Why I used, "The Lord Rebuke..." regarding those who deny the Bride of Christ is the Church
Titus 2:15
“These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”
King James Version (KJV)
The purpose of this Blog is to address a comment - threat - warning - rebuke I received from someone who is an avid reader of my Blog. They remain anonymous which is telling, but nevertheless… they warned me and insinuated I had committed some grievous error for using the title:
The Lord Rebuke…
This anonymous person also told me to stop NAME CALLING . To quickly address name calling here’s a few examples of Jesus name calling FOOLS VIPERS CHILDREN OF THE DEVIL; Here’s Paul: Fools, Beasts, Reprobates, Wolves, Dogs,... We have a problem here since we’re commanded to follow Jesus and Paul. Following Paul is what many so-called Christians cannot abide. (1 Peter 2:20-22; 1 Cor 1:11; Galatians chapter 1, 1 Jn2:6) Here’s some light reading in this study to hopefully resolve this but they don’t read, they just write critiques.
Here is another comment… name removed on my You Tube channel regarding
the You Tube Video regarding
The Lord Rebuke all who deny the Church as the Bride of Christ
So sad to see that you speak as a man. Matt5:22 says call no man fool...Your heart is NOT right and your lips are the poison of vipers. Cleanse your lips with holy water and fill your belly with living water…
My Response:
Laughing out Loud at your comment. holy water? Are you serious? No thank you. I will leave that to you. No doubt you've been there a few times. On a serious note: Looks like you have a major issue here: ...but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Matthew 5:22 KJB. And God said, "Thou Fool" Luke 12:20; and Jesus said, repeatedly... Ye "FOOL! Matt. 23:17, 19 and Luke 11:40, you can also throw VIPERS! Children of the Devil etc in there. Here’s Paul: Fools, Beasts, Reprobates, Wolves, Dogs,... We have a problem here since we’re commanded to follow Jesus, and to follow Paul. Following Paul is what many so-called Christians cannot abide. (1 Peter 2:20-22; 1 Cor 1:11; Galatians chapter 1, 1 Jn2:6)
Oh dear oh dear what shall we do now?
Since I feel pity on your soul, here is some light reading for you: The Beatitudes vs. The Dispensation of Grace
https://bereanrightdivision.blogspot.com/2018/02/the-beatitudes-vs-dispensation-of-grace.html
See my study: MOST DO NOT KNOW THE GOSPEL
GRACE VS THE KINGDOM
Most do NOT know the GOSPEL #EndTimes (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
2 Corinthians 11:2
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
King James Version (KJV)
Ephesians 5:25
“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”
Brief background: There is a tremendous onslaught - an outright attack against the Church that denies the Church in Prophecy - specifically the Church’s role in the book of Revelation and our role as Priests who will rule with Christ.
Even though we the Saints are clearly written there - as I have delineated in the link above:
First I need to acknowledge I had taken great liberty to invoke The Lord’s rebuke on those who operate under the spirit of Jezebel - the spirit of the antichrist. In essence I acknowledge and was under the strong compulsion of the Holy Spirit to realize the Spiritual Stronghold involved here whereby it is the devil himself at the very root of this issue.
This is realizing the Spiritual hierarchy as given in Ephesians 6: Power chain of command from the Devil as the commander in chief followed by principalities, then powers, The rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places.
We as ambassadors of Christ, in this dispensation of GRACE are given clear authority to REBUKE SHARPLY the false teachers - 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Titus 1:13; 2:15, 2: 2 Peter Chapter 2, and I do. However, it is the finished work of Christ and in Him and by His authority do we stand.
We Saints will literally rule with Christ (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
The Ploughboy who Studies his KING JAMES BIBLE (thethirdheaventraveler.com)
What is my authority to make the statement: The Lord Rebuke
In a short statement: I have the full authority to REBUKE and the reason I use, invoke THE LORD REBUKE is because the spirit behind these scoffers, deniers ARE of the Spirit of the Anti-Christ the spirit of JEZEBEL whereby we see in scripture warrants such a rebuke and I am at peace using this. I also by the authority of scripture of Titus 2:15, 2 Timothy 4:2-4 KJB. I rebuke these scoffers and deniers.
Ultimately this comes down to 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.
Note: give place to wrath means literally to stand back and watch God deal with the situation that is beyond our realm to deal with the enemy.
Here's Ellicot's commentary: Stand aside yourself as a mere spectator, and let the wrath of God have free course to accomplish itself as He shall think well. Barnes commentary: This expression has been interpreted in a great variety of ways. Its obvious design is to induce us not to attempt to avenge ourselves, but to leave it with God. To "give place," then, is to leave it for God to come in and execute wrath or vengeance on the enemy. Do not execute wrath; leave it to God; commit all to him; leave yourself and your enemy in his hands, assured that he will vindicate you and punish him.
DETAILS:
Zechariah 3:2 * See Notes below full commentary and how the Lord’s Rebuke relates to Satan’s attack against the Church - The Bride . Note: Satan is the accuser of the brethren - The spirit of the antichrist - the spirit of Jezebel.
Jude 1:9 * See Notes below full commentary on why the body of Moses was not allowed to be buried by man and why Satan wanted the body - knowing the importance of Moses as God’s chosen to deliver the people from their bondage - a Type and Shadow of the Messiah. The Devil certainly remembered the curse of Genesis 3:15…”and her seed shall bruise thy head.” This directly relates to the DISPENSATION OF GRACE - THE CHURCH - The Body of Christ - the Bride of Christ as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:12-31; 2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians Chapter 1:1-22; 3:1-6; 5:25 KJB
- Isaiah 17:13 * See in Notes below full commentary on God REBUKING Israel and Syria for attacking God’s anointed JUDAH (representing the Jewish Remnant when she joins the Church at the Wedding Supper of the Lamb
Psalm 68:30 * See in Notes below full commentary on REBUKE the company of Spearman - direct type and shadow of THE BRIDE - The Church
1 Chronicles 12:17*See in Notes below full commentary why David invokes the REBUKE of the Lord on His enemy
Daniel 10:21, 12:1, The series of The Archangel Michael who contends directly with the Devil and his Principalities - Princes of Persia - Greece. The Battle in Heaven when Lucifer was kicked out with one third of the angels; How Satan is continually the accuser of the brethren and his hatred for mankind - but mostly his hatred for Christ and the Church - The Bride; How we are joint errors with Christ and will RULE as Priest with Christ 1,000 years. Revelation 12; Luke 10:18; Isaiah 14:12; Ezekiel 28:17; Job 2:1-6; 1:6-9; 2 Peter 2:4. Revelation 20:5.6
See The Revelation 12 study and our reign with Christ
which Hyper-Dispensationalists hate:
The Most Powerful Experience as a Saint is our Spiritual Authority and Responsibility in Christ. This is the Sanctification process we are literally learning and developing as Spiritual vs our Carnal.
Romans 8:1:2 is clear:
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
Paul gave us great latitude to judge matters as we will someday even judge angels.
1 Corinthians 6:3
“Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?”
King James Version (KJV)
1 Corinthians 2:15-16
King James Version
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
We are commanded to Rebuke sharply….. 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Titus 1:13, 2:15 KJB
What does this mean in clear simple terms?
Why I used this title:
In the simplest terms, I had a very strong presence of the Holy Spirit directing me to use these terms and when I checked with scripture for precedence giving me the authority validate this coming from the Holy Spirit and not a demonic influence, I found a preponderance of scriptural evidence that I would like to share to both instruct and edify the Saints.
Brief Background on authority in the Spirit as given to the Saints in the Dispensation of GRACE.
We have the authority to REBUKE, and this means WITH ALL AUTHORITY this means The Lord's. See our role as Ambassadors.
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2021/12/to-be-good-soldier-for-jesus-we-have-to.html
See that our ultimate example and guide is Jesus Christ and of course His Spirit - The Holy Spirit. In this Dispensation of Grace as Jesus gave to Paul, we have the word of God rightly divided. 1 Corinthians 11:1 KJB; Galatians Chapter 1, 2 Timothy 2:15 KJB.
Regarding the institution of the church and spiritual authority I used some excerpts from Got Questions which makes good points according to scripture. Note however that Got Questions uses the perverted ESV translation and is often found to be in error in his teaching.
Quote:
Yes, the Bible clearly states that God gives some individuals spiritual authority over others. There are various levels of authority in any person’s life, and each of these levels may involve different people in different positions of authority. Of course, we must begin with the highest authority, which is God. Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Everything that exists was created by God, and by that fact, God has ultimate authority, or sovereignty, over all things. When Moses delivered the law to the Israelites, God’s sovereign authority was the basis on which they were to submit to it (Deuteronomy 4:39–40).
When Job was wrestling with the problem of pain and suffering in his life, he acknowledged that God made all things, and no one is able to challenge His authority (Job 9:1–12). In the Old Testament, one of the titles reflecting this authority is “the most high God” (Genesis 14:22), and in the New Testament, He is called “Lord of heaven and earth” (Acts 17:24). Jesus Christ, who is God in the flesh, holds all authority (Matthew 28:18) and has distributed some of that authority to various people on earth. Because of our sinful nature, and because of the abuses or failures of authority that we have experienced, most people struggle on occasion with submitting to authorities.
One level of authority that God has granted to men is civil or governmental. Romans 13:1–6 states that “the powers that be are ordained of God.” Whether rulers are believers or not, and whether they recognize it or not, their civil authority is actually a type of spiritual authority, for “they are God’s ministers,” exercising power on God’s behalf. When we resist their authority, we are actually resisting God. The Bible reminds us in Colossians 3:22–24 that our submission and service to human authorities should be done “heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
Another level of authority established by God is within the home. Ephesians 5:22–24 commands wives to submit to their husbands as they would submit to God, because the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the Head of the church. This ladder of authority is stated again in 1 Corinthians 11:3, showing the woman submitting to the man, who submits to Christ, who submits to the Father. Children are commanded to submit to their parents in Ephesians 6:1, and Colossians 3:20 adds that this is well pleasing to God.
Just as God established authority within civil government and the home, so He established specific authority within the church. As Christians, we are all joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17) and have full access to God by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 2:18). Though God is no respecter of persons (Romans 2:11), He has chosen to place some in positions of authority for the sake of order and growth (Ephesians 4:11–13). The early church recognized the authority of the apostles and submitted to their teaching and direction (Acts 6:2; 15:2). Next to the apostles in authority were the elders, or pastors, of the churches. As Paul and Barnabas established churches in their missionary journeys (Acts 14:23), they ordained elders in every church. These elders (presbyters) were responsible for teaching (pastoring), supervising (being a bishop), and being examples to the church (1 Peter 5:1–3). As spiritual leaders, these elders have a greater responsibility to God (James 3:1) and must meet the qualifications God has established (Titus 1:5–9; 1 Timothy 3:1–7). Believers are told to acknowledge and respect those who are over them in spiritual matters (1 Thessalonians 5:12–13)
In matters of authority, the underlying guiding principle is submission. First Peter 5:5–6 says, “Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” In God’s matchless wisdom, He has chosen some to hold authority and others to be under that authority. Perhaps the most surprising thing is that He has also taught that one of the highest qualifications for those in positions of authority is humility. “If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). This is the example that Jesus, the highest spiritual authority, gave when He became the humblest of all and submitted to die in our place (Philippians 2:7–11).
End quote:
The problem today is the apostate church.
Most brick and mortar 501C3 church building operations run by apostate trained CEOs called pastors are the Laodicean church.
Which church to you belong? Most church operations - vast majority - use perverted Bible translations. Those that do use the King James Bible like the Baptists are way off in other key essential doctrines for example the Trinity, Works Based Salvation. etc.
See these studies:
All scripture in the King James Bible.
Why the King James Bible Only?
Which Church do you belong to? The Church in Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13)
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2020/10/i-dont-go-to-church.html
Or the Church of the Laodiceans, the apostate church in this age (Revelation 3:14-19) ?
The Laodiceans - Apostate church operations of this day
Just as I found while living in a communist country in Viet Nam the true church is the underground church as even the so called NON -DENOMINATION - PROTESTANT Churches are completely infiltrated by the Vatican and under the complete control of the government.
For background my first Blog post back in 2010 when I realized we have to get back to the small groups and out of the FALSE CHURCH. I reprinted the blog post in 2012.
Notes
Zechariah 3
By Matthew Henry:
The vision in the foregoing chapter gave assurances of the re-establishing of the civil interests of the Jewish nation, the promises of which terminated in Christ. Now the vision in this chapter concerns their church-state, and their ecclesiastical interests, and assures them that they shall be put into a good posture again; and the promises of this also have an eye to Christ, who is not only our prince, but the high priest of our profession, of whom Joshua was a type. Here is, I. A vision relating to Joshua, as the representative of the church in his time, representing the disadvantages he laboured under, and the people in him, with the redress of the grievances of both. 1. He is accused by Satan, but is brought off by Christ, ver 1, 2. 2. He appears in filthy garments, but has them changed, ver 3-5. 3. He is assured of being established in his office if he conduct himself well, ver 6, 7. II. A sermon relating to Christ, who is here called "The branch," who should be endued with all perfections for his undertaking, should be carried triumphantly through it, and by whom we should have pardon and peace, ver 8-10.
Joshua resisted and Upheld; Joshua Purified from Pollution; Joshua Reinstalled in His Office. (b. c.520.)
1 And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. 2 And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? 3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. 4 And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. 5 And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the Lord stood by. 6 And the angel of the Lord protested unto Joshua, saying, 7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.
There was a Joshua that was a principal agent in the first settling of Israel in Canaan; here is another of the same name very active in their second settlement there after the captivity; Jesus is the same name, and it signifies Saviour; and they were both figures of him that was to come, our chief captain and our chief priest. The angel that talked with Zechariah showed him Joshua the high priest; it is probable that the prophet saw him frequently, that he spoke to him, and that there was a great intimacy between them; but, in his common views, he only saw how he appeared before men; if he must know how he stands before the Lord, it must be shown him in vision; and so it is shown him. And men are really as they are with God, not as they appear in the eye of the world. He stood before the angel of the Lord, that is, before Christ, the Lord of the angels, to whom even the high priests themselves, of Aaron's order, were accountable. He stood before the angel of the Lord to execute his office, to minister to God under the inspection of the angels. He stood to consult the oracle on the behalf of Israel, for whom, as high priest, he was agent. Guilt and corruption are our two great discouragements when we stand before God. By the guilt of the sins committed by us we have become obnoxious to the justice of God; by the power of the sin that dwells in us we have become odious to the holiness of God. All God's Israel are in danger upon these two accounts. Joshua was so here, for the law made men priests that had infirmity, Heb 7 28. And, as to both, we have relief from Jesus Christ, who is made of God to us both righteousness and sanctification.
I. Joshua is accused as a criminal, but is justified. 1. A violent opposition is made to him. Satan stands at his right hand to resist him to be a Satan to him, a law-adversary. He stands at his right hand, as the prosecutor, or witness, at the right hand of the prisoner. Note, The devil is the accuser of the brethren, that accuses them before God day and night, Rev 12 10. Some think the chief priest was accused for the sin of many of the inferior priests, in marrying strange wives, which they were much guilty of after their return out of captivity, Ezra 9 1, 2; Neh 13 28. When God is about to reestablish the priesthood Satan objects the sins that were found among the priests, as rendering them unworthy the honour designed them. It is by our own folly that we give Satan advantage against us and furnish him with matter for reproach and accusation; and if any thing be amiss, especially with the priests, Satan will be sure to aggravate it and make the worst of it. He stood to resist him, that is, to oppose the service he was doing for the public good. He stood at his right hand, the hand of action, to discourage him, and raise difficulties in his way. Note, When we stand before God to minister to him, or stand up for God to serve his interests, we must expect to meet with all the resistance that Satan's subtlety and malice can give us. Let us then resist him that resists us and he shall flee from us. 2. A victorious defence is made for him (v. 2): The Lord (that is, the Lord Christ) said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee. Note, It is the happiness of the saints that the Judge is their friend; the same that they are accused to is their patron and protector, and an advocate for them, and he will be sure to bring them off. (1.) Satan is here checked by one that has authority, that has conquered him, and many a time silenced him. The accuser of the brethren, of the ministers and the ministry, is cast out; his indictments are quashed, and his suggestions against them as well as his suggestions to them, are shown to be malicious, frivolous, and vexatious. The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan! The Lord said (that is, the Lord our Redeemer), The Lord rebuke thee, that is, the Lord the Creator. The power of God is engaged for the making of the grace of Christ effectual. "The Lord restrain thy malicious rage, reject thy malicious charge, and revenge upon thee thy enmity to a servant of his" Note, those that belong to Christ have him ready to appear vigorously for them when Satan appears most vehement against them. He does not parley with him, but stops his mouth immediately with this sharp reprimand: The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan! This is the best way of dealing with that furious enemy. Get thee behind me, Satan. (2.) Satan is here argued with. He resists the priest, but let him know that his resistance, [1.] Will be fruitless; it will be to no purpose to attempt any thing against Jerusalem, for the Lord has chosen it, and he will abide by his choice. Whatever is objected against God's people, God saw it; he foresaw it when he chose them and yet he chose them, and therefore that can be no inducement to him now to reject them; he knew the worst of them when he chose them; and his election shall obtain. [2.] It is unreasonable; for is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Joshua is so, and the priesthood, and the people, whose representative he is. Christ has not that to say for them for which they are to be praised, but that for which they are to be pitied. Note, Christ is ready to make the best of his people, and takes notice of every thing that is pleadable in excuse of their infirmities, so far is he from being extreme to mark what they do amiss. They have been lately in the fire; no wonder that they are black and smoked, and have the smell of fire upon them, but they are therefore to be excused, not to be accused. One can expect no other than that those who but the other day were captives in Babylon should appear very mean and despicable. They have been lately brought out of great affliction; and is Satan so barbarous as to desire to have them thrown into affliction again? They have been wonderfully delivered out of the fire, that God might be glorified in them; and will he then cast them off and abandon them? No, he will not quench the smoking flax, the smoking fire-brand; for he snatched it out of the fire because he intended to make use of it. Note, Narrow escapes from imminent danger are happy presages and powerful pleas for more eminent favours. A converted soul is a brand plucked out of the fire by a miracle of free grace, and therefore shall not be left to be a prey to Satan.
II. Joshua appears as one polluted, but is purified; for he represents the Israel of God, who are all as an unclean thing, till they are washed and sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. Now observe here, 1. The impurity wherein Joshua appeared (v. 3): He was clothed, not only in coarse, but in filthy garments, such as did very ill become the dignity of his office and the sanctity of his work. By the law of Moses the garments of the high priest were to be for glory and for beauty, Exod 28 2. But Joshua's garments were a shame and reproach to him; yet in them he stood before the angel of the Lord; he had no clean linen wherein to minister and to do the duty of his place. Now this intimates, not only that the priesthood was poor and despised, and loaded with contempt, but that there was a great deal of iniquity cleaving to the holy things. The returned Jews were so taken up with their troubles that they thought they needed not complain of their sins, and were not aware that those were the great hindrances of the progress of God's work among them; because they were free from idolatry they thought themselves chargeable with no iniquity. But God showed them there were many things amiss in them, which retarded the advances of God's favours towards them. There were spiritual enemies warring against them, more dangerous than any of the neighbouring nations. The Chaldee paraphrase says, Joshua had sons who took unto them wives which were not lawful for the priests to take; and we find it was so, Ezra 10 18. And, no doubt, there were other things amiss in the priesthood, Mal 2 1. Yet Joshua was permitted to stand before the angel of the Lord. Though his children did not as they should, yet the covenant of priesthood was not broken. Note, Christ bears with his people, whose hearts are upright with him, and admits them into communion with himself, notwithstanding their manifold infirmities. 2. The provision that was made for his cleansing. Christ gave orders to the angels that attended him, and were ready to do his pleasure, to put Joshua into a better state. Joshua presented himself before the Lord in his filthy garments, as an object of his pity; and Christ graciously looked upon him with compassion, and not, as justly he might have done, with indignation. Christ loathed the filthiness of Joshua's garments, yet did not put him away, but put them away. Thus God by his grace does with those whom he chooses to be priests to himself; he parts between them and their sins, and so prevents their sins parting between them and their God; he reconciles himself to the sinner, but not to the sin. Two things are here done for Joshua, representing a double work of divine grace wrought in and for believers:—(1.) His filthy garments are taken from him, v. 4. The meaning of this is given us in what Christ said, and he said it as one having authority, Behold, I have caused thy iniquity to pass from thee. The guilt of it is taken away by pardoning mercy, the stench and stain of it by peace spoken to the conscience, and the power of it broken by renewing grace. When God forgives our sins he causes our iniquity to pass from us, that it may not appear against us, to condemn us; it passes from us as far as the east is from the west. When he sanctifies the nature he enables us to put off the old man, to cast away from us the filthy rags of our corrupt affections and lusts, as things we will never have any thing more to do with, will never gird to us or appear in. Thus Christ washes those from their sins in his own blood whom he makes to our God kings and priests, Rev 1 5, 6. Either we must be cleansed from the pollutions of sin or we shall, as polluted, be put from that priesthood, Ezra 2 62. (2.) He is clothed anew, has not only the shame of his filthiness removed, but the shame of his nakedness covered: I will clothe thee with change of raiment. Joshua had no clean linen of his own, but Christ will provide for him, for he will not let a priesthood of his own instituting be lost, be either contemptible before men or unacceptable before God. The change of raiment here is rich costly raiment, such as is worn on high days. Joshua shall appear as lovely as ever he appeared loathsome. Those that minister in holy things shall not only cease to do evil, but learn to do well; God will make them wise, and humble, and diligent, and faithful, and examples of every thing that is good; and then Joshua is clothed with change of raiment. Thus those whom Christ makes spiritual priests are clothed with the spotless robe of his righteousness and appear before God in that, and with the graces of his Spirit, which are ornaments to them. The righteousness of saints, both imputed and implanted, is the fine linen, clean and white, with which the bride, the Lamb's wife, is arrayed, Rev 19 8.
III. Joshua is in danger of being turned out of office; but, instead of that, he is reinstalled and established in his office. He not only has his sins pardoned, and is furnished with grace sufficient for himself, but, as rectus in curia—acquitted in court, he is restored to his former honours and trusts. 1. The crown of the priesthood is put upon him, v. 5. This was done at the special instance and request of the prophet: I said, "Let them set a fair mitre upon his head, as a badge of his office. Now that he looks clean, let him also look great; let him be dressed up in all the garments of the high priest." Note, When God designs the restoring or reviving of religion he stirs up his prophets and people to pray for it, and does it in answer to their prayers. Zechariah prayed that the angels might be ordered to set the mitre on Joshua's head, and they did it immediately, and clothed him with the priestly garments; for no man took this honour to himself, but he that was called of God to it. The angel of the Lord stood by, as having the oversight of the work which the created angels were employed in. He stood by, as one well pleased with it, and resolved to stand by the orders he had given for the doing of it and to continue his presence with that priesthood. 2. The covenant of the priesthood is renewed with him, which is called God's covenant of peace, Num 25 12. Mr. Pemble calls it the patent of his office, which is here declared and delivered to him before witnesses, v. 6, 7. The angel of the Lord, having taken care to make him fit for his office (and all that God calls to any office he either finds fit or makes so), invests him in it. And though he is not made a priest with an oath (that honour is reserved for him who is a priest after the order of Melchisedek, Heb 7 21), yet, being a type of him, he is inaugurated with a solemn declaration of the terms upon which he held his office. The angel of the Lord protested to Joshua that, if he would be sure to do the duty of his place, he should enjoy the dignity and reward of it. Now see, (1.) What the conditions are upon which he enters into his office. Let him know that he is upon his good behaviour; he must walk in God's ways, that is, he must live a good life and be holy in all manner of conversation; he must go before the people in the paths of God's commandments, and walk circumspectly. He must also keep God's charge, must carefully do all the services of the priesthood, and must see to it that the inferior priests performed the duties of their place decently and in order. He must take heed to himself, and to all the flock, Acts 20 28. Note, Good ministers must be good Christians; yet that is not enough: they have a trust committed to them, they are charged with it, and they must keep it with all possible care, that they may give up their account of it with joy, 1 Tim 6 14. (2.) What the privileges are which we may expect, and be assured of, in the due discharge of his office. His patent runs, Quamdiu se bene gesserit—During good behaviour. Let him be sure to do his part, and God will own him. [1.] "Thou shalt judge my house; thou shalt preside in the affairs of the temple, and the inferior priests shall be under thy direction." Note, The power of the church, and of church rulers, is not a legislative, but only a judicial power. The high priest might not make any new laws for God's house, nor ordain any other rites of worship than what God had ordained; but he must judge God's house, that is, he must see to it that God's laws and ordinances were punctually observed, must protect and encourage those that did observe them, and enquire into and punish the violation of them. [2.] "Thou shalt also keep my courts; thou shalt have oversight of what is done in all the courts of the temple, and shalt keep them pure and in good order for the worship to be performed in them." Note, Ministers are God's stewards, and they are to keep his courts, in honour of him who is the chief Lord and for the preserving of equity and good order among his tenants. [3.] "I will give thee places to walk among those that stand by, among these angels that are inspectors and assistants in this instalment." They shall stand by while Joshua is at work for God, and shall be as a guard to him, or he shall be highly honoured and respected as an angel of God, Gal 4 14. Ministers are called angels, Rev 1 20. Those that walk in God's ways may be said to walk among the angels themselves, for they do the will of God as the angels do it that are in heaven, and are their fellow-servants, Rev 19 10. Some make it a promise of eternal life, and of a reward of his fidelity in the future state. Heaven is not only a palace, a place to repose in, but a paradise, a garden, a place to walk in; and there are walks among the angels, in society with that holy and glorious company. See Ezek 28 14.
Jude Commentary:
Jude 1:9
Some think the apostle refers here to the remarkable passage we have, Num. 20:7-14. Satan would have represented Moses under disadvantageous colours, which he, good man, had at that time, and upon that occasion, given but too much handle for. Now Michael, according to this account, stands up in defence of Moses, and, in the zeal of an upright and bold spirit, says to Satan, The Lord rebuke thee. He would not stand disputing with the devil, nor enter into a particular debate about the merits of that special cause. He knew Moses was his fellow-servant, a favourite of God, and he would not patiently suffer him to be insulted, no, not by the prince of devils; but in a just indignation cries out, The Lord rebuke thee: like that of our Lord himself (Mt. 4:10), Get thee hence, Satan. Moses was a dignity, a magistrate, one beloved and preferred by the great God; and the archangel thought it insufferable that such a one should be so treated by a vile apostate spirit, of how high an order soever. So the lesson hence is that we ought to stand up in defence of those whom God owns, how severe soever Satan and his instruments may be in their censures of them and their conduct. Those who censure (in particular) upright magistrates, upon every slip in their behaviour, may expect to hear, The Lord rebuke thee; and divine rebukes are harder to be borne than careless sinners now think for.
What Is “The Body of Moses” of Jude 1:9?
Those who continue until this very day to insist on a two-part ‘body of Christ’ are those who, along with the devil, want to cling to “the body of Moses” and nullify the revelation that God is in Christ “making of two one new man”. This is what Satan disputed with Michael about at that time, and this is what he is still disputing with Michael about until this very day:
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The Bride of Christ (biblestudy.org)
THE BODY OF MOSES
Question: What is the significance of the angel contending for the body of Moses in Jude 9? (Lee)
Answer: This happened after the death and burial of Moses (Deut. 34:8, 6). Deuteronomy 34:6 seems to indicate that Moses was not in his sepulcher for long. No other passage can be linked to this place. I myself believe that only the transfiguration on the Mount in Matthew 17 is related to this. Actually, this is the only incident recorded after Moses’ death. Satan wanted to stop Moses from putting on his body to appear on the Mount of Transfiguration. Hence, Michael contended with him, according to the nature of his work, which Daniel 12:1-2 shows has to do with resurrection.
THE BODY OF MOSES (ministrysamples.org)
(6) And he buried him.—Moses is alone in this honour. The Son of God was buried by sinful men. Moses was buried by Jehovah.
But no man knoweth of his sepulchre.—I have always believed that the contention between Michael and the devil about the body of Moses (Jude 1:9) was in fact, a struggle for his body—that Moses was to be raised from the dead, and that Satan resisted his resurrection. When the contest took place we cannot say. But Moses, who died and was buried, and Elijah, who was translated, “appeared in glory” on the holy mount, and the New Testament gives no hint of difference between them. We do not know how Moses could have appeared as a disembodied spirit so as to be seen of men.
Deuteronomy 34 - Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org
It appears Jude, writing with the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20–21), confirmed this particular account was true. He used it as an illustration of the respect the angel Michael had, in contrast with the disrespect of the false teachers whose pride led them to much sin. As a side note, this is instructive to us in terms of our dealings with Satan and demons. Rather than try to stand against them in our own authority, we are to seek the Lord's power against them. We call out to Him to intervene and trust in His power and authority.
What the 2 witnesses - mount of transfiguration and the church have in common
The Spirit of Elijah - The Prophets
The Spirit of Elijah
Luke 1:17
in the spirit and power of Elias: or Elijah, the Syriac and Persic versions add, "the prophet"; John the Baptist, and Elijah, were men much of the same spirit and disposition, and of like power, life, and zeal in religion; and therefore the one goes by the name of the other: they both much conversed in the wilderness; agreed in the austerity of their lives; their habit and dress were much alike; they were both restorers of religion, when very low, and much decayed; were famous for their faithfulness in reproving the vices of kings, and for their warm zeal for true religion, and for the persecution they endured for the sake of it:
to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children in Malachi 4:6 which is the prophecy referred to, it is added,
and the heart of the children to their fathers; which some understand, of his turning the degenerate offspring of the Jews, to the sentiments of their forefathers, and causing them to agree with them in their notions of the Messiah: others, of the turning of the Jews to Christ, and his apostles; and others, of his being a means, through his ministry and baptism, of reconciling Jews and Gentiles together, which is the great business of the Gospel dispensation, ushered in by John; and who preached that all men should believe in Christ, and baptized publicans and Roman soldiers, as well as Jews;
By the Prophets
Romans 1:1,2:
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
(Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)
Ephesians 2:20
These wicked seducers were compared to Jezebel, and called by her name. Jezebel was a persecutor of the prophets of the Lord, and a great patroness of idolaters and false prophets. The sin of these seducers was that they attempted to draw the servants of God into fornication, and to offer sacrifices to idols; they called themselves prophets, and so would claim a superior authority and regard to the ministers of the church. Two things aggravated the sin of these seducers, who, being one in their spirit and design, are spoken of as one person:—[1.] They made use of the name of God to oppose the truth of his doctrine and worship; this very much aggravated their sin.
Matthew Henry Jezebel persecutor of the prophets of the Lord
Isaiah 17:13
Isaiah 17:13 KJV: The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.
Context and Background for Isaiah 17: Syria and Israel are condemned for attacking Judah.
The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them,
These verses read the doom of those that spoil and rob the people of God. If the Assyrians and Israelites invade and plunder Judah, if the Assyrian army take God's people captive and lay their country waste, let them know that ruin will be their lot and portion. They are here brought in, 1. Triumphing over the people of God. They relied upon their numbers. The Assyrian army was made up out of divers nations: it was the multitude of many people (v. 12), by which weight they hoped to carry the cause. They were very noisy, like the roaring of the seas; they talked big, hectored, and threatened, to frighten God's people from resisting them, and all their allies from sending in to their aid. Sennacherib and Rabshakeh, in their speeches and letters, made a mighty noise to strike a terror upon Hezekiah and his people; the nations that followed them made a rushing like the rushing of many waters, and those mighty ones, that threaten to bear down all before them and carry away every thing that stands in their way. The floods have lifted up their voice, have lifted up their waves; such is the tumult of the people, and the heathen, when they rage, Ps 2 1; 93 3. 2. Triumphed over by the judgments of God. They thought to carry their point by dint of noise; but woe to them (v. 12), for he shall rebuke them, that is, God shall, one whom they little think of, have no regard to, stand in no awe of; he shall give them a check with an invisible hand, and then they shall flee afar off. Sennacherib, and Rabshakeh, and the remains of their forces, shall run away in a fright, and shall be chased by their own terrors, as the chaff of the mountains which stand bleak before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind, like thistle-down (so the margin); they make themselves as chaff before the wind (Ps 35 5) and then the angel of the Lord (as it follows there), the same angel that slew many of them, shall chase the rest. God will make them like a wheel, or rolling thing, and then persecute them with his tempest and make them afraid with his storm, Ps 83 13, 15. Note, God can dispirit the enemies of his church when they are most courageous and confident, and dissipate them when they seem most closely consolidated. This shall be done suddenly (v. 14): At evening-tide they are very troublesome, and threaten trouble to the people of God; but before the morning they are not. At sleeping time they are cast into a deep sleep, Ps 26 5, 6. It was in the night that the angel routed the Assyrian army. God can in a moment break the power of his church's enemies, even when it appears most formidable; and this is written for the encouragement of the people of God in all ages, when they find themselves an unequal match for their enemies; for this is the portion of those that spoil us, they shall themselves be spoiled. God will plead his church's cause, and those that meddle do it to their own hurt.
Isaiah 17 Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete) (biblestudytools.com)
Psalm 68:30
Psalm 68:30 KJV: Rebuke the company of spearmen, the multitude of the bulls, with the calves of the people, till every one submit himself with pieces of silver: scatter thou the people that delight in war. Bible >
Rebuke the company of spearmen
Or, "of the reed" F4; that is, men that use and fight with spears, like to reeds, as Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret it. Aben Ezra says, that spears are so called in the Kedarene or Arabian language; and the Arabians use a sort of reed for a spear, as Mr. Castel out of Avicenna observes F5, and Pliny
FOOTNOTES:
F6 says they are used spears: or rather the words should be rendered, "rebuke", restrain, destroy "the wild beast", or "beasts of the reed" {g}; as the Syriac, Septuagint, and Vulgate Latin versions, and others, render it: the allusion is to such kind of creatures as lions in the thickets of Jordan; (See Gill on Jeremiah 49:19); and the behemoth, that lies under the covert of reeds, ( Job 40:21 ) ; or as the crocodile in the river Nile, and other rivers of Egypt, which abounded with flags and reeds, in which such creatures lay; see ( Isaiah 19:6 Isaiah 19:7 ) ( 35:6 ) ( 36:6 ) ; perhaps the hippopotamus, or river horse, is referred to; so may design an insidious, cruel, and tyrannical prince; such an one as Pharaoh king of Egypt, ( Isaiah 27:1 ) ; a type of antichrist, and who seems to be here meant; for as Rome, for its wickedness, cruelty, and idolatry, is spiritually called Egypt, ( Revelation 11:8 ) ; so the Romish antichrist is the beast ascending out of the bottomless pit; and is an insidious creature, lies in wait to deceive, puts on the mask and visor of Christianity; has two horns, like a lamb in his ecclesiastic capacity; lies covered with the reeds of the traditions, inventions, and the doctrines of men; and teaches men to trust in the staff of a broken reed, in their own merits, and the merits of others. Jarchi interprets it of Esau, who is like to a wild boar that dwells among the reeds; and the Talmud F8 interprets it of a beast that dwells among reeds, and the gloss explains it of the nation of Amalek; the Turks, according to some, are meant;
the multitude of bulls;
the secular powers of the beast of Rome; the antichristian states, their kings and princes, comparable to these creatures for their great strength, power, and authority, and for their fierceness and furiousness in persecuting the people of God: these are horned creatures, the ten horns of the beast, in his civil and secular capacity, with which he pushes at the saints, casts them down, and tramples upon them; see ( Psalms 22:13 ) ( Ezekiel 39:18 ) ; compared with ( Revelation 19:18 ) ;
with the calves of the people;
or the people, comparable to calves for their weakness, folly, and stupidity; these are the common people under the government and influence of the kings and princes of the earth; the people, multitudes, nations, and tongues, over whom the antichristian harlot sits, rules, and reigns: this phrase shows that the whole is to be taken, not in a literal, but figurative, sense;
[till everyone] submit himself with pieces of silver;
that is, rebuke them by thy word, or by thy providences, until they become sensible of their sins, repent of them, and submit themselves to Christ; and bring with them their wealth and substance, and lay it at his feet for the use of his interest, as a testification of their subjection to him: but as this is not to be expected from the persons before described, at least not from everyone of them, the words require another sense, and are to be considered as a continued description of the persons to be rebuked, and may be rendered, even everyone "that treads with pieces of silver" F11; that walks proudly and haughtily, being decorated with gold and silver on their garments; so the Romish antichrist is said to be decked, his popes, cardinals, and bishops, with gold and precious stones, ( Revelation 17:4 ) ; or "everyone that humbles himself for pieces of silver" F12, as the word is rendered in ( Proverbs 6:3 ) ; that lies down to be trampled upon for the sake of temporal advantage; and so it describes the parasites and flatterers of the man of sin, who crouch unto him, take his mark in their hands or foreheads, that they may be allowed to buy and sell; all these, it is desired, God would rebuke, not in love, but with flames of fire, as he will sooner or later; for when the kings of the earth are become Christians, as in ( Psalms 68:29 ) , God will put it into their hearts to hate the whore, and burn her flesh with fire;
scatter thou the people [that] delight in war;
as antichrist, and the antichristian states, do: they take delight in making war with the saints, and in slaying of them, to whom power has been given so to do; with whose blood they have been made drunk, and have took as much pleasure in the shedding of it as a drunken man does in indulging himself to excess in liquor; but these in God's own time shall be scattered, when Christ the Lamb shall fight against them with the sword of his mouth, and shall utterly destroy them; see ( Revelation 13:7 ) ( Revelation 17:6 Revelation 17:14 ) ( Revelation 19:15-21 ) .
1 Chronicles 12:17
1 Chronicles 12:17 King James Version (KJV) 17 And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye be come peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it
David's prudent treaty with them, v. 17. He was surprised to see them, and could not but conceive some jealousy of the intentions of their coming, having been so often in danger by the treachery of the men of Ziph and the men of Keilah, who yet were all men of Judah. He might well be timorous whose life was so much struck at; he might well be suspicious who had been deceived in so many that he said, in his haste, All men are liars. No marvel that he meets these men of Judah with caution. Observe,
(1.) How he puts the matter to themselves, how fairly he deals with them. As they are, they shall find him; so shall all that deal with the Son of David. [1.] If they be faithful and honourable, he will be their rewarder: "If you have come peaceably unto me, to help me, though you have come late and have left me exposed a great while, though you bring no great strength with you to turn the scale for me, yet I will thankfully accept your good-will, and my heart shall be knit unto you; I will love you and honour you, and do you all the kindness I can." Affection, respect, and service, that are cordial and sincere, will find favour with a good man, as they do with a good God, though clogged with infirmities, and turning to no great account. But, [2.] If they be false, and come to betray him into the hands of Saul, under colour of friendship, he leaves them to God to be their avenger, as he is, and will be, of every thing that is treacherous and perfidious. Never was man more violently run upon, and run down, than David was (except the Son of David himself), and yet he had the testimony of his conscience that there was no wrong in his hands. He meant no harm to any man, which was his rejoicing in the day of evil, and enabled him, when he feared treachery, to commit his cause to him that judges righteously. He will not be judge in his own cause, though a wise man, nor avenge himself, though a man of valour; but let the righteous God, who hath said, Vengeance is mine, do both. The God of our fathers look thereon and rebuke it.
(2.) In this appeal observe, [1.] He calls God the God of our fathers, both his fathers and theirs. Thus he reminded them not to deal ill with him; for they were both descendants from the same patriarchs, and both dependents on the same God. Thus he encouraged himself to believe that God would right him if he should be abused; for he was the God of his fathers and therefore a blessing was entailed on him, and a God to all Israel and therefore not only a Judge to all the earth, but particularly concerned in determining controversies between contesting Israelites. [2.] He does not imprecate any fearful judgement upon them, though they should deal treacherously, but very modestly refers his cause to the divine wisdom and justice: The Lord look thereon, and judge as he sees (for he sees men's hearts), and rebuke it. It becomes those that appeal to God to express themselves with great temper and moderation; for the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.
More on the Bride of Christ
The Bride of Christ (biblestudy.org)
As the true groom, Jesus has not only prepared himself for the marriage but also has cleansed and prepared his betrothed wife for the glorious ceremony (Revelation 19:8). The Apostle Paul, in the book of Ephesians, alludes to the mystery of this relationship by making an analogy between a human-based marriage and this future relationship.
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the Head of the church . . . in the same way also let wives be subject to their own husbands in everything . . . For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife . . . This is a great mystery; but I am speaking in respect to Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:23 - 24, 31 - 32).
The bride and the ten virgins
What is the relationship of the bride of Christ with the parable of the ten virgins given in Matthew 25? The groom of the parable represents a resurrected Jesus. The ten maidens or virgins (Revelation 4:4) represent all those whom are truly called to salvation who are still alive when he returns to this earth to take over the reins of government. There are, of course, others throughout history who have been called to salvation who will also be resurrected and part of the bride.
Five of the virgins are considered wise and the other five are foolish. The lamp oil represents God’s Holy Spirit. The wise took or had a sufficient amount of oil (his character) evident in their lives, whereas the foolish did not. Having a sufficient amount of oil are indicative of those Christians today who are walking with the Eternal on a daily basis and have an active, ongoing relationship with him. They are in training to become kings and priests under Christ at his Second Coming and qualify to be his bride.
When the Lord returns the five foolish virgins will not be ready to "marry" him and attend the wedding supper. These believers were so lackadaisical that they spiritually were not ready to marry the groom. The wise virgins, however, will be ready and will reign with him for a thousand years (Revelation 20:6).
The bride of Christ symbolically represents all those who are in the first resurrection of the dead (the spiritual church of God). This group is composed of all believers, since the time of Adam, who had the Holy Spirit within them. After living a life of overcoming, and being faithful to the end, they are resurrected and given a new spiritual body at the Second Coming. They are then rewarded with the most intimate relationship the Eternal can offer.
Isaiah 50: 1-2
1 Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.
2 Wherefore, when I came, was there no man? when I called, was there none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because there is no water, and dieth for thirst.
JEHOVAH'S RHETORIC AND RATIONALE
FOR ISRAEL'S EXILE
Where is the certificate of divorce Dt 24:1-4; Jer 3:1,8; Hosea 2:2-4; Mark 10:4-12
. Isaiah 50 may be divided into three sections:
The perverse servant (Isa 50:1-3);
The perfect Servant (Isa 50:4-9);
The pattern Servant (Isa 50:10-11).
Summary of Isaiah 50:1-3 - The LORD, Yahweh has not permanently put away His people by divorce nor sold them to any creditor, Isa 50:1. He has sought them and called them, but no one responded to Him, Isa 50:2a. The LORD reminded them that He has the power to redeem and deliver them for He can dry up the sea and the rivers by a mere rebuke, Isa 50:2b. He also is so powerful that He can cast the vast heavens into darkness, Isa 50:3.
Isaiah 50:1-3 is considered to be either a continuation of God's response to Israel's complaint in Isaiah 49:14 that she was forsaken and forgotten by Him or alternatively as an introduction to the fourth Servant Song. Most commentaries associate Isaiah 50:1-3 as a conclusion to Israel's complaint in the previous chapter. As such it would be considered a "bad" chapter break, remembering that the chapter divisions are not inspired but inserted by men.
It has been suggested that the Lord speaks in Isa 50:1-3, the Servant in Isa 50:4-9, and the Spirit in Isa 50:10-11. (What the Bible Teaches – Song of Solomon and Isaiah)
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