Understanding God’s Word Ministry: Recent Episodes
Shonette Peterkin
Site geared towards expository teaching of the KJV bible centered around Jesus Christ and His atoning work at Calvary.
Romans 6, 2 Corinthians 3 - There is another part to this which contains like another 16 mins.
Romans 6:1-6
Christ came and conquered death over the sin nature, sin, the old creation, Satan and the world system in order to be it's replacement.
Inward man is the spirit of man strengthened by the Holy Spirit who indwells him.
Soul-life - To find the soul-life is to allow the soul to have its enjoyment and to escape suffering. To lose the soul-life is to cause the soul to lose its enjoyment and thereby to suffer.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: 2Th 2:14
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Warning #4 (of 5): Hebrews 10:26-31
• The intensity of the 4th warning is greater than all previous: willful
sin; fiery judgment; sorer punishment.
• Reference to end time events: Judgment Seat of Christ, Kingdom, etc.
(Subjects at the forefront of the Epistle)
• Author includes himself: “We…”
26] For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
“For...”: Anticipating the apostasy just warned of; a conditional, circumstantial participle in the present tense: a continuing action. The writer is
not dealing with one simple, isolated act of sin but a specific sin habitually committed. It is not a sin committed out of ignorance or weakness
but is a sin planned out, determined, and committed with forethought.
Context: turning away from knowledge: In this context, the sin is to
willfully and permanently return to Judaism. In the Greek text, the word
wilfully comes before if we sin and is in the emphatic position.
“...knowledge of the truth”: The readers already have the knowledge:
evpi,gnwsij epignosis: precise and correct knowledge. After reading this
letter, the readers will have full knowledge of the truth, of the issues
involved, of the circumstances involved, and of the results of their actions. If they insist upon going back willfully after reading this letter, it
will show the enormity and severity of their defection. To turn back is
a slap in the face of God!
“...no more sacrifice for sins”: Since Jesus was rejected, they have no
other sacrifice for their sins. He was their final sacrifice. This result is
based on the Old Testament principle that there were no sacrifices for
certain sins including adultery, murder, and blasphemy: For these kinds
of sins, the people could not offer a sacrifice (Num 15:29-31); instead,
they were subject to the penalty of physical death
~C. Missler
Hebrews 9
Hebrews 9:16–25 (AV 2005)
THE NEW COVENANT
16 For where a Testament is (Covenant), there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. (This refers to the death of Christ, Who was charged to make a New Covenant on the part of man.)
17 For a Testament is of force after men are dead (this tells us in no uncertain terms that the death of Christ on the Cross was a legal matter): otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator lives. (This simply means it is not valid until the individual to whom the Will belongs dies, as is the case of any Testament or Will.)
18 Whereupon neither the First Testament (Old Covenant) was dedicated without blood (but it was only the blood of animals).
19 For when Moses had spoken every Precept to all the people according to the Law (this was referred to as the “Law of Moses”), he took the blood of calves and of goats (proclaims the seal of the Old Covenant, which was “shed blood”; of course, it was a Type of the Shed Blood of Christ), with water (as the blood witnessed to the nature of His Atoning Death [Jn. 19:34], the water witnessed to His full and proper humanity [Jn. 19:34]), and scarlet wool (wool is normally white, which symbolizes the Righteousness of Christ; however, it was dyed red, which portrayed the fact that it took the Blood of Christ to make this Righteousness available to man), and hyssop (a bushy plant, which typified His Death on the Cross as a man; in Egypt the blood was applied to the doorpost with hyssop [Ex. 12:22]), and sprinkled both the Book, and all the people (referred to the Book of Leviticus, with the Tribe of Levi Ordained for Tabernacle Service, pertaining to the people; the sprinkling of the blood was the ratification of the Covenant, and symbolized the Blood of Christ which would ultimately be shed and applied by Faith to the hearts and lives of believing sinners [the blood was mixed with water]),
20 Saying, This is the Blood of the Testament (presents that which made the Old Covenant valid) which God has enjoined upon you. (This presents the fact that everything in the First Covenant, exactly as in the New Covenant, is all of God and not at all of man.)
21 Moreover he sprinkled with Blood both the Tabernacle, and all the Vessels of the Ministry. (This particular Verse portrays the awfulness of sin, and that it has contaminated everything on this Earth.)
22 And almost all things are by the Law purged with blood (some few things were purged with water, but almost all with blood); and without shedding of blood is no remission. (The shed Blood of Christ on the Cross is the only solution for the sins, the ills, and the problems of this world. The problem of the world, and of the Church as well, is that it has ever sought to substitute something else. But let all know, it is alone the Cross! the Cross! the Cross!)
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the Heavens should be purified with these (everything that pertained to the Tabernacle and all of its Sacred Vessels was a copy of that which was in Heaven; inasmuch as the Vessels and the Tabernacle were touched by men, they had to be purified by Blood, i.e., “animal blood”); but the Heavenly things themselves with better Sacrifices than these. (If man were to enter Heaven, the abode of God, there would have to be a better Sacrifice than that of animal blood.)
24 For Christ is not entered into the Holy Places made with hands (Christ did not enter the earthly Tabernacle or Temple, regarding the offering up of His Precious Blood on the Mercy Seat), which are the figures of the true (presents the fact that these “figures” were only temporary); but into Heaven itself, now to appear in the Presence of God for us (presents the purpose and reason for the Cross; all of it was done “for us”):
25 Nor yet that He should offer Himself often (refers to the fact that the one Sacrifice of Christ, which was the Offering of Himself on the Cross, was eternally sufficient for the cleansing from all sin—past, present, and future; It will never need to be repeated), as the High Priest enters into the Holy Place every year with blood of others (refers to the High Priest of Israel of Old, who went into the Holy of Holies once a year on the Great Day of Atonement, carrying animal blood);
~JSM
Philippians 3
FALSE TEACHERS
FINALLY, my Brethren, rejoice in the Lord (as long as they keep their eyes on Christ and the Cross, they can keep rejoicing). To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. (This presents the Apostle now turning his attention to the Judaizers, who might at any time turn their attention toward Philippi.)
2 Beware of dogs (the Apostle is addressing the Judaizers, who were Jews from Jerusalem that claimed Christ, but insisted on Believers keeping the Law as well; all of this was diametrically opposed to Paul’s Gospel of Grace, in which the Law of Moses had no part; as well, by the use of the word “dogs,” the Apostle was using the worst slur), beware of evil workers (they denigrated the Cross), beware of the concision. (This presents a Greek word Paul uses as a play upon the Greek word “Circumcision,” which was at the heart of the Law Gospel of the Judaizers.)
3 For we are the Circumcision (refers to the true Circumcision, which is that of the heart), which worship God in the Spirit (would have been better translated, “which worship by the Spirit of God”), and rejoice in Christ Jesus (refers not only to Who Christ is, but what He has done for us at the Cross), and have no confidence in the flesh (in things other than the Cross, which alone is the guarantee of Salvation and Victory).
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh (refers to human attainments). If any other man thinks that he has whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more (the Apostle knows what he’s talking about regarding Judaism):
PAUL
5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel (he was a pure-blooded Jew), of the Tribe of Benjamin (Benjamin was the only Tribe that stayed with Judah at the time of the division of the nation), an Hebrew of the Hebrews (goes all the way back to Abraham); as touching the Law, a Pharisee (in fact, Paul had been the hope of the Pharisees, touted to take the place of Gamaliel);
6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the Church (he thought he was doing God a service); touching the Righteousness which is in the Law, blameless. (He thought he was earning merit with God by persecuting the Church.)
7 But what things were gain to me (Paul was speaking of his privileges as a Jew), those I counted loss for Christ. (All must be given up for Christ, and Christ is worth all we give up, and a thousand times more.)
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord (the knowledge of the Lord Jesus which Paul gained through the experience of intimate companionship and communion with Him): for Whom I have suffered the loss of all things (“For Whose sake I have been caused to forfeit”), and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (next to Christ, everything else is nothing),
9 And be found in Him (to be united with Christ by a living Faith, which has as its Object the Cross of Christ), not having my own Righteousness (“not having any Righteousness which can be called my own”), which is of the Law (pertains to Law-keeping; he was done with that), but that which is through the Faith of Christ (what He did at the Cross), the Righteousness which is of God by Faith (a spotless Righteousness made possible by the Cross, and imputed by God to all who exhibit Faith in Christ and the Cross):
10 That I may know Him (referring to what Christ did at the Cross), and the power of His Resurrection (refers to being raised with Him in “Newness of Life” [Rom. 6:3–5]), and the fellowship of His sufferings (regarding our Trust and Faith placed in what He did for us at the Cross), being made conformable unto His death (to conform to what He did for us at the Cross, understanding that this is the only means of Salvation and Sanctification);
11 If by any means I might attain unto the Resurrection of the dead. (This does not refer to the coming Resurrection, but rather the Believing sinner being baptized into the death of Christ [refers to the Crucifixion], and raised in “Newness of Life,” which gives victory over all sin [Rom. 6:3–5, 11, 14].)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2076). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 9
the Mercy Seat):
8 The Holy Spirit this signifying (the Holy Spirit was both the Divine Author of the Levitical system of worship, and its Interpreter), that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest (proclaims the fact [and by the Holy Spirit, at that] that access to God was blocked while the Law was enforced, except in the most limited way), while as the First Tabernacle was yet standing (show the limitations of the Levitical system):
9 Which was a figure for the time then present (refers to the Tabernacle being a representation of Heavenly realities), in which were offered both Gifts and Sacrifices, that could not make him who did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience (portrays the weakness of the First Covenant, in that it was based on animal blood, which was insufficient; in other words, the conscience of the Jew was still heavy with realization that sin had only been covered, not taken away; only the Cross could take away sin [Jn. 1:29]);
10 Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal Ordinances (refers to the entirety of the Levitical system, which could only present types and shadows), imposed on them until the time of Reformation. (The Cross, to which all of this pointed, would address all of this once and for all.)
11 But Christ being come (the little word “but” is the pivot upon which all the arguments swing) an High Priest (presented by the Apostle to show how marvelously the one Offering of our Lord Jesus Christ transcends all the types and shadows of the old) of good things to come (should have been translated, “of the good things realized”), by a greater and more perfect Tabernacle (presents Christ Himself as the more perfect Tabernacle), not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building (Christ is not a flimsy structure like the Tabernacle of old);
12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves (proclaims by the fact of the continued need of more Sacrifices that it was not properly effected), but by His Own Blood (presents the price paid) He entered in once into the Holy Place (presents Christ doing what no other Priest had ever done; He offered a Sacrifice that was complete, which means it would never have to be repeated; thereby, the Heavenly Tabernacle was opened to Him; and if opened to Him, it was opened to us as well), having obtained Eternal Redemption for us. (This proclaims what was accomplished by the giving of Himself on the Cross.)
13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats (presents Paul turning again to the Levitical Sacrifices as an example), and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, Sanctifies to the purifying of the flesh (in these animal Sacrifices, Paul proclaims the effect of an external purification, a cleansing from ritual defilement, but that was as far as it went; as should be obvious, animal Sacrifices could not take away sins):
14 How much more shall the Blood of Christ (while the Sacrifice of animals could cleanse from ceremonial defilement, only the Blood of Christ could cleanse from actual sin; so that throws out every proposed solution other than the Cross), Who through the Eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God (in this phrase, we learn Christ did not die until the Holy Spirit told Him to die; in fact, no man took His Life from Him; He laid it down freely [Jn. 10:17–18]; as well, the fact that Jesus “offered Himself without spot to God” shoots down the unscriptural Doctrine that “Jesus died Spiritually” on the Cross; had He died Spiritually, meaning He became a sinner on the Cross, He could not have offered Himself without spot to God, as should be obvious; God could only accept a perfect Sacrifice; when He died on the Cross, He took upon Himself the sin penalty of the human race, which was physical death; inasmuch as His Offering of Himself was Perfect, God accepted it as payment in full for all sin—past, present, and future, at least for those who will believe [Jn. 3:16]), purge your conscience from dead works to serve the Living God? (“Dead works” are anything other than simple Faith in the Cross of Christ, i.e., “the Blood of Christ.”)
The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2131–2132). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews
CHAPTER 9
(A.D. 64)
CONTRAST
THEN verily the First Covenant (is meant to describe the Tabernacle in which the Service of God was celebrated under the former dispensation, and to show it had a reference to what was future) had also Ordinances of Divine Service (Ordinances adapted for Divine Service), and a worldly Sanctuary. (The word “worldly” is used here as a contrast to the Heavenly world.)
2 For there was a Tabernacle made (refers to what Moses had made in the wilderness, which pattern was given to him by God); the first, wherein was the Candlestick (Golden Lampstand), and the table, and the shewbread (refers to the “first room,” which was the Holy Place where the Sacred Vessels were situated); which is called the Sanctuary. (This should have been translated, “which is called the Holy Place.” The name “Sanctuary” was commonly given to the whole edifice.)
3 And after the Second Veil (pertains to the Veil which separated the Holy Place and the Holy of Holies), the Tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all (refers to the Holy of Holies, which contained the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat);
4 Which had the Golden Censer (should have been translated, “the Golden Incense Altar,” which sat immediately in front of the Veil in the Holy Place), and the Ark of the Covenant overlaid round about with gold (presents the most Glorious and Mysterious Vessel of the Tabernacle), wherein was the Golden Pot that had Manna (presents that which was a Type of Christ as the Bread of Life [Jn. 6:32–33, 35]), and Aaron’s rod that budded (represents Christ Alone as Saviour, and proof that God would raise Him from the dead), and the Tables of the Covenant (the two stone Tables containing the Ten Commandments, five to each Table);
5 And over it (the Ark of the Covenant) the Cherubims of Glory (Living Creatures) shadowing the Mercyseat (they looked down upon the Mercyseat); of which we cannot now speak particularly (cannot go into great detail).
6 Now when these things were thus ordained (refers to the fact that all of this was of God, and every part and parcel of the Tabernacle in some way pointed to Christ), the Priests went always into the First Tabernacle (into the first of the two rooms of the Tabernacle called the “Holy Place”), accomplishing the Service of God. (This refers to the daily, even constant, rituals that had to be carried out.)
7 But into the second (the second room of the Tabernacle called the “Holy of Holies,” where the Ark of the Covenant was) went the High Priest alone once every year (pertained to the Great Day of Atonement [Lev. 16:14; 23:27]), not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people (presents him going in twice on this particular day, each time taking the blood of the Sacrificial animal which had been killed—once for himself, and once for the people—with the blood sprinkled on the Mercy Seat):
8 The Holy Spirit this signifying (the Holy Spirit was both the Divine Author of the Levitical system of worship, and its Interpreter), that the way into the Holiest of all was not yet made manifest (proclaims the fact [and by the Holy Spirit, at that] that access to God was blocked while the Law was enforced, except in the most limited way), while as the First Tabernacle was yet standing (show the limitations of the Levitical system):
9 Which was a figure for the time then present (refers to the Tabernacle being a representation of Heavenly realities), in which were offered both Gifts and Sacrifices, that could not make him who did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience (portrays the weakness of the First Covenant, in that it was based on animal blood, which was insufficient; in other words, the conscience of the Jew was still heavy with realization that sin had only been covered, not taken away; only the Cross could take away sin [Jn. 1:29]);
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2130–2131). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 8 and 9
10 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel (refers as stated to the “New Covenant”) after those days (refers to the Old Covenant having run its course, which it did at the time of the Cross), saith the Lord; I will put My Laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts (proclaims in abbreviated detail the glorious fact of what the New Covenant would do because the sin debt was paid by Christ on the Cross, which made it possible for the Holy Spirit to abide forever in the hearts and lives of Believers [Jn. 14:16–17]): and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people (refers to relationship under the New Covenant that was not possible under the Old Covenant [Zech. 8:8]):
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord (refers to the complicated process of the Old Covenant): for all shall know Me, from the least to the greatest. (This presents the fact that the Holy Spirit will teach every Believer, as He does, and which Jesus also said would be [Jn. 16:13–15]).
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness (the Cross made this possible), and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (Due to the Cross, sins and iniquities no longer exist, at least for those who trust Christ.)
13 In that He said (Jer. 31:31), A New Covenant (all in Christ and what He did at the Cross), He (God) has made the first old (it was designed to be temporary). Now that which decays and waxes old is ready to vanish away. (Since the Cross, which introduced the New Covenant, there is no more need for the Old, which is vastly inferior.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2130). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
A New Covenant Hebrews 8(Jer 31:31–34 )TOOLS
Heb 8:7
¶For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.TOOLS
Heb 8:8
For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:TOOLS
Heb 8:9
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.TOOLS
Heb 8:10
For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:TOOLS
Heb 8:11
And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.TOOLS
Heb 8:12
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.TOOLS
Heb 8:13
¶In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
CHAPTER 8
(A.D. 64)
HIGH PRIEST
NOW of the things which we have spoken this is the sum (refers to what Paul will now give as it regards the meaning of all this): We have such an High Priest, Who is set on the Right Hand of the Throne of the Majesty in the Heavens (the very fact that Christ is now seated in the Heavens at the Right Hand of God proves His Work is a Finished Work);
2 A Minister of the Sanctuary (as Paul uses the word “Minister,” it speaks both of Priestly service to God and of service to man), and of the True Tabernacle (the true dwelling place of God, which is in the Heavens), which the Lord pitched, and not man. (This refers to the fact that Moses pitched the earthly Tabernacle, but God formed the True Tabernacle.)
3 For every High Priest is ordained to offer Gifts and Sacrifices (portrays the High Priests of old serving as mediators between God and men): wherefore it is of necessity that this Man (Christ Jesus) have somewhat also to offer. (A Priest must have a Sacrifice to offer. Christ offered Himself. This was His one great and all embracing Sacrifice, satisfying all the Types of the Old Covenant and abolishing all its Offerings for sin.)
4 For if He (the Lord Jesus) were on Earth, He should not be a Priest (refers to the fact that He was not of the Levitical Order, and due to His Sacrifice of Himself, no more earthly Priests are now needed, which, as should be obvious, completely abrogates the Catholic Priesthood), seeing that there are Priests who offer Gifts according to the Law (due to His Eternal Priesthood, and the Offering of Himself in Sacrifice, the Law is done):
5 Who (the Levitical Priesthood) serve unto the example and shadow of Heavenly things (refers to a suggestive replica, which, in fact, had no substance within itself), as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the Tabernacle (proclaims the fact that this was but a poor replica of the reality Who is Christ): for, See, said He (Ex. 25:40; Num. 8:4), that you make all things according to the pattern showed to you in the Mount (meaning the Tabernacle on Earth was merely a replica of something far better in the Heavens).
MEDIATOR
6 But now (since the Cross) has He (the Lord Jesus) obtained a more excellent Ministry (the New Covenant in Jesus’ Blood is superior, and takes the place of the Old Covenant in animal blood), by how much also He is the Mediator of a Better Covenant (proclaims the fact that Christ officiates between God and man according to the arrangements of the New Covenant), which was established upon better Promises. (This presents the New Covenant, explicitly based on the cleansing and forgiveness of all sin, which the Old Covenant could not do.)
7 For if that first Covenant had been faultless (proclaims the fact that the First Covenant was definitely not faultless; as stated, it was based on animal blood, which was vastly inferior to the Precious Blood of Christ), then should no place have been sought for the Second (proclaims the necessity of the New Covenant).
8 For finding fault with them (the First Covenant was actually designed to glaringly portray the fault of the people, which it successfully did), He said (Jer. 31:31), Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a New Covenant with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah (that New Covenant was in Christ and what He did at the Cross; regrettably, Israel rejected Him):
9 Not according to the Covenant that I made with their fathers (refers to the Law of Moses, which was given some fifty days after Israel was delivered from Egypt) in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt (speaks to the immaturity of Israel at that time; consequently, she was treated as a minor); because they continued not in My Covenant (Israel was not true to the Covenant regarding the Old Law), and I regarded them not, says the Lord. (Israel rejected God’s First Covenant, so God rejected them.)
10 For this is the Covenant that I will make with the House of Israel (refers as stated to the “New Covenant”) after those days (refers to the Old Covenant having run its course, which it did at the time of the Cross), saith the Lord; I will put My Laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts (proclaims in abbreviated detail the glorious fact of what the New Covenant would do because the sin debt was paid by Christ on the Cross, which made it possible for the Holy Spirit to abide forever in the hearts and lives of Believers [Jn. 14:16–17]): and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to Me a people (refers to relationship under the New Covenant that was not possible under the Old Covenant [Zech. 8:8]):
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2129–2130). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Romans 5
8 But God Commendeth His Love toward us (Christ dying for the ungodly is a proof of Love immeasurable), in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Jesus died for those who bitterly hate Him).
9 Much more then (if Christ died for us while we were yet sinners, how much more will He do for us now that we are Redeemed and, thereby, reconciled to Him!), being now Justified by His Blood (we are justified now, and the Blood of Christ stands as the guarantee for that Justification), we shall be saved from wrath through Him (the Wrath of God, which is always manifested against sin).
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the Death of His Son (the only way we could be reconciled; this Verse shoots down the “Jesus died spiritually doctrine”), much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life (does not speak of His Perfect Life, but rather the pouring out of His Life’s Blood at Calvary).
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ (we are to boast of our Reconciliation to God, for it is a true confidence [1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17]), by Whom we have now received the Atonement (Reconciliation).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 1977). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Romans 5
JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH
THEREFORE being Justified by Faith (this is the only way one can be justified; refers to Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross), we have peace with God (justifying peace) through our Lord Jesus Christ (what He did at the Cross):
2 By Whom also we have access by Faith into this Grace (we have access to the Goodness of God by Faith in Christ) wherein we stand (wherein alone we can stand), and rejoice in hope (a hope that is guaranteed) of the Glory of God (our Faith in Christ always brings Glory to God; anything else brings glory to self, which God can never accept).
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also (in the fact that tribulations do not hurt us): knowing that tribulation works patience (points to the characteristic of a man who is unswerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to Faith, even by the greatest trials and sufferings);
4 And patience, experience (points to an end result); and experience, hope (presents the natural product of an approved experience).
5 And hope makes not ashamed (in effect, tells us that this is not a false hope); because the Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts (God’s Love brings all of this about) by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us (all of this is wholly a work of the Holy Spirit).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 1976). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
The ministry of Melchisedec is not to save sinners. If you are still a sinner, then you need Christ’s ministry as typified by Aaron. But we are no longer pitiful sinners; we are fighters, fighting against the by-products of death. Chedorlaomer, who was slaughtered by Abraham, does not represent sin but represents the by-products of death. When Abraham learned that Lot had been captured, that capture was a matter of the by-products of death. All of the elders in the churches must be slaughtering elders. When the elders come into the meetings and see that many of the dear brothers have been captured by Chedorlaomer, they must slaughter that king. Do not rebuke or condemn the brothers who have been captured but slaughter Chedorlaomer, the by-products of death that have captured the brothers and sisters and hold them in bondage. If you do this, our Melchisedec will come in, and you will enjoy His ministry.
Many Christians do not understand Hebrews 7 and 8 because they maintain the position of being pitiful sinners. [396] Hardly any one of them is a slaughtering Abraham. We must slaughter all of the by-products of death mentioned in Romans 8; we must slaughter groaning, vanity, bondage, slavery, corruption, and decay. How can we slaughter these by-products of death? Through the intercession of our High Priest. While we are slaughtering Chedorlaomer and all of the by-products of death, He will be interceding for us. This is the ministry of our High Priest, the heavenly Minister, today.
We see a picture of this ministry in the case of the warfare between Israel and Amalek (Exo. 17:8-13). Moses was holding up his hand (that is, praying) on the top of the hill and Joshua was fighting in the midst of the battle. While Moses was praying, Joshua was slaughtering the enemy. Likewise, I believe that while Abraham was slaughtering the kings, Melchisedec was praying for him. In the same way, while we are slaughtering the by-products of death, Christ, our heavenly Minister with a more excellent ministry, is in heaven interceding for us.
Hebrews 7
25 Wherefore He (the Lord Jesus Christ) is able also to save them to the uttermost (proclaims the fact that Christ Alone has made the only true Atonement for sin; He did this at the Cross) who come unto God by Him (proclaims the only manner in which man can come to God), seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them. (His very Presence by the Right Hand of the Father guarantees such, with nothing else having to be done [Heb. 1:3].)
26 For such an High Priest became us (presents the fact that no one less exalted could have met the necessities of the human race), Who is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners (describes the spotless, pure, Perfect Character of the Son of God as our Great High Priest; as well, this tells us Christ did not become a sinner on the Cross, as some claim, but was rather the Sin-Offering), and made higher than the Heavens (refers to the fact that He is seated at the Right Hand of the Father, which is the most exalted position in Heaven or Earth);
27 Who needs not daily (refers to the daily Sacrifices offered by the Priests under the old Jewish economy), as those High Priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people’s (refers to the work of the Jewish High Priest on the Great Day of Atonement, which specified their unworthiness; Christ did not have to function accordingly): for this He did once, when He offered up Himself. (This refers to His Death on the Cross, which Atoned for all sin—past, present, and future, making no further Sacrifices necessary.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2129). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 7:25
25 Wherefore He (the Lord Jesus Christ) is able also to save them to the uttermost (proclaims the fact that Christ Alone has made the only true Atonement for sin; He did this at the Cross) who come unto God by Him (proclaims the only manner in which man can come to God), seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them. (His very Presence by the Right Hand of the Father guarantees such, with nothing else having to be done [Heb. 1:3].)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2129). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
TOOLS
Heb 7:11
¶If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?TOOLS
Heb 7:12
For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.TOOLS
Heb 7:13
For he of whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no man gave attendance at the altar.TOOLS
Heb 7:14
¶For it is evident that our Lord sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning priesthood.TOOLS
Heb 7:15
And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,TOOLS
Heb 7:16
Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.TOOLS
Heb 7:17
For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.TOOLS
Heb 7:18
¶For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.TOOLS
Heb 7:19
For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.TOOLS
Heb 7:20
¶And inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest:TOOLS
Heb 7:21
(For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)TOOLS
Heb 7:22
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.TOOLS
Heb 7:23
¶And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:TOOLS
Heb 7:24
But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.TOOLS
Heb 7:25
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.TOOLS
Heb 7:26
¶For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;TOOLS
Heb 7:27
Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself.TOOLS
Heb 7:28
For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore.
2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 2Co 4:8
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 2Co 4:9
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 2Co 4:10
Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 2Co 4:11
For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
2Co 4:12
So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
Hebrews 6
18 That by two immutable things (they are the Promise to Abraham of the coming Redeemer, and the Oath given as it regards Christ being a Priest forever after the Order of Melchisedec), in which it was impossible for God to lie (refers to the moral impossibility of such), we might have a strong consolation (refers to assurance), who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us (carries the idea of the sinner fleeing to one of the Cities of Refuge in Israel; in effect, he was fleeing to the High Priest who has offered Atonement for him and his sin [Deut. 4:42]; using that as a type, we are to flee as well to our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ):
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast (presents the Apostle changing the illusion from safety in the Cities of Refuge to a ship reaching harbor after a tempestuous voyage, knowing that her anchor is sure and steadfast), and which enters into that within the Veil (refers to the Holy of Holies, which Jesus has entered on our behalf);
20 Whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus (presents the imagery of the Great Day of Atonement, when the High Priest entered the most Holy Place on behalf of the people; all of that was a Type of Christ, Who has entered the Holiest for us), made an High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. (This presents Christ as not in the line of Aaron, but another Order altogether. The old Levitical Order had an ending. This Order has no ending. Christ is an Eternal High Priest.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2126–2127). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 6
GOD’S PROMISE
13 For when God made Promise to Abraham (presents the Patriarch as the most illustrious example of those who “inherit the Promises” [Jn. 8:58]), because He (God) could swear by no greater (refers to the solemnity and power of this Promise), He swore by Himself (a guarantee with resources of Heaven behind it that the Promise will be kept),
14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless you (refers to “Justification by Faith,” and is taken from Gen. 22:17), and multiplying I will multiply you. (This refers to his seed becoming a nation, and more importantly, every Believer being a “Child of Promise” [Gal. 4:28].)
15 And so, after he had patiently endured (there’s always a distance between the Promise and the Possession, and that distance is never uneventful), he obtained the Promise. (The immediate meaning was the birth of Isaac. However, the eternal meaning was Justification by Faith, which would come about from Isaac’s seed, Who is Christ [Gal. 3:16].)
16 For men verily swear by the greater (men never swear by one who is inferior to themselves): and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. (In our modern terminology, this means a contract has been agreed upon and signed by all parties, which ends all strife.)
17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of Promise (refers to the Lord working in accordance with this universal custom) the immutability (refers to the fact that God will not change His Position as to His Promise) of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath (refers to the guarantee of the Pledge or Promise):
18 That by two immutable things (they are the Promise to Abraham of the coming Redeemer, and the Oath given as it regards Christ being a Priest forever after the Order of Melchisedec), in which it was impossible for God to lie (refers to the moral impossibility of such), we might have a strong consolation (refers to assurance), who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us (carries the idea of the sinner fleeing to one of the Cities of Refuge in Israel; in effect, he was fleeing to the High Priest who has offered Atonement for him and his sin [Deut. 4:42]; using that as a type, we are to flee as well to our High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ):
19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast (presents the Apostle changing the illusion from safety in the Cities of Refuge to a ship reaching harbor after a tempestuous voyage, knowing that her anchor is sure and steadfast), and which enters into that within the Veil (refers to the Holy of Holies, which Jesus has entered on our behalf);
20 Whither the Forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus (presents the imagery of the Great Day of Atonement, when the High Priest entered the most Holy Place on behalf of the people; all of that was a Type of Christ, Who has entered the Holiest for us), made an High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. (This presents Christ as not in the line of Aaron, but another Order altogether. The old Levitical Order had an ending. This Order has no ending. Christ is an Eternal High Priest.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2126–2127). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 6
Better Things for You Heb 6:9
¶But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. Heb 6:10
For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. Heb 6:11
And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: Heb 6:12
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6:13
¶For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Hebrews 6
THEREFORE leaving the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ (speaks of the “first principles,” which refers to the Old Testament; Christ is the Centerpiece of the entirety of the Bible), let us go on unto perfection (speaks of the New Testament Sacrifice, the Lord Jesus, and the Testament He inaugurated with His Work on the Cross); not laying again the Foundation of Repentance from dead works (refers to these Jewish Christians going back to the Old Sacrificial System, etc.), and of Faith toward God (refers to Faith toward God in the realm of the Old Testament Way, which God will not accept now inasmuch as Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament Law),
2 Of the Doctrine of Baptisms (should have been translated, “the Doctrine of Washings”; this concerned the many “washings” contained in the Old Testament Sacrificial System), and of laying on of hands (goes back to the Levitical Offerings of the Old Testament; when the person brought the animal for Sacrifice, he had to lay his hands on the head of the innocent victim, confessing his sins, thereby transferring them to the innocent animal which would be slain [Lev. 16:21]), and of Resurrection of the dead (refers to Resurrection as taught in the Old Testament; there, this Doctrine was very incomplete, even as all Doctrine in the Old Testament was incomplete; the true meaning could not be given until after the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ, which the Lord gave to Paul [I Cor., Chpt. 15]), and of Eternal Judgment. (In the Old Testament, the Lord was looked at more so as a Judge than anything else. Since the Cross, He is looked at more as the Saviour.)
3 And this will we do (in other words, if we don’t do this [refers to going on to the perfection of Christ], the results will be disastrous), if God permit. (This refers to the fact that all dependence must be in Christ and the Cross. God will not allow any other type of Faith.)
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened (refers to those who have accepted the Light of the Gospel, which means accepting Christ and His great Sacrifice), and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift (pertains to Christ and what He did at the Cross), and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit (which takes place when a person comes to Christ),
5 And have tasted the good Word of God (is not language that is used of an impenitent sinner, as some claim; the unsaved have no relish whatsoever for the Truth of God, and see no beauty in it), and the powers of the world to come (refers to the Work of the Holy Spirit within hearts and lives, which the unsaved cannot have or know),
6 If they shall fall away (should have been translated, “and having fallen away”), to renew them again unto Repentance (“again” states they had once repented, but have now turned their backs on Christ); seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh (means they no longer believe what Christ did at the Cross, actually concluding Him to be an imposter; the only way any person can truly repent is to place his Faith in Christ and the Cross; if that is denied, there is no Repentance), and put Him to an open shame (means to hold Christ up to public ridicule; Paul wrote this Epistle because some Christian Jews were going back into Judaism, or seriously contemplating doing so).
7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes oft upon it (presents the Apostle using natural things to represent spiritual realities, which is common throughout Scripture), and brings forth herbs (presents the natural result of ground that is properly cultivated and receives rain; there will be a harvest) meet for them by whom it is dressed (received by individuals who do the cultivating of the land, etc.), receives Blessing from God (presents the inevitable result of proper Faith):
8 But that which bears thorns and briers is rejected (this speaks of Believers who have turned their backs on Christ and the Cross, and now bring forth no proper fruit, but rather “thorns and briars”), and is nigh unto cursing (refers to judgment); whose end is to be burned. (This refers to the simple fact that if a person who was once a Believer remains in that state, he will lose his soul.)
9 But, Beloved (presents the fact that these Christian Jews were not only the object of God’s love, but also of Paul’s care and concern), we are persuaded better things of you (he is speaking specifically to those who were seriously contemplating turning their backs on Christ), and things that accompany Salvation (the Blessings which will come if the Believer properly anchors his Faith in Christ and the Cross), though we thus speak. (The Apostle is not speaking from guesswork, but from many years of experience.)
10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love (presents a glorious and wonderful Promise), which you have showed toward His Name (reflects that everything must be done in His Name), in that you have Ministered to the Saints, and do Minister. (The Apostle is telling these Christian Jews to not turn their backs on what they have previously done.)
11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end (don’t stop now!):
12 That you be not slothful (means to be sluggish and lazy toward the things of the Lord), but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the Promises (refers to the Faith worthies of the Old Testament).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2125–2126). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 5
13 For every one who uses milk (doesn’t refer to one who has just been saved, but rather to those who have been saved for quite some time, and should have advanced in the Word of the Lord) is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness (refers to the benefits of the Cross, from which Righteousness is derived): for he is a babe. (This refers to the individual who does not understand or know all the benefits of what Jesus did at the Cross.)
14 But strong meat belongs to them who are of full age (refers to those mature in the Lord), even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Such a person is walking after the Spirit. This refers to placing one’s Faith in the Cross and not after the flesh, the flesh refers to depending on other things [Rom. 8:1–2, 11].)
Hebrews CHAPTER 6
(A.D. 64)
APOSTASY
THEREFORE leaving the Principles of the Doctrine of Christ (speaks of the “first principles,” which refers to the Old Testament; Christ is the Centerpiece of the entirety of the Bible), let us go on unto perfection (speaks of the New Testament Sacrifice, the Lord Jesus, and the Testament He inaugurated with His Work on the Cross); not laying again the Foundation of Repentance from dead works (refers to these Jewish Christians going back to the Old Sacrificial System, etc.), and of Faith toward God (refers to Faith toward God in the realm of the Old Testament Way, which God will not accept now inasmuch as Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament Law),
2 Of the Doctrine of Baptisms (should have been translated, “the Doctrine of Washings”; this concerned the many “washings” contained in the Old Testament Sacrificial System), and of laying on of hands (goes back to the Levitical Offerings of the Old Testament; when the person brought the animal for Sacrifice, he had to lay his hands on the head of the innocent victim, confessing his sins, thereby transferring them to the innocent animal which would be slain [Lev. 16:21]), and of Resurrection of the dead (refers to Resurrection as taught in the Old Testament; there, this Doctrine was very incomplete, even as all Doctrine in the Old Testament was incomplete; the true meaning could not be given until after the Cross and the Resurrection of Christ, which the Lord gave to Paul [I Cor., Chpt. 15]), and of Eternal Judgment. (In the Old Testament, the Lord was looked at more so as a Judge than anything else. Since the Cross, He is looked at more as the Saviour.)
3 And this will we do (in other words, if we don’t do this [refers to going on to the perfection of Christ], the results will be disastrous), if God permit. (This refers to the fact that all dependence must be in Christ and the Cross. God will not allow any other type of Faith.)
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened (refers to those who have accepted the Light of the Gospel, which means accepting Christ and His great Sacrifice), and have tasted of the Heavenly Gift (pertains to Christ and what He did at the Cross), and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit (which takes place when a person comes to Christ),
5 And have tasted the good Word of God (is not language that is used of an impenitent sinner, as some claim; the unsaved have no relish whatsoever for the Truth of God, and see no beauty in it), and the powers of the world to come (refers to the Work of the Holy Spirit within hearts and lives, which the unsaved cannot have or know),
6 If they shall fall away (should have been translated, “and having fallen away”), to renew them again unto Repentance (“again” states they had once repented, but have now turned their backs on Christ); seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh (means they no longer believe what Christ did at the Cross, actually concluding Him to be an imposter; the only way any person can truly repent is to place his Faith in Christ and the Cross; if that is denied, there is no Repentance), and put Him to an open shame (means to hold Christ up to public ridicule; Paul wrote this Epistle because some Christian Jews were going back into Judaism, or seriously contemplating doing so).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2125–2126). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 5
12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers (refers to the fact that they had been saved long enough to be mature in the Word by now), you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the Oracles of God (pertains to the Old Testament and what it really meant, instead of the way it was being erroneously taken by these Christian Jews); and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat (refers to their lack of maturity).
13 For every one who uses milk (doesn’t refer to one who has just been saved, but rather to those who have been saved for quite some time, and should have advanced in the Word of the Lord) is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness (refers to the benefits of the Cross, from which Righteousness is derived): for he is a babe. (This refers to the individual who does not understand or know all the benefits of what Jesus did at the Cross.)
14 But strong meat belongs to them who are of full age (refers to those mature in the Lord), even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Such a person is walking after the Spirit. This refers to placing one’s Faith in the Cross and not after the flesh, the flesh refers to depending on other things [Rom. 8:1–2, 11].)
Swaggart, J. (2005)
Hrebrews 5
6 As He said also in another place (Ps. 110:4), You are a Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. (This is the distinguishing characteristic of this order of Priesthood, and proclaims it as an Eternal One.)
7 Who in the days of His flesh (proclaims the Incarnation of Christ), when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him (presents the prayer-life of the Master) Who was able to save Him from death (presents the prayer for Resurrection), and was heard (proclaims the fact that God heard and answered His Prayer) in that He feared (the picture in the word “feared” is that of a cautious taking hold of, and a careful and respectful handling; it is Christ taking into account all things, not only His Own desire, but the Will of the Father);
8 Though He were a Son (stresses Deity, but at the same time the role of Christ as “Son of Man”), yet learned He obedience (doesn’t mean He had to learn to obey, for that would mean He had sinned; it means He actively sought out the path of obedience, and then unfailingly walked therein) by the things which He suffered (concerned the entire course of His Life, but more so the Cross);
9 And being made perfect (refers to being brought to the goal fixed by God, which had to be if He was to be the Perfect Sacrifice), He became the Author of Eternal Salvation (proclaims a perfect Salvation, because He was and is the Perfect Redeemer, because He was the Perfect Sacrifice) unto all them who obey Him (we obey Him by exhibiting Faith in the Cross, which then gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work; this Truth was given to Paul [Rom. 6:3–5, 11, 14; Gal. 1:11–12]);
10 Called of God an High Priest (the Title is conferred on Him by God the Father) after the order of Melchisedec. (Christ was not to be a great High Priest merely for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well; in order for this to be, His Priesthood would have to rest in something other than the Levitical Order; being after the Order of Melchisedec satisfied both demands, because Melchisedec preceded Israel as a people [Gen. 14:18–20; Ps. 110:4].)
FAITH
11 Of Whom we have many things to say (refers to Christ), and hard to be uttered (his difficulty was in adapting the interpretation to the capacity of his readers), seeing you are dull of hearing. (These Jewish Christians were slow and sluggish regarding their understanding of the teaching of New Testament Truth. This made it difficult to teach them.)
12 For when for the time you ought to be teachers (refers to the fact that they had been saved long enough to be mature in the Word by now), you have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the Oracles of God (pertains to the Old Testament and what it really meant, instead of the way it was being erroneously taken by these Christian Jews); and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat (refers to their lack of maturity).
13 For every one who uses milk (doesn’t refer to one who has just been saved, but rather to those who have been saved for quite some time, and should have advanced in the Word of the Lord) is unskilful in the Word of Righteousness (refers to the benefits of the Cross, from which Righteousness is derived): for he is a babe. (This refers to the individual who does not understand or know all the benefits of what Jesus did at the Cross.)
14 But strong meat belongs to them who are of full age (refers to those mature in the Lord), even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. (Such a person is walking after the Spirit. This refers to placing one’s Faith in the Cross and not after the flesh, the flesh refers to depending on other things [Rom. 8:1–2, 11].)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2124–2125). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
6 As He said also in another place (Ps. 110:4), You are a Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. (This is the distinguishing characteristic of this order of Priesthood, and proclaims it as an Eternal One.) 7 Who in the days of His flesh (proclaims the Incarnation of Christ), when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him (presents the prayer-life of the Master) Who was able to save Him from death (presents the prayer for Resurrection), and was heard (proclaims the fact that God heard and answered His Prayer) in that He feared (the picture in the word “feared” is that of a cautious taking hold of, and a careful and respectful handling; it is Christ taking into account all things, not only His Own desire, but the Will of the Father); 8 Though He were a Son (stresses Deity, but at the same time the role of Christ as “Son of Man”), yet learned He obedience (doesn’t mean He had to learn to obey, for that would mean He had sinned; it means He actively sought out the path of obedience, and then unfailingly walked therein) by the things which He suffered (concerned the entire course of His Life, but more so the Cross); 9 And being made perfect (refers to being brought to the goal fixed by God, which had to be if He was to be the Perfect Sacrifice), He became the Author of Eternal Salvation (proclaims a perfect Salvation, because He was and is the Perfect Redeemer, because He was the Perfect Sacrifice) unto all them who obey Him (we obey Him by exhibiting Faith in the Cross, which then gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work; this Truth was given to Paul [Rom. 6:3–5, 11, 14; Gal. 1:11–12]); 10 Called of God an High Priest (the Title is conferred on Him by God the Father) after the order of Melchisedec. (Christ was not to be a great High Priest merely for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well; in order for this to be, His Priesthood would have to rest in something other than the Levitical Order; being after the Order of Melchisedec satisfied both demands, because Melchisedec preceded Israel as a people [Gen. 14:18–20; Ps. 110:4].)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2124–2125). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
The Aaronic priesthood dealt with sin, taking care of things on the negative side. The ministry of Melchisedec, on the contrary, is positive. Melchisedec did not come in to take away sin. He did not appear because Abraham had sinned but because Abraham had gained the victory. Melchisedec did not appear with an offering to take away sin but with bread and wine to nourish the victor. Nearly all Christians consider Christ as the High Priest who takes care of sin, but hardly anyone pays attention to Christ as the High Priest according to the order of Melchisedec. As such a High Priest, Christ does not take care of sin but ministers to us the processed God, signified by the bread and wine, as our nourishment.
MELCHIZEDEK
Gen. 14
17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him (Abraham) after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings who were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. (As we shall see here, there is no time so dangerous to the Christian as the morrow after a great spiritual victory.) 18 And Melchizedek (this man appears on the scene, who is a King and a Priest and, above all, who is a Type of Christ [Ps. 110:4; Heb. 5:5–6]; some Scholars believe that Melchizedek could actually have been Shem, the son of Noah; Shem was alive at this time, and actually lived for about 60 years more; in fact, some think he died when Abraham was about 150 years of age; his name means, “King of Righteousness” and “King of Peace” [Heb. 7:2]) king of Salem (Jerusalem) brought forth bread and wine (the “bread and wine” symbolize the broken Body and shed Blood of our Lord, which was necessary for the Salvation of mankind [Mat. 26:29; Mk., Chpt. 14; Lk. 22:15; Rom. 8:21]): and he was the Priest of the Most High God. (Melchizedek, as a Priest, symbolized the coming Christ, Who is our Great High Priest [Heb. 7:15–17]. David prophesied, about a thousand years after Abraham, “The Lord has sworn, and will not repent, You [Christ] are a Priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” [Ps. 110:4]. Abraham is here introduced to God by a different name than he had previously known, “El Elyon,” meaning “Most High God.”) 19 And he (Melchizedek) blessed him (Abraham), and said, Blessed be Abram of the Most High God, Possessor of heaven and Earth: (Melchizedek blessing Abraham means that the standing of Melchizedek was greater than that of Abraham. The reason? Melchizedek was a Type of Christ [Heb. 7:4, 7].) 20 And blessed be the Most High God, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand. (We find here that Melchizedek did not come forth when Abraham was in pursuit of Chedorlaomer, but when the king of Sodom was in pursuit of Abraham. This makes a great moral difference. Mackintosh says: “A deeper character of communion was needed to meet the deeper character of conflict.”) And he gave him tithes of all. (This is the first time that “tithes” are mentioned in Scripture. It refers to a tenth part. Abraham paid tithe to Melchizedek, who was a Type of Christ; consequently, Abraham’s children, which make up the Church presently, are to continue to pay tithe to those carrying out the Work of God.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 26–27). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 5
CHAPTER 5 (A.D. 64)
MELCHISEDEC
FOR every High Priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God (“from among men” pertains to the frailty of men), that he may offer both Gifts and Sacrifices for sins (the “Gifts” referred to “Thank-Offerings, while the “Sacrifices” referred to certain animals being offered, all types of Christ): 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant (refers to having feelings for those on whose behalf he officiates), and on them who are out of the way (refers to those who have sinned, and who know they have sinned); for that He Himself also is compassed with infirmity. (This refers to the condition of all men, even the High Priest in the old Judaistic economy.) 3 And by reason hereof he ought (refers to the very purpose of his office, which is to offer Sacrifice for sins), as for the people (proclaims the High Priest serving as a Mediator), so also for himself, to offer for sins. (This refers to the fact that he was a sinful man as well, and had to offer a Sacrifice even for himself, which would make Atonement that would provide reconciliation with God.) 4 And no man takes this honour unto himself, but he who is called of God, as was Aaron. (Under the Old Law, the only ones who could offer Sacrifices were Priests, who had to be sons of Aaron, and whose order was ordained by God and not man.) 5 So also Christ Glorified not Himself to be made an High Priest (proclaims the fact that this was no personal ambition on the Messiah’s part that resulted in Him becoming a High Priest, but rather the fact that God called Him to that position); but He who said unto Him, You are My Son, today have I begotten You. (The Priesthood of Christ was planned by God from the very beginning, which meant the Incarnation was absolutely necessary.) 6 As He said also in another place (Ps. 110:4), You are a Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. (This is the distinguishing characteristic of this order of Priesthood, and proclaims it as an Eternal One.) 7 Who in the days of His flesh (proclaims the Incarnation of Christ), when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him (presents the prayer-life of the Master) Who was able to save Him from death (presents the prayer for Resurrection), and was heard (proclaims the fact that God heard and answered His Prayer) in that He feared (the picture in the word “feared” is that of a cautious taking hold of, and a careful and respectful handling; it is Christ taking into account all things, not only His Own desire, but the Will of the Father); 8 Though He were a Son (stresses Deity, but at the same time the role of Christ as “Son of Man”), yet learned He obedience (doesn’t mean He had to learn to obey, for that would mean He had sinned; it means He actively sought out the path of obedience, and then unfailingly walked therein) by the things which He suffered (concerned the entire course of His Life, but more so the Cross); 9 And being made perfect (refers to being brought to the goal fixed by God, which had to be if He was to be the Perfect Sacrifice), He became the Author of Eternal Salvation (proclaims a perfect Salvation, because He was and is the Perfect Redeemer, because He was the Perfect Sacrifice) unto all them who obey Him (we obey Him by exhibiting Faith in the Cross, which then gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work; this Truth was given to Paul [Rom. 6:3–5, 11, 14; Gal. 1:11–12]); 10 Called of God an High Priest (the Title is conferred on Him by God the Father) after the order of Melchisedec. (Christ was not to be a great High Priest merely for the Jews, but for the Gentiles as well; in order for this to be, His Priesthood would have to rest in something other than the Levitical Order; being after the Order of Melchisedec satisfied both demands, because Melchisedec preceded Israel as a people [Gen. 14:18–20; Ps. 110:4].)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2124–2125). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
- GREAT
Verse fourteen also says that Jesus, the Son of God, is a great High Priest. According to our experience, the word great here means excellent, wonderful, glorious, and most honorable. The Chinese version of the Bible says that we have an honorable and glorious High Priest. Christ today is such an excellent, marvelous, wonderful, glorious, and most honorable High Priest that no human word can fully describe Him. Although we cannot find the adequate word in any lexicon, the experience of being on His shoulders and on His breast in the Holy of Holies tells us that He is a great and wonderful High Priest.
- In His Person
Our High Priest, Christ, is great firstly in His Person. He is the Son of God, God Himself (1:5, 8). He is also the Son of Man, man himself (2:6). He, being both God and man, has the divine nature and the human nature. He not only knows the things of God and the things of man; He is also in the things of God and the things of man. No other high priest has ever been like Him.
- In His Work
Secondly, our High Priest, Christ, is great in His work. He has made purification of and propitiation for our sins (1:3; 2:17). He has taken away sin and has solved the problem of sin. He has tasted death, not only for every man but also for everything (2:9). By tasting death, He conquered and subdued it. Death could not hold Him (Acts 2:24, 27). He has also destroyed the Devil who has the might of death (2:14). By His death on the cross, Christ has annulled Satan, the power of death. By conquering death and destroying the [296] Devil, He has released us from the slavery of death (2:15). We have been freed by Him not only from the slavery of sin but also from the slavery of death. Through His suffering, He has been perfected to be the Captain of our salvation (2:10). He has fought the battle and has entered into glory. As the Pioneer, He is leading us on in the same way to glory. He is now taking care of God’s house as Moses did (3:5-6). As the Builder of the house, He surely knows how to take care of it. He is now also bringing us into rest, as Joshua did (4:8-9). He has given us the Sabbath rest in the church age, and He will bring us into the Sabbath rest of the kingdom age. As our High Priest, He is great in all these wonderful and excellent works of His, which no high priest in the Old Testament had ever accomplished.
Hebrews Chapter 3 and Chapter 4
Entering Into His Rest Means entering into God's satisfaction, Christ, by faith.
ISRAEL
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit says (Ps. 95:7–11), Today if you will hear His Voice (presents words which were originally a warning to Israel not to provoke God, lest they be excluded from the “rest” He had promised them; this same warning is now given to Christians), 8 Harden not your hearts (as Israel hardened their hearts against God in the wilderness, it is likewise possible for modern Christians to do the same), as in the provocation (Israel provoked God), in the day of temptation in the wilderness (the Lord didn’t tempt Israel, they tempted Him!): 9 When your fathers tempted Me (they tempted God through unbelief and rebellion), proved Me (registered unbelief toward God), and saw My works forty years. (The proof was all around them regarding the miracle-working Power of God that was exhibited daily, even for forty years, but they still wouldn’t believe.) 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation (and because of their unbelief), and said, They do always err in their heart (proclaims the seat of obedience or disobedience); and they have not known My Ways. (They could have known, but had no desire to know.) 11 So I swore in My wrath (is figurative, and denotes a determined purpose), They shall not enter into My rest.) (This refers here to a particular “rest,” which pertained to the land of Canaan, but was undoubtedly regarded as emblematic of the “rest” afforded by Salvation.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2122). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
ISRAEL
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Spirit says (Ps. 95:7–11), Today if you will hear His Voice (presents words which were originally a warning to Israel not to provoke God, lest they be excluded from the “rest” He had promised them; this same warning is now given to Christians), 8 Harden not your hearts (as Israel hardened their hearts against God in the wilderness, it is likewise possible for modern Christians to do the same), as in the provocation (Israel provoked God), in the day of temptation in the wilderness (the Lord didn’t tempt Israel, they tempted Him!): 9 When your fathers tempted Me (they tempted God through unbelief and rebellion), proved Me (registered unbelief toward God), and saw My works forty years. (The proof was all around them regarding the miracle-working Power of God that was exhibited daily, even for forty years, but they still wouldn’t believe.) 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation (and because of their unbelief), and said, They do always err in their heart (proclaims the seat of obedience or disobedience); and they have not known My Ways. (They could have known, but had no desire to know.) 11 So I swore in My wrath (is figurative, and denotes a determined purpose), They shall not enter into My rest.) (This refers here to a particular “rest,” which pertained to the land of Canaan, but was undoubtedly regarded as emblematic of the “rest” afforded by Salvation.) 12 Take heed, Brethren (proclaims Paul warning Believers by the examples of Israel’s failures in the wilderness), lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief (the Greek order of words is, “a heart evil with reference to unbelief”), in departing from the Living God. (As stated, the problem is unbelief, and in modern terminology it refers to unbelief in Christ and the Cross.) 13 But exhort one another daily (proclaims a constant frequency, which means the Preacher should preach the Cross, and do so constantly), while it is called Today (it must be done today; in other words, start now talking and speaking about the Cross, which is the only answer [1 Cor. 1:17; Gal. 6:14]); lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (This actually says, “the deceitfulness of the sin,” which refers to a rejection of the Sacrifice of Christ.) 14 For we are made partakers of Christ (refers to Rom. 6:3–5), if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end (if our confidence remains steadfast in Christ and the Cross); 15 While it is said, Today if you will hear His Voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation (Vss. 7–8). 16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke (should have been translated, “For who when they had heard did provoke”; all did except Joshua and Caleb [Num. 14:6–9]): howbeit not all who came out of Egypt by Moses. (This should have been translated, “Was it not all who came out of Egypt through Moses?”) 17 But with whom was He grieved forty years? (This refers to God’s wrath continuing simply because their unbelief continued.) was it not with them who had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? (Unbelief caused the deaths of approximately two million people.) 18 And to whom swore He that they should not enter into His rest, but to them who believed not? (They lost everything because of unbelief, and the modern Church is doing the same, which is the very reason that Paul wrote this Epistle.) 19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief (and if the modern Believer registers unbelief toward Christ and the Cross, the results will be the same as it was with Israel of Old).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2122). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 3:
8 Harden not your hearts (as Israel hardened their hearts against God in the wilderness, it is likewise possible for modern Christians to do the same), as in the provocation (Israel provoked God), in the day of temptation in the wilderness (the Lord didn’t tempt Israel, they tempted Him!): 9 When your fathers tempted Me (they tempted God through unbelief and rebellion), proved Me (registered unbelief toward God), and saw My works forty years. (The proof was all around them regarding the miracle-working Power of God that was exhibited daily, even for forty years, but they still wouldn’t believe.) 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation (and because of their unbelief), and said, They do always err in their heart (proclaims the seat of obedience or disobedience); and they have not known My Ways. (They could have known, but had no desire to know.) 11 So I swore in My wrath (is figurative, and denotes a determined purpose), They shall not enter into My rest.) (This refers here to a particular “rest,” which pertained to the land of Canaan, but was undoubtedly regarded as emblematic of the “rest” afforded by Salvation.) 12 Take heed, Brethren (proclaims Paul warning Believers by the examples of Israel’s failures in the wilderness), lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief (the Greek order of words is, “a heart evil with reference to unbelief”), in departing from the Living God. (As stated, the problem is unbelief, and in modern terminology it refers to unbelief in Christ and the Cross.)
Swaggart, J. (2005).
8 Harden not your hearts (as Israel hardened their hearts against God in the wilderness, it is likewise possible for modern Christians to do the same), as in the provocation (Israel provoked God), in the day of temptation in the wilderness (the Lord didn’t tempt Israel, they tempted Him!): 9 When your fathers tempted Me (they tempted God through unbelief and rebellion), proved Me (registered unbelief toward God), and saw My works forty years. (The proof was all around them regarding the miracle-working Power of God that was exhibited daily, even for forty years, but they still wouldn’t believe.) 10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation (and because of their unbelief), and said, They do always err in their heart (proclaims the seat of obedience or disobedience); and they have not known My Ways. (They could have known, but had no desire to know.) 11 So I swore in My wrath (is figurative, and denotes a determined purpose), They shall not enter into My rest.) (This refers here to a particular “rest,” which pertained to the land of Canaan, but was undoubtedly regarded as emblematic of the “rest” afforded by Salvation.) 12 Take heed, Brethren (proclaims Paul warning Believers by the examples of Israel’s failures in the wilderness), lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief (the Greek order of words is, “a heart evil with reference to unbelief”), in departing from the Living God. (As stated, the problem is unbelief, and in modern terminology it refers to unbelief in Christ and the Cross.) 13 But exhort one another daily (proclaims a constant frequency, which means the Preacher should preach the Cross, and do so constantly), while it is called Today (it must be done today; in other words, start now talking and speaking about the Cross, which is the only answer [1 Cor. 1:17; Gal. 6:14]); lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (This actually says, “the deceitfulness of the sin,” which refers to a rejection of the Sacrifice of Christ.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2122). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 2
11 For both He Who Sanctifies and they who are Sanctified are all of One (of Christ): for which cause He is not ashamed to call them Brethren (refers to the fact that Jesus became one of us, but only in the sense of humanity, not in the sense of sin),
12 Saying, I will declare Your Name unto My Brethren ([Ps. 22:22] meaning that Christ will declare the Name of God to all the Brethren, in effect, owning them), in the midst of the Church will I sing praise unto You. (Christ will praise God because of this great Victory, which has brought many sons into the Kingdom, all made possible by the Cross.)
13 And again (2 Sam. 22:3), I will put My trust in Him. (Christ puts His Trust totally in God.) And again (Isa. 8:18), Behold I and the Children which God has given Me. (The Cross makes it possible for us to become a Child of God.)
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood (refers to the fact that this Creation has a human, not Angelic, nature), He (Jesus) also Himself likewise took part of the same (the Incarnation, God becoming man); that through death (the Cross) He (Jesus) might destroy him (Satan) who had the power of death, that is, the Devil (the wages of sin is death, which speaks of separation from God; Jesus atoned for all sin at the Cross, thereby removing the cause of spiritual death, at least for all who will believe [Jn. 3:16]);
15 And deliver them (speaks of mankind held in captivity by Satan) who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (It has been well said that the two terrors from which none but Christ can deliver men are guilt of sin and fear of death. The latter is the offspring of the former.)
16 For verily He took not on Him the nature of Angels (Christ did not come to be the Saviour of fallen Angels; they are of another creation); but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. (This refers to His Humanity, which He became and was the manner in which Redemption would be brought about.)
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved Him to be made like unto His Brethren (refers to our Lord laying hold of the human race for the purpose of saving those who would accept Salvation by Faith), that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God (as our High Priest, He is our Representative to God, which He could be by becoming a Man and going to the Cross as well, which He did), to make reconciliation for the sins of the people (to make an atoning Sacrifice in order to regain the favor and goodwill of God on behalf of the human race).
18 For in that He Himself has suffered being tempted (in His Incarnation as the last Adam, our Lord was put to the test, and was also solicited to do evil [Mat. 4:1–11]), He is able to succour them who are tempted. (The Cross alone is the answer to temptation and sin. We overcome temptation by placing our Faith strictly in Christ and the Cross, which is the only way it can be overcome, thus giving the Holy Spirit latitude to strengthen us, as He always stands ready to do [Rom. 8:2, 11].)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2121). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
9 But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the Angels (the Incarnation) for the suffering of death (unequivocally proclaims the fact that Jesus came to this world for one specific purpose—to die upon a Cross, which was planned even before the foundation of the world [1 Pet. 1:18–20]), crowned with glory and honour (the mission was accomplished, and now Christ is exalted); that He by the Grace of God should taste death for every man. (This proclaims the fact that He needed the Grace of God to accomplish this task, because He was a man, “the Man, Christ Jesus.”) 10 For it became Him (refers to God’s Way, as it concerns the Redemption of mankind), for Whom are all things (God is the final reason for all things), and by Whom are all things (through Whose agency), in bringing many sons unto Glory (speaks of the Divine Purpose), to make the Captain of their Salvation perfect through sufferings. (This carries the idea that Christ had to suffer the Cross in order to bring about Redemption for humanity.) 11 For both He Who Sanctifies and they who are Sanctified are all of One (of Christ): for which cause He is not ashamed to call them Brethren (refers to the fact that Jesus became one of us, but only in the sense of humanity, not in the sense of sin),
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2120–2121). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
2:9 Jesus The author identifies the Son as Jesus. Here, he reveals what his argument has been building up to—the one who fulfills these prophecies is Jesus of Nazareth.
suffering of death The teaching that the Son of God suffered and died appears in the earliest Christian confessions (1 Cor 15:3–8; compare Heb 5:7–8). Jesus’ suffering death on a cross (Phil 2:8) provides the basis for His being crowned with glory and honor. Throughout Hebrews, the mention of Jesus’ suffering alludes to His death (Heb 2:10, 18; 5:8; 9:26, 27; 13:12).
with glory and honor This expression recalls the appointment of Israel’s high priest (Exod 28:2, 40). Here, it anticipates the theme of Jesus as high priest that is emphasized throughout Hebrews (see Heb 2:17–18; 13:10–13).
Doxa Word Study
he might taste death This expression means “experience death” and refers to Jesus’ crucifixion (9:15, 28; compare Isa 53:12).
2:10 bringing many sons to glory Enacted by Jesus’ exaltation (compare Isa 53:12 and note). This language also echoes God’s action in bringing His people out of Egypt into the promised land (Exod 3:8, 17; 6:6–7; 7:4–5).
originator This title connects Jesus’ death and resurrection (Acts 3:15; 5:31; Heb 12:2). Like Moses, who led God’s people out of Egypt (Exod 12:50–51), Jesus leads the way to salvation (Heb 3:16).
to perfect the originator The idea here is that Jesus was made whole (or complete) through His suffering and death; He already was sinless (4:15; compare Isa 53:12 and note).
2:11 one who sanctifies Refers to the work Christ does to remove sin from believers’ lives. Jesus can sanctify believers (Heb 13:12) because He offered Himself (10:10; compare Isa 53:10 and note). His sacrificial work far exceeds animal sacrifices that the old covenant demanded (Heb 9:13–14).
all from one Indicates the unity of Jesus and believers. The Greek text does not supply a referent, so some English translations insert “family” or “Father.” The author could be referring to Jesus sharing in humanity (v. 14).
Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., Whitehead, M. M., Grigoni, M. R., & Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Heb 2:9–11). Lexham Press.
CHAPTER 2 (A.D. 64)
COVENANT
THEREFORE we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard (actually refers to the New Testament Message of the Cross), lest at any time we should let them slip. (In the Greek Text, it carries the idea of a ring slipping from a finger. Regrettably, the Church presently has let the Message of the Cross slip and, as a result, the Church hardly knows where it’s been, where it is, or where it’s going.) 2 For if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast (actually refers to the Law of Moses, which had many Angels in attendance), and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward (sin is either addressed at the Cross, or else it is addressed in Judgment; so, each person has a choice); 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great Salvation (if we neglect the Cross, we have destroyed ourselves); which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord (announced by Christ when He said, “repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” [Mat. 4:17]), and was confirmed unto us by them who heard Him (confirmed by healings and miracles which were witnessed by the original Twelve, plus untold numbers of others); 4 God also bearing them witness (presents the highest evidence of all, actually that which is absolutely indisputable), both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles (which began with Christ, and continued on through His Apostles), and Gifts of the Holy Spirit (has to do with those listed in 1 Cor. 12:8–10), according to His Own Will? (These things were the Will of God then, and are the Will of God now!)
REDEMPTION
5 For unto the Angels has He not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak. (The Lord hasn’t given the Angels dominion and rulership as He has Christ.) 6 But one in a certain place testified, saying (Ps. 8:4–6), What is man, that You are mindful of him? (This delves into the reason God has given man so much notice.) or the son of man, that You visit him? (This refers to looking upon in order to help or benefit. This clearly indicates the “son of man” spoken of here is the human race and not Christ.) 7 You made him a little lower than the Angels (should have been translated, “You made him a little lower than the Godhead”; the Hebrew word translated “Angels” is “Elohim” which means “God,” and should have been translated accordingly); You crowned him with glory and honour (proclaims that which was never said of Angels), and did set him over the works of Your hands (some of that dominion is retained despite the Fall; however, as would be obvious, much has been lost; but to be sure, it has all been regained in Christ, and will ultimately be realized in Christ): 8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet. (This speaks of Adam before the Fall, but more particularly it speaks of Christ and what He did at the Cross on our behalf.) For in that He (God) put all in subjection under him (man), He (God) left nothing that is not put under him. (Once again speaks of the original Adam, but more than all speaks of the “Last Adam,” the Lord Jesus Christ.) But now we see not yet all things put under him. (Due to the Fall, we do not now see what was originally intended for man, but through Christ it will ultimately be seen.) 9 But we see Jesus, Who was made a little lower than the Angels (the Incarnation) for the suffering of death (unequivocally proclaims the fact that Jesus came to this world for one specific purpose—to die upon a Cross, which was planned even before the foundation of the world [1 Pet. 1:18–20]), crowned with glory and honour (the mission was accomplished, and now Christ is exalted); that He by the Grace of God should taste death for every man. (This proclaims the fact that He needed the Grace of God to accomplish this task, because He was a man, “the Man, Christ Jesus.”)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2120). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Romans 8
5 For they who are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh (refers to Believers trying to live for the Lord by means other than Faith in the Cross of Christ); but they who are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit (those who place their Faith in Christ and the Cross, do so exclusively; they are doing what the Spirit desires, which alone can bring Victory).
CONTRAST
6 For to be carnally minded is death (this doesn’t refer to watching too much Television, as some think, but rather to trying to live for God outside of His Prescribed Order; the results will be sin and separation from God); but to be Spiritually minded is life and peace (God’s Prescribed Order is the Cross; this demands our constant Faith in that Finished Work, which is the Way of the Holy Spirit). 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God (once again, this refers to attempting to live for God by means other than the Cross, which places one “against God”): for it is not subject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be (in its simplest form means that what is being done, whatever it may be, is not in God’s prescribed order, which is the Cross). 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God (refers to the Believer attempting to live his Christian Life by means other than Faith in Christ and the Cross). 9 But you are not in the flesh (in one sense of the word is asking the question, “since you are now a Believer and no longer depending on the flesh, why are you resorting to the flesh?”), but in the Spirit (as a Believer, you now have the privilege of being led and empowered by the Holy Spirit; however, He will do such for us only on the premise of our Faith in the Finished Work of Christ), if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you (if you are truly saved). Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His (Paul is saying that the work of the Spirit in our lives is made possible by what Christ did at Calvary, and the Resurrection). 10 And if Christ be in you (He is in you through the Power and Person of the Spirit [Gal. 2:20]), the body is dead because of sin (means that the physical body has been rendered helpless because of the Fall; consequently, the Believer trying to overcome by willpower presents a fruitless task); but the Spirit is life because of Righteousness (only the Holy Spirit can make us what we ought to be, which means we cannot do it ourselves; once again, He performs all that He does within the confines of the Finished Work of Christ). 11 But if the Spirit (Holy Spirit) of Him (from God) who raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you (and He definitely does), He who raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies (give us power in our mortal bodies that we might live a victorious life) by His Spirit Who dwells in you (we have the same power in us, through the Spirit, that raised Christ from the dead, and is available to us only on the premise of the Cross and our Faith in that Sacrifice).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 1984). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
CHAPTER 2 (A.D. 64)
COVENANT
THEREFORE we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard (actually refers to the New Testament Message of the Cross), lest at any time we should let them slip. (In the Greek Text, it carries the idea of a ring slipping from a finger. Regrettably, the Church presently has let the Message of the Cross slip and, as a result, the Church hardly knows where it’s been, where it is, or where it’s going.) 2 For if the word spoken by Angels was stedfast (actually refers to the Law of Moses, which had many Angels in attendance), and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward (sin is either addressed at the Cross, or else it is addressed in Judgment; so, each person has a choice); 3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great Salvation (if we neglect the Cross, we have destroyed ourselves); which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord (announced by Christ when He said, “repent: for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” [Mat. 4:17]), and was confirmed unto us by them who heard Him (confirmed by healings and miracles which were witnessed by the original Twelve, plus untold numbers of others); 4 God also bearing them witness (presents the highest evidence of all, actually that which is absolutely indisputable), both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles (which began with Christ, and continued on through His Apostles), and Gifts of the Holy Spirit (has to do with those listed in 1 Cor. 12:8–10), according to His Own Will? (These things were the Will of God then, and are the Will of God now!)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2120). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
HEBREWS
CHAPTER 1 (A.D. 64)
JESUS CHRIST
GOD, Who at sundry times and in divers manners (refers to the many and varied ways) spoke in time past unto the fathers by the Prophets (refers to Old Testament Times), 2 Has in these last days (the dispensation of Grace, which is the Church Age) spoken unto us by His Son (speaks of the Incarnation), Whom He has appointed Heir of all things (through the means of the Cross), by Whom also He made the worlds (proclaims His Deity, as the previous phrase of Him being the “Heir of all things” proclaims His Humanity); 3 Who being the brightness of His Glory (the radiance of God’s Glory), and the express Image of His Person (the exact reproduction), and upholding all things by the Word of His Power (carries the meaning of Jesus not only sustaining the weight of the universe, but also maintaining its coherence and carrying on its development), when He had by Himself purged our sins (which He did at the Cross, dealing with sin regarding its cause, its power, and its guilt), sat down on the Right Hand of the Majesty on high (speaks of the Finished Work of Christ, and that the Sacrifice was accepted by the Father);
ANGELS
4 Being made so much better than the Angels (He was better than the Angels, which refers to the Incarnation, the price paid at Calvary [the reason for the Incarnation], and then His Exaltation as Saviour; as God, Jesus has always been greater than the Angels, but this is speaking of Him here as man), as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent Name than they. (This refers to what Christ did at the Cross, with the present result being that the inheritance is in His permanent possession.) 5 For unto which of the Angels said He (God the Father) at any time, You are My Son (Son of God), this day have I begotten You? (This speaks of the Incarnation. God never said such of Angels, only of His Son [Ps. 2:7].) And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son? (When uttered, referred to the future tense, but now is past tense. All had to do with Redemption, and all for you and me.) 6 And again, when He (God the Father) brought in the Firstbegotten into the world (refers to Jesus being born of the Virgin Mary), He said, And let all the Angels of God worship Him. (The idea is only Deity can be worshiped. Jesus is God!) 7 And of the Angels He said, Who makes His Angels spirits (the emphasis upon the variableness of the Angelic nature), and His Ministers a flame of fire. (This does not speak of Preachers, as some have suggested, but continues to address itself to Angels.) 8 But unto the Son He said, Your Throne, O God, is for ever and ever (Thrones typify dominion, which in this case can only be occupied by Deity): a sceptre of Righteousness is the sceptre of Your Kingdom (totally unlike any other Kingdom that has ever existed, and was made possible by the Cross). 9 You have loved Righteousness, and hated iniquity (proclaims the True Man, Christ Jesus); therefore God, even Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your fellows (refers to the Holy Spirit). 10 And, You, Lord, in the beginning have laid the foundation of the earth (proclaims Jesus the Messiah as the Creator as well!); and the Heavens are the Works of Your Hands (presents the fact that only Deity could do such a thing): 11 They shall perish (means to wax old as a garment); but You remain (Christ is exalted because of the Cross, and will remain thus forever); and they all shall wax old as does a garment (proclaims the fact that there is going to have to be a change regarding the Creation); 12 And as a vesture shall You fold them up, and they shall be changed (changed from one condition to another): but You are the same, and Your years shall not fail (refers to the superiority of the Creator over the Creation). 13 But to which of the Angels said He (God the Father) at any time, Sit on My Right Hand (Angels stand before God; it is a mark of superior dignity that the Son sits), until I make Your enemies Your footstool? (This refers to God rendering all Christ’s enemies utterly powerless, which is carried out by the Cross.) 14 Are they not all Ministering spirits (the function of Angels), sent forth to Minister for them Who shall be heirs of Salvation? (This proclaims that they attend only those who have made Christ their Saviour.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2119–2120). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
1 John 5
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world (if we follow God’s Prescribed Order, we will overcome the world): and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our Faith. (John is speaking here of Faith in Christ and the Cross, which then gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives [Rom. 8:1–2, 11].) 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (It is not he who “does,” but who “believes.”)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2174–2175). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
CHAPTER 5 (1491 B.C.)
PHARAOH
AND afterward Moses and Aaron went in, and told the Pharaoh (according to many authorities, the Pharaoh at that time was “Menephthap,” the son and successor of “Rameses II”; history records that he was a weak individual, but, because of certain events, had an exalted opinion of himself; the close of Chapter 4 presents the people worshipping in believing joy; the close of Chapter 5 sets before the reader the same people filled with unbelieving bitterness; the glad tidings of Salvation is one thing; the struggle against the power that tries to keep the soul in bondage is quite another), Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Let My People go, that they may hold a feast unto Me in the wilderness. (If it is to be noticed, the Holy Spirit, in giving Moses direction regarding the Sacred Text, in no way recognizes the splendor of Egypt. The character of the Message that Moses was to deliver to Pharaoh was not calculated to compromise or pacify.) 2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey His Voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go. (Satan will not easily allow his captives to go free; and God permits the bitter experience of Satan’s power in order to exercise and strengthen Faith. Mackintosh says: “When we contemplate Israel amid the brick kilns of Egypt, we behold a graphic figure of the condition of every child of Adam’s fallen race by nature. There they were, crushed beneath the enemy’s galling yoke, and having no power to deliver themselves. The mere mention of the word ‘liberty’ only caused the oppressor to bind his captives with a stronger fetter, and to lade them with a still more grievous burden. Consequently, it was absolutely necessary that deliverance should come from without.” Nevertheless, Pharaoh will soon find out exactly “Who is the Lord!”) 3 And they (Moses and Aaron) said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us: let us go, we pray you, three days’ journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest He fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword. (This simple statement tells us, even as given to Moses by the Lord, that it is the Cross only which holds back the Judgment of God. In other words, the only thing standing between man and Hell is the Cross of Christ.)
HARDENED HEART
4 And the king of Egypt said unto them, Why do you, Moses and Aaron, let the people from their works? get you unto your burdens. (They will now find that the burdens are increased. As the Children of Israel, it seems that many do not too very much mind being slaves to Satan, until the burdens become so heavy that they cannot be borne. Invariably, that will happen!) 5 And Pharaoh said, Behold, the people of the land now are many (the Israelites), and you make them rest from their burdens. 6 And Pharaoh commanded the same day the taskmasters of the people, and their officers, saying, 7 You shall no more give the people straw to make brick, as heretofore: let them go and gather straw for themselves. (Oftentimes, the setting to carry out the Will of God will result in Satan’s anger, with opposition being increased.) 8 And the tale (number) of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, you shall lay upon them; you shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. (At the mention of Sacrifice, Pharaoh increased the pressure and the workload, almost to a killing pace. When the Believer first begins to hear the Message of the Cross, he will find the opposition of Satan greatly increasing. This will be confusing at first, but the Believer should take heart. The enemy does this because he knows the Believer has now found the source of victory; therefore, he seeks to move the Believer’s faith from the Cross to other things, by discouragement, etc.) 9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labor therein; and let them not regard vain words. (Pharaoh regarded the offering of “Sacrifices” as “vain words.” Regrettably, much of the modern Church does the same, as it regards the Cross.) 10 And the taskmasters of the people went out, and their officers, and they spoke to the people, saying, Thus saith Pharaoh, I will not give you straw.
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 110). Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Hebrews 3
“Rest” = ? • Cessation of movement or action. • Cessation of labor; a state of freedom from exertion. • Freedom from anxiety; freedom from mental or emotional anxiety. • Repose of sleep; refreshing to body marked by a reduction in metabolic activity. • Repose of death (death perceived as freedom from earthly toil). The “Rest” Being Offered It is possible that the faith of these Jewish believers will be tried because of the persecution they are experiencing at the time this epistle is written to them. Because of their present situation, they, too, might fall short of attaining all God wants them to attain in this life. The promise of rest is still available because it was never totally fulfilled. The promise of rest in the Old Testament was unfulfilled, but it was not withdrawn; it is available to those who want it now. The entire purpose of this letter to the Hebrews is to get the Jewish believers to enter the fullness of “rest.” The writer uses two different words for rest in this chapter. The one he uses the most is kata,pausij katapausis, which is used eight times in Chapters 3 and 4 (Heb 3:11, 18; 4:1, 3—twice, 5, 10, 11). Outside of the Book of Hebrews, this word is used only once in the entire New Testament (Acts 14:18). The word means “a cessation of activity.” It means rest in the sense of ceasing.
1 John 5 THE NEW BIRTH
WHOSOEVER believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (the word “believeth” is not a mere intellectual assent to the fact of the Incarnation, but a heart acceptance of all that is implied in its purpose—the substitutionary death of the Incarnate One for sinners): and every one who loves Him Who begat loves him also who is begotten of Him. (This simply states that those who love God as their Father also love God’s Children.) 2 By this we know that we love the Children of God (we know we love God if we love those who bear His Image), when we love God, and keep His Commandments. (Jesus said the same thing in Jn. 14:15.) 3 For this is the Love of God, that we keep His Commandments: and His Commandments are not grievous. (This is easy to do, providing we look exclusively to the Cross. Otherwise it is impossible [Mat. 11:28–30].) 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world (if we follow God’s Prescribed Order, we will overcome the world): and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our Faith. (John is speaking here of Faith in Christ and the Cross, which then gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives [Rom. 8:1–2, 11].) 5 Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (It is not he who “does,” but who “believes.”)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2174–2175). Baton Rouge, LA: Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Luke 6 46 And why do you call Me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Both the True Prophet and the false prophet will freely use the title “Lord,” but Christ is “Lord” only to those who obey His Word.)
TWO FOUNDATIONS
47 Whosoever comes to Me (truly accepts Christ), and hears My sayings (the Word of God), and does them (the hearing must culminate in the doing), I will show you to whom he is like (the end result): 48 He is like a man which built an house (we ought to grow in grace and knowledge), and digged deep (deep into the Word), and laid the foundation on a rock (that “Rock” is Christ and Him Crucified [1 Cor. 1:23]): and when the flood arose (problems will arise), the stream beat vehemently upon that house (Satan will try to destroy the house), and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock (once again, “that Rock” is “Jesus Christ and Him Crucified,” which must ever be the Object of our Faith). 49 But he who hears, and does not (doesn’t obey the Word), is like a man that without a foundation (the object of his faith is not the Cross of Christ) built an house upon the earth (outwardly this one looked identical to the one built on the rock); against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great (if our Faith is not in the Cross of Christ, things may go well for awhile, but sooner or later the storm will come, and Satan will win the day).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 1775). Baton Rouge, LA: Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Romans 6
16 Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey (the Believer is either a slave to Christ, for that’s what the word “servant” means, or else a slave to sin, which he will be if he doesn’t keep his Faith in Christ and the Cross); whether of sin unto death (once again allow us to state the fact that if the Believer attempts to live for God by any method other than Faith in the Finished Work of Christ, the Believer will fail, no matter how hard he otherwise tries), or of obedience unto Righteousness? (The Believer is required to obey the Word of the Lord. He cannot do that within his own strength, but only by understanding that he receives all things through what Christ did at the Cross and his continued Faith in that Finished Work, even on a daily basis. Then the Holy Spirit, Who Alone can make us what we ought to be, can accomplish His work within our lives.) 17 But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin (slaves to the sin nature, what we were before we were saved), but you have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine (Jesus Christ and Him Crucified; understanding that all things come to the Believer from God by the means of the Cross) which was delivered you (the Lord gave this “form of Doctrine” to Paul, and he gave it to us in his Epistles). 18 Being then made free from sin (being made free from the sin nature; it has no more power over the Believer, but only as we continue to look to the Cross), you became the servants of Righteousness (whereas you were formerly a slave to the sin nature, you are now a slave to Righteousness; if Faith is maintained in the Cross, there is a constant pull of the Believer toward Righteousness).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 1979). Baton Rouge, LA: Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Romans 6
SANCTIFICATION
12 Let not sin (the sin nature) therefore reign (rule) in your mortal body (showing that the sin nature can once again rule in the heart and life of the Believer, if the Believer doesn’t constantly look to Christ and the Cross; the “mortal body” is neutral, which means it can be used for Righteousness or unrighteousness), that you should obey it in the lusts thereof (ungodly lusts are carried out through the mortal body, if Faith is not maintained in the Cross [1 Cor. 1:17–18]). 13 Neither yield you your members (of your mortal body) as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin (the sin nature): but yield yourselves unto God (we are to yield ourselves to Christ and the Cross; that alone guarantees victory over the sin nature), as those who are alive from the dead (we have been raised with Christ in “Newness of Life”), and your members as instruments of Righteousness unto God (this can be done only by virtue of the Cross and our Faith in that Finished Work, and Faith which continues in that Finished Work from day-to-day [Lk. 9:23–24]). 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you (the sin nature will not have dominion over us if we as Believers continue to exercise Faith in the Cross of Christ; otherwise, the sin nature most definitely will have dominion over the Believer): for you are not under the Law (means that if we try to live this life by any type of law, no matter how good that law might be in its own right, we will conclude by the sin nature having dominion over us), but under Grace (the Grace of God flows to the Believer on an unending basis only as long as the Believer exercises Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross; Grace is merely the Goodness of God exercised by and through the Holy Spirit, and given to undeserving Saints). 15 What then? (This presents Paul going back to the first question he asked in this Chapter.) shall we sin, because we are not under the Law, but under Grace? (If we think such a thing, then we’re completely misunderstanding Grace. The Grace of God gives us the liberty to live a Holy life, which we do through Faith in Christ and the Cross, and not license to sin as some think.) God forbid (every true Believer hates sin; so the idea of living under its dominion is abhorrent to say the least!). 16 Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey (the Believer is either a slave to Christ, for that’s what the word “servant” means, or else a slave to sin, which he will be if he doesn’t keep his Faith in Christ and the Cross); whether of sin unto death (once again allow us to state the fact that if the Believer attempts to live for God by any method other than Faith in the Finished Work of Christ, the Believer will fail, no matter how hard he otherwise tries), or of obedience unto Righteousness? (The Believer is required to obey the Word of the Lord. He cannot do that within his own strength, but only by understanding that he receives all things through what Christ did at the Cross and his continued Faith in that Finished Work, even on a daily basis. Then the Holy Spirit, Who Alone can make us what we ought to be, can accomplish His work within our lives.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 1978–1979). Baton Rouge, LA: Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Romans 6
THE CROSS
WHAT shall we say then? (This is meant to direct attention to Rom. 5:20.) Shall we continue in sin, that Grace may abound? (Just because Grace is greater than sin doesn’t mean that the Believer has a license to sin.) 2 God forbid (presents Paul’s answer to the question, “Away with the thought, let not such a thing occur”). How shall we, who are dead to sin (dead to the sin nature), live any longer therein? (This portrays what the Believer is now in Christ.) 3 Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ (plainly says that this Baptism is into Christ and not water [1 Cor. 1:17; 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:11–13]) were baptized into His Death? (When Christ died on the Cross, in the Mind of God, we died with Him; in other words, He became our Substitute, and our identification with Him in His Death gives us all the benefits for which He died; the idea is that He did it all for us!) 4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death (not only did we die with Him, but we were buried with Him as well, which means that all the sin and transgression of the past were buried; when they put Him in the Tomb, they put all of our sins into that Tomb as well): that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (we died with Him, we were buried with Him, and His Resurrection was our Resurrection to a “Newness of Life”). 5 For if we have been planted together (with Christ) in the likeness of His Death (Paul proclaims the Cross as the instrument through which all Blessings come; consequently, the Cross must ever be the Object of our Faith, which gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives), we shall be also in the likeness of His Resurrection (we can have the “likeness of His Resurrection,” i.e., “live this Resurrection Life,” only as long as we understand the “likeness of His Death,” which refers to the Cross as the means by which all of this is done): 6 Knowing this, that our old man is Crucified with Him (all that we were before conversion), that the body of sin might be destroyed (the power of sin broken), that henceforth we should not serve sin (the guilt of sin is removed at conversion, because the sin nature no longer rules within our hearts and lives). 7 For he who is dead (He was our Substitute, and in the Mind of God, we died with Him upon Believing Faith) is freed from sin (set free from the bondage of the sin nature). 8 Now if we be dead with Christ (once again pertains to the Cross, and our being Baptized into His Death), we believe that we shall also live with Him (have Resurrection Life, which is more Abundant Life [Jn. 10:10]): 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more (means that His Work was a Finished Work, and will require nothing else); death has no more dominion over Him (because all sin has been Atoned; inasmuch as Christ is our Substitute, if death has no more dominion over Him, it has no more dominion over us; this means that the power of the sin nature is broken). 10 For in that He died, He died unto sin (the sin nature) once (actually means, “He died unto the sin nature, once, for all”): but in that He lives (the Resurrection), He lives unto God (refers to the fact that all life comes from God, and that we receive that life by virtue of the Cross and our Faith in that Finished Work). 11 Likewise reckon (account) you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto (the) sin (while the sin nature is not dead, we are dead unto the sin nature by virtue of the Cross and our Faith in that Sacrifice, but only as long as our Faith continues in the Cross), but alive unto God (living the Resurrection Life) through Jesus Christ our Lord (refers to what He did at the Cross, which is the means of this Resurrection Life).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 1978). Baton Rouge, LA: Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
Romans CHAPTER 6 (A.D. 60)
THE CROSS
WHAT shall we say then? (This is meant to direct attention to Rom. 5:20.) Shall we continue in sin, that Grace may abound? (Just because Grace is greater than sin doesn’t mean that the Believer has a license to sin.) 2 God forbid (presents Paul’s answer to the question, “Away with the thought, let not such a thing occur”). How shall we, who are dead to sin (dead to the sin nature), live any longer therein? (This portrays what the Believer is now in Christ.) 3 Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ (plainly says that this Baptism is into Christ and not water [1 Cor. 1:17; 12:13; Gal. 3:27; Eph. 4:5; Col. 2:11–13]) were baptized into His Death? (When Christ died on the Cross, in the Mind of God, we died with Him; in other words, He became our Substitute, and our identification with Him in His Death gives us all the benefits for which He died; the idea is that He did it all for us!) 4 Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death (not only did we die with Him, but we were buried with Him as well, which means that all the sin and transgression of the past were buried; when they put Him in the Tomb, they put all of our sins into that Tomb as well): that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (we died with Him, we were buried with Him, and His Resurrection was our Resurrection to a “Newness of Life”). 5 For if we have been planted together (with Christ) in the likeness of His Death (Paul proclaims the Cross as the instrument through which all Blessings come; consequently, the Cross must ever be the Object of our Faith, which gives the Holy Spirit latitude to work within our lives), we shall be also in the likeness of His Resurrection (we can have the “likeness of His Resurrection,” i.e., “live this Resurrection Life,” only as long as we understand the “likeness of His Death,” which refers to the Cross as the means by which all of this is done): 6 Knowing this, that our old man is Crucified with Him (all that we were before conversion), that the body of sin might be destroyed (the power of sin broken), that henceforth we should not serve sin (the guilt of sin is removed at conversion, because the sin nature no longer rules within our hearts and lives). 7 For he who is dead (He was our Substitute, and in the Mind of God, we died with Him upon Believing Faith) is freed from sin (set free from the bondage of the sin nature). 8 Now if we be dead with Christ (once again pertains to the Cross, and our being Baptized into His Death), we believe that we shall also live with Him (have Resurrection Life, which is more Abundant Life [Jn. 10:10]): 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more (means that His Work was a Finished Work, and will require nothing else); death has no more dominion over Him (because all sin has been Atoned; inasmuch as Christ is our Substitute, if death has no more dominion over Him, it has no more dominion over us; this means that the power of the sin nature is broken). 10 For in that He died, He died unto sin (the sin nature) once (actually means, “He died unto the sin nature, once, for all”): but in that He lives (the Resurrection), He lives unto God (refers to the fact that all life comes from God, and that we receive that life by virtue of the Cross and our Faith in that Finished Work). 11 Likewise reckon (account) you also yourselves to be dead indeed unto (the) sin (while the sin nature is not dead, we are dead unto the sin nature by virtue of the Cross and our Faith in that Sacrifice, but only as long as our Faith continues in the Cross), but alive unto God (living the Resurrection Life) through Jesus Christ our Lord (refers to what He did at the Cross, which is the means of this Resurrection Life).
SANCTIFICATION
12 Let not sin (the sin nature) therefore reign (rule) in your mortal body (showing that the sin nature can once again rule in the heart and life of the Believer, if the Believer doesn’t constantly look to Christ and the Cross; the “mortal body” is neutral, which means it can be used for Righteousness or unrighteousness), that you should obey it in the lusts thereof (ungodly lusts are carried out through the mortal body, if Faith is not maintained in the Cross [1 Cor. 1:17–18]). 13 Neither yield you your members (of your mortal body) as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin (the sin nature): but yield yourselves unto God (we are to yield ourselves to Christ and the Cross; that alone guarantees victory over the sin nature), as those who are alive from the dead (we have been raised with Christ in “Newness of Life”), and your members as instruments of Righteousness unto God (this can be done only by virtue of the Cross and our Faith in that Finished Work, and Faith which continues in that Finished Work from day-to-day [Lk. 9:23–24]). 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you (the sin nature will not have dominion over us if we as Believers continue to exercise Faith in the Cross of Christ; otherwise, the sin nature most definitely will have dominion over the Believer): for you are not under the Law (means that if we try to live this life by any type of law, no matter how good that law might be in its own right, we will conclude by the sin nature having dominion over us), but under Grace (the Grace of God flows to the Believer on an unending basis only as long as the Believer exercises Faith in Christ and what He did at the Cross; Grace is merely the Goodness of God exercised by and through the Holy Spirit, and given to undeserving Saints). 15 What then? (This presents Paul going back to the first question he asked in this Chapter.) shall we sin, because we are not under the Law, but under Grace? (If we think such a thing, then we’re completely misunderstanding Grace. The Grace of God gives us the liberty to live a Holy life, which we do through Faith in Christ and the Cross, and not license to sin as some think.) God forbid (every true Believer hates sin; so the idea of living under its dominion is abhorrent to say the least!). 16 Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey (the Believer is either a slave to Christ, for that’s what the word “servant” means, or else a slave to sin, which he will be if he doesn’t keep his Faith in Christ and the Cross); whether of sin unto death (once again allow us to state the fact that if the Believer attempts to live for God by any method other than Faith in the Finished Work of Christ, the Believer will fail, no matter how hard he otherwise tries), or of obedience unto Righteousness? (The Believer is required to obey the Word of the Lord. He cannot do that within his own strength, but only by understanding that he receives all things through what Christ did at the Cross and his continued Faith in that Finished Work, even on a daily basis. Then the Holy Spirit, Who Alone can make us what we ought to be, can accomplish His work within our lives.) 17 But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin (slaves to the sin nature, what we were before we were saved), but you have obeyed from the heart that form of Doctrine (Jesus Christ and Him Crucified; understanding that all things come to the Believer from God by the means of the Cross) which was delivered you (the Lord gave this “form of Doctrine” to Paul, and he gave it to us in his Epistles). 18 Being then made free from sin (being made free from the sin nature; it has no more power over the Believer, but only as we continue to look to the Cross), you became the servants of Righteousness (whereas you were formerly a slave to the sin nature, you are now a slave to Righteousness; if Faith is maintained in the Cross, there is a constant pull of the Believer toward Righteousness).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 1978–1979). Baton Rouge, LA: Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
LAODICEA
14 And unto the Angel (Pastor) of the Church of the Laodiceans write (this is the “Apostate Church”; we do not know when it began, but we do know it has begun; it is the last Church addressed by Christ, so that means the Rapture will take place very shortly); These things says the Amen, the faithful and true witness (by contrast to His Church, which is not faithful and true), the beginning of the Creation of God (Jesus is the Creator of all things);
15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot (characterizes that which is prevalent at this present time): I would you were cold or hot (half measures won’t do).
16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot (if a person is lukewarm towards something, it means he hasn’t rejected it, but at the same time he has by no means accepted it; in the Mind of God, a tepid response is equal to a negative response), I will spue you out of My mouth. (There is no prospect of Repentance here on the part of this Church, or Restoration. In fact, there is Divine rejection.)
17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing (they equated the increase in material goods with spiritual Blessings, which they were not); and knowest not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked (the tragedy lay in the fact that while this Church gloated over material wealth, she was unconscious of her spiritual poverty; again indicative of the modern Church!):
18 I counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich (what they needed to “buy” could not be purchased with money, but only with the precious Blood of Christ, which price has already been paid; but the modern Church is not interested!); and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear (refers to Righteousness which is exclusively of Christ, and is gained only by Faith in Christ and the Cross; this tells us that the Laodicean Church is extremely self-righteous; not having the Righteousness of Christ, they are “naked” to the Judgment of God); and anoint your eyes with eyesalve, that you may see. (The modern Church is also spiritually blind.)
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten (implies a remnant): be zealous therefore, and repent. (The modern Church desperately needs to repent for its rebellion against God’s Divine Order [Christ and the Cross] and for following cunningly devised fables [2 Pet. 1:16].)
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock (presents Christ outside the Church): if any man hear My voice (so much religious racket is going on that it is difficult to “hear His Voice”), and open the door (Christ is the True Door, which means the Church has erected another door), I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me. (Having been rejected by the Church, our Lord now appeals to individuals, and He is still doing so presently.)
21 To him who overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My Throne (the overcomer will gain the prize of the Throne, which can only be done by one ever making the Cross the Object of His Faith), even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His Throne. (This presents Christ as our Substitute, going before us, and doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.)
22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches. (In plain language, the Holy Spirit is saying, “come back to Christ and the Cross!”)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (pp. 2187–2188). Baton Rouge, LA: Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
PHILADELPHIA
7 And to the Angel (Pastor) of the Church in Philadelphia write (is referred to as the Missionary Church, and had its beginning in about the year 1800, and continues unto this hour); These things says He Who is Holy, He Who is true, He Who has the key of David, He Who opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens (refers to the fact that Christ has total authority);
8 I know your works: behold, I have set before you an open door, and no man can shut it (this “open door” refers to the way being made for the Gospel to be sent to the entirety of the world): for you have a little strength, and have kept my Word, and have not denied My Name. (“Little strength” is not an indication of spiritual infirmity, but of few in number. However, these few [speaking of those who truly know the Lord] have touched the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.)
9 Behold, I will make them of the Synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie (proclaims the fact that God doesn’t recognize the spiritual claims of national Israel); behold, I will make them to come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. (This refers to the coming Kingdom Age, when Christ will rule Personally over the entirety of the Earth, with Israel restored. Israel will then bow at the feet of Christ, Whom the Gentiles accepted.)
10 Because you have kept the Word of My patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them who dwell upon the earth. (The Church will be Raptured out before the Great Tribulation.)
11 Behold, I come quickly (again refers to the Rapture): hold that fast which you have, that no man take your crown. (The Devil will use religious men to try to move us away from our Faith in Christ and the Cross.)
12 Him who overcomes will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God (the “overcomer” is the one who trusts explicitly in Christ and what He did for us at the Cross), and he shall go no more out (refers to a constant position in the presence of God): and I will write upon him the Name of My God, and the Name of the city of My God, which is New Jerusalem, which comes down out of Heaven from My God: and I will write upon him My new Name. (At the Cross, Christ identified with our sin by suffering its penalty. Now he identifies with our most excellent Blessing, as He is the Source of all.)
13 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches. (The Spirit is saying we must be ready for the Rapture, which can only be done by Faith constantly exhibited in Christ and His Finished Work.)
CHAPTER 3
(A.D. 96)
SARDIS
AND unto the Angel (Pastor) of the Church in Sardis write (the Sardis Church is referred to as the “Reformation Church,” which began about A.D. 1500, and continues more or less unto this hour); These things saith He Who has the Seven Spirits of God (represents the Holy Spirit in all His fullness and capacity), and the Seven stars (refers to the Pastors of these Seven Churches); I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead. (Our Lord begins with words of censure, i.e., “dead spiritually.”)
2 Be watchful (this Church is exhorted to look into its real condition), and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die (they need to come back to the Cross, or they will lose their way completely): for I have not found your works perfect before God. (Their works were based on a dead Faith, which always produces bad works.)
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent (go back to the Cross). If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you. (Judgment will come, but Sardis will not see or hear due to spiritual deafness and spiritual blindness.)
4 You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments (the Lord always has a few); and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy. (We are made worthy only by our Faith in Christ and the Cross.)
5 He who overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment (the Righteousness of Christ, gained only by Faith in Christ and the Cross); and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life (proving that names can be blotted out), but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His Angels. (The key to this great “confession” is Faith in Christ and His great Sacrifice.)
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches. (The Spirit is saying that Righteousness cannot be obtained without Faith in a spotless Sacrifice.)
Revelation
CHAPTER 3
(A.D. 96)
SARDIS
AND unto the Angel (Pastor) of the Church in Sardis write (the Sardis Church is referred to as the “Reformation Church,” which began about A.D. 1500, and continues more or less unto this hour); These things saith He Who has the Seven Spirits of God (represents the Holy Spirit in all His fullness and capacity), and the Seven stars (refers to the Pastors of these Seven Churches); I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead. (Our Lord begins with words of censure, i.e., “dead spiritually.”)
2 Be watchful (this Church is exhorted to look into its real condition), and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die (they need to come back to the Cross, or they will lose their way completely): for I have not found your works perfect before God. (Their works were based on a dead Faith, which always produces bad works.)
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent (go back to the Cross). If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you. (Judgment will come, but Sardis will not see or hear due to spiritual deafness and spiritual blindness.)
4 You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments (the Lord always has a few); and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy. (We are made worthy only by our Faith in Christ and the Cross.)
5 He who overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment (the Righteousness of Christ, gained only by Faith in Christ and the Cross); and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life (proving that names can be blotted out), but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His Angels. (The key to this great “confession” is Faith in Christ and His great Sacrifice.)
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches. (The Spirit is saying that Righteousness cannot be obtained without Faith in a spotless Sacrifice.)
CHAPTER 3
(A.D. 96)
SARDIS
AND unto the Angel (Pastor) of the Church in Sardis write (the Sardis Church is referred to as the “Reformation Church,” which began about A.D. 1500, and continues more or less unto this hour); These things saith He Who has the Seven Spirits of God (represents the Holy Spirit in all His fullness and capacity), and the Seven stars (refers to the Pastors of these Seven Churches); I know your works, that you have a name that you live, and are dead. (Our Lord begins with words of censure, i.e., “dead spiritually.”)
2 Be watchful (this Church is exhorted to look into its real condition), and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die (they need to come back to the Cross, or they will lose their way completely): for I have not found your works perfect before God. (Their works were based on a dead Faith, which always produces bad works.)
3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard, and hold fast, and repent (go back to the Cross). If therefore you shall not watch, I will come on you as a thief, and you shall not know what hour I will come upon you. (Judgment will come, but Sardis will not see or hear due to spiritual deafness and spiritual blindness.)
4 You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments (the Lord always has a few); and they shall walk with Me in white: for they are worthy. (We are made worthy only by our Faith in Christ and the Cross.)
5 He who overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment (the Righteousness of Christ, gained only by Faith in Christ and the Cross); and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life (proving that names can be blotted out), but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His Angels. (The key to this great “confession” is Faith in Christ and His great Sacrifice.)
6 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches. (The Spirit is saying that Righteousness cannot be obtained without Faith in a spotless Sacrifice.)
THYATIRA
18 And unto the Angel of the Church in Thyatira write (called the “Papal Church,” signifying the beginning of Catholicism; it began about A.D. 500 and continues unto this hour); These things saith the Son of God, Who has His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass (presents Christ in the role of Judgment, as He must be concerning the Church going into idol worship);
19 I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith, and your patience (some in this Church, as wrong as it was, continue to love the Lord; the Lord knew who they were), and your works; and the last to be more than the first. (“Works” are mentioned twice, with the last being in a negative sense, meaning they were depending on this instead of Christ and the Cross.)
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a Prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things Sacrificed unto idols. (The Lord is speaking here of spiritual fornication and adultery, which means they had forsaken Christ and the Cross for other things [Rom. 7:1–4].)
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (The Church did not heed the Message, and, in fact, continues in their “Salvation by works” unto this day, which, of course, is false.)
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (The “bed” refers to false teachers who taught Salvation by works, which was spiritual adultery. Again, there was a warning to repent.)
23 And I will kill her children with death (speaks of spiritual death); and all the Churches shall know that I am He which searches the reins and hearts (a continuous, ongoing searching): and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (One can look at the works of an individual and ascertain exactly where their Faith is. True works proclaim the Fruit of the Spirit.)
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine (have not succumbed to the teaching of Jezebel), and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak (the teaching of “Jezebel” was “spiritual adultery,” which was a departure from the Cross and is labeled here as “the depths of Satan”); I will put upon you none other burden (meaning their total burden was the opposing of “Jezebel teaching,” which was a tremendous responsibility within itself).
25 But that which you have already hold fast (hold to the Cross, and don’t allow your Faith to be moved to other things) till I come (the Rapture of the Church).
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end (it is “His Works,” and not “our works”; pure and simple, it is what Jesus did at the Cross on our behalf), to him will I give power over the nations (speaks of the coming Kingdom Age):
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers (refers to the fact that the Saints of God in the coming Kingdom Age under Christ will rule the nations, not allowing evil to prevail or even to take root): even as I received of My Father. (In the day of His Coming, we shall share in His Power and Glory of Victory.)
28 And I will give him the Morning Star. (The “Morning Star” is the bright planet [Venus], which is most beautiful and leads on the morning—the harbinger of the day. This says the coming Kingdom Age will be glorious beyond compare.)
29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches. (The Spirit is saying that to leave Christ and the Cross is to commit spiritual adultery, which will result in spiritual death.)
Revelation 2
18 And unto the Angel of the church in Thyatira write (called the “Papal Church,” signifying the beginning of Catholicism; it began about A.D. 500 and continues unto this hour); These things saith the Son of God, Who has His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass (presents Christ in the role of Judgment, as He must be concerning the Church going into idol worship);
19 I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith, and your patience (some in this Church, as wrong as it was, continue to love the Lord; the Lord knew who they were), and your works; and the last to be more than the first. (“Works” are mentioned twice, with the last being in a negative sense, meaning they were depending on this instead of Christ and the Cross.)
20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a Prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things Sacrificed unto idols. (The Lord is speaking here of spiritual fornication and adultery, which means they had forsaken Christ and the Cross for other things [Rom. 7:1–4].)
21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. (The Church did not heed the Message, and, in fact, continues in their “Salvation by works” unto this day, which, of course, is false.)
22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. (The “bed” refers to false teachers who taught Salvation by works, which was spiritual adultery. Again, there was a warning to repent.)
23 And I will kill her children with death (speaks of spiritual death); and all the Churches shall know that I am He which searches the reins and hearts (a continuous, ongoing searching): and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. (One can look at the works of an individual and ascertain exactly where their Faith is. True works proclaim the Fruit of the Spirit.)
24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine (have not succumbed to the teaching of Jezebel), and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak (the teaching of “Jezebel” was “spiritual adultery,” which was a departure from the Cross and is labeled here as “the depths of Satan”); I will put upon you none other burden (meaning their total burden was the opposing of “Jezebel teaching,” which was a tremendous responsibility within itself).
25 But that which you have already hold fast (hold to the Cross, and don’t allow your Faith to be moved to other things) till I come (the Rapture of the Church).
26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end (it is “His Works,” and not “our works”; pure and simple, it is what Jesus did at the Cross on our behalf), to him will I give power over the nations (speaks of the coming Kingdom Age):
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers (refers to the fact that the Saints of God in the coming Kingdom Age under Christ will rule the nations, not allowing evil to prevail or even to take root): even as I received of My Father. (In the day of His Coming, we shall share in His Power and Glory of Victory.)
28 And I will give him the Morning Star. (The “Morning Star” is the bright planet [Venus], which is most beautiful and leads on the morning—the harbinger of the day. This says the coming Kingdom Age will be glorious beyond compare.)
29 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches. (The Spirit is saying that to leave Christ and the Cross is to commit spiritual adultery, which will result in spiritual death.)
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 2186). Baton Rouge, LA: Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
PERGAMOS
Revelation 2
12 And to the Angel (Pastor) of the Church in Pergamos write (referred to as the State Church, which laid the groundwork for the Catholic system; its timespan was approximately A.D. 300 to A.D. 500); These things said He which has the sharp sword with two edges (a symbol for the Word of God);
13 I know your works, and where you dwell (dwell spiritually), even where Satan’s seat is (Satan had become part of this Church): and you hold fast My Name, and have not denied My Faith (despite the terrible condition of this Church, some were holding fast to Christ and were continuing to look to the Cross), even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells. (This persecution came from within the Church.)
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there them who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the Children of Israel, to eat things Sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (This Church was committing spiritual adultery, meaning they had shifted their Faith from the Cross to other things, with money being the underlying cause, which refers to the State Church.)
15 So have you also them who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. (At Ephesus, it was the “deeds of the Nicolaitanes,” and now it’s the “doctrine.” This refers to unscriptural Church Government, which grossly exploited the people.)
16 Repent (come back to the Cross); or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. (This will bring to bear the Word of God, the part that speaks of Judgment.)
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches (the Spirit is saying that all Church Government must, without fail, be Scriptural); To him who overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden Manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he who receives it. (This refers to the fact that Believers shall receive a new name, in harmony with the perfect renewal of our being.)
Revelation 2:12-17
PERGAMOS
12 And to the Angel (Pastor) of the Church in Pergamos write (referred to as the State Church, which laid the groundwork for the Catholic system; its timespan was approximately A.D. 300 to A.D. 500); These things said He which has the sharp sword with two edges (a symbol for the Word of God);
13 I know your works, and where you dwell (dwell spiritually), even where Satan’s seat is (Satan had become part of this Church): and you hold fast My Name, and have not denied My Faith (despite the terrible condition of this Church, some were holding fast to Christ and were continuing to look to the Cross), even in those days wherein Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwells. (This persecution came from within the Church.)
14 But I have a few things against you, because you have there them who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the Children of Israel, to eat things Sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. (This Church was committing spiritual adultery, meaning they had shifted their Faith from the Cross to other things, with money being the underlying cause, which refers to the State Church.)
15 So have you also them who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. (At Ephesus, it was the “deeds of the Nicolaitanes,” and now it’s the “doctrine.” This refers to unscriptural Church Government, which grossly exploited the people.)
16 Repent (come back to the Cross); or else I will come unto you quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth. (This will bring to bear the Word of God, the part that speaks of Judgment.)
17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the Churches (the Spirit is saying that all Church Government must, without fail, be Scriptural); To him who overcomes will I give to eat of the hidden Manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knows saving he who receives it. (This refers to the fact that Believers shall receive a new name, in harmony with the perfect renewal of our being.)
What does it really mean to believe in Christ and to walk by faith? You may be surprised to find out that it is more than a mental assent or an acknowledgement.
John 18:37-38
37 Pilate therefore said unto Him, Are You a King then? (This question is not exactly asked in sarcasm or sincerity; quite probably, there is a little of both!) Jesus answered, You say that I am a King (is the same as saying “yes, it is so!”). To this end was I born (addresses the Incarnation, God becoming Man [Isa. 7:14]), and for this cause came I into the world (He is to be King in the hearts of all who believe Him), that I should bear witness unto the Truth (carries in its statement the entirety of the embodiment of the Ways of God). Every one who is of the Truth hears My Voice (only those who sincerely desire Truth will know Christ, i.e., “hear His Voice”).
BARABBAS
38 Pilate said unto Him, What is Truth? (Pilate shows himself by his question to be a cynic.) And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and said unto them (is done so in the midst of tumult), I find in Him no fault at all (Pilate knew that Jesus was not guilty of treason against Rome, or any other type of infraction).
39 But you have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the Passover (seems to have taken place immediately upon Jesus being returned to him from Herod): will you therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews? (This is said with some sarcasm, but yet as an appeal to the absurdity of these charges.)
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas (Pilate thought maybe he could get off the hook, thinking surely they would not prefer a robber over Jesus! he was to be sadly disappointed!). Now Barabbas was a robber (they chose a robber, and they have been mercilessly robbed ever since).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 1891). Baton Rouge, LA: Jimmy
Luke 5
37 And no man puts new wine into old bottles (wineskins); else the new wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish (to try to attach the New Covenant to the Old would destroy both Covenants).
38 But new wine (New Covenant) must be put into new bottles (new skins); and both are preserved (the “new wine” is the New Covenant; the “new bottles” constitute the Church; this means that Judaism will have no place whatsoever in Christianity, even though the roots of Christianity are definitely in Judaism).
39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway (immediately) desires new: for he says, The old is better (the Old Covenant had to be done away with completely, or else the New would not have been accepted; Why? “Works” are always more appealing to men than “Faith”; Why? “Works” appeals to pride, while “Faith” appeals to the Cross).
Swaggart, J. (2005). The Expositor’s Study Bible (p. 1772). Baton Rouge, LA: Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
The proper perspective to maintain is that we are here for only one purpose— to be captives marching in the procession of Christ’s triumphs. We are not on display in God’s showcase— we are here to exhibit only one thing— the “captivity [of our lives] to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). How small all the other perspectives are! For example, the ones that say, “I am standing all alone, battling for Jesus,” or, “I have to maintain the cause of Christ and hold down this fort for Him.” But Paul said, in essence, “I am in the procession of a conqueror, and it doesn’t matter what the difficulties are, for I am always led in triumph.”
~O. Chambers
Ephesians 3
7 Whereof I was made a Minister (refers to one who serves), according to the Gift of the Grace of God given unto me (all of this was granted to Paul strictly according to the Grace of God, which means it was not because of his merit, for he had none) by the effectual working of His power. (This is the Power of the Holy Spirit, made available to us by the Cross and our Faith in that Finished Work [Gal. 1:18].)
8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all Saints, is this Grace given (humility is made evident here, which can only be made possible by the Cross, through which Grace comes to us), that I should Preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ (the “riches of Christ” come to us exclusively by and through the Cross, and are inexhaustible, with greater and greater enlargement which will last forever);
9 And to make all men see (to bring to light something which had previously been hidden) what is the fellowship of the Mystery (could be translated, “the fellowship of the dispensation of the Revelation of the Mystery”; in other words, the Mystery is no more, having now been revealed), which from the beginning of the world has been hid in God (proclaims to us the fact that this was not a new kind of action on the part of God, forced upon Him by the developments in human history; the Cross was His Plan from before the Foundation of the World [1 Pet. 1:18–20]), Who created all things by Jesus Christ (God the Father officiates; God the Son orchestrates; God the Holy Spirit executes):
10 To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly places (concerns Righteous Angels) might be known by the Church the manifold Wisdom of God (presents the Church proclaiming to the Angelic Host a part of the Wisdom of God not previously known to the Angels),
11 According to the eternal purpose (the purpose of the ages) which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord (God has formed a Plan which is Eternal in reference to the Salvation of men, and the Plan is centered on the Lord Jesus and what He did at the Cross):
Learning how to not let the things we see hinder us from walking by faith in Calvary. Dealing with today's events with the mind of Christ.
Numbers 13- Oftentimes what we see and hear hinders us from progressing in the things of God. Today with the many crisis and circumstances we face, God's Word seems to be our last resort.