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Welcome / Happy Birthday / Welcome to the site InThePottersChamber !

« Last post by MoreBloodWine on February 23, 2018, 12:37:23 PM »

Hey everybody, looks like we got a new face !

Lets welcome InThePottersChamber to the site with a hearty hello, and remember... this is a family friendly site so lets play nice with our new friend and make him/her feel like they've been part of our family for years !

As always, hazing of our members new or not will not be tolerated if it's anything outside of a playful nature (No highschool BS).

Welcome / Happy Birthday / Welcome to the site InThePottersChamber !

« Last post by MoreBloodWine on February 23, 2018, 12:37:23 PM »

General Discussion / I call Him, Abba, Father

« Last post by Heart2Soul on February 22, 2018, 02:17:23 PM »

Understanding the significance of Abba, Father. (Note: Reference to the following statements are taken from this link: https://www.gotquestions.org/Abba-Father.html “What Does It Mean that God is our Abba Father?”):

In Scripture there are many different names used to describe God. While all the names of God are important in many ways, the name “Abba Father” is one of the most significant names of God in understanding how He relates to people. The word Abba is an Aramaic word that would most closely be translated as “Daddy.” It was a common term that young children would use to address their fathers. It signifies the close, intimate relationship of a father to his child, as well as the childlike trust that a young child puts in his “daddy.”

We are all His creations and under His authority and Lordship and will all be judged by Him, but being a child of God and having the right to truly call Him “Abba Father” is something that only born-again Christians are able to do (John 1:12-13).

If we are born again (John 1:12, 3:1-8), we have been adopted into the family of God, redeemed from the curse of sin and are “joint-heirs with Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:17; also Galatians 4:7). Part of that new relationship is that God now deals with us differently, which includes His chastisement when we sin (Hebrews 12:3-11). Because of that new relationship, Christians may sin, but they cannot be comfortable or content living a life of habitual, ongoing sin. If people are living a life enslaved to sin and are comfortable in that sin and without the chastisement of God upon them, then we know they are “illegitimate and not sons” (Hebrews 12:8 ). In other words, they are unbelievers.

As we come to understand the true nature of God as revealed in the Bible we should be amazed that He not only allows us, but even encourages us, to call Him “Abba Father.” It is amazing that a holy and righteous God, who created and sustains all things, who is the only all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present God, would allow sinful humans to call Him “Daddy.” As we come to understand who God really is and how sinful we are, the privilege of being able to call Him “Abba Father” will take on a whole new meaning for us and help us understand God’s amazing grace.

My Testimony:
I had been attending The Assembly of God Church in my hometown for a number of years…We had a wonderful pastor who just happened to preach his sermon on the very sin I committed that week. At the end of every sermon the pastor invited anyone who needed to come to the altar and rededicate their lives, or get saved, or who needed deliverance, to come forward and be prayed for. I would go up to the front every single time because I was full of guilt and condemnation from my sins.

Then the day came when I went to church and as usual the pastor preached about a sin and as usual I was guilty of that sin, why would this day be any different! I am always guilty!!!! I went to the altar for prayer, got saved again and when we were dismissed I left and I went to my home. I walked in the front door, threw my body on the floor and cried out to God and said "I give up, this Christianity thing is too hard and no matter how hard I try I seem to always mess up!"

Then I heard a voice, (this was the first time I actually heard Him speak to me) it wasn't really audible to my ears but it was very audible in my mind. He said to me "Patty, who do you think I am?"....instinctively somehow I knew he expected me to say something, so I said you are God...He asked a second time, “Patty, who do you think I am?”… I replied a little more hesitantly, since the 1st answer didn't seem to be right, and said "The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the I AM? ( I am thinking I got it right this time for sure! Haha!)...then He asked a 3RD TIME only a little louder!!! “PATTY, WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?”…..I searched my memory of what I was taught about who God is and finally I said what do you want me to say?

He replied with a loving, gentle voice and said "I am your Father, and as much as you love your daughter, so much more do I love you that you can't comprehend it. As your daughter grows she will make mistakes….and with love in your heart for her you will correct her, discipline her at times but never will you stop loving her because of those mistakes. So it is with me, I will never stop loving you just because you make a mistake. Allow yourself to be led of My Spirit, Grow in the Truth of My Word, repent daily of your sins and always forgive others who sin against you...and in return, I will always forgive you. Seek me daily, walk with me, talk with me, and tell me what's on your heart. I AM YOUR FATHER and I Love you"

I was approximately 23 years old when this happened and it liberated me from condemnation. I finally understood that I am truly saved and I am a child of The Most High God, and I call Him, Abba, Father! Amen!

In addition to becoming free from guilt and condemnation, obedience to my Abba, Father became so much easier because I was doing it with a renewed love, understanding, and respect for Him. His Word actually became a Living Word in my life. I could hear Him speak to me on a daily and continual basis

I never heard His voice speaking to me until I came to know Him as my Abba, Father.
I hope this blesses someone as it did me.

General Discussion / Membership Is Now Open

« Last post by Hidden In Him on February 19, 2018, 05:37:33 PM »

Greetings in the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

I've had this site closed to membership since it's inception because I knew I would rarely have time to interact with new members if they had questions related to the studies I publish. I still would not be available for a lot of it, but I have asked my developer to at least open the site for membership now so I could interact with a few friends from another site here whenever necessary. Should you have stumbled unto this website and have any questions regarding some of my work, I can be reached through private messaging if you apply for membership.

God bless,
Hidden In Him

Study #7 / Colossians 2:16-19, Part 1

« Last post by Hidden In Him on February 19, 2018, 05:26:54 PM »

The Feasts: Prophetic Foreshadowings Of Things To Come, Part 1

The Jewish Sabbaths and festivals were more than just religious observances. They prophetically foreshadowed events that would take place in the life of the church, both during New Testament times and in the end times as well. Many teach on this subject but unfortunately don't teach on it accurately, misidentifying some of the festivals as foreshadowing certain events when they are in reality referring to something else. But before we get into it, let me first quote the passage on which this concept is based. It is found in our current passage (Colossians 2:16-19), where Paul mentions the festivals as being merely "shadows" of things to come:

Take heed that there be no one robbing you through philosophy and empty deceit, in accordance with the tradition of men, in accordance with the principles of the world, and not in accordance with Christ. For in Him dwells all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily, and having become perfected, you are in Him who is the Head of all rule and authority... Therefore, do not let anyone but the body of Christ judge you in food and drink, or in respect of a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come. Let no one disqualify you, delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, investigating into things which he has seen, being vainly inflated with pride by his fleshly mind and not holding fast the Head, from whom the whole body, being supplied and conjoined together through its joints and ligaments, grows with the growth of God. (Colossians 2:8-10, 16-19)

As will be proven in Part 2, the New Testament church actually kept the Jewish festivals and Sabbaths, only they did so after a spiritual manner, not after the strict manner of the Jews. But this is where all the conflict was coming from where the heretics and the Colossians were concerned. Statements made in the letter suggest the heretics were Essenes, a Jewish sect who very strictly kept the Jewish Sabbaths, Feast days and cleanliness laws. As a result, it appears they were badgering the Colossians about not observing these things strictly enough according to Jewish law.
But Paul told them not to let anyone but the body of Christ judge them in respect to such things, for the festivals, new moons and sabbaths were merely a "shadow of coming things." In other words, there was no need to observe them strictly according to Jewish law because they were merely prophetic foreshadowings of things the church was now living out for real, things the festivals only pointed to prophetically. Those not receiving their understanding from Christ as Head of the church, however, would not understand such things. Only the church understood the prophetic significance of the festivals and how they were to be spiritually observed rather than according to the letter of the law, so believers should not let anyone but the church judge them over how they observed them.
But to understand what events in the history of the church were predicted by the Jewish festivals, let us now turn to examining each one starting with the Passover, the most important of the Jewish holidays.

The Fulfillment Of Passover, Unleavened Bread, And First Fruits

As should be obvious to any Christian, the Jewish Passover was prophetically fulfilled on the day Christ Jesus was crucified outside Jerusalem for the sins of mankind. Though the Passover was instituted some 1400 years earlier, the Lord Jesus Christ fulfilled what this feast prophesied would take place perfectly. This was according to God's plan, for scripture describes Him as the Lamb of God slain from the foundations of the world.
The interesting thing, however, is that the Feast of Unleavened Bread which immediately followed Passover also found its prophetic fulfillment during New Testament times as well. This was a seven day festival in which the Jews were commanded to eat no unleavened bread whatsoever. Spiritually speaking, this bread represented the unadulterated, pure teachings of the Lord. Leaven causes bread to rise, and by extension, false teaching causes humans to become "inflated" with pride. The pure teaching of the gospel, however - of Christ and Him crucified - causes men to become humbled.
This Feast was fulfilled prophetically when Jesus descended into Sheol and preached the gospel to the Old Testament saints in the Underworld. Regarding this event, scripture declares:

Having been put to death in the flesh but made alive through the Spirit... He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who were once disobedient in the days of Noah when the long-suffering of God waited as an ark was being prepared. (1 Peter 3:19-20)

This verse refers to Noah and his sons and their wives, the only eight souls to survive the flood. Peter made reference to them to make the point that whereas only eight souls were saved back then, only a relative few were being saved in his time as well. But in reality, Jesus didn't just preach the gospel to Noah and his family alone. He preached it to all the Old Testament saints who were held captive in the Paradise side of Sheol, which is why He said to the thief of the cross, "This day shall you be with me in Paradise." After revealing Himself to them in the Underworld, the Old Testament saints readily acknowledged Him to be their Lord and Savior. Thus, when He came out of the grave three days later, He led them out with Him, many of whom were seen by witnesses in Jerusalem, as the scriptures also state:

Having cried again with a loud voice, Jesus yielded up the spirit... And the earth was shaken, and rocks were split, and the graves were opened, and many of the bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised up, and having gone forth out of the graves after His resurrection, entered into the holy city, and were made manifest to many. (Matthew 27:50-53).

Like the Feast itself, which lasted seven days, the prophetic fulfillment of the Feast of Unleavened Bread continuing on after the resurrection, when He rose from the dead and then appeared before Peter and Cleopas on the road to Emmaus. There He opened up to them from the Old Testament everything that was prophesied to happen to the Messiah. Later He appeared, and preached the same thing to all the disciples:

And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, He interpreted unto them from all the scriptures the things concerning Himself... and having taken bread He blessed it, and breaking it gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And He disappeared from among them. (Luke 24:27, 30-31)

So what was the prophetic fulfillment of the Feast of First Fruits? This festival celebrated the first gleanings of the harvest, and as such was fulfilled when the Old Testament believers were resurrected (or "harvested") by Christ into Heaven. Like the first fruits that Israel offered up to God, the resurrection of the Old Testament saints served as an assurance that a much greater "harvest" was coming in the end-times, when the rest of His church would be raptured up at the second coming. Scripture says that the harvest is the "end of the age," and it is prophesied that more than a billion souls will be saved before the end. How many are alive and on earth when the rapture comes remains to be seen, but just as the First Fruits constituted the early promise of a much bigger harvest later, so too did the resurrection of the Old Testament saints constitute the early promise of a much bigger harvest at the end of the age. This last great harvest is symbolized by the Feast of the Ingathering, which I will cover last. But what is interesting is that all of these first three festivals - Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits - took place at the same time of year, just as the three historical fulfillments took place at the same time in history. The Feast of First Fruits was actually held during the week of Unleavened Bread, so you have Passover being celebrated on the 14th and 15th of Nisan, First Fruits on the 16th and 17th, and Unleavened Bread from the 15th through the 22nd. This means there was exactly three days between the beginning of Passover (representing Christ's death) on the 14th until the end of First Fruits on the 17th, so these three days corresponded to the three days and three nights Jesus spent in the grave before rising from the dead.

The Fulfillment Of Pentecost And The Feast Of Trumpets

Prophetically speaking, these feasts were fulfilled with the Spirit's outpouring at Pentecost and the rising up of Joel's army which began on the same day when the apostle Peter declared, "This is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh." What is interesting, however, is that these two feasts were both only partially fulfilled prophetically during New Testament times, with both seeing their ultimate fulfillment come to pass in earnest during the end-times, when the Spirit of God is poured out in even greater measure.
Like the Passover, the prophetic fulfillment of the Feast of Pentecost is easy to identify. The Israelites were at Mt. Sinai during the very first Feast of Pentecost or "Feast of Weeks," where God made His Power known to the Jews by coming down in fire and smoke. As scripture declares:

On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, and a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled... Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. (Exodus 19:16,18)

It must be understood that the fire of God is frequently associated in scripture with His power to make war against His enemies. This is readily apparent from passages like Isaiah 66:1-5:

Behold, the Lord is coming as fire, and His chariots as a whirlwind; He will bring down His anger with fury, and His rebuke with flames of fire. For with fire and with His sword the Lord will execute judgment upon all men, and many will be those slain by the Lord. (Isaiah 66:15-16, LXX)

This then is the backdrop behind the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Acts. The Holy Spirit was distributed in tongues of fire among the saints, and after this the disciples went forth healing, casting out demons, raising the dead, and destroying the works of the enemy. Blowing trumpets served as a call to war, and the Feast of Trumpets followed in sequence after Pentecost. The call to war was a direct result of God's power being made manifest, in keeping with how it is the supernatural power of God that brings the empowerment to conquer in His name. This was also the case when the walls of Jericho to come down during the early days of Israel's conquests in the wilderness, one of the most famous battles where trumpets of war were blown and the power of God was then made manifest:

Then the LORD said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in"... The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the people, "Shout! For the LORD has given you the city!... When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city. (Joshua 6:2-6, 16, 20

Again, this combination of events was initially seen in Acts, where you had the outpouring of the Spirit taking place first, followed by the saints doing many mighty works including healing and the casting out demons (Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:43; Acts 3:6-7; Acts 9:40-42; Acts 14:8-10; Acts 16:16-18). But these were only the initial fulfillments of these two Feasts prophetically. Their ultimate fulfillments take place in the end-times, as described more fully in the book of Joel. Notice again how the Fire of God, the Outpouring of God's Spirit, and the Blowing of the Trumpets of War will be all inextricably linked once again:

Blow the trumpet in Zion! Sound the alarm on my holy mountain!... Like blackness spread across the mountains, a great and powerful army comes. The like has never been seen from of old, nor will it be again after them in ages to come. Fire devours in front of them, and behind them a flame burns. Before them the land is like the garden of Eden, but after them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them... As with the rumbling of chariots, they leap on the tops of the mountains... like a powerful army drawn up for battle. Before them peoples are in anguish, and all faces grow pale... The earth quakes before them, and the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.... It shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh. And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. And upon My servants and upon My handmaidens in those days will I pour out of My Spirit. And I will shew wonders in heaven, and upon the earth, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. (Joel 2:1a, 2b-3, 5, 10, 2:28-31)

The ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy will include the sun and moon being darkened, which did not take place during New Testament times. But the Spirit is prophesying that Army of God as described in Joel is coming, and when it comes it will shake the world once again with God's power, just as in the initial fulfillment did during New Testament times and even more so:

God is now in the process of recruiting an army with which He will shake this old world one more time. By working through His soldiers, God will produce great miracles that will shake the established hierarchy of the so-called organized religion that is in this world today. These soldiers that God is now recruiting will demonstrate the power of God to a greater extent than did the disciples in the Pentecostal age. Some will be even greater demonstrations than that of Elijah. (Pittman, Placebo, P.42)

This army... which was spoken of by the prophet Joel, will arise from the land and do great works for God. The Son of Righteousness will arise with healing in His wings. He shall tread down the wicked, and they shall be ashes under His feet.
They shall be called the army of the Lord. I will give gifts unto them, and they will accomplish My mighty works. They shall do exploits for the Lord of glory. I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy. This army shall fight against the forces of evil and shall destroy much of Satan's work. They shall win many to Jesus Christ before the day the evil beast arises, says the Lord.
These are they who have turned to Me with their whole heart, soul, mind and strength. This army will awaken many to righteousness and purity of spirit. I will soon begin to move upon them, to choose for My army those I desire. I will search for them in the cities and in the towns. Many will be surprised by those I have chosen. You will see them begin to move across the land and do exploits for My name's sake. Watch and see My power at work. (Baxter, Divine Revelation Of Hell, P.141-142, 140)

Fulfillment Of The Day Of Atonement And The Ingathering

In a word, these lasts two Feasts prophetically represented the coming of the Great Tribulation and the End-Time Harvest. Regarding the first, scripture teaches that there will be many who fall away, but that the faithful will endure until the end. This was typified on the Day of Atonement by the sacrifice of two goats. One was sacrificed unto the Lord as a pure offering, but the other - which the Israelites called the "Azazel goat" - was given over to the enemy:

And he shall take the two goats, and set them before the Lord at the door of the tent of meeting. And Aaron shall cast lots upon the two goats: one lot for the Lord, and the other lot for Azazel. And Aaron shall present the goat upon which the lot fell for the Lord, and offer him for a sin-offering. But the goat on which the lot fell for Azazel shall be set before the Lord alive to make atonement over him, to send him away into the wilderness for Azazel. (Leviticus 16:7-10)

In Jewish tradition, Azazel was a demon. According to Jewish scholarship, Azazel belonged to the class of "se'irim," or goat-like demons that haunted the desert, to which the Israelites sometimes offered sacrifice (Leviticus 17:7). Regarding the goat that was assigned to Azazel, the high priest sent it away "into the wilderness," and to prevent its return to human habitation, some sources say it was led to a cliff and pushed off its edge. As for its association with wickedness and the sins of men, the Book of Enoch likewise portrays Azazel as a fallen angel who betrayed God by leading mankind in rebellion and apostasy against Him in the days before the flood. It is said that "on the day of the great judgement he shall be cast into the fire… [for] the whole earth has been corrupted through the works that were taught by Azazel: to him ascribe all sin." (1 Enoch 2:8 ).
The other goat that was for the Lord, however, became a living sacrifice unto Him, just as the saints of God will become living sacrifices as a result of preaching of the gospel during the end-times. This will be fulfilled during the great persecution of the end-times that precedes the coming of the Antichrist:

Nation shall raise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines and earthquakes in [diverse] places. But all these are the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and will kill you. And you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be scandalized, and deliver one another up, and hate one another. (Matthew 24:7-10)

These martyrdoms will take place as a result of persecution the saints endure, after the power of God is made manifest through them to preach the gospel throughout the earth (Matthew 24:14). Some believers however will betray Him, and deliver their brothers up to death to save their own lives. In doing so, they will succumb to the spirit of Azazel, the same spirit that first taught men to rebel against God before the flood. But those who become living sacrifices unto God will be a prophetic fulfillment of the goat dedicated unto the Lord.
This, then, is what the Day of Atonement was instituted to symbolize. It is why the Day of Atonement involved fasting. The mortification of the flesh purifies the soul from sin. Today it is called Yom Kippur by modern Jews, with the word Kippur meaning "to cleanse," and persecution is what has down through history cleansed the faithful from sin, while causing the unfaithful to apostatize and turn away from Him, becoming subsumed by sin, much like Judas did. Hence the symbolism of the two different goats being offered up.
Lastly, the Feast of the Ingathering was the culminating festival of the year. It was when the harvest was finally gathered. The harvesters would construct temporary booths or "tabernacles" to live in when they were working in the fields, so it also came to be referred to as the "Feast of Tabernacles," but it was actually a celebration of the harvest. In prophetic terms, this festival foreshadowed the rapture of the church, which was described by our Lord with analogies involving the harvest. In the prophetic fulfillment, His angels are the ones who will gather in the true harvest:

And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in the heaven. And then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:30-31)

He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. The field is the world. The good seed are the children of the kingdom, but the tares are the children of the wicked one. The enemy that sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity. (Matthew 13:37-41)

Just as tabernacles represented temporary dwelling places, so too are our earthly bodies merely temporary dwelling places for the soul. Paul understood the prophetic connection, as is clear from how he described the body as a "tabernacle" in places, telling the Corinthians in one place, "we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens."
Like Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits which all took place at roughly same time both prophetically and on the Jewish calendar, so too did the Feasts of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of the Ingathering. They take place on the 1st, 10th and 15th-22nd of Tishri respectively. So, too, will the prophetic fulfillments come in succession of each other as a group. The army of God will march forth in the end-times destroying the works of the enemy, and for this they will face persecution. Like real soldiers in war, some will lose their lives in battle, but the rapture will bring an end to it. It will signal the final deliverance of the church, when He descends from Heaven with His angels to execute judgment upon His enemies.

Meditating On "A More Sure Word Of Prophecy"

The thing that should be encouraging in all this is the following: If the first three festivals were fulfilled completely and the fourth has already been partially fulfilled, we can rest assured the latter rain is coming, the second half of Pentecost will be fulfilled, and the last three festivals will come to pass as prophesied as well. This may not be apparent to every Christian, but it should be to us. For those willing to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches, these things are being revealed with ever greater assurances now:

And we have the more sure word of prophecy, which you do well to take heed to as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day should dawn and the daystar should arise in your hearts; knowing this first, that every prophecy of scripture comes not through private explanation. For no prophecy was brought by the will of man, but being borne by the Holy Spirit, holy men of God spoke. (2 Peter 1:19-21)

Many Christians are today doing precisely what Peter warned cannot be done. They attempt to interpret Biblical prophecy apart from the Holy Spirit's guidance. This is why even among those who know the festivals are prophetic foreshadowings of end-time events, they still nevertheless apply the festivals incorrectly as referring to things they are not. But the most encouraging for me personally are His promises concerning the Feast of Trumpets and the coming army of God. Certainly it is something we can only hope for because the army of God is still in utter disarray at the present time. But the Spirit has prophesied that it is coming, and it will march forth in greater power against the enemy than at any time in history:

Suddenly, I was standing on a high mountain overlooking a great plain. Before me, there was an army marching on a wide front. There were 12 divisions in the vanguard that stood out sharply from the great multitude of soldiers who followed behind them... All wore armor that was polished silver, shields that appeared to be pure gold, and weapons that were both silver and gold. The banners were huge, 30 to 40 feet long. As the soldiers marched, their armor and weapons flashed in the sun like lightning, and the flapping of the banners and the tread of their feet sounded like rolling thunder. I did not think the earth had ever witnessed anything like this before.
Then I was close enough to see their faces - male and female, old and young from every race. There was a fierce resolution on their faces, yet they did not seem tense… not a single one feared the battle to which they were marching… Every soldier also wore rank insignias and medals… [but] from the highest ranking officer to the lowest, they all seemed to be close friends. It was an army of unprecedented discipline, yet it also seemed to be just one big family… I could not detect ambition or pride anywhere in the ranks... As I watched, I noticed that the plain was dry and dusty before the army, but immediately after the first twelve divisions passed, the earth was dark green, with trees giving shade and bearing fruit, and pure streams flowing throughout the land… (Joyner, The Call, 137-142)

Such encouragements ought to be especially important to those they were spoken over, since the soldiers God will be raising up will be from among the humble; those viewed as of no account by the church. But as the Spirit has promised, He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6), and He is going to do so once again:

Behold, I am preparing a holy army. They will do mighty exploits for Me... They are an army of holy men and women, boys and girls. They have been anointed to preach the true gospel, lay hands on the sick and call the sinner to repentance. This is an army of working men, housewives single men, single women and school children. They are common people, for not many noble have responded to my call. In the past they have been misunderstood and mistreated, abused and rejected. But I have blessed them with boldness in holiness and in spirit. They will begin to fulfill My prophecy and to do My will. I will walk in them, talk in them and work in them. (Baxter, A Divine Revelation Of Hell, P.139-140)

I am sending forth Samuels to pour oil upon My true shepherds. Many of these are now considered the least of their brethren, but you will find them serving as faithful shepherds of their little flocks. faithful leaders in whatever I have given them to do. These are My faithful ones who are called to be kings. These I will trust with My authority. They will prepare My people for the great battle at the end. (Joyner, The Call, P.146)

In Part 2, I will show how the New Testament saints were indeed actually observing these festivals, but only spiritually. Surely there is no harm in doing so today, only it should never be considered a law, and pursuing all things Jewish should most certainly not be something believers go overboard with. But the important thing is in meditating on what the festivals foretold was coming, promises from God that will with absolute certainty be fulfilled in the times that now lay before us.

Study #6 / Colossians 2:8-15

« Last post by Hidden In Him on February 19, 2018, 05:24:37 PM »

Has Satan Robbed The Church Of New Testament Christianity?

People are often conned because they don't know the true value of the things they possess. Someone comes along who knows what it is truly worth and convinces them to sell it for practically nothing, or trade it away for something "far more valuable." This is the trick Satan has used to rob the church of true New Testament Christianity. He has convinced us we needed something else instead, and in falling for his lies we have ended up being spiritually defrauded.
This is what Paul was now warning the Colossians not to let happen to them:

Take heed that there be no one robbing you through philosophy and empty deceit, in accordance with the tradition of men, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, and not in accordance with Christ. For in Him dwells all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily, and having become perfected, you are in Him who is the Head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:8-10)

Notice here the tradeoff: They would exchange abiding in Christ, "in whom dwelt the Fulness of the Godhead bodily" for an "empty deceit." Or in other words, Satan was trying to conn them into trading a truly Spirit-filled Christianity for spiritual emptiness. Specifically, he was referring to the fact that the Fullness of God was manifesting itself during early church services, with each one having a tongue, a teaching, a revelation, an interpretation, as described elsewhere:

What is it, then, brothers? Whenever you may come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone with a tongue speaks, [let it be] by two or the most three, and in succession, and let one interpret. And if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and God. And let prophets speak two or three, and let the others discern. And if anything should be revealed to another sitting by, let the first one be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and be exhorted. (1 Corinthians 14:26-31)

This is what Paul meant by, "and you are in Him, who is the Head of all rule and authority." The Lord Jesus Himself, as the Head of all religious rule and authority, was speaking through them and acting through them by divine utterance, and leading the church into genuine truth and true Spiritual life through it. Unfortunately, in much of Christianity today, Spirit-filled services have been replaced with ritualism and formalism. These are the same things Satan was trying to foist on the Colossians. Instead of operating in the supernatural gifts, they were being encouraged to focus primarily on observing Jewish cleanliness laws and Jewish feasts, Sabbaths and New Moons, in accordance with very strict standards. Thus, Paul warned them not to let anyone but the body of Christ judge them regarding these things:

Therefore, do not let anyone but the body of Christ judge you in food and drink, or in respect of a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are [merely] a shadow of coming things. (Colossians 2:17-18)

Unfortunately, whereas Satan ultimately failed with the Colossians, he succeeded in the next few centuries with virtually the entire church, and it has remained this way until today. Satan robbed the church blind, such that the Christianity we practice today in no way resembles what was practiced during New Testament times.

The saddest part is that most are so blinded spiritually that they don't even know they were robbed, or when. As will be covered in this study, the road to opening their eyes will start with returning to true Spirit-filled Christianity ourselves, and restoring accurate teaching so that the army of God prophesied to arise in the end-times will be fully equipped to live out true Christianity once more.

Demons: The Inspiration Behind Essenism

Who was ultimately behind the Colossian heresy? As will be shown elsewhere, the heretics influencing the Colossians were actually a Jewish sect called the Essenes. They were strict about keeping Jewish food laws (Colossians 2:20-22), and observing Jewish Sabbaths and Feast days (Colossians 2:16-17). Most telling, however, they contended that they actually engaged in the worship of the angels during their services, by synchronizing them with those supposedly going on in Heaven (Colossians 2:18).
Paul also referred to this heresy as a "philosophy," and Essenism was just that. On the surface it looked like a genuine form of Judaism. But a closer look revealed that Essenism was actually patterned after the Greek philosophical schools, and was in fact a Jewish version of Pythagorianism. Pythagorus was the father of Greek philosophy, and his system became the basis for how philosophical schools operated for centuries thereafter. The Pythagorians were strict vegetarians who formed into a highly exclusive intellectual societies dedicated almost exclusively to meditating continually on the attainment of a virtuous life:

The early Pythagorean sects lived in Croton and throughout Magna Graecia. They espoused to a rigorous life of the intellect and strict rules on diet, clothing and behavior... [They] were closed societies, and new Pythagoreans were chosen based on merit and discipline. Ancient sources record that early-Pythagoreans underwent a five year initiation period of listening to the teachings in silence. Initiates could through a test become members of the inner circle. (Pythagoreanism, Wikipedia)

The Essenes bore all these same characteristics. They lived an extremely disciplined lifestyle dedicated exclusively to philosophical meditation and pursuing virtue. The Jewish historian Josephus identified "the Essenes as a race that employs the same daily regime as was revealed to the Greeks by Pythagorus." (Josephus, Antiquities 15.371). Moreover, they likewise formed themselves into highly exclusivist philosophical communities. Very similar to the Pythagoreans, new members had to endure a rigorous two year initiation period before they could be fully admitted into the community.
But while some Jews were busy telling the world that Essenism as an exemplary religion, the Holy Spirit was warning the Christian churches through the apostles that what the Essenes taught was actually coming from Satan. Paul told Timothy the following in one of his letters:

But the Spirit says expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons. They shall speak lies in hypocrisy, their own conscience having been cauterized, and forbid to marry while abstaining from meats, which God created for those who believe and have known the truth to partake of with thanksgiving. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

Nearly all Essenes were celibates, but all were strict vegetarians. They taught that the Books of Moses were in reality fakes, and that God never actually command the Jews to sacrifice animals or eat meat. According to Epiphanius:

The Nasaraeans (an Essene sect)... acknowledged Moses and believed that he had received laws - not this law, however, but some other. And so, they were Jews who kept all the Jewish observances, but they would not offer sacrifice or eat meat. They considered it unlawful to eat meat or make sacrifices with it. They claimed that these Books are fictions, and that none of these customs were actually instituted by the fathers. (The Essenes, Wikipedia)

But according to Paul, this teaching was a lie. The Living God had indeed commanded that meat could be received with thanksgivings, and that any doctrine which forbid it was a "doctrine of demons," and a deception originating from Hell. To cover for this deception, they piously devoted every day to philosophizing. According to Philo, "they obtained their philosophy by means of allegorical interpretations," stating in another place:

"[None] of them may take any food or drink before the setting of the sun, since they judge that the work of philosophizing is one which is worthy of the light, but that the care for the necessities of the body is suitable only to darkness, on which account they appropriate the day to the one occupation, and a brief portion of the night to the other." (Philo, On the Contemplative Life 18-90, IV, 34)

In other words, they dedicated all day long to taking passages of scripture and converting them into allegories, so that they could then throw out the literal meanings of scripture and delve endlessly into their more enlightened "spiritual" interpretations instead. And it was because of this presumptuous arrogance on their part that Paul warned the Colossians:

Let no one disqualify you... investigating into things which he has seen, being vainly inflated with pride by his fleshly mind and not holding fast the Head, from whom the whole body, being supplied and conjoined together through [its many] joints and ligaments, grows with the growth of God. (Colossians 2:17-19)

Had the Colossians adopted Essenism, it would have meant abandoning the True Presence of God and operating in genuine supernatural gifts to sitting around and philosophizing all day on made up allegorical interpretations of scripture instead. It was a spiritually empty religion founded mainly on the Greek philosophical schools, and had absolutely nothing to do with practicing Spirit-filled Christianity.

How Philosophy Crept Into The Churches

Although Essenism would fail to infiltrate the churches during Paul's time, the teachings and practices of the philosophical schools eventually did start creeping into the church over the next few centuries. As Frank Viola and George Barna stated in Pagan Christianity:

The New Testament letters show that the ministry of God's word came from the entire church in their regular gatherings. From Romans 12:6-8, Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 14:26, and Colossians 3:16, we see that it included teaching, exhortation, prophecy, singing and admonishment. This "every-member" functioning was also conversational (1 Corinthians 14:29), and marked by interruptions (1 Corinthians 14:30).
This raises a thorny question. If the first century Christians were not noted for their sermonizing, from whom did the post-apostolic Christians pick it up? The answer is telling: The Christian sermon was borrowed from the pagan pool of Greek culture.
The ancient Greeks and Romans viewed rhetoric as one of the greatest forms of art... Orators could bring a crowd to a frenzy simply by their powerful speaking skills. Teachers of rhetoric, the leading science of the era, were the pride of every major city. The orators they produced were given celebrity status.
How did the Greek sermon find its way into the Christian church? Around the third century a vacuum was created when mutual ministry faded from the body of Christ... a clergy began to emerge. Open meetings began to die out, and church gatherings become more and more liturgical... functioning Christians had trouble fitting into this evolving ecclesiastical structure. There was no place for them to exercise their gifts, and by the fourth century, the church had become fully institutionalized.
As this was happening, many pagan orators and philosophers were becoming Christians. As a result, pagan philosophical ideas unwittingly made their way into the Christian community... and the pagan notion of a trained professional speaker who delivered orations for a fee moved straight into the Christian bloodstream... the Greco-Roman sermon replaced prophesying, open interaction, and Spirit-inspired teaching. The sermon became the elitist privilege of church officials, particularly the bishops. Such people had to be educated in the schools of rhetoric to learn how to speak. Without this education, a Christian was not permitted to address God's people. (Viola and Barna, Pagan Christianity, P.90-93)

The apostle Paul on the other hand specifically stressed over and over again that he was NOT following this set of rules. Others religious leaders could present themselves as great philosopher types, but he would not. He walked in humility, and sought instead to demonstrate the supernatural power of God among congregations, so that their trust might be in the power of God and not the rhetorical skills of some religious speaker:

Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the good news, not with words of wisdom, that the cross of Christ not be emptied. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to we who are being saved it is the power of God. For it has been written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and repudiate the intelligence of the intelligent." Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Did not God render the wisdom of this world foolish?... the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we proclaim Christ having been crucified, [which is] truly a scandal for the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles...
And having come to you, brothers, I did not come announcing the mystery of God unto you in accordance with the excellency of rhetoric or wisdom. For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and Him having been crucified. And I came before you in weakness and fear and much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom but with a demonstration of the Spirit and power, that your faith might not rest in human wisdom but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:17-23, 2:1-5)

Are We Rollin,' Or Just Laid Up On Jacks?

In 1st Corinthians, Paul described the various gifts of the Spirit, and it is clear from the indicative present passive verbs used that "it is being given" means they were indeed already walking in thyme gifts during meetings back the:

There are variations of workings, but it is the same God performing them all within all... to one the word of wisdom is being given by the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to a different one faith in the One Spirit, yet to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to a different one various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Corinthians 12:6, 8-10)

Today? Not so much. Normally, one man just stands up and entertains us for three quarters of an hour, with either minimal or no interaction from the congregation whatsoever. Conditions are now much like the way Chrysostom described it in the 4th century, after the spiritual gifts had largely departed from the church:

Truly the Church was more like Heaven in Paul's time, in that the Spirit governed everything and moved each one of the members in turn. But now it seems we have merely the symbols of those gifts. We likewise only have two or three speaking in a service, but these are only a pale shadow of what prevailed then... The present church is like a woman who has fallen from her former prosperous days, and retains only the outward signs of that prosperity, displaying the boxes and caskets within which she once kept her wealth, but which are now empty. This is true not only in the matter of the gifts, but in life and virtue as well. (Chrysostom, Homilies on the Epistles of Paul to the Corinthians, XXXVI, 7, 390 A.D.)

Are we rollin'? Many Cessationist Christians seem to think their version of Christianity is all anyone would ever need; that the supernatural gifts ceased with the apostles, and at this point they are the ones truly "living large" in spiritual terms. They are now the ones preserving the "truth" for future generations.

Unfortunately, the truth is we've been jacked. Compared with New Testament Christianity, most modern versions of it are now the spiritual equivalent of a hoopty up on blocks, waiting for the tow truck of history to transport them off:

We started out in a luxury Maclaren, but Satan came along and convinced us what we really needed was Yugo. Then our Yugo mysteriously got stripped down to nothing but a steering wheel and a frame.
At this point, we're just improvising, but it's definitely not good.

The wise would do well to admit that such Christianity will never make much of an impression on the world, nor is it going to be going anywhere fast anytime soon.

Authorities Will Be Made A Spectacle Of Again

So how do we get back what was stolen? The answer is found in scripture. The Lord is going to raise up an army that will restore the years the cankerworm has stolen, and give true spiritual nourishment back to the people of God once again. Today the church is largely in a state of spiritual starvation, but the prophesies in Joel say it will not remain that way forever:

The word of the Lord which came to Joel, the son of Bathuel. "Hear these words, you elders... The leavings of the caterpillar has the locust eaten, and the leavings of the locust has the palmerworm eaten, and the leavings of the palmerworm has the cankerworm eaten... Mourn, you priests who serve at the altar of the Lord, for the plains languish. Let the land mourn, for the corn languishes. The wine is dried up, the oil becomes scarce. The husbandmen starve. Mourn your property on account of the wheat and barley, for the harvest has perished from off the field. The vine is dried up, and the fig-trees are become few. The pomegranate, palm-tree, apple, and all the trees of the field are dried up, for the sons of men have abolished joy...
"Now therefore," says the Lord your God, "turn to Me with all your heart, and with fasting and weeping and lamentation. Rend your hearts and not your garments, and turn to the Lord your God… and, because of the years which the locust, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, and the cankerworm have eaten, I shall recompense unto you My great power, which I sent among you. And you shall eat abundantly and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God for the things He has wonderfully wrought among you. And My people shall not be ashamed for ever. And you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel… it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. And I will pour out My Spirit upon My servants and My handmaidens in those days. And I will show wonders in the heaven and on earth, blood and fire and vapor of smoke. The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and glorious Day of the Lord comes." (Joel 1:1, 4, 8-12, 2:12-13, 25-31 LXX)

The caterpillars, locusts, palmerworms and cankerworms here all represented demonic spirits, who stole the true food of God away from His people to the point that they are now starving. What then will be the reaction of religious authorities when this food begins to be restored? The same as was taking place during New Testament times; they will despise the message, and ridicule it as being "false doctrine," telling anyone who will listen to be careful that they not to be "deceived."
But the religious authorities over major denominations will be no match for the Authority being made manifest in the church once again. The Lord Jesus Christ Himself will again give utterance through congregations, and again lead them into all truth through the Holy Spirit. No longer will they give ear to anyone telling them they are "sinning against God" by defying religious leaders, or listen when someone tells them how much they still "lacked" spiritually.
This is what Paul was telling the Colossians in the rest of our passage; not to let some Essene tell them they needed to be circumcised, were still under the curse of the law, and needed to obey superior religious authorities than the ones they were listening to now:

Take heed that there be no one robbing you... for in Him dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, and having become perfected, you are in Him who is the Head of all rule and authority, in whom you were circumcised with the circumcision not made by hands, in the putting off the of body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the supernatural energy of God, the One having raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in [your] trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, having wiped away the handwriting that was against us in the ordinances, and He has taken it out of the midst, having nailed it to the cross. And having stripped the rulers and authorities, He made a spectacle of them in public, having triumphed over them in it. Therefore let no man judge you... (Colossians 2:8-15)

What "authorities" was Paul referring to here? Most commentators say he was talking about demonic principalities here, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Paul was warning them not to be influenced by religious rulers and authorities, such as the leaders among the Essenes or the highest leaders in the Jewish Sanhedrin in Jerusalem. They all had their religious authority stripped from them the day Christ rose from the dead, demonstrating that He was the Messiah, for they mocked Him as a winebibber who did miracles by the power of demons. How do we know this is about them? Because Paul said the Lord made a spectacle of them "in public," meaning He exposed them to an open shame before all humanity. No one can even see demons, let alone visibly see Christ putting them to an open shame. Nor are demons the ones Paul was warning might come along and deceive them with philosophy and the traditions of men. These were human heretics touting the doctrines of supposedly superior religious authorities.
How does this relate to us today? Religious rulers and authorities in the end-times will likewise be exposed as frauds and stripped of the authority they claimed to have just as they were back then. The Lord is going to manifest Himself supernatural through His true servants once again, leaving false religious authorities embarrassed and ashamed of their spiritual "nakedness" by comparison:

God is now in the process of recruiting an army with which He will shake this old world one more time. By working through His soldiers, God will produce great miracles that will shake the established hierarchy of the so-called organized religion that is in this world today. These soldiers that God is now recruiting will demonstrate the power of God to a greater extent than did the disciples in the Pentecostal age. Some will be even greater demonstrations than that of Elijah. (Pittman, Placebo, P.42)

Since the time of this prophecy, the Lord has continued to make mention of this coming army in subsequent visions, including those given to Kathryn Baxter. In her visions, it is likewise stated that the miracles this army will perform will strip many religious leaders of their authority. Speaking directly to the leaders of denominational Christianity today, the Spirit Himself is now declaring:

Behold, I am preparing a holy army. They will do mighty exploits for Me and destroy your high places. They are an army of holy men and women, boys and girls. They have been anointed to preach the true gospel, lay hands on the sick and call the sinner to repentance.
This is an army of working men, housewives single men, single women and school children, They are common people, for not many noble have responded to my call. In the past they have been misunderstood and mistreated, abused and rejected. But I have blessed them with boldness in holiness and in spirit. They will begin to fulfill My prophecy and to do My will. I will walk in them, talk in them and work in them.
This army... which was spoken of by the prophet Joel, will arise from the land and do great works for God. The Son of Righteousness will arise with healing in His wings. He shall tread down the wicked, and they shall be ashes under His feet.
They shall be called the army of the Lord. I will give gifts unto them, and they will accomplish My mighty works. They shall do exploits for the Lord of glory. I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy... They shall win many to Jesus Christ before the day the evil beast arises, says the Lord. (Baxter, A Divine Revelation Of Hell, P.139-140, 141-142)

Certainly no one with the heart of God wants anyone coming to shame. But the time of being robbed by Satan year after year must come to an end. For what he stole during the first few centuries of the Christian era, he must be made to pay for his thefts. And he will be made to pay when the churches Christ truly abides within again function in all the supernatural gifts of the Spirit, and in abundance, and the Lord Himself is again present in all His Fullness as He once was during New Testament times.

Links on Essenism being a Jewish philosophy:

https://books.google.com/books?id=AnAiz6fB2X8C&pg=PA24&lpg=PA24&dq=Essene+philosophy&source=bl&ots=ZxeuopVGb7&sig=ACfU3U3Ryy9jdjJWY_8B8aLQ7neKHQiEkw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiBjpTyusXoAhVqma0KHcpwAi04HhDoATAIegQIChAB#v=onepage&q=Essene%20philosophy&f=false

http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/rak/courses/735/Historiography/EsseneSynopsis.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essenes

https://books.google.com/books?id=rGu1bKXbcsYC&pg=PA71&lpg=PA71&dq=Essenism+philosophy&source=bl&ots=ZUJurruB1U&sig=ACfU3U00r3KlBAQNZmG0ePC10RlBe4bqdg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjs4IrCi4HoAhUP5awKHelxD5g4ChDoATAFegQICRAB#v=onepage&q=Essenism%20philosophy&f=false

https://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/jm/jm05.htm

https://books.google.com/books?id=Wz7XAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA750&lpg=PA750&dq=Essenism+philosophy&source=bl&ots=VHfVtiOtyK&sig=ACfU3U1nXBDtVag7Lg18T0Oavnmhrenorw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjs4IrCi4HoAhUP5awKHelxD5g4ChDoATAEegQICxAB#v=onepage&q=Essenism%20philosophy&f=false

http://classic.net.bible.org/dictionary.php?word=Philosophy

Study #5 / Colossians 1:29-2:7

« Last post by Hidden In Him on February 19, 2018, 05:22:43 PM »

The Greater Gifts, And Qualifications For Receiving Them

In our next passage, Paul describes a truly incredible spiritual gift he walked in during his time in ministry: The ability to supernaturally see what was going on in the Gentile congregations he was writing to without actually being there. In some cases, such as with the Colossians, he had never actually met them in the flesh even once. Yet supernaturally the Lord was enabling him to observe their services in the Spirit, and the order they were maintaining while operating in spiritual gifts. This enabled him to pray more specifically concerning them, which is the subject matter he now begins addressing in our next passage in Colossans:

[We are] admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfected in Him, unto which end I also labor [in prayer], agonizing with all the supernatural energy of Him who is at work within me in power. For I want you to know what great agonizing I endure over you and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, [praying] that their hearts, having been united together in love, might also be exhorted to attain unto all the riches of assurance that comes through understanding, and attain unto a recognition of the mystery of God which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And I say this so that no one may delude you with persuasive teaching. For indeed if I am absent in the flesh yet I am with you in the Spirit, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the firmness of your faith in Christ.
As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, therefore, walk in Him, having become rooted and built up in Him, and confirmed in the faith even as you were taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 1:29-2:7)

What purpose did the gift of being able to see in the Spirit serve? Jesus operated in this gift as well, and for Him it appears to have been for the purpose of confirming His Messiahship by demonstrating the power of God. As recorded in John's Gospel when Jesus was still choosing His disciples:

Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to Him, and said concerning him, "Behold, truly an Israelite, in whom there is no deceit." Nathaniel said to him, "From where do you know me?" Jesus answered, and said to him, "Before Phillip called you, I saw you under the fig tree." Nathaniel answered Him, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel." (John 1:47-49)

The same thing occurred when Jesus revealed this gift while talking with the woman at the well. After telling her that He knew all about her personal life through the power of God, she began to perceive He might be the Messiah, and went to others about it:

There came a woman out of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me to drink," for His disciples had gone away into the city, that they might buy provisions. The Samaritan woman therefore said to Him, "How do you, being a Jew, request a drink from me, being a Samaritan woman? For no Jews associate with Samaritans." Jesus answered and said to her, "If you had known the gift of God, and who it is saying to you, 'Give me to drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given living water to you... Everyone drinking of this water will thirst again, but whosoever may drink of the water which I will give him will never thirst, but the water which I shall give him shall become a spring of water springing up within him unto eternal life." And the woman said to Him, "Sir, give to me this water that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband and come back here." The woman answered and said, "I do not have a husband." Jesus said to her, "Well did you say, 'I have no husband,' for five husbands have you had, and the one whom you have now is not your husband. This you ave spoken truly." The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet"... the woman then left her water pot and went her way into the city, and said to the men, "Come, see a man which told me all the things I ever did. Is not this the Christ?" (John 4:7-10, 13-19, 28-29)

But this gift is also given to believers as well, as was clearly the case with the apostle Paul. I have known people personally who have operated in a form of this gift on occasion; ordinary believers whom the Lord has given the spiritual sight to see things in the Spirit. One reported that he and some others met regularly to pray in the Spirit before going out to evangelize, and sometimes the Lord would allow one of them to see an individual seated in a particular place whom they were to go minister to. When they got there, the person who had been seen in the Spirit was indeed sitting there, and was open to hearing the gospel when it was preached to him.
I know of another sister who would see certain people in a vision and months later run across the exact person she had seen on the street, so even in our time it is not unheard of for this gift to be in operation among ordinary believers. But if available, what all would be involved in receiving such a gift? Is it something we should be seeking after, and if so, what would qualify us for receiving it, or some of the other of what Paul referred to as the greater gifts?

Protecting Congregations From The Deceiver

But what was God's purpose for Paul to be operating in seeing in the Spirit? The knee jerk reaction would be to simply say that it was because he was apostle, and the Lord granted him this gift to confirm his apostleship. But a closer look at what Paul was actually saying here reveals something different. Firstly, despite having been baptized in the Holy Spirit to where they were operating in supernatural gifts, many of Paul's early Gentile congregations had not yet fully grasped what the implications of this actually meant. They didn't fully comprehend that divine utterance going forth among them meant that Christ Himself was present among them, and speaking forth through them.
Paul wanted this understood because Satan was continually sending in heretics to lead many astray; men who claimed to posses greater "spiritual authority" and wisdom than the apostles. But as Paul now told them, all wisdom and knowledge was hidden in Christ, and because He was now manifesting Himself among them and speaking through them, they did not need any new "authorities" teaching them anything.
But this was Paul's continual fear, and thus what he was specifically praying for Gentile churches to understand, so they be protected from deception. Returning again to our passage, his wording specifically stated:

I want you to know what great anguish I am expressing over you and those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that their hearts, having been united together in love might also be exhorted to attain unto all the riches of assurance that come through understanding [and] attain unto a recognition of the mystery of God which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And I say this so that no one may delude you with persuasive teaching... Take heed that there not be anyone robbing you through philosophy and empty deceit, in accordance with the tradition of men, in accordance with the basic principles of the world, and not in accordance with Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and having become perfected, you are in Him who is the Head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:1-4, 8-10)

The apostle John told his readers virtually the exact same thing, only in slightly different words:

I am writing these things to you about those who are trying to lead you astray. But as for you, the anointing you received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as His anointing teaches you all things, and as that anointing is real and not counterfeit, abide in Him, just as He has taught you. (1 John 2:26-27)

But these continual attempts by Satan to send in deceivers among the churches reveals why Paul bore daily the anxieties over the spiritual condition of the churches (2 Corinthians 11:28). A good example of his anxieties is seen in what Paul said to the Galatians, expressing fears that Satan might possibly lead them astray as well:

I am jealous over you with a jealousy from God, for I betrothed you unto one Man, [even] to present you as a pure virgin unto Christ. But I fear lest by some means just as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so too should your thoughts be corrupted from simplicity unto Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:2-3)

Simplicity to Christ was nearly always what Satan was trying to lead Christians away from (as here with the Colossians as well), and one of Paul's biggest problems was that he could not get to these churches in person to see exactly what was going on, and prevent them from being deceived. He mentioned this specifically to the church in Thessalonica:

Having been bereaved of you for an hour of time, brothers, in person, not in heart, [yet] having a great desire, we were more abundantly eager to see your face, to which end we wished to come to you, indeed I Paul, not once but twice. But Satan hindered us. (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18)

This then explains why God may have given Paul this gift of being able to see in the Spirit what was taking place in the Gentile congregations. Despite not being able to get to them personally, by seeing what was going on in the Spirit, he could pray for them more specifically, having a more accurate knowledge of what they were truly up against and how they were doing.

Agonizing In Prayer, With Inexpressible Groanings

But there is yet another reason why Paul may have received this gift: The anguish he voiced unto God on behalf of others may have moved the Lord deeply. Bearing up under his anxieties over the churches, Paul's prayers apparently took on a different quality; he anguished unto the Lord to know the spiritual condition of the churches. The word "anguishing" used in Colossians 2:1 was ἀγωνίζομαι, which literally meant to "go through agony." Paul used a compound of this same Greek word in Romans 15:30 when he told them, “I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of the Spirit, agonize together with me in prayers unto God."
This, then, is what he was doing in behalf of the Colossians. In another place, he described such prayers as manifesting in the form of "groanings that could not be uttered." As he told those in Rome:

Likewise the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know what we should pray for as necessary, but the Spirit Himself offers intercession with inexpressible groanings. And He who searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, for He intercedes on behalf of the saints in accordance with God. (Romans 8:26-27)

Paul also did not simply go to God occasionally with intercessions. If his letters are any indication, he prayed for others incessantly. To the Corinthians he wrote, "I thank God always concerning you for the grace of God having been given to you in Christ Jesus" (1 Corinthians 1:4). To the Philippians, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always making request with joy in every prayer of mine for you all" (Philippians 1:3-4). To the Thessalonians, "We give thanks to God always for you, making mention of you in our prayers" (1 Thessalonians 1:2). Again later, "We are bound to thank God always for you, brothers, as it is fitting" (2 Thessalonians 1:3a). To Philemon, "I thank my God, always making mention of you in my prayers" (Philemon 1:4). To Timothy, "Without ceasing I have remembrance of you in my prayers night and day" (2 Timothy 1:3). And now here to the Colossians, "We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, continually praying for you" (Colossians 1:3).
Thus, Paul was clearly a man who prayed incessantly for the churches, and not just ordinary prayers but fervent intercessions unto God, speaking with inexpressible groanings in the Spirit, anguishing in prayer for them day and night. And as we're about to see, this may have been another reason why greater gifts played such a pronounced role in his life and ministry. God granted him the ability to see in the Spirit because of his incredible love for others, and his continual intercessions on their behalf.

Pursuing Love, In Praying For The Gifts

In Chapter 12 of 1st Corinthians, Paul began a long teaching on how to operate in spiritual gifts. He ended this Chapter by saying he would now show them a better way to seek the greater gifts; a way "in keeping with excellence":

But concerning the spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant... [for] there are variations of workings, but it is the same God performing them all within all. And there is being granted unto each one a manifestation of the Spirit to be of benefit. For to one the word of wisdom is being given by the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to a different one faith in the one Spirit, yet to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to a different person various kinds of tongues, and [yet] to another the interpretation of tongues... Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? Be zealous for the greater gifts, and yet I will show you a way that is in keeping with excellence. (1 Corinthians 12:1, 6-10, 30-31)

He then went on to teach that this better way to seek the greater gifts was when you were seeking them out of love for others, and a desire to be of greater benefit to them. As he now argued, operating in love for others should always be the motivation, since gifts like speaking in tongues and prophesying would one day cease, but walking in love would continue on forever:

If I speak with the tongues of men and angels but do not have love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And if I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so as to remove mountains, yet do not have love, I am nothing... Love never falls out of use. But whether there be prophecies, they shall be set aside; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall be set aside. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect comes, that which is in part will be set aside... for now we see through a glass darkly, as in an enigma, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know even as I have been known. (1 Corinthians 13:1-2, 8-10, 12)

Paul was here explaining why even some of the greater gifts would one day cease. The reason was they were imperfect, even during New Testament times just as they were in Old Testament times. This is because prophetic revelation often came through dreams and visions, which contained obscure symbolism whose meanings had to be discerned through the Spirit. The analogy he used here was of looking through ancient glass, which was blurry. Muscovite was a mineral that formed naturally into thin transparent sheets, and if held to light was somewhat transparent and colorless. But unlike modern glass, one could only see through it "darkly," making careful analysis necessary if one would make out what was being seen accurately.

But this would not be the case when they got to Heaven. Then they would be with the Lord face to face where He could explain things clearly, without need of any obscure symbolism. Where did Paul get this teaching from? He was quoting from the Book of Numbers, where God Himself drew this same comparison between Moses and the Old Testament prophets:

Then the Lord came down in a pillar of cloud. He stood at the entrance to the tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them stepped forward, He said, “Listen to My words. When there is a prophet among you, I the Lord reveal Myself to him in visions. I speak to him in dreams. But this is not true of My servant Moses. He is faithful in all My house. With him I speak face to face clearly, and not in enigmas. He sees the [very] form of the Lord. Why, then, were you not afraid to speak against My servant Moses?” (Numbers 12:5-8 )

For him to cite this passage in the middle of Chapter 13, the "Love Chapter," means Paul was still talking about how to operate in spiritual gifts, and pointing out that the better way to do so was out of love for others. They should seek the greater gifts because these would be of greater benefit to others. This was the driving point in the rest of his teaching:

But now remains these three: faith, hope, and love, and the greatest of these is love. [Therefore] pursue love and be zealous for the spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy. For the one speaking in a tongue speaks not unto men but God, for no one hears him, yet in the Spirit he speaks mysteries. Yet the one prophesying speaks edification and encouragement and consolation unto men. The one speaking in a tongue edifies himself, but the one prophesying edifies the congregation. And I want all of you to speak in tongues, but rather that you should prophesy. Greater is the one prophesying than the one speaking in tongues, unless he should interpret, that the congregation may receive edification. (1 Corinthians 13:13-14:5)

In other words, if they were truly pursuing love in praying for the gifts, they would pray for those gifts that would be of the most benefit to others, not just themselves.

Travailing Until Christ Became Fully Formed

Receiving the greater gifts is actually part of God's ultimate calling for Christian congregations. It constitutes Him becoming "fully formed" within a church. Paul referred to this specifically as something he was praying would take place among the Galatians, something he was "travailing in prayer" to take place:

My little children, for whom I travail again until Christ shall have been formed in you, I was wishing to be present with you now and to change my voice, for I am perplexed regarding you... (Galatians 4:19-20)

Paul prayed the same thing for the Ephesians; that Christ become fully formed in them, and that they not just comprehend "the width and length and depth and height" of Christ, but attain unto the "measure of the stature of the Fullness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:13). In other words, he was praying that they continue growing in Christ until all the gifts were in manifestation among them, and they thus be filled with all the Fullness of God:

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory... to be filled with all the Fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-16, 18b)

Many today have trouble understanding what be "filled with all the Fulness of God" actually means, but it's actually quite simple. To be filled with His Fulness was simply to be filled with the Holy Spirit completely, as took place on the Day of Pentecost, when the disciples were "filled with the Spirit" and began speaking in Divine utterance. His Fulness fell so strongly that tongues of fire were visibly seen to come and rest upon the disciples:

And when the day of Pentecost was to be completed, they were all together in the same place. And suddenly a sound as of the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared tongues as of fire being distributed unto them, and sat upon each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit was giving them to speak. (Acts 2:1-4)

This, then, is the same thing Paul wanted the Galatians and other congregations to experience; the Fullness of God being poured out upon them, such that the supernatural gifts were powerfully in manifestation. That is in fact how we can know His Fulness is present among us today. When the supernatural gifts are powerfully in manifestation, we can know that we have become filled with all the Fulness of God.
How, then, does all this relate to the individual believer? It is my personal opinion that God ultimately wants His Fullness to be poured out upon entire congregations rather than individuals. He desires that each member operate in their own particular gift so that none are left out from ministering in the Spirit, because He does not want anyone being deemed a "less important" member of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:15-26). But during this time of spiritual blindness, when so few seem to even know what being "filled with all the Fullness of God" even means, what is our God to do to demonstrate His power? What vessels can He use?
Though not God's best, I think God can and will grant individual believers all the gifts under certain circumstances if necessary. Smith Wigglesworth is said to have operated in every single one of the supernatural gifts at one point or another in his ministry. While this may be an embellishment, from his writings it is clear that he at least felt it was possible. According to Wigglesworth's writings, individuals and not just churches were to be praying that all the Fulness of God manifest within them, thereby praying that Christ become fully formed within them individually and not just corporately:

To be filled with the Holy Ghost is to be filled with the Executive of the Godhead, who brings to us all the Father has and all the Son desires. And we should so live in the Spirit that God can cause us to move with His authority and reign by His divine ability. God would have us see that we must be filled with the Spirit, every day live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, and be continually renewed in the Spirit.
The Holy Ghost coming upon an individual is capable of filling him with such power and grace that he may not be able to foresee what would happen... [But] there must be a real travailing of the human heart for God to bring forth that power... I am hungry that I may be more full, that God may choose me for His service. And I know that the greatest qualification is to be filled with the Spirit. “Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people” (Acts 6:8 ). The Holy Ghost could do mighty things through this man because he believed God, and God is with anyone who dares to believe His Word. All things were possible because of the Holy Ghost’s position in Stephen’s body. He was full of the Holy Ghost, so God could fulfill His purposes through him.
God wants you to know by experience what it means to be more than a conqueror. The baptism in the Holy Spirit has come for nothing less than to empower you, to give you the very power that Christ Himself had, so that you, a yielded vessel, may continue the same type of ministry that Jesus had when He walked this earth in the days of His flesh. He purposes that you (personally) should come behind in no gift." (Wigglesworth, The Anointing of His Spirit)
https://gpan.lynnehammond.org/prayer-summary-for-january-25-2/

To Those Earnestly Desiring The Greater Gifts

If you are reading this and seeking the greater gifts, whether for you or your congregation, do not get discouraged. Some will argue the gifts are no longer for today, and cite those operating in false gifts as "proof" of it. Even among those who believe the gifts are still for today, some will warn you not to become too consumed with pursuing them lest you "get your eyes of Jesus." I have had friends cite the story of Lazarus in Hell to point out that for some, even seeing the supernatural take place won't convince them of the truth of God's word.
As the passage goes:

Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, making good cheer during the day in splendor. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid up at his porch, being full of sores, and desiring to be satisfied from the crumbs which fell from the table of the rich man. But coming, even the dogs licked his sores. And it came to pass that the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels into "the Bosom of Abraham." And the rich man also died and was buried. And having lifted up his eyes in Hell, being in torment, he saw Abraham from afar, and Lazarus in his bosom. And crying out, he said, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering in these flames." But Abraham said, "Son, remember that you received your good things during your lifetime, and Lazarus likewise received evil things. But here he is comforted, and you are in pain. And amongst those here, between all of you and all of us, a great chasm has been firmly established, so that those who wish to pass from here to all of you are unable, nor can anyone pass from there to us." And He said, "I beseech you then, father, that you would send him to the house of my father, for I have five brothers, so that he may earnestly testify to them, that they may not also come to this place of torment." But Abraham said to him, "They have Moses and the prophets. Let them hear them." But he said, "No, father Abraham, but if one should rise from the dead before them, they will repent." But he said to him, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded even if one should rise from the dead." (Luke 16:19-31)

The problem with their argument is that the subjects described in this account were those who refused to believe the truth under any circumstances whatsoever, even should they see someone raised from the dead. This is not the case with everyone, however, as can be seen in the case with doubting Thomas. Even someone whom the Lord personally chose to be one of His twelve disciples refused to believe in His bodily resurrection unless he received supernatural proof of it (John 20:24:31). So, too, are there some today who could be powerful servants of the Lord Jesus Christ once they became convinced, will never invest their entire lives in serving the Lord without some form of supernatural proof He is God. Already, numerous Muslims who have attested that they came to faith in Christ as a result of receiving a heavenly vision or dream. In these dreams and visions He appeared to them as God and not just a prophet, and many have professed that they would never have come to faith in the Lord without that experience.
This is to say nothing of the fact that the gospel was being preached not in word only but in power, and being confirmed by signs and wonders following. The truth is, arguments like these are being used as excuses for not seeking the greater gifts through intensive prayer as Paul urged the churches. Disregard them, but at the same time make sure you pursue love in seeking the greater gifts. Many are simply misguided and don't know what it is they are opposing. They think they are doing God a favor in warning against "false prophets," They, too, need to be delivered from the falsehoods and lies the Devil has fed God's people for far too long, so they can go forth confirming the word with signs and wonders following, and ministering to others in the supernatural power of God rather than simply in the flesh.

Blessings in Christ to all who read this study,
Hidden In Him

Study #4 / Colossians 1:24-28

« Last post by Hidden In Him on February 19, 2018, 05:21:24 PM »

Faithlessness About Heaven's Riches Blinds The Eyes Of Many

Just as it is today, it appears that many in New Testament times, despite believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, still had a tough time fully believing in everything awaiting them in Heaven after they died. Paul was therefore often praying for them that their eyes become fully opened to know all the riches of the inheritance that waited them in the afterlife if they continued to trust in Christ for salvation. As Paul now told the Colossians, this was a big part of the gospel, and what he had been commissioned by God to tell them. And what he was telling them about Heaven was based upon personal experience, seeing as how he had been taken up to Third Heaven himself as a witness (2 Corinthians 12:1-7).
As he also added, he was fulfilling this commission despite continuing to suffer affliction and persecution from unbelievers:

I am now rejoicing in [my] sufferings over you, and filling up in my flesh what is lacking of the afflictions of Christ for His body's sake, which is the church, of which I became a servant according to the administration of God having been given unto me, for you to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations but which has now been made manifest to His saints, to whom God wished to make known what the riches of the glory of this mystery is amongst the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom that we may present every man perfected in Him. (Colossians 1:24-28)

What was Paul referring to here by the expression "the hope of glory." It is clear from another passage in Ephesians, a letter he wrote around the same time, that Paul was referring to the glory of God that permeates Heaven. These were the "riches of their inheritance," which they could expect to enjoy in eternity:

I do not cease giving thanks over you, making mention in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the recognition of Him, the eyes of your heart having been enlightened for you to know what is the hope of His calling, what the riches of the glory of His inheritance is amongst the saints, and what the surpassing greatness of His power is toward us, those believing in accordance with the supernatural energy of the dominion of His strength, which He made manifest in Christ in having raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in heavenly places. (Ephesians 1:15-20)

The expressions "the hope of glory," and "the hope of His calling" were here synonymous. They both referred to "the riches of the glory of His inheritance amongst the saints," or in other words the riches awaiting them in Heaven. As Paul very specifically told the Colossians, God wanted to make these things known to the Gentiles! What then was the problem? Unbelief and skepticism. Believers coming out of the world are often skeptical of such promises, because they often sound "too good to be true" for them. Others regard them as "too materialistic." But both Paul and Peter used the words "inheritance" and "riches" when talking about our heavenly reward, and both words are about as "materialistic" as you can get. The fact is that these promises are true, but unfortunately faithlessness stands in the way of many becoming fully enlightened to them. So Paul was praying that their eyes be enlightened to fully know what awaited them.
Many are in the same place today. They are even told by their leaders not to trust in the multiple heavenly accounts God is still giving to the church today, and still wants the church to know about. Instead, they are told only go by what is in the Bible, which in and of itself actually contains very few details about Heaven.
What is the answer for this? The same answer Paul was using. We still tell others about the riches God wanted to make known to believers, while praying for them that the eyes of their hearts might be opened to fully believe in it!
In this light, the following are excerpts from modern accounts of what believers have witnessed in heavenly visions and dreams. Keep in mind that these experiences were not limited to those of only one denominational or doctrinal background. The Lord wants all His children to know of and believe in these things. Thus, the following excerpts are taken from a broad cross-section of modern accounts, yet they often bear similar details which confirm one another.
These should not be taken as in any way an exhaustive description of Heaven, but merely small representative descriptions of what certain aspects of Heaven will be like.

Mansions, Architecture And Furniture

Just as Christ Himself promised the disciples, many report seeing mansions throughout Heaven. These mansions are not just materializing out of thin air. The saints are being allowed to build them for one another out of love for each other, just as families on earth sometimes do:

I have interviewed a hundred and three people who have died and come back now, and everyone that’s had a near death experience since 1960 has seen construction going on there. There was an anticipation, getting ready for a large number of people… They were building, very much the same [as on earth], only the architecture was so awesome it would take many programs to describe. (Betty Maltz, Messianic Vision, Sid Roth Radio Program).

On my way to the Throne of God. I saw an avenue just off the street I was walking on... On this avenue there were mansions beyond compare. I was told that they were for missionaries. Everything they'd given, they'd given to the Lord. I believe that in Heaven, God rewards everything that we can't receive on earth. I was taken to one house on the street on which I was walking. It was a single mansion carved out of a single, giant pearl. The house seemed to be two hundred fifty to three hundred feet across and one hundred feet tall... even the chandelier had been carved out of the pearl and it was lit. It glowed from within...
Of all the buildings I saw in Heaven, none of them had locks on any doors, and the doors were not closed. Whether they were mansions, smaller homes, or apartment buildings (yes, some people liked living in condominiums in Heaven), all were open. Everyone who comes by is perfectly welcome to enter, whether you are there or not. But, out of respect, I don't believe anyone enters anyone else's home when the resident is not there.
I saw houses that were brightly lit from the inside and whose architecture was beautiful. In Heaven, it seems the architecture includes large pillars. Every home had large porches with pillars and huge archways. Some of the houses were made out of what appeared to be a type of brick or stone material. Others were made out of a type of wood. Yet as I looked, there were no nails or even pegs. Not a piece was sawn, but everything was crafted and fit perfectly together.
I saw a veranda on one home that looked like it was made of onyx. You could see through it; it was as clear as glass. Inlaid in the porch were precious stones and gold and silver, and there were great diamonds... I saw a home made of clear stone, embedded with roses that were alive and growing, and gave off the most beautiful aroma. When I put my ear up to anything solid in Heaven, I heard it humming the most beautiful songs. Some of the songs were ones we sing on earth, but others were not. Everything gave praise and glory to the Lord. (Sigmund, My Time In Heaven, P.38-40)

As we went up a path, I saw a gigantic house above the trees. I know it was a mansion, and that it didn't simply look that way because I was a little boy... Jesus and I waited for what seemed like a period of about three minutes, and then He knocked again, before anyone ever came to the door. A man opened the door... [and] then invited us inside; Jesus and I walked in and sat down in what I would call a living room or den area. The furniture there is different from that on earth in this respect: It is as if comfort "lives" in the furniture of Heaven. Earthly furniture becomes uncomfortable after you sit in it for awhile, and you find yourself squirming and shifting periodically. In Heaven, comfort finds you. I sat down on a black velvet couch, and comfort reached up and "cuddled" me. I was so comfortable that I never had to move once.
After we finished talking, the man took us through the house. His mansion seemed just like houses on earth, but it was total perfection. The windows had curtains over them. The walls were decorated with paintings, which in this in this particular house reminded me of modern art on earth, except better.
Also, there were photographs of the man's family members, and there were plants everywhere. In addition, the mansion was filled with beautiful furniture and luxuries. Some things I did not recognize.
Each mansion was suited to the person who lived there, for every child of God has his or her own mansion in Heaven (John 14:2). This one had different rooms, such as dining room, living room, kitchen, den, and so forth. (I am sure there were bedrooms, but I did not go upstairs). (Lairdon, I Saw Heaven, P.28-30)

We soon reached [the home], and I was truly charmed with it in every way. It was fashioned much like my brother Nell's home, and built of polished woods. It was only partly finished, and was most artistically done. Although uncompleted, I was struck with the fact that everything was perfect so far as finished. There was no debris anywhere; no chips, no shavings, no dust. The wood seemed to have been perfectly prepared elsewhere - where, I have no idea. The pieces were made to fit accurately, like the parts of a great puzzle. It required much skill and artistic taste to properly adjust each in its place... [and] the house was slowly growing into beauty and symmetry. (Springer, My Dream Of Heaven, P.42-43)

Frank led Rebecca up the stairs to the veranda and into the house between large marble columns. The reception hall had an inlaid floor, a window with mullioned glass and a wide, low stairway. Before Rebecca could speak, Frank took her hands and welcomed her to her heavenly home... He led her into a large room made of polished, pale grey marble. The walls and floors, however, were covered with beautiful roses of every type and color. Attempting to gather some up so she would not crush them, Rebecca found them to be embedded in the marble! Frank explained to her that a group of boys and girls had come to the house one day asking if it really were for the Springers. Upon being told that it was, they replied that they had loved the couple and wanted to help make the house even more beautiful. The girls, who carried bouquets of roses, began to toss them over the floors and against the walls, where they remained attached, giving the appearance of fresh flowers. The boys produced tool cases, and through some celestial art embedded each flower in the marble.
Rebecca asked Frank who these young people were, and he named them for her. She realized that her love for these children on earth had brought her additional happiness in Heaven. (Rebecca Springer's account, as told by Roberts Lairdon, We Saw Heaven, P.102-103)

Gardens, Fountains, Trees And Flowers

It is also said that there are fountains, walkways and beautiful gardens everywhere, making the overall landscape look like one giant park, whether you are in the cities or the suburbs:

Each building in the city was extremely large and perfectly integrated with all the others. The entire city gave the impression of being one garden of flowers, one grove of shady trees, one gallery of sculptures, and one sea of fountains. All of these together with the buildings, formed an unbroken expanse of sumptuous architecture set in a surrounding landscape of matching beauty. This was then overarched by a colored sky that bathed every object in its incredible and ever-changing shades. (Davis, Nine Days In Heaven, P.26)

Look where I would, I saw, half-hidden by the trees, elegant and beautiful houses of strangely attractive architecture... I caught glimpses of sparkling fountains in many directions, and close to my retreat flowed a river with water clear as crystal. The walks that ran in many directions through the grounds appeared to me to be, and I afterward found were, of pearl, spotless and pure, bordered on either side by narrow streams of water running over stones of gold. The one thought that fastened itself upon me was "Purity, purity!"... The grass and flowers looked as though fresh-washed by summer showers, and not a single blade was any color but the brightest green. The air was soft and balmy though invigorating; and instead of sunlight there was a golden and rosy glory everywhere, something like the afterglow of a Southern sunset in midsummer. (Springer, My Dream Of Heaven, P.7-8)

There is no death in Heaven, so not even plants nor trees nor grass can die:

I also looked at the trees we passed. The leaves swayed back and forth, dancing and praising as we passed. You would have thought a great wind was blowing through the land. The grass was green, the very essence of green, and very soft. After we passed, the footprints in the grass sprang back into perfection, immediately erasing any footprints. Many men will be happy to know that you never have to mow the lawn in Heaven! The grass is always the same length, and if a leaf falls it disappears. There is no rotten fruit on the trees, because death and decay have no part in Heaven. (Lairdon, I Saw Heaven, P.32)

As we walked along, we came to a path of flowers. Their fragrance and beauty were beyond human reasoning. At first, I didn't want to step on them, but the angel said, "Walk on them." So I did. I was amazed that the flowers were not crushed as we stepped on them, but I realized there is no death in Heaven. Instead, each blossom popped back up and seemed to turn towards us as we passed, so that we could always see their beauty. I noticed there were no brown leaves on any plants. (Duplantis, Heaven: Close Encounters Of The God Kind, P.79-80)

It is also reported that along with mansions, each person has a garden all their own, where the Lord can meet with them personally; a garden distinctly their own, where only the types of trees, plants, flowers and herbs that they like best grow.
As Anna Rountree recorded:

I stood facing the three-tiered fountain in the center of the garden. Cool, clear water flowed from its top and gently pooled in its widely-rimmed basin. The large flowering apricot tree arched over the fountain, with the bench for two at its base.
I let my eyes rest upon the colors and varieties of the plantings within the walled area. All sorts of scented herbs grew among the jonquils, tulips and daffodils. The fruit-bearing trees and vines were heavy with flowers, but they also had leaves and the rudiments of both summer and fall fruit. As with the trees and the vines, the flowers of spring, summer and fall were all blooming at the same time within the beds.
A slight breeze blew across the garden, stirring the aromas. The fragrance was unique. On earth we do not experience the three growing seasons together. I was reminded of Aaron's staff, that sprouted, blossomed and bore fruit at the same time. (Rountree, The Priestly Bride, P.19-20)

Many Kinds Of Fruit Grow In Heaven

Then there are the fruit trees, which bear incredibly delicious fruit of many different kinds all year round. This is reported by virtually every account:

The man gave me a large fruit to eat that looked something like an apple, and it was very delicious... Eating in Heaven is something people seem to have a problem with believing. Yet the apostle John wrote about the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:19). Also, John wrote of seeing the Tree of Life, which has twelve kinds of fruit that it yields every month (Revelation 22:2). (Lairdon, I Saw Heaven, P.30-31)

Frank and Rebeca then traversed a marble terrace, and a staircase that wound down to the lawn. Tree branches filled with ripe fruit hung close to the terrace. Some of the fruits seemed to resemble those on earth, only with a far superior consistency and flavor. Although she bit into a fruit similar to a pear and its juice ran off her hands and down her dress, there were no stains left on her clothing and her hands were as clean as if she had washed them. Frank explained that no impurity could remain in Heaven's environment. Rebecca realized that this was the explanation for why no [dead] fruit lay under the trees. (Lairdon, We Saw Heaven, P.104)

The fruit-laden branches of the trees hung within easy reach of the terrace, and I noticed as I stood there that morning seven varieties. One kind resembled our fine Bartlett pair, only much larger and infinitely more delicious to the taste, as I soon found out. Another variety was in clusters, the fruit also pair-shaped, but smaller than the former and of a consistency and flavor similar to the finest frozen cream. A third, something like a banana in shape, they called "bread-fruit." It was not unlike our dainty finger-rolls to the taste... food for the elegant repast was here provided without labor or care. My brother gathered some of the different varieties and bade me try them... The rich juice from the pearl-like fruit ran out profusely over my hands and the front of my dress. "Oh!" I cried, "I have ruined my dress, I fear!"
My brother laughed genially, as he said, "Show me the stains."
To my amazement, not a spot could I find. (Springer, My Dream Of Heaven, P.27-28)

I ate this fruit. It was a copper-colored type of fruit. It was sweet-tasting, and very juicy. I bit into it and it went down my face. I was embarrassed. I went like [motioning that he bent down and tried to clean his face]. But he said, "It's alright," and that it would give me strength. (Duplantis, Close Encounters Of The God Kind DVD, Chapter 14)

Children Are Educated By The Angels

The education of children in Heaven is far superior to anything on earth, with each child developing talents and skills according to their particular aptitudes that are far beyond the capacity of even full grown adults on earth to muster. And yet despite being trained to be immensely talented, they are never jealous of each other, only possessing a desire to be blessings to others:

Marietta, the angel and the two children began to ascend to a beautiful city surrounded by flowers and stately buildings, shady trees and colorful melodious birds. The further they went, the more beautiful and melodious the buildings and the whole atmosphere became. The numerous avenues led to a central area where there was a building that appeared to be constructed of delicately carved marble. It supported a vast dome.
This was the home of all the infants in Heaven. Along the avenues, there had been other buildings. These were the "nurseries" where infants were first brought and instructed in the truths of Heaven.
This angelic servant proceeded to explain that when an infant died on earth, the guardian angel escorted it to Heaven and grouped it with others of similar artistic, scientific or social abilities, were that child could best develop... In the nurseries, these babies were loving tended and instructed by angels, who also played the most beautiful music imaginable for the tiny ones whom they had been entrusted. (Lairdon, We Saw Heaven, P.84-85)

I saw that as children grew older they began to attend school, just as they do on earth. But there schools were amazing. I was not permitted to know what they were taught. A chid in Heaven is far above the highest level of intelligence here. Children would learn things that geniuses on earth could not possibly know or understand. (Sigmund, My Time In Heaven, P.35)

I saw the Lord draw little children to Himself. He would hug them and talk with them. He seemed to be so refreshed that they were with Him.
A little girl who looked about eight years old and had beautiful, blonde hair came up to me. She knew me, and I recognized her, too. I remembered that she had died of cancer. I think she was some kind of ambassador in Heaven, because all she did was go from group to group and sing glorious songs...
Then she said, "Brother Richard, would you like to hear me sing?"
She started singing in the most beautiful soprano voice you could imagine. This was the most beautiful song I had ever heard - and the girl's talent was especially remarkable because of her apparently young age.
She was not the only child I saw. There were many others, each with abilities far greater than any adult's on earth... In one place I saw a young boy sitting before a piano that seemed to extend a hundred feet in every direction. It looked like a grand piano, yet in the middle of it stood an upright harp... he played the most beautiful music. It was a little like Bach, a little like Brahms, and a little like Beethoven. Yet I cannot tell you what the song was. When I left Heaven, I left the tune there.
But there was music, and there were words to that song, ad people joined in. While this child was playing the piano, the angels were standing at attention. Some had their arms raised, worshipping God. The notes of the song that this little boy were playing reverberated through Heaven. Choirs were joining in. It was unbelievable. It was glorious. And the little child was leading all of it. (Sigmund, My Time In Heaven, P.30-31)

... [yet] there was no rivalry or desire for selfish glory. Rather, each group in each nursery was united to the more mature groups. In some way I could sense that each little child was filled with holy love and a desire to grow in wisdom, to be capable of being used as an angel of light and loveliness. I could see that each one loved to learn from those above them, and they were devoting themselves completely to unselfish acts of love. (Davis, Nine Days In Heaven, P.27)

Children Play And Communicate With Animals

Despite engaging in advanced learning, like any good childhood on earth, the children are nevertheless encouraged to enjoy their youth. So playing and having fun makes up a large segment of their day:

I saw children who were old enough to walk and play and run, and they played just as they would on earth... [one] game was to see how far they could jump. Children would jump a hundred or two hundred feet in the air and float down like butterflies. It was an amazing sight.
I didn't see anyone play baseball, but I did see children climb tall trees and jump out of them, floating down like little cotton balls. It was great excitement for them. No harm could come to them - they were in no possible danger.
I saw children playing along the shores of the seas and the lakes. They played in the water, on the water, and under the water; they swam through the water or just sat at the bottom of the lake... In one place, I saw children having footraces. They ran faster than a horse on earth can run. It was amazing. In another place, I saw them riding horses. The horses loved it, and they loved the children. The horses had the power of thought and the power of speech. It was a wonderful experience. (Sigmund, My Time In Heaven, P.34-35)

Jesus and I continued walking. As we went over a few hills, I noticed more things. I saw all kinds of animals, every kind you could think of, from A to Z. Sometimes people have questioned this, but if you think about it, why should there not be animals in Heaven? The Bible talks about horses in Heaven, so why would God have only one kind of animal?... I saw a dog, a baby goat, and a lion of great strength. There were birds singing in the trees, all sizes of birds, and they seemed to be singing the same song. After they stopped singing, it almost seemed as if they were talking among themselves!
There were other animals that I saw at a distance, but I could not identify them. They neither ran from people nor attacked them, however. All were calm and peaceful. Fear cannot be found in Heaven. (Lairdon, I Saw Heaven, P.31-32)

The surroundings and the grassy lawn far surpassed anything on earth... the boys saw trees bearing delicious fruit, beautiful expanses of fragrant flowers, exotically-colored birds with their glorious songs, and animals of all sorts, both familiar animals such as deer, lions, elephants and rabbits, and those they had never seen before. They even climbed upon lion's back, ran their fingers through his mane and put their hands in his mouth! There was no hostility or danger there. (Lairdon, We Saw Heaven, P.144)

"Business," Trade Skills, And Giving & Receiving

As alluded to previously, both children and adults are trained in skills they have the most aptitude for, and these skills are put to work for the betterment of others, whether they be sculptors, painters, musicians, teachers, singers, bookmakers, clothing makers, craftsman, architects, builders, etc. But rather than an exchange of money, there appears to be a pattern of giving and receiving that is continually going on instead:

After showing me all over the house, he at last drew aside the hangings before the entrance, beyond which were two rooms, not only entirely furnished but beautifully furnished as well.
"I finished and furnished these rooms complete, so that if my mother came before the house was finished she could occupy them at once. You know, there is no noise from workmen here; no hammering, no unwelcome sounds."
"It is very beautiful, my dear boy," I said enthusiastically... "But did you make the stained-glass windows also?"
"No. I have a friend who has been taught that art, and we exchange work. He helps me with the windows, and I in turn help him with his fine woodwork and inlaying. I am going to make a 'flower room' for my mother similar to yours, only of lilies and violets, which will retain their perfume always." (Springer, My Dream Of Heaven, P.43-44)

We passed towns, buildings and little offices. The buildings were for whatever "business" or interaction that takes place in Heaven. I saw people coming and going, and they were all smiling. Some sang songs I recognized from earth, and some sang heavenly songs that I never heard. They carried little bundles, and some of them carried books. I do not believe there was an exchange of money, but people were going in and out of those buildings to get things. I saw a woman walk into one place with a little bundle of goods of some kind and walk out with a book. (Lairdon, I Saw Heaven, P.27-28)

And just as in New Testament times, the great teachers and spiritual leaders in Heaven operate in giving and receiving by continuing to instruct others in the things of God, just as they did while on earth:

David took me into a house - I don't know who it belonged to. We waked into a beautiful foyer and by the wall in the corner I saw the apostle Paul siting with several men. He and the men were discussing the word of God. Paul was short! I noticed as he was sitting on the bench that his feet didn't touch the ground... I wanted to talk to him for a long time. He is still a teacher, and I sensed that Paul knew of deeper revelations that we will enjoy learning once we are in Heaven.... He's still explaining and teaching others about God. (Duplantis, Heaven: Close Encounters Of The God Kind, P.95-96)

I felt weaker and weaker as we approached the Throne Room. It looked to me like millions of people were there. Looking around, I saw twenty-four empty seats near the Throne. I said, "I've read in the scriptures about the twenty-four elders. Where are they?"
"Jesse, we're servants here," David told me as he had earlier. "They're out in the city and in Paradise, blessing and helping people. We help people here. Everyone serves." (Duplantis, Heaven: Close Encounters Of The God Kind, P.111)

Great Events, Gatherings, And Praise Services

Heaven is essentially one huge family, and as with any large family, get togethers with ones closest friends are quite common, and part of Heaven's never-ending lifestyle:

As I was passing by one street corner - whether I was walking or floating, I do not know, for an angel was holding me by the arm - I wanted to stop and see a specific mansion that belonged to another missionary. We stopped for a moment. It appeared to be made of solid gold, but there was wood also. There were hundreds of people in this mansion. They were all people whom this missionary had led to the Lord. He had been a part of their families' lives. Now, they were still part of his big family, and they were really joyous. (Sigmund, My Time In Heaven, P.38-39)

What should come as no surprise is that glorious worship services play a huge role in the lifestyle of those who inhabit Heaven. Even great preaching services eventually turn into worship, just as sometimes place in great church services on earth, only in Heaven the worship is far more glorious and beautiful. Thousands dancing unto the Lord in unison sometimes becomes a form of heavenly worship as well:

Soon I saw a huge building resembling a convention center here on earth. Thousands of people were going into it. The building had a glowing circle around it.
Jesus and I were met by two angels who escorted us down to the second row, where two seats were reserved. People greeted us on the way down to our seats. There was not a sad face in the entire place. You would have though we were at a family reunion where people had not seen one another in years. They were hugging and kissing each other, and saying, "How are you? Glory to God!" They seemed to be permeated with an attitude of love...
As soon as we were seated, a holy hush came swept over the entire auditorium. You literally could have heard a pin drop. From the right of the stage, 500 to 600 praisers walked out. These were people, not angels. They were dressed similarly to a church choir on earth. They wore robes, and everything about them was absolute perfection. These saints were smiling as they walked out on stage. All of a sudden they began to praise God and lost all resemblance of a formal choir.
Their hands went up, their voices lifted in praise songs, and they began to dance. The audience joined in, not ashamed to praise God either. Everyone lifted their hands, praised God, and jumped up and down. The service seemed to last about two hours.
No one led, but everyone moved in unison. In spite of the singing and dancing, everything was doe in perfect order - everything. There was never a dead space of silence. The praise never died down, but grew in power and momentum. When I looked over at Jesus, He was smiling widely, and obviously enjoying the service. (Lairdon, I Saw Heaven, P.35-36)

Not long after this my brother said, "We will go to the grand auditorium this morning; it will be a rare day even here. Martin Luther is to talk on 'The Reformation: Its Causes And Effects,' and this will be supplemented by a talk from John Wesley. There may also be other speakers."
The mighty dome was supported by massive columns of alternate amethyst and jasper. There were no walls to the vast edifice; only the great dome and supporting columns. A broad platform of precious marbles, inlaid with porphyry, arose from the center, from which the seats ascended on three sides, forming an immense amphitheater. The seats were of cedar wood highly polished, and at the back of the platform were heavy hangings of royal purple. An altar of solid pearl stood near the center of the platform.
When we entered, we found the building filled with people eagerly waiting for what was to follow. Soft strains of melody floated about us from an invisible choir; and before long Martin Luther, in the prime of vigorous manhood, ascended the steps and stood before us...
His discourse itself would fill a volume... he held s inthralled with the power of his will and his eloquence. When he at length retired, John Wesley took his place... His theme was "God's Love," and if in the earth life he dwelt upon it with power, he now swept our souls with the fire of his exultation until we were as wax in his hands. He showed us what love had done for us, and how an eternity of thanksgiving and praise could never repay it.
Silence, save for the faint, sweet melody of the unseen choir, rested upon the vast audience for some time after he left. All seemed lost in contemplation... Then the heavy curtains in back of the platform parted, and a tall form, about whom all the glory of Heaven seemed to center, emerged and advanced towards the middle of the platform. Instantly the vast concourse of souls arose to their feet and burst forth as with one voice... "All hail the power of Jesus' name. Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all." Such a grand chorus of voices, such unity, such harmony, such volume, was never heard on earth. It rose, it swelled, it seemed to fill not only the auditorium but Heaven itself... A flood of glory seemed to fill the place, and looking upward we beheld the great dome ablaze with golden light... He was the center of all light, and a divine radiance surrounded Him that was beyond compare. (Springer, My Dream Of Heaven, P.81-84)

When Jesus appeared on the "sea of glass," a great shout went up; those singing burst into spontaneous rejoicing at the sight of Him. We had entered the Third Heaven at what seemed to be the back of the Throne Room.
The redeemed began to dance as one - sidestepping in a swift, gliding movement, as dancers on earth might in an old-fashioned courante. The movements were rigorous and joyful. Those passing near us would reach out a hand to touch Jesus; He reached out to touch hand after hand of those passing by in the dance. All were laughing. I was certain the dance was spontaneous. The redeemed were dancing by the power of the Holy Spirit, thousands upon thousands led by the Spirit Himself...
The thousands of dancers gathered into circles, each circle containing about twenty-four dancers. They began circling and weaving in and out within the rings. Some were laughing, but everywhere there was rejoicing. They began to sing as they danced. "Again and again we sing of His glory. Again and again rejoice in our God." All were executing the same movements, twirling and whirling within the circles, and singing the same song everywhere on the sea of glass. (Rountree, The Heavens Opened, P.77-79)

These are just a few excerpts from various heavenly accounts that have made it into print, but they are enough to demonstrate it will be a truly wonderful place for those who spend eternity there, by the grace of Almighty God.

Study #3 / Colossians 1:21-23

« Last post by Hidden In Him on February 19, 2018, 05:19:32 PM »

Satan's Plan To Reduce Christianity To Empty Ritualism

As we shall see in this letter, Satan was using a particular strategy against Gentile believers during New Testament times, one designed to discourage them into thinking they may not be worthy of acceptance from the God of the Hebrews, even after having been baptized in the Holy Spirit.
Because of this heresy, Paul therefore now began urging them and warning them not be "moved away from the hope of the gospel" which they had heard:

And you who were once enemies in your mind, having become alienated by wicked works, has He yet now reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and unblemished and unreprovable in His sight, if indeed you continue in the faith, having become founded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which has been proclaimed in all of creation under Heaven, of which I Paul became a minister. (Colossians 1:21-23)

What did Paul fear could potentially move them away from the hope of the gospel? The context of this letter reveals they were being seduced by a religion called Essenism. It was a Jewish sect that held to very strict standards where the Old Testament cleanliness laws and religious observances were concerned. Hence Paul would ask the Colossians, "If you are dead in Christ from the principles of the world, why as though living in the world are you subject to ordinances, 'Touch not, Taste not, Handle not,' which all are to perish with the using" (Colossians 2:20-22). The Essenes also claimed during their services to participate in the worship of the angels in Heaven, leading Paul to tell the Colossians:

Let no one disqualify you, delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, investigating into things which he has seen, being vainly inflated with pride by his fleshly mind and not holding fast the Head, from whom the whole body, being supplied and conjoined together through its joints and ligaments, grows with the growth of God. (Colossians 2:18-19)

But to understand why early Gentile Christians might have gotten seduced into this heresy, it must be remembered that they were Gentiles coming into relationship with a Jewish God. As such, some could be persuaded into thinking that if they would truly please the Jewish God they had to keep the strict religious observances of the Old Testament. As a result of this, Satan was using the Essenes to convince some that they needed to keep Jewish cleanliness laws, sabbaths, new moons, and holy days, and in a very strict manner, leading Paul to also tell them:

Therefore, do not let anyone but the body of Christ judge you in food and drink, or in respect of a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come. (Colossians 2:16-17)

The Essenes likewise attempted to seduce the Galatians, leading Paul to ask them in a letter:

But now, after the you have known God... how are you turning again to weak and miserable principles whereby you desire to again be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years... Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? (Galatians 4:9-10, 21)

So what is the primary strategy Satan was using against the Colossians? It was an attempt to remove them from the hope of the gospel by raising doubts as to whether they were truly being obedient to the Jewish God or not. And he was raising doubts in their minds by condemning them as still being unclean before God's eyes for eating unclean foods and not observing the Jewish sabbaths and new moons properly. Thus, ultimately it was an attempt to transfer their focus from the importance of abiding in Christ to focusing upon merely observing empty, outward religious rituals.
This strategy may have failed with the Colossians, but it has succeeded with much of what today passes for "Christianity." Many denominations have long since abandoned a focus upon abiding in the Presence of God for observing a set pattern of rituals. And as we shall see, the church's digression into empty ceremony and ritual has now caused increasing numbers of young people to continue abandoning their faith. Why? Because they are not receiving any real supernatural proof of it. During New Testament times, the Holy Spirit was being tangibly poured out upon new converts as a form of reassurance against this very thing, but the absence of the baptism in the Holy Spirit in many circles today has taken this reassurance away, and left new converts wondering if their religion and their God are real. Thus, until we return to making sure believers receive a genuine confirmation of the gospel through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, modern Christianity will not only be a false representation of the original New Testament version, but it will continue be a religion in decline throughout the world as opposed to one on the rise.

The Spirit Baptism: Confirmation To Gentile Believers

As stated in the first study, how did the Gentiles know for certain they had been accepted by the God of the Jews? For that matter, how did even the Jews themselves know that the gospel applied to the Gentiles as well? Because the Holy Spirit was being poured upon them in confirmation of it. Returning again to the story of the Roman centurion Cornelius, whose family the apostle Peter was commanded by God to go and preach the gospel to:

And the apostles and brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. But when Peter went up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision were differentiating with him, saying, "Before uncircumcised men you went in, and you ate with them." But having begun, Peter related the story to them in order, saying... "as I was beginning to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them even as also upon us in the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He said, 'Indeed John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then, in believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ, God also gave them the gift equally as unto us, how was I able to forbid God?"
And having heard these things, they were silent, and glorified God, saying, "Then God has also given the Gentiles repentance unto life." (Acts 11:1-18)

There was a partition within the Jewish temple, and Gentiles were not allowed into the inner court lest they die. But as Paul would tell the Ephesians, as a result of the sacrifice of Christ, the curtain within the temple had been torn, and the way had now been made for God's peace, i.e. the Holy Spirit, to be poured out upon them just as freely as upon the Jews:

Wherefore remember that you who were once Gentiles, and those said to be "the uncircumcision" in the flesh by those said to be "the circumcision" in the flesh performed by hand, that you were at that time without Christ, having been alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and being without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once afar off were brought near by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in His flesh the enmity... And having come, He preached the gospel of peace to you who were afar off, and to those who were near, in that through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now, therefore, you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and members of the household of God. (Ephesians 2:11-15a, 17-19)

As such, Christian services during New Testament times were marked by the exercise of supernatural gifts, as the Holy Spirit continued to manifest Himself among them and speak through them to the early congregations:

What is it, then, brothers? Whenever you may come together, each one has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has a tongue, has an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. If anyone with a tongue speaks, [let it be] by two or the most three, and in succession, and let one interpret. And if there is no interpreter, let him be silent in the church, but let him speak to himself and God. And let prophets speak two or three, and let the others discern. And if anything should be revealed to another sitting by, let the first one be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and be exhorted. (1 Corinthians 14:26-31)

Notice that in true Christianity, services were free-flowing, and it was left up to the Spirit of God moving within individual members to determine who would speak and what would be said. Nothing was ritualistic in the way early church services were held.
But again, how did these early Gentile believers know beyond doubt that they had been accepted by the God of the Jews? Because the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon them in confirmation of it. By continuing to operate in this same supernatural anointing during services, the enemy was thus unable to convince them they had not been accepted by Him simply because they were not keeping Jewish laws regarding cleanliness, sabbaths, new moons or feastivals.

The Ritualistic Lifestyle Of The Ancient Essenes

The services of the Essenes, however, were something altogether different. Their entire day as a matter of fact was characterized by ritual. As one author wrote:

The Essenes were a Jewish Sect who studied and lived in Qumran for two Centuries through the great revolt of the Jews against the Romans... The Essenes were extremely ritualistic, and took purification baths twice daily. On the excavation site at Qumran, there were several ‘Mikveh’ or Jewish ritual baths. (Qumran, The Dead Sea Scrolls, Templeseeker.com)

Eating meals together, cleansings and washings, prayer times, all were highly regimented, much like monasteries would do centuries later. Even their worship was extremely regimented. with followers apparently even being required to sing specific praise songs to God on specific sabbath days, in keeping with the songs they believed were being sung by the angels to God in Heaven.
This is clear from source material discovered among the Dead Sea Scrolls:

The discovery of Dead Sea Scroll Cave 4 revealed an amazing song book which prominently featured angels in Essene worship. Cave 4 contained fragmentary forms of eight manuscripts, the oldest of which has been dated to 75-50 B.C. These manuscripts are a liturgical text composed of thirteen separate sections, one for each of the first thirteen Sabbaths of the year... Carol Newsom, who’s Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice: A Critical Edition is the definitive work on this topic, writes in her introduction: “These thirteen compositions invoke angelic praise, describe the angelic priesthood and the heavenly temple, and give an account of the worship performed on the Sabbath in the heavenly sanctuary.” These songs aren’t just congregational hymns sung in praise to God; they were apparently regarded as real-time liturgical participation in the heavenly temple’s Sabbath service. Great care was taken to acknowledge and describe the various details of this other worldly divine scene, from the vestments of the angelic priesthood to the temple itself, to the great Merkavah or chariot throne of Yahweh. (Kenneth Westby, Angels and the Thirteen Sabbath Songs)

The result was a religion that was far more about rules and regulations than about the life-giving power of the Spirit:

A ritualistic religion is usually negative rather than positive in its character, being strong in the clement of prohibition: "Handle not, nor taste, nor touch"... The Essenes, who were forerunners of the Colossian errorists, shunned oil, wine, flesh, meat, and contact with a stranger... Ritualistic religions are [also] always marked by "the precepts and doctrines of men," and many of the Jewish ordinances were handed down by tradition and had no warrant in the written word of God. (A Warning Against Asceticism, Croskery, BibleHub.com)

Where Satan Has Succeeded: Mainline Denominationalism

Where Satan failed with the Colossians, he has succeeded with large segments of modern Christianity, given that ritualism now dominates much of mainline denominationalism. Granted, some embraced the Charismatic Renewal and thus have congregations which also seek manifestations of the Presence of God. But by and large, the majority of mainline churches throughout the world are given over to observing rituals as the centerpiece of their worship.
Without intentionally wishing to single out one denomination, Catholicism is certainly among those steeped in ritual. And like Essenism, Catholicism teaches that rituals are necessary unto salvation. To quote one Catholic online source:

The purpose of the sacraments is to make people holy, to build up the body of Christ, and finally, to give worship to God... [They] are earthly, external signs here which, of themselves, could never acquire any supernatural significance, but the signs of the sacraments have been made by Christ into vehicles of His grace. They effect in men the grace for which Christ made them the sign... A sacrament, administered properly in the way established by Christ and with the proper intention, gives the grace it signifies. It is effective not by reason of the power of intercession of priestly prayer nor on account of the worthiness of the recipient, but solely by the power of Christ... They are necessary for salvation. The sacraments are vehicles of the grace which they convey. (Sacraments of the Catholic Church, Catholic Online)

According to the above, adherents must take it by faith and believe that the sacraments become vehicles of God's supernatural graces, and herein lies the problem. This was not the case during New Testament times. Take for example confirmation. Receiving the confirmation of the Holy Spirit during New Testament times was much more than simply undergoing a ceremony where a priest made the sign of the cross over you and you were to trust that you had received it.
Look at the two primary passages the Catholic Church herself uses to teach the sacrament of confirmation:

And the apostles in Jerusalem, having heard that Samaria had received the word of God, sent to them Peter and John, who having come down to them prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, for He had not yet fallen upon any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then, as they were laying hands on them, they received the Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:14-17)

And it came to pass that when Apollos was in Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper regions came down to Ephesus. And finding certain disciples, he said to them, “If then, having believed, did you receive the Holy Spirit?” And they said to him, “If there is a Holy Spirit, we have not heard of it.” And he said, “Unto whom then where you baptized?” And they said, “Unto the baptism of John.” And Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on the One who would come after him, that is, upon Jesus.” And having heard, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And Paul, having laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they were speaking with tongues and prophesying. (Acts 19:1-6)

How did the apostles know the Samaritans had received the Holy Spirit when they laid hands on them? In the same way Paul knew the Holy Spirit came upon the Ephesians: Because when he laid hands on them they began speaking in other tongues and prophesying. How did Peter know the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Roman centurion Cornelius and his family? Because they began speaking in tongues:

While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even upon the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." (Acts 10:44-47)

Genuine Spirit-filled confirmation during New Testament times was being evidenced by the gifts of the Holy Spirit being in manifestation, the supernatural gifts of speaking in tongues and prophecy in particular. But in most Catholic churches today, a confirmation ceremony simply concludes with a group of believers presenting themselves before the bishop, who makes the sign of the cross on their forehead with his thumb, places a shawl over their shoulders, and declares to them, "Be sealed with the promise of the Holy Spirit." No manifestations of the supernatural gifts take place, and no one is troubled if the believer does not experience speaking in tongues or prophesying because these manifestations are not expected. Thus, they are not concerned with seeing any evidence that the sacrament is actually "conveying the grace" it is supposed to convey or "effecting in men the grace for which Christ made it a sign," because the entire thing is to be taken on faith. But as we shall see, young people growing up these days no longer simply take things on faith. They look for evidence, and when they don't find it, they start questioning whether what they are being told is actually true or not. And in the end, when no genuine evidence is provided, many eventually opt out and forsake the faith their parents held dear, never to return.

The Cost Of Reducing Christianity To Ritualism

Statistics show that many younger people are departing from the faith, and for precisely the reasons I have specified. They see no evidence that confirms what they are being told. And this trend is apparently now increasing, as explained in the following article:

Young people are leaving the faith. Here's why: Many youths and young adults who have left the Church point to their belief that there is a disconnect between science and religion... Multiple national surveys indicate that only about two-thirds or fewer millennials (those born in 1982 or later) who were raised Catholic remain Catholic as adults. The Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) recently conducted two national studies that provide some new insight into these losses. The first few results from these studies are being released for the first time in this article.
The reasons young people leave are complex and varied. However, there is an emerging profile of one of the most common ways this happens. Many historians and Catholic theologians will say the Catholic Church has no place in a “war” between religion and science today. Yet the Church does appear to be losing a related battle nonetheless. Some young Catholics have told CARA that they are leaving the Faith for science, believing that Catholicism is incompatible with what they are learning in high school or at the university level.
The interviews with youth and young adults who had left the Catholic Faith revealed that the typical age for this decision to leave was made at 13. Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed, 63 percent, said they stopped being Catholic between the ages of 10 and 17. Another 23 percent say they left the Faith before the age of 10. Those who leave are just as likely to be male as they are female, and their demographics generally mirror those of all young Catholics their age. So why are they leaving?
To find the answer, CARA began its interviews with these former Catholics with an open-ended question: “What are the reasons that explain why you are no longer Catholic?”... Some of the typical reasons given in their own words were:

— “Because I grew up and realized it was a story like Santa or the Easter Bunny.”
— “As I learn more about the world around me and understand things that I once did not, I find that the thought of an all-powerful being to be less and less believable.”
— “Catholic beliefs aren’t based on fact. Everything is hearsay from back before anything could be documented, so nothing can be disproved, but it certainly shouldn’t be taken seriously.”
— “I realized that religion is in complete contradiction with the rational and scientific world, and to continue to subscribe to a religion would be hypocritical.”
— “I need proof of something...”

When CARA asked these respondents to “Please describe what would make you consider returning to the Catholic Faith in the future,” responses included: “If someone discovered evidence of the supernatural” or “replicable, peer reviewed, conclusive proof that a deity exists and I’m guaranteed a happy afterlife.”
Interviewer: You say that about age 11, you first started having doubts about being Catholic. Do you remember what precipitated it? Respondent: Knowledge. ... The original root cause would have been watching my whole mother’s family, on my mother’s side, pray for my grandpa’s lung cancer. And everyone is praying for him — probably over 150 people, personally praying for him. And still there was nothing done to help him. And that was my first skepticism.
Interviewer: Do you believe in Heaven or Hell? Respondent: I do believe in demons and ghosts, even if it sounds kind of silly. You see all the stories out there and, like, some of them must have some truth to them... (OSV Newsweekly, Young People Are Leaving The Faith. Here's Why)

What It Will Take To Reverse These Trends?

In a word, churches who wish to reverse this trend will have to give themselves over to incessant intensive prayer and worship, making these things the hallmark of every service, until they see the power of God being poured out upon them as it was during New Testament times. Nor should they settle for a few people speaking in tongues here and there, which all too often seems to be the case in Pentecostal churches these days. True confirmation as described by Paul involved all the supernatural gifts being in manifestation, as he told the Corinthians:

I thank my God always concerning you, for the grace of God having been given unto you in Christ Jesus, that in everything you were enriched in Him, in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed among you such that you are not lacking in any gift while you await the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ [from Heaven], who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the Day of the Lord. God is faithful, through whom you were called unto the shared experience of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:4-9)

And what gifts did Paul insinuate were manifesting themselves amongst the Corinthians? He would later add this in the same letter:

There is being given to each a manifestation of the Spirit to be of benefit. For to one is being given by the Spirit the word of wisdom, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to a different one faith in the One Spirit, yet to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, and to another the working of miracles (literally, "works of power"), and to another prophecy, and to another the discerning of spirits, and to another various kinds of tongues, yet to another the interpretation of tongues. But all these are executions of one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one his own [gift] as He wills. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

Scripture says that the harvest is the end of the age (Matthew 13:39), and prophecies have declared that over a billion souls are eventually going to come to Christ during the end-times. But these events will not come to pass before the church has been restored as the true temple of God filled with the supernatural Presence of God, and has departed from what Paul will call in this letter an "empty deceit." The church is called to manifest the fulness of Jesus Christ to the world, not preoccupy themselves with perpetuating a set of empty rituals.

Links To Sources:
https://www.templeseeker.com/qumran-dead-sea-scrolls/
https://biblesabbath.org/tss/521/tss_521.pdf
https://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/croskery/a_warning_against_asceticism.htm
http://www.catholic.org/prayers/sacrament.php
https://www.osv.com/OSVNewsweekly/PapalVisit/Articles/Article/TabId/2727/ArtMID/20933/ArticleID/20512/Young-people-are-leaving-the-faith-Heres-why.aspx

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Study #2 / Colossians 1:9-20

« Last post by Hidden In Him on February 19, 2018, 05:16:49 PM »

Christ's Deliverance Of The Church From The Kingdom Of Darkness

We now come to a subject matter that was very important to the theology of the early church, but is today rarely taught: Christ's deliverance of the saints out of the Underworld, and how it related to the saints of God during his time and even today. Without an accurate understanding of this great spiritual event Paul was now describing, the next twelve verses in Colossians become virtually impossible to comprehended.
As Paul would now inform them:

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying all the time for you, having heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all the saints because of the hope reserved for you in Heaven, which you heard about beforehand in the recounting of the truth of the gospel... [and] from the day in which we heard we do not cease praying for you, and asking that you may be filled with the recognition of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding to walk worthily of the Lord unto all acceptability, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the recognition of God, being empowered with all [supernatural] empowerment by virtue of the dominion of His glory to manifest all endurance and long-suffering with joy, giving thanks to the Father, the One having made you fit for a share of the inheritance of the saints in light, who delivered us from the authority of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. (Colossians 1:3-5, 9-12)

What "light" was Paul referring to here? Light in the kingdom of Heaven. And by mentioning Christ as having delivered them from the authority of darkness and having transferred them up into the kingdom of God's Son, what he was describing would come to be referred to in church tradition as the "Harrowing of Hell." As we shall see this title was actually somewhat misleading, since He did not actually descend into "Hell" after His crucifixion but into the Underworld, more specifically the Paradise side of Sheol, where He preached to the spirits of the righteous who were still awaiting the day when the the Lamb of God would be slain for their sins. This alone made it possible for them to enter the presence of a Perfect and Holy God in Heaven.
Thus, by the time Paul was writing these words, the Old Testament saints had already been taken in spirit from Sheol up into Heaven with Him, while the body of Christ on earth remained. Hence, Paul was teaching in these next verses that God had reconciled the whole church unto Himself, whether those now in Heaven or those still on earth. This is why Paul stated how God had, "delivered us from the authority of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." For the Old Testament saints this had already happened literally, and since he was combining or lumping the whole church together under one umbrella here, he was including those who were still alive as having now been transferred into Heaven as well by the power of God:

Giving thanks to the Father, the One having made us fit for a share of the inheritance of the saints in light, who delivered us from the authority of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, who is the image of the invisible God, the Firstborn of all creation. For in Him was everyone created, whether those in Heaven or those on the earth, those who are visible and those who are invisible, whether thrones, or lordships, or rulers, or authorities, all have been created through Him and unto Him. And He is before all, and in Him all have [their] organization. And He is the Head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, that He might become preeminent amongst us all, for in Him all the Fullness was pleased to dwell, and through Him to reconcile everyone unto Himself, whether those on earth or those in Heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross. (Colossians 1:12-20)

An article in Wikipedia describes Christ's Harrowing of Hell like this:

In the context of Christian theology, the Harrowing of Hell (Latin: Descensus Christi ad Inferos, "the descent of Christ into Hell") is the Old English and Middle English term for the triumphant descent of Christ into Hell (or Hades) between the time of His Crucifixion and His Resurrection, when He brought salvation to all of the righteous who had died since the beginning of the world... The realm into which Jesus descended is called Sheol or Limbo by some Christian theologians, to distinguish it from the Hell of the damned. (The Harrowing Of Hell, wikipedia.com)

As we shall see, numerous times in the New Testament the apostles made reference to this deliverance of the entire church corporately, whether past, present or future, from the depths of Hades into Heaven. For believers still alive on the earth, this happened figuratively through their participation in water baptism, which represented death to the flesh, and through their baptism in the Holy Spirit, which represented being resurrected up with Christ in Spirit into Heaven after the resurrection.
The spiritual significance of this analogy where believers were concerned was that they were to see themselves as now having died to the flesh, for which reason they should "mortify their members on the earth" (Colossians 3:5). As Paul would also tell the Galatians, "Those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts" (Galatians 5:24). By these statements, he was teaching that they needed to bring their flesh under subjection, in particular through fasting, as if putting it to death, and to walk in newness of life through the anointing of the Holy Spirit that now rested upon them. The fact that such things are not taught today is in my opinion a big part of why sin still dominates much of the modern church.

His Descended Into Sheol After The Crucifixion

Jesus did not die alone. He was crucified together with two thieves, one on His right and one on His left. As He hung there dying on the cross, the word of God records the conversation He had with these two men:

But one of the criminals who had been hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If you are the Christ, save yourself and us." But the other, answering [and] rebuking him, said, "Do you not even fear God, seeing that we are under the same judgment? And we indeed are justly receiving the due recommence for what we have done, but this man has done nothing wrong." And he said to Jesus, "Remember me, when You come into Your kingdom." And Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, This day shall you be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:39-43)

Where did Jesus tell the thief he would be going after death? His exact words were, "This day shall you be with Me in Paradise." Where, then, was Paradise at this time? In Heaven? According to the scriptures, Paradise was located in the Underworld, or what the Jews referred to as Sheol. Paradise itself they referred to as "the Bosom of Abraham," for it was where father Abraham was waiting to greet every righteous person who died in Old testament times.
A place of torment also already existed in Sheol, but in a different part of the Underworld. As the story Jesus told about Lazarus and the rich man confirmed, Paradise was actually located near Hell, right next to it in fact, such that wicked souls who were suffering in torment could see the souls of the righteous in Paradise and vise versa, yet neither could pass from one side over to the other:

And [Jesus] said to them... "Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, being festive during the day in splendor. And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his porch, being full of sores, and desiring to be filled with whatever fell from the rich man's table. But coming, even the dogs licked his sores. And it came to pass that the poor man died, and was carried away by the angels into the bosom of Abraham. And the rich man also died, and was buried. And having lifted up his eyes in Hades, being in torment, he saw Abraham from afar, and Lazarus in his bosom. And crying out, he said, "Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool mu tongue, for I am in pain in these flames. But Abraham said, "Son, remember that you received your good things during your lifetime, and Lazarus likewise received evil things. But here he is comforted, and you are in pain. And amongst those here, between all of you and all of us, a great chasm has been firmly established, so that those who wish to pass from here to all of you are unable, nor can anyone pass from there to us." (Luke 16:15, 19-26)

Had this teaching been somehow heretical, the Pharisees to whom Jesus addressed it would have quickly seized on the opportunity to accuse Him of being a false teacher for saying such things. But the scriptural text gives no indication of them objecting to this teaching. Why? Because all Jews were well aware that the souls of the righteous went down into the earth just as the souls of the wicked did. This is clear from what the patriarch Jacob declared after learning of the presumed death of his son Joseph:

And the sent for the long coat that reached to the feet, and took it to their father and said, "We have found this. Look now. Is it your son's coat?" And he knew it, and said, "My sons' long coat! An evil beast has eaten him. Surely Joseph is torn in pieces." And Jacob tore his clothing, and put sackcloth on his loins. And he mourned many days for his son. And all his sons and daughters tried to comfort him. But he refused to be comforted, and said, "I will go down to Sheol mourning my son." And his father wept for him. (Genesis 37:32-35)

By this last statement, Jacob was essentially saying, "I will mourn for him until the day I die, and descend into the Underworld." That the righteous descended to the Underworld after death is also confirmed by the Septuagint, or Greek translation of this Old Testament passage, where the word Hades is here subtitled for the Hebrew word Sheol:

And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth on his loins, and mourned for his son many days. And... would not be comforted, saying, "I will go down to Hades mourning my son." (Genesis 37:34-35)

So where, then, did righteous Jacob and the rest of the Old Testament saints go after death? Down into Sheol, i.e. Hades, more specifically into the Paradise side of the Underworld, or what the Greeks referred to as Elysian Fields.
So, too, did certain Messianic prophecies confirm that Christ Himself descended into Hades after His crucifixion. On the Day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter got up and began preaching in the streets of Jerusalem to proclaim to all of Judea that Christ was indeed the Jewish Messiah. During his sermon, he quoted a Psalm of David as being a prophetic reference to Christ where it said:

For David said... "My flesh shall rest in hope, for you will not abandon My soul in Hades, nor give your Holy One to see corruption." (Acts 2:26-27)

Here again the Greek word Hades was substituted for the Hebrew word Sheol in the original Old Testament text (see Psalm 16:10 in the original Masoretic). Thus, the terms Hades and Sheol were synonymous. Both referred to what the ancients understood to be the Underworld, the place where all souls, good or bad, descended after death.

The Gates Of Hell Did Not Prevail Against Them

So what exactly then happened after Christ's crucifixion, when He was in the grave for three days and three nights? A passage in First Peter describes the first thing that took place: He descended to the Paradise end of Sheol to announce to the righteous dead that He was One prophesied about in the scriptures, the long-awaited Savior and Redeemer:

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring you to God, having been put to death in the flesh but made alive in Spirit, in which He went and preached to the spirits in prison who were once disobedient in the days of Noah when the long-suffering of God waited as an ark was being prepared, into which a few, that is, eight souls were saved through water, an antitype of the baptism that now also saves you, not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He having ascended into Heaven with angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him. (1 Peter 3:18-22)

In this text, Peter was referring specifically to Christ descending and preaching to Noah and his family, the eight souls who survived the flood. But Peter mentioned this particular group of souls to use a theological analogy related specifically to them. It was understood that Jesus actually preached to all the righteous dead, from Adam and Eve all the way to John the Baptist, who died not long before Christ Himself would be crucified.
Why were the Old Testament saints referred to here as being in prison? Because although they were in the Paradise end of the Underworld, there was no way out to it. The way leading out of the Underworld was guarded by the Gates of Hades, which Jesus would refer to by name in a conversation He had with the apostle Peter. After hearing Peter profess that he believed Jesus was "the Christ," i.e. theMessiah, Jesus informed him that flesh and blood had not revealed this to him but God had, and upon this revelation that He was indeed the Messiah of the Jews, Jesus would build His church, and the Gates of Hades would not prevail against it. By this, He meant that He would preach the message that He was the Christ to the spirits in prison, and then break down the Gates of Hades, presumably through the power of His angels, and lead them with Him up into Heaven:

And having come into parts of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus was questioning HIs disciples, saying, "Whom do men declare the Son of man to be?" And they said, "They say John the Baptist. And they say Elijah. And others say Jeremiah, or one of the prophets." He said unto them, "But whom do you say Me to be?" And having answered, Simon Peter said, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God." And having answered, Jesus said to Him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this unto you, but My Father in Heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:13-18)

Christian paintings form Medieval times always illustrated these "gates," usually as wooden doors, but the illustration is never missing. Moreover, the Eastern Orthodox Church to this day still conducts a ceremony to commemorate the Harrowing of Hades, in which the symbolic breaking down of the gates plays a part. According to Wikipedia:

In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Harrowing of Hades is celebrated annually... At the beginning of the service, the hangings in the church and the vestments worn by the clergy are all somber Lenten colours (usually purple or black). Then, just before the Gospel reading, the liturgical colors are changed white and the deacon performs a censing, and the priest strews laurel leaves around the church, symbolizing the broken gates of Hell. This is done in celebration of the harrowing of Hades then taking place, and in anticipation of Christ's imminent resurrection... [One] icon shows Jesus, vested in white and gold to symbolize His divine majesty, standing on the brazen gates of Hades (also called the "Doors of Death"), which are broken and have fallen in the form of a cross, illustrating the belief that by his death on the cross, Jesus trampled down death (see Paschal troparion). He is holding Adam and Eve and pulling them up out of Hades... Jesus is surrounded by various righteous figures from the Old Testament (Abraham, David, etc.). The bottom of the icon depicts Hades as a chasm of darkness, often with various pieces of broken locks and chains strewn about. (The Harrowing Of Hell, wikipedia.com)

Having broken down the Gates of Hades, scripture says Christ then "led captivity captive," that is, He led the Old Testament saints who were prisoners of the Underworld up out of Hades and into Heaven, which the apostles also taught was referred to prophetically in another of the Psalms:

But to each one of us was given grace according to the measure of the gifting of Christ. Wherefore it says, "Having ascended up on high He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." But if He ascended, what could it be except that He first also descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the same who ascended above all the heavens, that He might fulfill all things. (Ephesians 4:7-10a)

All The Church Both Died And Ascended With Christ

But here is where we come to the real spiritual significance of these teachings. As stated in the introduction, the teaching of the New Testament church was that when Christ delivered the Old Testament saints out of Hades, He figuratively delivered the entire church, past, present and future, up out of Hades with them as well and into Heaven. For believers, their death and descent to Hades took place at water baptism, and their resurrection took place immediately after they came up out of the water and were baptized in the Holy Spirit.
The implication of this teaching was that believers were now dead to the flesh, and therefore needed to die to sin by bringing the body under subjection through fasting, not in their own strength but through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus did after the Spirit descended upon Him. They were, therefore, to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:14). As Paul would likewise teach in this letter, they were to "mortify their members on the earth," by this referring specifically to their sexual members, as the full passage bears out:

And having become filled, you are in Him who is the Head of all rule and authority, in whom you also were circumcised with the circumcision not made by hands in the divesting of [your] body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised with Him through faith in the supernatural operation of God, who raised Him from among the dead. And you, being dead in offenses and the uncircumcision of your flesh has He made alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our offenses...
If therefore, you were raised with Christ, seek those things above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. Be mindful of the things above, not things on the earth. For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God. Whenever Christ our life may be made manifest, then you also will be made manifest with Him in glory. Mortify, therefore, [your] members upon the earth: Sexual immorality, uncleanness, physical passion, evil lust, and [sexual] covetousness, which is idolatry, on account of which things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. (Colossians 2:10-13, 3:1-6. See also Ephesians 2:5-6)

Take also the passage in First Peter already quoted above. In context, the full passage follows a similar pattern. Because they had died to sin and been risen with Christ through the baptism in the Holy Spirit, they were to consider themselves as having "suffered (i.e. died) in the flesh," and thereby ceased from sin. For this reason, they should no longer engage in sins of the flesh such as sexual indulgence and drinking parties, which were standard practice among sinners during Roman times:

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring you to God, having been put to death in the flesh but made alive through the Spirit, in which He went and preached to the spirits in prison, who were once disbelieving in the days of Noah when the long-suffering of God waited as an ark was being prepared, into which a few, that is, eight souls were saved through water, an antitype of the baptism that now also saves you, not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He having ascended into Heaven with [all] angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
Forasmuch, then, as Christ has suffered in the flesh, you equip yourselves with the same mind also, for the one who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, to no longer satisfy the lusts of men but the will of God [his] remaining time in the flesh. For the time that has passed is sufficient to have worked out the will of the Gentiles, having walked in sexual licentiousness, lusts, drunkenness, partying, drinking bouts, and unlawful idolatries. (1 Peter 3:18-4:3)

Among all the Old Testament saints, the apostle Peter picked out Noah and his descendants for a specific reason. Their lives drew a more perfect parallel to what was now happening among New Testament saints. Peter was saying that, in Noah's time, God was being long-suffering in waiting for his saints to prepare to escape the judgment that was coming in the flood. God was likewise now patiently waiting for His saints to fully prepare to escape the coming judgment of Fire. But just as Noah and his sons had to die to the world they once knew, so too would believers need to die to the life they knew through water baptism and the subsequent death of their fleshly lives, paralleled by how the flood waters brought an end, not just to Noah's former life, but the entire sinful world that existed before the flood.
By implication, then, Peter was saying this was part of the message Christ supposedly preached to the spirits in prison when He descended into Hades after death, to inform all the righteous dead from Old Testament times that He was the long-awaited Messiah, and the ark that would now bring them all to eternal safety in Heaven.

Exposing Pagan Gods As Frauds And Deceivers

The Harrowing of Hades is one of the many reasons why the God of the Jews was now exposing the gods of the Gentiles as liars and frauds. Like all Gentiles, the Colossians were familiar with the legends concerning Hades, Tartarus and Elysian Fields, but never had they heard of any of their gods descending there to deliver multitudes of people out of the darkness of the Underworld. Now they were hearing that the Son of God had not only risen from the dead Himself but also led many of the dead out with Him, something never accredited to any of the pagan gods. Nor did they want this message getting out, since the gods of the Gentiles were demons, and as such would be exposed a frauds. Thus they had no desire for mankind to know that the righteous saints of the Jewish Old Testament had been delivered out of the darkness of the Hades.
Bu because the God of the Jews was now proving Himself to be All-powerful and able to deliver souls out of the Underworld, Paul urged the Colossians to grow the recognition of the True and Living God:

[and] from the day in which we heard we do not cease praying for you, and asking that you may be filled with the recognition of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding to walk worthily of the Lord unto all acceptability, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the recognition of God. (Colossians 1:9-10)

This is because the Gentiles were coming to the recognition of the True God from a position of spiritual blindness. Their "gods" had blinded them to the truth, so Jesus ordained the apostle Paul to "open the eyes of the Gentiles, and turn them from spiritual darkness to light," as He informed him on the road to Damascus:

And I said, "Who are You Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But rise up and stand on your feet, for I appeared unto you for this reason, to appoint you a minister and a witness, both of what you saw and of what will be shown to you, delivering you from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I [now] send you, to open their eyes to turn from darkness to light, and from the authority of Satan to God, they they might receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me." (Acts 26:15-18. See also Isaiah 42:6-7, on how the Messiah Himself was prophesied to do similar things).

This then explains similar statements Paul made to the Ephesians about growing in the recognition of the True God and how they now had an inheritance among the saints in light:

Because of this I also... do not cease giving thanks over you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may grant to you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the recognition of Him, the eyes of your heart having been enlightened for you to know what the hope of His calling is, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance among the saints are, and what the surpassing greatness of His power is toward us, those believing in light of the dominion of His strength, which He manifested in Christ in having raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in Heaven. (Ephesians 1:17-20)

Unfortunately, Satan Is Blinding Humanity Once More

These things were clearly taught by some ancient Christian theologians, who understood the teachings the apostles were giving, and continued to hand them down as part of the true Christian tradition. As Ambrosiaster is recorded as teaching:

Freed thus from the condition of darkness, that is, plucked from the infernal place, in which we were held by the Devil both because of our own and because of Adam's transgression, who is the father of sinners, we were translated by faith into the heavenly kingdom of the Son of God. This was so that He might show us by what love God loved us, when, raising us from the deepest Hell, He led us into Heaven with His true Son. (Ambrosiaster, Commentary On Colossians, as quoted in the Ancient Christian Commentary, V.IX, P.8 )

So why do even most Christians know almost nothing about these things today? Because Satan has blinded their minds to the knowledge of spiritual realities (2 Corinthians 4:3-4), such that Hell seems out of place in most Christian preaching these days. Very few even mention Hell anymore, making educating believers on the Harrowing of Hades even more unnatural in today's spiritual climate. Many assume it has no significance or relevance, when in fact it has tremendous spiritual relevance to the true Christian walk, as we shall see in later studies.
Because Jesus knows the importance of this historical event to an understanding of the true gospel, He is Himself once again preaching about it in the visions of Hell He his giving to believers in our time. As the following passages from Kathryn Baxter's A Divine Revelation Of Hell illustrate, the Spirit of God Himself is conforming once again that the Harrowing of Hades did indeed take place some 2,000 years ago:

Jesus said, "I came to save all men. I desire that all who are lost will repent and call upon My name... In these cells, as far as you can see, are souls in torment. Each time the cells are filled, Hell enlarges itself to receive even more souls. You have all your senses in Hell. And if you were blind on earth, you will be blind in Hell. If you had only one arm on earth, you will have only one arm in Hell." Jesus said, "I took the keys of Hell away from Satan many years ago. I came and opened these cells and let My people out. For in the time of the Old Testament before I actually gave My life on the cross, paradise was situated close to Hell. These cells were once in paradise. Now Satan uses them for his evil purposes, and has made more. (Baxter, A Divine Revelation Of Hell, P.94-97)

We went again to the belly of Hell and began to walk toward a small opening. I turned to look where we were entering and found that we were on a ledge beside a cell in the center of Hell. We stopped in front of a cell in which was a beautiful woman. Over the top of the cell were the letters "B.C." I heard the woman say, "Lord, I knew you would come someday. Please let me out of this place of torment." She was dressed in the clothes of an ancient era, and she was very beautiful. I knew that she had been here for many centuries but could not die. She began to pull at the bars and cry.
Softly Jesus said, "Peace, be still." He spoke to her with sadness in His voice. "Woman, you know why you are here."
"Yes," she said, "but I can change. I remember, when You let all those others out of paradise. I remember Your words of salvation. I will be good now," she cried, "and I will serve You." She clenched the bars of the cell in her tiny fists and began to scream, "Let me out! Let me out!" (Baxter, A Divine Revelation Of Hell, P.147-148)

"Behold, My child,” Jesus said, "I am going to take you by My Spirit into Hell so that you may be able to make a record of the reality of it, to tell the whole earth that Hell is real, and to bring the lost out of darkness and into the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ." (Baxter, A Divine Revelation Of Hell, P.15)

Those with ears to hear need to wake up to what the Spirit of God is again saying to the churches, for by allowing Satan to eat away at true New Testament teaching we have come to the place where accurately understanding the New Testament itself has in many ways become a virtual impossibility.
As one author wrote:

The traditional doctrine of Hell now bears the mark of odium theologium - a doctrine retained only by the most stalwart defenders of conservative theology, Catholic and Protestant. Its defenders are seemingly few. The doctrine is routinely dismissed as an embarrassing artifact from an ancient age - a reminder of Christianity's rejected worldview.
The sudden disappearance of Hell amounts to a theological mystery of sorts. How did a doctrine so enshrined in the system of theology suffer such a wholesale abandonment? What can explain this radical reordering of Christian theology?
The answer to this mystery reveals much about the fate of Christianity in the modern world, and warns of greater theological compromises on the horizon, for as the church has been continually reminded, no doctrine stands alone... Take out the doctrine of Hell, and the entire shape of Christian theology is inevitably altered. (Morgan and Peterson, Hell Under Fire, P.16)

The trend toward spiritual blindness in the church (read Revelation 3:17) will continue until believers once again begin having their eyes are opened to fully recognize what Jesus accomplished for them when He descended into the Underworld after His crucifixion. Hades is still real, and the entire church of Jesus Christ would still be down there to this very day had not Christ died on their behalf to deliver them from the authority of darkness.

Source Links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harrowing_of_Hell

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