Earnest Expectation

Newsletter #229 - November 1997 - By Shepherds Chapel - http://www.shepherdschapel.com/

The Greek word "apokaradokia" (ap-ok-ar-ad-ok-ee'-ah) is translated in the English KJV Bible as "earnest expectation". The Greek word is actually a composite of 3 other Greek words. "Apo" means looking to the future. "Kara" means head. "Dokeo" means think with certainty. When you put all 3 Greek word together, the meaning is we are looking to the future, using our heads and knowing something is absolutely going to happen.

What is it that we can be so sure of? Gods Word will happen exactly as it is written. Let's opn up our Bibles to Paul's teaching in Phillipians. We will pick it up with Paul giving thanks that Christ was being preached. Some were teaching Christ with envy, strife and contention. Some were teaching Christ with good will and love. Now matter how Christ was taught, Paul knew the wise would understand.

Philippians 1:18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.

Paul knew God would reach the elect with the word, whereby they could claim the promises of God.

Philippians 1:19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20 According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.

Here, we have our subject earnest expectation. Paul is looking to the future, using his head and thinking with all certainty about his salvation through Jesus Christ. Friends, earnest expectation is what makes Christianty a reality.

Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

Paul was getting along in years and beginning to look to his return to Christ; however, he also knew that only in the flesh could he produce fruit. At this time, we are going to turn to another Book where Paul utilized the phrase "earnest expectation". In Romans Chapter 8, we get a grasp of the overall picture. Paul refers to the 1st earth age, and he is basically addressing those saints that stood with God at Satan's rebellion.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, "Abba, Father."

"Abba" is Hebrew for Father. What an opportunity for those who are adopted as children of God. You see, He own everything. You are an heir.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

You know when the spirit touches your spirit. You can feel the warmth.

Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Some would say, "Wait a minute. What is this suffering business? That sounds painful." I'm sorry, this world can be painful; however, God will never give you more than you can bear. When you think the world is being to tough on you, remember how Christ suffered on the cross for you. Be a "can do" child of God.

Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

You cannot compare the little bit of suffering you encounter with the greatness of your rewards. Those rewards are available to them that love and Serve Father this very day through blessings from God.

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

Creature should be translated creation. The manifestations of the sons of God is the first day of the Millennium. Every man, animal and plant that God created yearns for this day. Why? Look what flesh man has done to nature. We are looking to the future, using our heads and knowing with certainty that this earth will be rejuvenated just as it is written.

Romans 8:20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of Him Who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

God will make all things as they were when He created them. The earth will be perfect and man will not be tied to the corruption, which means decay or ruin, of the flesh body.

Romans 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

The firstfruits of the Spirit are the elect.

Romans 8:24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

If something is not seen but still hoped for, it is hoped for by faith. God certainly loves His children that have that faith. Be patient! You wouldn't want any of your brothers and sisters lost forever because you were in a hurry would you?

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.

God sends the Holy Spirit to intercede in the lives of the elect. He makes certain they go where He wants them and do what He wants them to do.

Romans 8:27 And He that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because He maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Man's will is not important. It is Gods will that is important. God's will, will be done.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Christ was born in the flesh to show us the way to salvation and to defeat death for all time.

Romans 8:30 Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified.

Justified means judged. Those that stood with God against Satan in the 1st earth age have already been judged.

Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

How can we sum this up? If you are doing God's will, don't worry about criticism from others. "Well, Pastor Murray they say we are a cult." Who cares what they say? God is on our side. Victory is a certainty. Does it ever seem the enemy is winning? Anytime you get to feel this way, turn to Psalms 9. This Psalm tells us what we should earnestly be expecting. Keep the meaning of "apokaradokia" in mind as we read this Psalm.

Psalm 9:6 O thou enemy, destructions are come to a perpetual end: and thou hast destroyed cities; their memorial is perished with them. 7 But the LORD shall endure for ever: He hath prepared His throne for judgment.

His judgment means rewards for some and chastisement for others. You will receive what you have earned.

Psalm 9:8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. 9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.

Do you ever need a place to escape the enemy for a minute? I hope you know where you may find that refuge. You had better know the Lord is your refuge in the time of antichrist's reign, or you are in a whole heap of trouble.

Psalm 9:10 And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.

Note the condition. The Lord will not forsake those that seek Him. "Well Pastor Murray, where do I find Him?" Right here in the ling Word, the Bible.

Psalm 9:11 Sing praises to the LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people His doings. 12 When He maketh inquisition for blood, He remembereth them: He forgetteth not the cry of the humble.

Then term "for blood" means murder. God does not forget murder. It does matter what any court in the land has decided, God will be the Judge.

Psalm 9:13 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; consider my trouble which I suffer of them that hate me, Thou that liftest me up from the gates of death: 14 That I may shew forth all Thy praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion: I will rejoice in Thy salvation.

Some will be called up before councils (Mark 13). Fear not. You have a written guarantee from our Father. You will overcome.

Psalm 9:15 The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken. 16 The LORD is known by the judgment which He executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.

Higgaion" is a Hebrew word meaning meditate. You have a head, use it. "Selah" means pause and reflect. God uses this word when He wants you to pay attention to what was just said, and to get ready for what is about to be said.

Psalm 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. 18 For the needy shall not always be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.

The poor, or better translated the oppressed, may look to the future, use their heads and know with certainty that they will not perish. The wicked will perish with the wicked one in the lake of fire. Those that oppress him and his have a guarantee of salvation from God.

Psalm 9:19 Arise, O LORD; let not man prevail: let the heathen be judged in Thy sight. 20 Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.

Friends, there i no reason to fear or doubt. You are a child of the Living God. You can take refuge in Father's arms, knowing He will never give you more than you can handle. Father has promised that you can earnestly expect the victory, if you do things His way. Why would you want to do it any other way?

In His service,
Arnold Murray