What is written in Father's Word is very important. We have been told everything that we need to know in His Word. Those who take the time to understand His instructions and guidelines are truly blessed. That doesn't mean that we won't be persecuted. Accepting persecution is easy, when we know we have the victory. It is written. Have you read? Do you believe? Many disbelieved Christ when he was here on earth. The Kenites didn't believe He was Messiah. For hundreds of years they had worked on taking control, and Jesus was stirring up their nest. How did Jesus prove Himself? He went right to the Word. It was written. Open your Bibles to John 5:36.
John 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me. (37) And the Father Himself, Which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape.
The works that Christ had done before men were prophesied many, many times. The problem was that they hadn't read the Word. Father's Word was His witness.
John 5:38 And ye have not His word abiding in you: for Whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not.
God's Word foretold of the coming of Messiah. They didn't believe Jesus, and they didn't believe the Word.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me. (40) And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. (41) I receive not honor from men.
The word is the witness of Jesus. Anyone who thinks he has eternal life without the Savior is mistaken.
John 5:42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. (43) I am come in My Father's name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.
Jesus was talking to the Kenites. He identified them in John 8:44 where He tells them, "Ye are of your father the devil". They will certainly receive the antichrist.
John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
Men pleasers are difficult to tolerate. They will answer the same question differently depending on what they think the person, or persons, they are talking with want to hear. They worry more about pleasing men than God. Beware of men pleasers. You can't count on them.
John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. (46) For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed Me: for he wrote of Me. (47) But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe My words?"
The words of Moses were the same as the words of Christ. They were both the Word of God. They were claiming to be believers in Moses, but they were denying He Whom Moses wrote of. Turn with me to Deuteronomy 18. What was Jesus referring to concerning Moses? Jesus was utilizing the Word to prove He was Messiah.
Deuteronomy 18:14 For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the LORD they God hath not suffered thee so to do.
Moses is preparing the children of Israel to enter the promise land. Moses was a type for the Deliverer Jesus.
Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethern, like unto me; unto Him ye shall hearken;
Moses is prophesying of One like him, that is to say born of woman, Who we should listen to. Another prophet would record His name as Immanuel. Another prophet would name Him the Branch. Over and over the Word foretells of Him. The scribes and Pharisees didn't believe.
Deuteronomy 18:16 According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, 'Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not.'
The people saw the manifestation of God and heard His voice, and it scared them to death. So God sent the Word in a form of someone just like us, born of woman. Someone we could listen to without becoming frightened.
Deuteronomy 18:17 And the LORD said unto me, 'They have well spoken that which they have spoken. (18) I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethern, like unto thee, and will put My words in His mouth; and He shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.
Jesus is the Living Word. The Word we are able to hear without becoming terrified. It brings us peace of mind.
Deuteronomy 18:19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto My words which He shall speak in My name, I will require it of him.
The scribes, Pharisees and Kenites didn't believe the words of Jesus. They weren't hearkening to the Word of God. Those of you who do believe and hearken receive blessings. Those who don't have chastisement ahead.
Deuteronomy 18:20 But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.
Anyone who claims to be a teacher of God's Word had better pay close attention to this verse. God becomes very angry, when someone falsely claims to speak His Word. Jesus was speaking the Word of God, and they didn't believe Him. They chose to murder Him. That also was written. Let's return to the Book of John.
John 7:14 Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple, and taught. (15) And the Jews marvelled, saying, "How knoweth this Man letters, having never learned?"
This Man didn't attend our seminary. How could He possibly know the Scriptures so well? The Word of God was standing before them teaching the words commanded.
John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, "My doctrine is not Mine, but His That sent Me. (17) If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself.
Jesus wasn't making up words of His own mind as false prophets do. The Word of God was His witness.
John 7:18 He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but He That seeketh His glory That sent Him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in Him.
Jesus didn't need to boast of Himself or seek the glory of men. His glory was given of God long ago, and the Word stands in witness of His glory. It is very important for us to hold these simple truths in our hearts. Why? Turn with me to II Timothy. Listen to the Word.
2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
Do you believe the Word? If you do, you shouldn't be surprised by the events that lie ahead. Prepare yourself.
2 Timothy 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (3) Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
Does this sound a lot like the evening news? It will get worse. God's Word promises it will get worse.
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; (5) Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (6) For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Spiritually speaking, we are all the bride of Christ. There are many silly men and women who will be deceived and taken captive by antichrist.
2 Timothy 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Unfortunately, many are ever learning the traditions of men, and they never get around to learning the truth of God's Word. Those of you who do are blessed.
2 Timothy 3:8 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
Jannes and Jambres were Pharaoh's magicians who after Aaron cast his rod down and it became a serpent before Pharaoh, also cast their rods down and they became serpents. This kind of made Aaron look bad, until Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods. People will also try to make you look bad in the future. Stick with God's Word, and you will do just fine. God's Word will stand witness to what you are saying, as long as you stay with the Word.
2 Timothy 3:9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
God will never let you down. The folly of those who try to make you look bad will be made known. Truth always wins over folly. God will see to it.
2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, (11) Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
If you are persecuted for Christ's sake, God will deliver you as well. You should count persecution as joy.
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (13) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Remember, we are talking about the last days. It is going to get worse. Prepare yourself mentally and spiritually. If you know the Word, there will be no surprises.
2 Timothy 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
Don't allow anyone to rob you of the truth which we find in God's Word. Stay focused. In conclusion, let's turn to Luke Chapter 10.
Luke 10:17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name."
The seventy were disciples of Christ. Don't ever forget the power over devils is through Christ's name.
Luke 10:18 And He said unto them, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. (19) Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."
Satan will give us trouble; however, Christ has given us power over Satan and his evil spirits.
Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."
When you trust in the Word of God and exercise the power and authority given you, your name is written in the book of life. Names written are very important.
In His Service,
Arnold Murray