s Ladder: What Does it Mean to Us?

Jacob’s ladder was a prophetic prefiguring of how God was going to open up access to His throne of saving, divinely enabling grace by the sacrifice of His only begotten Son (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Jacob means supplanter, deceiver. To supplant means to displace another from what is theirs. It’s when someone or something takes the place of another, as through usurping force, scheming, strategy, or the like.

The sin, the work of the flesh called “emulations” in the New Testament Scriptures seems to best fit Jacob’s nature of striving to excel at the expense of others (Galatians 5:19-21). This is exactly what Jacob did to his brother Esau who as the elder brother, and as such, was supposed to receive the blessing of the firstborn son from their father (Isaac). Jacob cheated his older brother Esau out of the birthright which was due to the firstborn son, Esau (Genesis 27:36). Like Jacob, every born again believer has iniquitous tendencies that God graciously deals with and delivers us from, yet only as the saint continues, remains and abides in Christ (John 15).

Genesis 28:10-22

10  And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran (parched)
11  And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. 
12  And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it
13  And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed (here God confirms the promise of Abraham, the Abrahamic covenant)
14  And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. 
15  And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of
16  And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not (confirmation)
17  And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven
18  And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. 
19  And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. 
20  And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 
21  So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 
22  And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. 

Notice, “the LORD stood above it.” (v13) This speaks of Christ and how He is Creator and rules and reigns over all the earth and this is prophetic as to Heaven’s King coming to the earth to redeem mankind, paying the ransom price in full, redeeming the world, bridging the gap, as only He could do. No one else qualified because sinners can’t save or forgive sinners.

“The Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins.” Matthew 9:6

The ladder Jacob was shown in his dream speaks of the beautiful “access” to the Father and Son made possible via the perfect sacrifice, redemptive work of Jesus Christ. It reveals the work of Heaven, the work of God and His holy angels in the earth among men – to bring to Himself every “willing and obedient” soul “until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.” (Isaiah 1:19-20; John 1:12-13; Romans 11:25)

Christ Gave Us “Access”

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2

“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:18

“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.” Ephesians 3:12

Only Jesus Qualified to Stand in the Gap – to Bridge the Gap Sin had Caused, our Separation from God

“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30 

This ladder that was shown to Jacob, set up and extending from the earth to Heaven, Christ Himself peering over the top, expresses the “access” to Heaven’s saving grace and all that He died to purchase for His people! (Hebrews 4:14-16, etc.) Jesus Christ was the only One in history who qualified to pay the perfect price for the sins of the whole world – to bring us back to the Father! (Ezekiel 22:30; 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21; 1 Timothy 2:4-6; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 2:1-2, etc.).

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16

William MacDonald on Jacob’s dream and ladder:

“At Bethel, Jacob had a wonderful dream in which he saw a ladder or staircase extending from earth to heaven. This suggested ‘the fact of a real, uninterrupted, and close communion between heaven and earth, and in particular between God in His glory and man in his solitude.’ … Believers even now can enjoy moment-by-moment fellowship with the Lord. At this time when Jacob’s heart was probably filled with regret for the past, loneliness in the present, and uncertainty about the future, God graciously made a covenant with him as He had with Abraham and Isaac. ‘I am with thee’; safety; I ‘will keep thee in all places whither thou goest’; guidance; ‘will bring thee again into this land’; personal guarantee; ‘I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.’” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary, p 64

As they were with God’s provisionary work in Jacob’s life, so angels are busy ministers of God in the lives of His New Testament saints. The words “angel” and “angels” appear 180 times in the New Testament. Here’s but a sampling:

“But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? 14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?” Hebrews 1:13-14

“Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Hebrews 13:2 

Adam Clarke on Jacob’s Ladder

“Genesis 28:12
He dreamed, and behold a ladder – A multitude of fanciful things have been spoken of Jacob’s vision of the ladder, and its signification. It might have several designs, as God chooses to accomplish the greatest number of ends by the fewest and simplest means possible. 1. It is very likely that its primary design was to point out the providence of God, by which he watches over and regulates all terrestrial things; for nothing is left to merely natural causes; a heavenly agency pervades, actuates, and directs all. In his present circumstances it was highly necessary that Jacob should have a clear and distinct view of this subject, that he might be the better prepared to meet all occurrences with the conviction that all was working together for his good. 2. It might be intended also to point out the intercourse between heaven and earth, and the connection of both worlds by the means of angelic ministry. That this is fact we learn from many histories in the Old Testament; and it is a doctrine that is unequivocally taught in the New: Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? 3. It was probably a type of Christ, in whom both worlds meet, and in whom the Divine and human nature are conjoined. The Ladder was set up on the Earth, and the Top of it reached to Heaven; for God was manifested in the Flesh, and in him dwelt all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Nothing could be a more expressive emblem of the incarnation and its effects; Jesus Christ is the grand connecting medium between heaven and earth, and between God and man. By him God comes down to man; through him man ascends to God. It appears that our Lord applies the vision in this way himself, first, In that remarkable speech to Nathanael, Hereafter ye shall see the heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of man, John 1:51. Secondly, in his speech to Thomas, John 14:6: I am the Way, and the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me.”

Think about how Heaven was opened to fallen mankind when Jesus died on that cross, declaring that “It is finished” or the price for man’s sin was paid in full (John 19:30). The veil that separated man from a holy God was ripped in half, was parted, signifying that God had accomplished redemption in His Son and now has come out to meet each man on a personal basis for fellowship and communion. That’s the stated reason for the creation of mankind and why Jesus came to the earth (Exodus 25:8; John 17:3).

“And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.” Exodus 25:8 

“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3

The veil that separated God and man was removed when Jesus died on the cross.

“And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.” Mark 15:38

Jesus’ blood satisfied the claims of the Father’s justice to redeem, to buy back to Himself fallen mankind from sin.

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:19, 21

FB Meyer on Jacob’s Ladder

“Genesis 28:10-22
JACOB’S VISION AT BETHEL
This is the Ladder chapter, in which a wayward, weak man is seen holding fellowship with the Eternal God, who loves us, notwithstanding our unworthiness, and desire to lead us into a life of power and blessedness. It is all wonderful! Notice the four Beholds! Gen_28:12-15. Sunset. Overtaken on a moor by the swift fall of the Oriental night, Jacob had no alternative than to sleep in the open. But he slept to see! Night. There is an open way between heaven and earth for each of us. The movement of the tide and circulation of the blood are not more regular than the inter-communication between heaven and earth. Jacob may have thought that God was local: now he found Him to be omnipresent. Every lonely spot was His house, filled with angels. Morning. Worship, consecration, the vows of God. Put down thy foot on God’s promises. He will do more than He has said. Thou shalt come to thy Father’s house in peace.”

In the night, in the darkest hour of his life, Jacob wrestled with the angel of the LORD and was subdued, was brought down to nothing, dead and buried (Genesis 32). This was the cross that preceded and must precede the resurrection.

Like Jacob, the man who is broken by God will walk with a limp of dependency for the remainder of his days on earth!

“One sign you’ve encountered God is you walk with a limp, not a strut.” unknown

Read Genesis 32.

“I would rather limp into to Heaven than walk into HELL!” Charles Pray

Christ is depicted here in this ladder from the earth to Heaven. Jesus Christ alone bridged the gap between Heaven and earth, the chasm caused by sin, at the fall of mankind in the Garden.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Jacob’s ladder depicted here connecting Heaven and earth is not to be viewed as something we climb in order to merit or earn the favor, grace, mercy, salvation, and blessings of God (Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5-7). No, it seems to speak of the activity, the busy, active involvement of Heaven in the work of redemption concerning the operations of Christ’s kingdom on earth. This is what Jesus was speaking of when He spoke to Nathaniel:

“And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.” John 1:51 

When Jesus said these words it concerned Him and His ministry and mission on earth the first time He came. Thereafter it pertains to making good on His perfect salvation plan for mankind where now having accomplished redemption, He now reigns again in glory at His Father’s right hand, ever living to provide what He died to purchase! Books of Hebrews.

In this illustrative ladder from Heaven vision, God is saying that He will and is providing everything needed for everyone who desires to be His, straight from His holy throne in Heaven. The redemption that is Christ, the Word, the Holy Spirit, and His holy angels come to mind as agents of the redemption of Heaven working in the earth today.

As glory’s Great Intercessor, Jesus lives to provide what He died to purchase for His beloved people.

“But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. 26 For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” Hebrews 7:24-26 

Jacob’s ladder, Heaven opened to fallen mankind, is a type of Christ who is man’s only “way” to God, the only “Mediator” between God and man and to God, who is in Heaven.

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” 1 Timothy 2:5

Christ alone accomplished such blessed reconciliation for us and every blessing from God comes through our LORD Jesus (2 Corinthians 1:20). So Jacob’s ladder is a type of Christ who is man’s only “way” to God, the only “Mediator between God and men” who is now in Heaven intercedoing for us on the right hand of His Father (Hebrews 7:24-26).

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

John Wesley on Jacob’s Ladder:

“Behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached heaven, the angels ascending and descending on it, and the Lord stood above it – This might represent The providence of God, by which there is a constant correspondence kept up between heaven and earth. The counsels of heaven are executed on earth, and the affairs of this earth are all known in heaven. Providence doth his work gradually and by steps; angels are employed as ministering spirits to serve all the designs of providence, and the wisdom of God is at the upper end of the ladder, directing all the motions of second causes to his glory. The angels are active spirits, continually ascending and descending; they rest not day nor night. They ascend to give account of what they have done, and to receive orders; and descend to execute the orders they have received. This vision gave seasonable comfort to Jacob, letting him know that he had both a good guide and good guard; that though he was to wander from his father’s house, yet he was the care of Providence, and the charge of the holy angels. The mediation of Christ. He is this ladder: the foot on earth in his human nature, the top in heaven in his divine nature; or the former is his humiliation, the latter is his exaltation. All the intercourse between heaven and earth since the fall is by this ladder. Christ is the way: all God’s favours come to us, and all our services come to him, by Christ. If God dwell with us, and we with him, it is by Christ: we have no way of getting to heaven but by this ladder; for the kind offices the angels do us, are all owing to Christ, who hath reconciled things on earth and things in heaven, Col_1:20.”

David W. Dyer on Jacob’s ladder:

JACOB’S DREAM: While Jacob was fleeing from his brother Esau, he spent a night in the wilderness. There he used a stone for a pillow. While he slept, he dreamed a wonderful dream. In the dream he saw “…a ladder set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it” (Gen 28:12). When he woke up, he realized that this was a special place. He named it “Bethel” which means “the house of God.” You see, when we are truly being God’s house, when we are fulfilling the requirements of being in the Spirit and led by our Head, in that place and at that time the heavens are opened. The presence of God becomes real to us. We actually experience being the “house” or habitation of God in a corporate way – the “Bethel” of today. At these times there is truly an open heaven. The presence of God is very real. His authority or “throne” is known to us. Revelation, enlightenment, and spiritual understanding is occurring. Further, the ministering spirits, the angels, are coming and going – “ascending and descending” – bringing messages from the throne and perhaps “carrying” the praises and petitions of the members back with them. Of course we are describing something spiritual here with earthly words. Perhaps exact details of this angelic traffic cannot be known exactly. Yet, in such heavenly situations, the proximity of ministering angels is very real. Perhaps we are not very aware of it, but it is occurring. We, God’s people have the wonderful privilege of entering into His presence together. When we meet, we can enjoy an “open heaven” where the invisible things of His kingdom become real to us. As we enter into the Spirit together, the unimaginable wonders of Jesus and His will for us are available for us to possess. We, insignificant human beings, can enjoy the reality of being the habitation of the Most High God. May we never be satisfied with anything less!” Let My People God!

PRAYER: Father, we come to You now, in the name of Jesus Christ, our sole, our only access, ladder, way to You. Please teach us Your ways. Let us be truly crucified with Christ as we enjoy all the benefits You provided to us through Him. May our communion and fellowship with You and Your people be sweet, blessed, and fruitful to Your eternal glory as we eagerly look for Your soon return LORD. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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Abiding

“If God be For Us Who can be Against Us?” [podcast] 


WHO is God truly “with”?

“And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and IF YE SEEK HIM, he will be found of you; but IF ye forsake him, he will forsake you.” 2 Chronicles 15:2

What happens when one of His children deny Him?

It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 if we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 if we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Those who reject Him shall be rejected by Him. OSAS/eternal security is a fairy tale espoused by the moral cowards who refuse to serve God on HIS stated terms – repentance, faith, true worship, obedience, holiness, the crucified life, etc.

“And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. 15  Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.” Matthew 10:14-15

Persecution and the Disciple of Jesus

1 Peter 4

“But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

8  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

9  Use hospitality one to another without grudging.

10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

11  If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.”

Suffering as a Christian

12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters.

16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.

17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.”

Romans 8

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29  For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

30  Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

God’s Everlasting Love

31  What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

32  He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

33  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.

34  Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39  Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

“Romans 8:29: For whom he did foreknow, etc. – “In this and the following verse the apostle shows how our calling is an argument that all things work together to advance our eternal happiness, by showing the several steps which the wisdom and goodness of God have settled, in order to complete our salvation. In order to this he first gives us, in this verse, the foundation and finishing, or the beginning and end, of the scheme of our redemption: For whom God did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. To foreknow, here signifies to design before, or at the first forming of the scheme; to bestow the favor and privilege of being God’s people upon any set of men, Rom_11:2. This is the foundation or first step of our salvation; namely, the purpose and grace of God, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began, 2Ti_1:9. Then, he knew or favored us; for in this sense the word to know is taken in a great variety of places, both in the Old and New Testaments. And as he knew the Gentiles then, when the scheme was laid, and before any part of it was executed, consequently, in reference to the execution of this scheme, he foreknew us. This is the first step of our salvation, and the end or finishing of it is our conformity to the Son of God in eternal glory, Rom_8:17, which includes and supposes our moral conformity to him. When God knew us, at the forming of the Gospel scheme; or, when he intended to bestow on us the privilege of being his people; he then destinated or designed us to be conformed to the image of his Son; and, as he destinated or determined us then to this very high honor and happiness, he pre-destinated, fore-ordained, or pre-determined us to it. Thus we are to understand the foundation and finishing of the scheme of our salvation. The foundation is the foreknowledge, or gracious purpose of God; the finishing is our being joint heirs with Christ. Now, our calling or invitation (see on Rom_8:28 (note)) stands in connection with both these.” Adam Clarke

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