Seeking God's Understanding VS Man's Intellectualism

There are many men who spend years in higher educational facilities. They have doctorates, Masters Degrees, and many other fancy titles attached to their names. Admittedly, they are probably very wise in their field of study, and possibly considered experts in their own regard. Our culture is filled with "knowledge" coming from many different voices: progressives, socialists, liberals, conservatives, libertarians, scientists, theologians.....on and on it goes.

Ecclesiastes - 12:12 "...of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man."

The problem with "many books" and man's form of wisdom, is that it does not always line up with what the Bible has to say. Below are some examples of what modern day philosophy presents as truth. We will then compare how it matches up with the Word of God. Take notice that their philosophy does not always sound evil or wrong on the surface, but it is a deceitful twist and play on emotions. If God's word does not agree, then it is false wisdom.

*The world says: "Follow your heart"

*God's Word says: Jeremiah 17:9 - "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"

*The world says: "Truth is whatever you feel to be right, for you personally"

*God's Word says: John 17:17 - "Sanctify them in the truth; Your Word is truth."

*The world says: "God loves you exactly as you are"

*God's Word says: 2nd Chronicles 7:14 - "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

These examples serve to show that God's wisdom is at odds with the world's philosophy and pleasant sounding "intelligence".  Sometimes we don't even notice these pervasive ideas, which have been so directly interwoven into the culture through movies, books, and music, but they are rampant. We need to take time in evaluating our personal standards and make sure they are not based upon our feelings or emotions, but founded upon God's true wisdom.

Getting into God's Word

The only sure way to discern the difference between true understanding and worldly intelligence, is to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. We all live very busy lives and have enough distractions to keep us away from the most important elements of life. However, God's promises to give wisdom to those who SEEK it. Seeking the truth is an action word, which God will not force us to do. We must make a conscious decision to find the time.

1st Timothy - 4:15 "Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all."

When we give ourselves wholly to God's Word, people will start to notice. They will notice that you are making wise decisions, that your outlook on life is clear and peaceful, and you will notice in yourself the ability to have Scriptures come to mind at the perfect time. God's Word is a sword that we are encouraged to have in our hand ready to use (Ephesians 6:17). Of course, we are not to beat someone over the head with Scripture, but rather use it as a tool in guiding both ourselves and others into the correct way.

Another practical idea is to read a chapter of the Proverbs in relation to the day of the month (i.e.: on March 28th you would read Proverbs 28). There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs, so you would always have one readily available. The proverbs are so full of wisdom that it will be best to read slowly and absorb the many layers of knowledge and applications within each one.

Psalm 19:10 - "more to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb."

David says God's Word is better than gold and sweeter than honey. This is not just a cliché or fluffy words from a poet. David had truly discovered, in the depths of God's Word, a value which could not be priced. As we dig in deeper with our studies, we will come to treasure it just as much. It will become our favorite book and source of peace when times are tough. We sometimes take for granted that we own a Bible. The Word of God was not always so available in past times. Much pain went into the translation of the Bible throughout history, and we are now the possessors of a complete and wonderful gift. Do you treasure it as much as King David?

Deceitful Teachings

We are also warned by God to be wary of man's philosophy:

Colossians 2:8 - "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

Do not be deceived by the many books that claim understanding or knowledge. There is a difference between intellectualism and godly understanding. Just as the Bereans did (Acts 17:11), test and prove ALL things according to the Word of God. Remembering that our heart can deceive us, we must never trust emotions to lead our decision making. Feelings change quickly, and are based upon circumstance, rather than absolute truth. Be wary of men who would prey upon your fleshly desires for comfort, love, and happiness. These things are temporary and blind us from the eternal picture that God has presented to us.

The Conclusion of the Matter

Recall that the author of Ecclesiastes told us the conclusion of the matter. It was to, "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." If we fear God more than man, and keep His commandments we will not stray from the right path. Continue to ask of God for more wisdom, for in the seeking is great reward.

James 1:5 - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

If you seek His wisdom, He promises you will find it. This promise is based upon personal action. Therefore, we must ask ourselves, how much do we really want it?

Sarah

Striving to Fulfill the Spiritual New Covenant

The Gospel is the entire word of God. Jesus Christ was the Creator and the God and Husband of the Mosaic Covenant as well as the Husband and spiritual High Priest of the new.

The Mosaic Covenant was a physical covenant with physical gifts or rewards for obedience without the promise of anything spiritual. Yet it was made as an instructional, example to teach us what God expects of his spiritually Called Out.

Gods Laws are eternal! God does not change!

These examples and this history have given men the opportunity to prove to themselves, that we could not live by the whole word of God; without the help of God's Spirit dwelling within us!   The old Mosaic Covenant people proved that as an instruction for us today. All of the Old Testament was written for our example and learning. Christ was the maker of the old covenant and it could not be broken until the death of one of those bound by that agreement.

Our example of that, is in our marriage covenants. If married in the faith, then neither of the parties of that marriage covenant can break the marriage until the death of one of those parties.

Jesus Christ gave up his God head and lived a physical life; and died, in part, to break that old marriage covenant he had with the nation of physical Israel; so that he could, through his perfect physical example of living in the flesh perfectly according to the whole Word of God, establish his New Marriage Covenant with a spiritual Israel at the change of the overcomers and their assimilation into the spiritual collective bride.

The New Covenant of Jeremiah 31, is what the New Testament explains; reaffirming all of the Old Testament but adding and revealing its Spiritual intent and meaning; going beyond the letter of the mere Physical as it was in the Old Testament.

All of the statutes, judgments and commandments still apply and have never changed. What has happened is that it was shown that men could not live by their own physical ability, by the perfect law of God, even physically; and therefore, through the New Spiritual Covenant we are given the opportunity to keeping the Law, as Jesus Christ kept, through the empowerment of the gift of his Spirit living in us. That through the application of the atoning blood of Christ, we might receive the gift of God's Spirit strengthening us to keep our baptismal commitment New Covenant; to live anew in God's way with his help by his Spirit dwelling within us.

What has been fulfilled is the physical sacrificial law, wherein clean animal blood was spilled, which represented Christ's future ultimate sacrifice, where he is now sitting at the right hand of the Father still applying the blood of his one time sacrifice to the repentant.

The old physical Mosaic Covenant has been replaced by a new and better Covenant, Jeremiah 31, wherein there were only physical blessings; while with the New Spiritual Covenant, Eternal Life is the potential reward, if we are faithful to keep the whole law and word of God ; BOTH physically and in its spirit and intent.   

The physical temple wherein the physical sacrificial law was carried out, has passed for a time; as the blood of goats, lambs and calves has no efficacy in removing sin against the spiritual aspects of the New Covenant.  Only the atoning sacrifice of Christ can do that, and with the Spirit of God dwelling in us we became the spiritual temple of God.  

In the millennium, Christ will rebuild the physical and begin physical sacrifices anew, for their instructional example: yet God's Spirit will also dwell in humanity.

The physical temple has been replaced with the end of the Old Covenant, and the establishment of the New Spiritual Marriage Covenant, by the Spirit of God dwelling within the believers through the new spiritual covenant.

This is the New Covenant and this process is progressively taking us into the full likeness of Christ wherein we should all be striving to be.

We are now the Temple of God!  If God's Spirit dwells in us! 

And God's Spirit will dwell ONLY in those who keep the whole Word of God, Acts 5:32: Therefore the Spirit in those who willfully reject the keeping of any part of the Word of God, or reject any zeal for the word of God; is NOT the spirit of God, but another spirit contrary to the Spirit of Christ!

Jesus is our only Mediator, sitting at the right hand of God the Father, interceding on our behalf as our High Priest, and applying his ultimate sacrifice to the sincerely repentant sinner.

Through his Mercy we are forgiven, once we make [and keep] that agreement to "Go and Sin No More". Yes, we may fall down and fail at times, but as the Spirit leads us, we must follow; and once sin is identified it must be removed at once, for the Spirit to continue to remain within us.

Scott Razor

The Holy Spirit: God's Gift to His Children

In the final hours before the soldiers came and arrested Jesus, He spoke with His beloved disciples about some very important things that He wanted to impart to them, just before His arrest and crucifixion.

Passover evening, as they were sitting around the last meal He would have with them, He had a few more hours to talk to them, giving them final instructions and encouragement before all the prophesied events began to take place that night and into the following days ahead, that would include; the arrest, trial, beating, death, and then His triumphant resurrection to life. The disciples would see Him again on different occasions in the days following His resurrection leading up to the day that He would be taken up to heaven out of their sight; but this night would be the last time that they would spend with Him as the familiar Teacher, traveling companion, and friend, that they had come to know the last 3 ½ years.

The subjects He touched upon in these final instructions included such topics as washing each others feet (serving), loving one another, His going on ahead to prepare a place for them, keeping His commandments, being hated by the world and the coming persecution, and many other things. But one of the things He emphasized in several passages (as recorded in John 14, 15, 16) was the subject of the Holy Spirit. He went on to explain to them that it would be sent to help and comfort them after He would leave them and go back to His Father in heaven. He also told them what it was going to do in their lives and the benefits it would impart to those who would be called to be part of the Ekklesia in the future. This is the topic that I would like to examine and study on this Sabbath as we draw closer to the Passover, (coming up in just a couple of weeks) and what it means to have the Holy Spirit and have it working in our lives.

Just what is the Holy Spirit, how do we receive it, what are indications that it is dwelling within us, how does it empower us to live a truly Christian life, and just how important is it to have the Holy Spirit?

*What is the Holy Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is the power that emanates from God; it is not a person, not a god nor a part of the Elohim, and it is not part of a "trinity". The Bible's definition is that the Holy Spirit is the power and mind of God.

There are many false teachings and ideas about what the Holy Spirit is; and there are very few who really know the truth concerning what it is, and what it is not. And yet understanding this vital subject and what it means to have it is so very crucial, that no wonder it was one of the main topics that Christ spoke on in His final hours of teaching that Passover night.

The coming of the Holy Spirit to the sincerely repentant and faithful was going to play a major part in the upcoming dramatic events that were to follow the resurrection of Jesus and His ascension back up to be with His heavenly Father. 

To have the Spirit of God is what gives us the understanding of His great plan of salvation, empowers us to keep His commandments and makes us children of the Father, imparting to us eternal life.

Romans 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Roman 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Here are some verses showing us what the Holy Spirit is; depicting an active and dynamic power and why it cannot be a person. The Holy Spirit is creativity, power, love and it imparts a sound mind.

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

Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

Psalm 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth.

The Holy Spirit can be poured out upon individuals:

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Isaiah 32:15 Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest.

When the Holy Spirit came to the group of believers on the day of Pentecost it came as a rushing wind and appeared as cloven tongues of fire and sat upon (or came upon) each of the disciples.

Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

The Holy Spirit is like the power of the wind and is invisible.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit can be breathed on individuals.

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

It is used to anoint those who are called out as God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and He anoints His people with it:

Acts10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

1st John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

John 14:16  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

*How do we receive the Holy Spirit?

First, God the Father has to call us and draw us to Christ.

John 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

He does this by this allowing us to receive or to hear the Word, the message of the Gospel. 

If we hear the Word and if we respond positively to it (Matthew 13:18-23), God will begin to miraculously work on our minds, opening them to see that we are sinners and that we have been living in sin and are in need of repenting. We will then sorrow over that fact and seek to be forgiven by God, and have the sacrifice of Jesus Christ applied to us. If we have properly repented and have asked God to forgive us, and want to commit our lives to follow Him, then God commands us to be baptized and to have hands laid on us to receive the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Once we receive the Holy Spirit we must seek to guard against doing anything that would grieve it, or anything that would cause it to diminish its influence and power in our lives, or to even lose it altogether. We know we can lose it because of what happened in the life of King Soul, and in Psalm 51:10-11, when David repented of his sin with Bathsheba, he pleaded with God to not take away His Spirit from him.

So after being baptized and receiving the Holy Spirit, how do we maintain or attain more of God's Spirit?  In Acts 5, we are told very succinctly as to what is required in order for the Holy Spirit to be given to and to dwell in a person; it is given only to those who obey God.

Acts 5:32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.

Proverbs 1:23 Turn you [repent] at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

1 John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

Furthermore, Paul told the Ephesians to be filled with the Spirit and how we too can be filled.

Ephesians 5:17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

Jesus tells us, we should ask the Father for more of His Holy Spirit.

Luke 11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

But it is only if we are obeying God and seeking His righteousness that gives us the right to ask Him for His Holy Spirit. The Scriptures tell us that it is to those who demonstrate by their attitude and conduct (by those bringing forth fruits meet for repentance) that meet the conditions that qualify them for the asking and receiving. God wants us to seek these things, to ask Him for the power we need to live righteously, to understand His spiritual truths better, to gift us to be able to help others more, to be able to do a more effective work and ministry for Him here on earth.

We can relate to this desire on His part, if as a parent, our children were to come to us and ask us for the ability to be more obedient to us, to exemplify more fully godly virtues such as love, peace, joy, patience, etc., and to have the character to get along with their other siblings better. It is His good pleasure to give us these things; all we have to do is seek them and ask for them, as long as we are letting our lives reflect His way of life by living according to the whole Word of God.

John 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

No one that is living apart from God's commandments and His Word has the Holy Spirit, nor has he any of the power of God's Spirit working within him. If you see or hear of any man or woman who claims to have God's Holy Spirit and claims to have the power it imparts, but is not keeping God's commandments and the whole Word of God, nor teaching them to others, you can be assured that he or she is not of God, they are false teachers and we are to run from them and not even bid them "God speed".

Speaking in tongues [gibberish], teaching the prosperity doctrine, or living a lavish lifestyle, falling backwards, laughing in the spirit, performing bizarre tricks or miracles; are not signs or fruit of the Holy Spirit.

2nd John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

*What are indications of God's Spirit dwelling in us?

When the Holy Spirit works within us, our lives produce what the Bible calls "the fruit of the Spirit," that is, the qualities of the very character of God. As we continue to grow in these qualities, we will become spiritually mature and will reflect more and more of the mind of Christ, we will think as He thinks, respond to others as He did when He was here on earth, and we will grow into the fullness of His image. If we have God's Spirit, we will exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit and not the works of the flesh.

Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Matthew 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

If we are producing the fruit of the Spirit, which demonstrates a converted life and a sound mind, we and others will see evidence of it in us. A person is known by his fruits (conduct, attitude, words, self-control), and a Christian is to exhibit the fruit that is being produced.

By giving the Spirit to those He has called and who obey Him, God will create and mold the traits in them that produce the fruit of the Spirit, and it will become ever more abundant as they seek to grow and draw ever closer to Him by prayer, study, meditation, fasting and asking God for a fresh supply every day.

*How does God's Spirit empower us to live a truly Christian life?

The Holy Spirit is the mind and essence of the divine nature, and through it God carries out His purpose and will. It empowers a person's mind to comprehend spiritual things, leading them to conversion on a ever more deepening level. God's Spirit imparts wisdom and understanding to our minds and it teaches those He has called out to His way of life. From the principle that "if we are obeying God, He will give us His Spirit" (Acts 5:32) then this Scripture shows that keeping God's law will unleash the power of the Holy Spirit that will make us wise and will enlighten our eyes.

Psalm 19:7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

Psalm 111: 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.

Psalm 37: 30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. 31 The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

Proverbs 4:4 He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. 5 Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.

1st Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1st Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know [understand] the things that are freely given to us of God.

1st Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ

If we have God's Spirit working in us, we will understand God's truth! 

The Holy Spirit of God imparts supernatural insight into the things of God and we can then understand His overall plan and purpose that He is working out with mankind here on earth, and how He is producing children that will live forever with Him in His kingdom. 

As God's children will be at different levels of understanding, these things will be understood as we grow, according to how long we have been studying and how much we have applied ourselves to learn these things, but God's Spirit will be at work bringing us along according to His will for us, as long as we are hungering and thirsting for His righteousness and seeking to learn more of the whole Word of God and applying it into our lives.

As we keep the weekly Sabbath and the Holy Days, the Holy Spirit enables us to see the significance of their symbolic meaning to His plan of salvation. As we go about to observe them, we learn over time what each symbolizes in His overall Plan, we come to an even deeper understanding of what God is doing with those He has called, and will do for those He will call in the future. The Holy Spirit makes this possible and opens our minds to be able to see these things and it is so marvelous to have that privilege! It is in the doing that we receive more of God's Spirit and by doing all of God's commandments we receive even more understanding, and that understanding will help us to keep God's law even more fully, teaching us the way to live.

Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

Psalm 119:17 Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. 18 Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.

Carnal men and women cannot comprehend with their own human reason, intelligence, or even by their scholarship the whole truth of God apart from the Holy Spirit.

Only by the intervention of the Holy Spirit are we called to understand the spiritual things of God; and by divine revelation, through the help of the Spirit, it opens our minds to the mysteries of the Bible and God's Words of truth, allowing us to discern what is truly important for living and for knowing the way to salvation. If we are being made into the image of our Lord and Savior, then what is being said about Him in these verses will apply to us if we are allowing God to mold us into that image: "from glory to glory."

Isaiah 11:2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. 3 And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:

2nd Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

*What are some of the other extraordinary properties of God's Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is called our Comforter for it is sent to comfort and to help us; it gives us peace of mind!

John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth:

John 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

John 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

Jesus gave us a wonderful promise that the Holy Spirit would guide us into all truth.

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he [it] speak: and he will shew you things to come.14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15 All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

God's Spirit will bring to our minds the things of God from His Word that we have learned and internalized into our nature, by a particular verse, a precept, a commandment when we are trying to make a decision as to what is the right thing to do, or to show us a particular path we should take in our lives.

It can bring the right words to speak when we are asked questions about what we believe or if we are challenged to defend our faith.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he [it] shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Matthew 10:19 But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. 20 For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.

Isaiah 30:21And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

Jeremiah 7:23 But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

The Holy Spirit will reprove and bring conviction of sin to the world, and also to those He has called out, those who make up the Ekklesia.

John 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. 8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

The Holy Spirit is God's seal upon us and is a sign that we belong to Him and are His firstfruits.

Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his  creatures.

The Holy Spirit fills us with love and hope through its power and enables us to be filled with goodness and knowledge so that we can admonish and encourage one another.

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.

Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

The Holy Spirit dwells in us, and therefore our bodies are the spiritual temple of God and are holy; we are admonished to take care of, and keep holy our temple [body].

If we defile ourselves with sin, spiritual uncleanness and any false way; God's spirit will ultimately be quenched and we shall be destroyed.

1st Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

The Holy Spirit makes possible the preaching of the Gospel and empowers His people to do His work and ministry, helping others to hear about His plan of salvation, and if they respond properly, it sets them free from the bondage of sin and its consequences.

Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Acts 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

The Holy Spirit gives God's children various spiritual gifts equipping them to do ministry that are to be used to benefit Christ's body, His Ekklesia.

1st Corinthians 1:12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.3 Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

And at times when we cannot fully express ourselves in our prayers, the Spirit will aid us in making our petitions before God.

Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

*Just how important is it to have the Holy Spirit?

Without having God's Spirit there is no hope of being redeemed and given eternal life. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that will be used to raise us up in the resurrection.

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

The Holy Spirit is a gift from the Father who gives it to His children, those who obey Him, and it cannot be bought with money or with any kind of deceit.

Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

*Extravagant Outpouring of God's Spirit in the Millennial Kingdom

The Scriptures teach us that those who are being called, who have repented, are overcoming and faithful are called the Firstfruits. They will be raised up in the resurrection of the just to eternal life. They are the ones who have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit during this present evil age. 

But the opportunity to receive the Holy Spirit and eternal life will be given to everyone that survives the coming Tribulation and to all those living in the millennial kingdom; and then to all those who will be raised up during the latter harvest of mankind as depicted in the fall Feast, the Feast of Ingathering or Tabernacles.

Since Adam and Eve and most of those who have come after them have rejected God's commandments and His way of life, God has not made available to mankind on a grand scale, the gift of His Spirit and spiritual salvation.

The Father called and offered His Spirit to a select few in the Old Testament and then began to do a bigger work starting with the disciples and on the day of Pentecost in 31 A.D. We, as part of the Ekklesia are learning to live under God's rule by the help of the Holy Spirit in us.

In the Millennial Kingdom God, will give this opportunity to all living then; and then to all the others who have lived and died during this present 6000 years of man; many of whom never knew even that there was such a thing as the Holy Spirit, or who thought it was some kind of deity, a third person of the Godhead; they will have the veil taken away from their eyes and they too will begin to experience the awesome supernatural power that the called out have been privy to (after conversion) during their lifetimes.

All who have ever lived had mortal life through Adam; but God gives His Spirit to bestow eternal life on His faithful and obedient children!

It is a gift from our Father to those He calls and to those who choose to become His children. We are not born with it, we cannot earn it or transfer it to another; it can only come to us by the Father after we sincerely repent, are baptized, have the sacrifice of Christ applied to us, and then we can receive the Spirit by the laying on of hands, and we commit to obey Him for the rest of our lives. 

If we were to receive a million dollars, a billion, or even a trillion as a gift, it would in no way even come close to this precious gift that comes from our Holy Father.

What a glorious time it will be when all peoples, in all nations throughout the whole earth, are empowered by the Holy Spirit to know and understand the whole nature of God and what it is like to walk in true righteousness and holiness.

The Scriptures give us a beautiful glimpse into what it is going to be like when the Holy Spirit is poured out on all flesh and it gives us much hope for the future of mankind.

Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

Ezekiel 39:25 Therefore thus saith the Lord God; Now will I bring again the captivity of Jacob, and have mercy upon the whole house of Israel, and will be jealous for my holy name; 26 After that they have borne their shame, and all their trespasses whereby they have trespassed against me, when they dwelt safely in their land, and none made them afraid. 27 When I have brought them again from the people, and gathered them out of their enemies' lands, and am sanctified in them in the sight of many nations; 28 Then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, which caused them to be led into captivity among the heathen: but I have gathered them unto their own land, and have left none of them any more there. 29 Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord God.

Joel 2:21 Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things.

22 Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength. 23 Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. 24 And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. 25 And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. 26 And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. 27 And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.

28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: 29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. 30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord come. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.

Zechariah 12:10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

Ezekiel 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

John 7:37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

When we understand what a miraculous thing has taken place in our minds when we receive the Holy Spirit; it fills our hearts with awe and appreciation for the true treasure house of gifts that God has given to us through the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In our modern times, life can get very distracting as we pursue all kinds of other material things, pleasures, entertainment; time wasted on things that really don't matter. As we approach the Passover season, we pray that all would take the time to seek to be filled more and more with this gift from the Father.

We are going to need to be filled with His power and strength to face the coming great deceptions and the trials that are going to befall the nations of Israel and the whole world. 

We need to pray that God, by the power of the Holy Spirit, will lead us into all truth and that we will comprehend the words that were given to Daniel but were closed up until the time of the end. We are rapidly approaching that time of the end as God is opening these words to many who are turning from the false traditions and misunderstandings taught to us by misguided elders and leaders, and also, because we did not fully prove all things when we first came into the church.

In Daniel 12:10 we are told that: "Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand."

We can only have this understanding if we are obeying all of God's commandments and are not counted as those who do wickedly. It is those who have God's Holy Spirit that will understand the things that are now being opened more fully to His Ekklesia. This is a time to take advantage of all that He is teaching us and to seek Him now with all of our hearts while we still have time to do so.

Malachi 3:1 God says that..... "and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts."

In Matthew 25 is the parable of the 10 virgins; a message to God's people to be filling their lamps with oil, the Holy Spirit, while they still have the opportunity to buy and fill themselves up with God's Word and to have His Spirit in abundance.

Matthew 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: 

4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Ephesians 5:15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

As we see the day approaching, now is the time to be redeeming our time, and to use it to seek all that our Father would have for us, including His gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Constance 

Summary Scripture

Job 28:28

And unto man he said, 

Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; 

and to depart from evil is understanding.