Matthew 7:1 Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
(This word judgment is better translated "criticized". The same degree that you level on others, is the yardstick that they will us use in their criticism of your actions. What ever you measure [however stingy you are] to others, is the same way they will use in their actions with you. What you give to others is what you will get back yourself.
This is God's way of doing things. If you try to take a good man down, then God will see to it that your taken down also.)
3 And why beholdest thou the mote
(Or something dry, i.e. any dry particle, as wood [splinter], chaff)
that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
(In the spiritual analogy used here, it is saying; why do you look at the very smallest sin that is in your brother's life, and you have a huge sin [beam] in your own life. This has a great deal to do with whether you have eyes to see the spiritual insight into God's word. One that has eyes to see, understands the plan of God, and will not be so critical of his brother, but will be out to help his brother.
It is human nature to overlook the sin in your own life.)
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, 'Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye;' and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
(One of the greatest sins in the world is to judge someone for their sin, for that makes you the judge taking God's place, and you don't belong there. If you don't have spiritual eyes to see, there is really no way to help the other person. You must first clear your own eye, before you can help your brother.)
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
6 Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
(If you go out to some stiffed necked drunk, and try to give your pearls of wisdom to him, he is liable to set you back on your rear, and make your nose a blot. When you try to preach to a wicked man, he will mock you for even trying. He doesn't have any sense or knowledge concerning God's Word.
Proverbs 9:8; "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee:" When we criticize a mocker of Scripture, he in turn, turns that scorn back on us. The purpose in God's plan is to convict and make the sinner condemn himself.; to see his own sin, and repent of those sins.
This is how it should be: Proverbs 9:9; "Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning." Spend your time where it counts, and the Scriptures are ready to be received.)
7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
(This is never done in the East to this day. The one who knocks is always first questioned.
You have to go to thE Word, before you can seek, and the knocking is the asking for help by the right sources. It is keeping the Word in true perspective, and rightly dividing it for the message God is relating to us.
When you knock on His door, and ask Him, the Holy Spirit of God, will come in and open your eyes of understanding, and He will reveal Himself to you.)
8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
(If you ask for understanding and wisdom, you will get it. The level of understanding will be at the level that God sees your ability to understand. God will give you what He wants you to have, and it is His Spirit that will allow you to see the truths. What you see, is what you will be accountable to Him for. This is a promise from God, and it comes from Proverbs 8:17; "I love them that love Me; And those that seek Me early shall find Me.")
9 Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
(This verse can be applied in the physical sense and it is true. We can understand the love between a man and his son. However in the spiritual application, the bread is Jesus Christ, and the eternal life that Christ offers. The "stone" is the stumbling stone, that keeps the son for receiving the bread of life. A stone of stumbling could be many things that the son just could not handle, and could in the long run lead him astray. A freedom in the Lord to you, may be something that if practiced, would destroy your son.)
10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
(Again in the spiritual application; the fish is the the symbol for Christ and Christianity, and the serpent is the symbol for Satan.)
11 If ye then, being evil,
(Scripture thus challenges man, that is why man challenges it)
know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
(Cp. Ps. 34:8-10; 84:11. Luke 11:13. Jas. 1:17.
All mankind knows how to do good things for their children, and care for them. If you know how to take care of your own, think of how much more God will give to His own that ask Him and seek early to do His will. We must ask for wisdom. God said that if you ask, then you will receive, and this isn't foolishness that He is referring to, but the things that are necessary in your journey in life. God will Give you only what you are able to handle, and sometimes that isn't too much.)
12 Therefore
(Summing up all that has been said in vv. 1-11)
all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
(If a man moves into a new neighborhood, and asks the neighbor, "How are the people here?" Well the answer would be, "exactly as they were in the neighborhood that you moved from." For those neighbors were only responding to the actions and deeds of the man, and that is just as the new neighbors would. This is also what was taught from the very beginning by the law, and the prophets of old. If you were a trouble maker and selfish there, you will be the same in the new neighborhood.
If things are rough, then it is time to knock and seek the wisdom from the Lord, it will change the way you look at people, and the way that they look at you. Jesus is asking us to set our ways as is taught by the law and the prophets. The law is what governs you in the community, and around people, while the prophets instruct us in the ways of the Lord.)
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
(We are talking about entering into the gate of the kingdom of God. This is an analogy of entering into a city, and at the entrance of the city the road is very wide, and the more you go into it, the narrower it becomes. Until it becomes a narrow walk at the door leading into your own home. Hopefully Christ's kingdom is your home.
However, the key is the phrase, "broad is the way. Remember Jesus said, "I am the way", the way is the path, and Jesus walked that path, and set the examples that we are to follow. Most of the examples that Jesus gave to us are just plain common sense, and it doesn't matter how wide the gate is, for the path is well marked. That path will lead right up to the door.
Jesus said in John 10:9; "I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." The term, "go in and out, and find pasture;" is an idiom used for "life in general". We are to follow Christ in all of His teaching, and we will falter in places, and that is why we must repent when we fall, and get right back on track.
Jesus tells us in Revelation 3:19; "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. [19] Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me." [20] The handle on the door of your heart, or mind is only on the inside. Only you can open that door, for Jesus will not enter your heart unless you invite him in. You open that door by repenting of all your sins in Jesus name, and turning from your sins.)
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life,
(I.e. the life eternal. See Lev. 18:5)
and few there be that find it.
(When a Bible teacher teaches man's traditions, or the system of their church house, the path leads in another direction. In these end times this is very common, sad but true. The path that leads to our Lord Jesus Christ [the door] is narrow, but well marked by the record of His life, and that record is in our Bible. Though these righteous men are well meaning, no man can substitute a way different then is recorded in God's Word.) 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing,
(In other words, they look like a Christian, one of Christ’s followers)
but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
(In other words one that claims to be a man of God, that is to say a prophet, and is not familiar with our heavenly Father’s word, can only be influenced by the traditions of the world. And the wolf is naturally symbolic of Satan himself. So naturally, when they assume traditions, though they would faint if you were to say they were doing the work of Satan when they claim to be prophets, ministers, teachers, and evangelists, but if they are teaching traditions of men rather than the words of Christ, they are dangerous. Someone on his or her way to being deceived is one that wants to follow Christ yet respects a symbol and may claim to stand for Christ but doesn’t know anything about what Christ teaches or said. But to be in good standing with the Father who is the judge of all, you must know His word. So beware of false prophets. How do you know them? Listen to the simplicity in which Jesus taught.)
16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
(In other words what Christ is telling you is really this simple: “Do men gather grapes off of a thorn bush?” [No you do not, but Christ is speaking spiritually here.] Christ is making reference to the bramble bush, which is symbolic of Satan. Remember back in the Old Testament when the trees wanted a be king [to rule over them] and the thorn bush or bramble bush said, “I’ll be your king, as long as you promise to stay in my shade or shadow.” [meaning the bramble bush wanted them to find protection and rest in him. But Christ is our only rest.] (see Judges 9:8-15) The thing is a thorn bush doesn’t cast a shadow. You see, there’s no protection there. What is Christ talking about here? Well the subject we opened with was about false prophets, ministers, teachers, and evangelists; someone claiming to be teaching God’s word or speaking of His prophecies. Now anyone should be intelligent enough to know that you’re not going to get grapes off of a thorn bush or that you’re not going to get figs off of a thistle. Well how does that apply to people then? Well, if someone that is a one-verse Charlie or never quite gets around to opening God’s word, and that is what every Christian is supposed to absorb, then you’re eating off of a thistle, friend, and a thistle that doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. You get grapes from the vine and Christ is the vine. See 15:1-8.)
17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit;
(In other words if someone really teaches God’s word it brings forth good fruit, that is to say, people’s mind filled with God’s truth)
but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
(In other words a corrupt tree that claims to be a tree of prophecy is actually going to be a tree of a bunch of beggars. That’s what it’s going to wind up to be. Cause God won’t support them. Thus they must become beggars. I know I may offend some but we are in the final generation, at the time of the parable of the fig tree. That’s one of the reason’s Christ wanted you to learn it. So you either participating in church or you’re practicing sideshow politics. Shenanigans. Bad fruit. A good tree will you teach truth. You see, what trees are we talking about? Let’s go back to the beginning. There was the tree of life, which is Christ Himself. And there was a tree of good and evil which is Satan. And oh how he can seem to be very good but he is from the inside as the ravenous wolf, evil. Which tree will you partake of? Are you intelligent enough to understand when you are hearing God’s word taught chapter-by-chapter and verse-by-verse rather than some prattling wolf in sheep’s clothing or in a preacher’s robe that never quite gets around to mentioning the Father, the Son, or especially the word? Man doesn’t have all that much to say of importance to you my friend. Anyone that has lived any number of years at all on this earth knows that compared to our Father, man has very few important thoughts concerning the eternity. They all come from our Father, for all wisdom flows from Him.)
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
(Once you spot them mark them. They’re not going to change, most likely.)
19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(God starts judging at the pulpit. And there will be many that are hewn down. That’s what he’s talking about. Beware of false prophets which appear to be sheep, but they’re a wolf in sheep’s clothing, raving. Be very careful. Playing church can be a dangerous thing without the aid of our Father’s blessings, that is to say His word. It’s a very serious thing.)
20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
(Shall know who? False prophets, false preachers, and false teachers. You will know them by their fruit as to whether they are beggars or men of God. It’s that simple.)
21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
(In other words there’s your answer from His word. Is that difficult? This is the tree that you partake of. This is the same tree in as much as the living word is Christ. Then it is the tree of life in the 22nd chapter of Revelation that gives life for the eternity. And your good fruit is right here from the word of God. And what God is saying is that everyone that says “Lord, Lord” is not going to make it. Because there are many that say “Lord, Lord” and have absolutely no conception of what the word of God teaches, in reality, and in the simplicity in which Christ taught.)
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
(You can almost hear them now, "Oh yes we held revivals and we’ve chased those devils around the room! And in thy name we have many wonderful works! We’ve built such great, wonderful works in thy name!")
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Are you a fruit inspector? Are you intelligent enough to tell whether someone is teaching God’s word? To teach from God’s word you must read FROM His word. You must convey the thought that God utilizes by way of metaphors, idioms, figures of speech, acrostics, as well as understanding the customs of the time, [one has to clarify mistakes in the translations from the original languages], and to let the word do the teaching in the simplicity that Christ taught it. Aunt Nelly don’t get it done. And that’s no disrespect to Aunt Nelly. It’s just that no one and nothing can replace the good fruit from the word of God. Can you begin to see why Christ said you must LEARN the parable of the fig tree? And this is the basic step. Some are going to say, “Well when did He say that?” See Mark 13:28)
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
(Jesus is telling each of us that if we are to be His, then we will listen to each thing that He has taught, and then go and put them into practice in our lives. Those instructions will sink into our hearts and minds, and we will be open to the Holy Spirit of God to lead us in our lives. We will strive to be like our Lord and Savior, and pattern our lives after Him. We will learn and practice the love that Christ showed to us, and give that love and kindness to our neighbor. We will learn all about the Kenites, and the laws and commandments of God. We will learn discernment of spirits and the good and bad teachers. We will learn it all; and then we will do it.
That "Rock" is Christ Himself. The victors will sing the "song of Moses" in the Millennium age as recorded in Deuteronomy 32. In verses 3, 4; "Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto you God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: For all His ways are judgment: just and right is He." Those that love the Lord know the difference between the Rock Christ, and the spotted crooked rock of the devil. This generation will be tested by the little rock, the Antichrist, and many will leave Christ, and run in ignorance to the false Christ.)
25 And
(Emphasizing each particular)
the rain descended, and the floods came,
(At the foundation)
and the winds blew,
(At the sides)
and beat upon that house;
(With great violence)
and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
(When Christ's teachings are part of you, firm in your heart [mind], then when the floods of Satan's lies and deceptions come, and they will very soon, you will see right through them.)
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
(Many people sit in Church and under the teaching week after week, and their spiritual eyes are closed. Their mind is off on a business deal, or the meal to be served later, instead of accepting Christ's teaching. They then go about their life's work, and completely forget the path that Christ has taught us to follow, and they don't understand why God isn't blessing them. These are the ones that hear Christ's sayings, and do them not. He [she] is the foolish man [woman].)
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
(The flood that will cover the entire earth is coming very soon, it is the flood of lies and deceptions that Satan, the Antichrist will bring on the entire earth, and many Christians will fall at his feet and worship him in ignorance. They will be taken by Satan because their rapture theory has taught them to do this act.
When they do this, the floods of deception will totally wash away every part of a foundation that they thought they had. For in their act of giving allegiance to the Antichrist, they will have given over to Satan any rewards and acts of righteousness they have done, as well as turned their backs on the grace that God has extended to them.
Revelation 12:6; "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days." The woman is the "elect" of God, that are sealed in their minds [foreheads], and they are prepared for the lies, deceptions and evil wonders that is about to happen.
In Revelation 12:7 "There was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels." This war is going to be over very soon, and this war is between Satan and the fallen angels, and Michael, and God's children. The false preachers are preparing you for what is coming next. They are teaching you to meet this first Christ at his arrive in their rapture theory, and fly away with him. However, the only place that he is going is to the pit, after his five months stay [Revelation 9:5, 10].
Lets go to the Revelation 12:15; "And the serpent [Satan, the Antichrist] cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood." That mighty flood that is cast forth is a flood of lies, deceptions, and supernatural wonders, that will cause all the people of the world to be swept away from their foundations that are built on the sand. Do you know the difference between the coming of the two Messiahs, and which one you will see first? You had better know for your very soul depends upon it.)
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings,
(This marks the end of the 1st period and subject of the Lord's ministry)
the people were astonished at His doctrine:
29 For he taught them as one having authority,
(I.e. possessing Divine authority = from the mouth of God)
and not as the scribes.
(Jewish teachers always referred to tradition, or to what some other teacher had said; and do so to this day.
The statements that came out of Jesus Christ's mouth were absolute, and Christ had power and authority to present them. Jesus was filled with the Holy Spirit, which gave understanding to those listeners, and when the Word of God is understood with spiritual eyes open, that Word moves people. There was no doubt in Christ's instructions, and no clouds over what was right or wrong. The difference between the scribes teaching and Christ's teaching is the scribes taught the traditions of men that does not conform with God's Holy Word. They teach what men say, and allow the listener to pick and choose the authority that best fits their needs.
The only authority that anyone can use in their teaching is the authority that comes from the Word of God. All other speaking is tradition. When you speak and it comes from the Word of God, then you have authority.
Lets close this sermon on the mount with John 1:1-5; "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in the darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
My friend, Jesus Christ is the spoken Word, and the written Word, and the darkness that comprehended Christ not is the world. When you are of Christ, that light shines in you, and when you are in the world, it just won't make any sense to you.)