CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GROWTH

CONCERNING SPIRITUAL GROWTH

An excerpt (3)

"Therefore, in Bible teaching, as laid down in the Epistles and also seen in Jesus’ example in Luke 24:25-27, 44-46, visions and revelations MUST be established on the revelation – the Written Word! In essence, to properly understand chapter two and three (the Letters to the Churches, given via visions, utterances and interactions with angels), it is necessary to firstly understand the revelation – The gospel of Christ Jesus, which John explained in Revelation 1:4-6 and in all his other letters (1st, 2nd and 3rd John).

Definitely, and rightly so, this is the SOLE reason for the erroneous beliefs and practices by some believers – To read or study chapter two and three (amongst many others), without firstly understanding Revelation 1:4-6.

Therefore, in studying the book of Revelation, the moment the visions, utterances and interactions with angels contradicts the written word, we are at liberty to discard them.

Paul’s words to the Church in Galatia, speak volumes
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Vs 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Vs 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 

In Verse 8, he warned sternly about the involvement of angels in the preaching of the gospel. Notice, also, that Paul included himself in Verse 8 (“even if we or an angel”). In other words, it can be preached by legitimate ministers of the gospel.

The word “removed” was translated from the Greek word “metatithemi”, which implies to change sides; to take away from a fixed position. Hence, Paul in the same letter taught them (believers) to stand fast…in the liberty they have in Christ!

Galatians 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Notice, the tenses used by Paul…hath (has) made us free. This means, the tenses of the Gospel of Christ; the Grace of God in Christ is what God HAS (Past tense) DONE IN CHRIST! However, this (another) gospel tries to change it subtly…Christ plus circumcision; Christ plus obedience to the Law of Moses and suchlike.

The word “another” (gospel) was translated from the Greek word “heteros”, which implies different, altered or strange.
The word “another” (“which is not another”) in Galatians 1:7 was translated from the Greek word “allos”, which implies another of the same sort.

Bringing this into context (Galatians 1:6-9), Paul explained that the strange gospel was not another of the same sort, rather it (the strange gospel) was a different sort of what they had received (via a minister or an angel).

Verse 7 “...but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ...”

The word “trouble” was translated from the Greek word “tarasso”, which implies to stir or agitate. It was used 17 times for information (received by sight or hearing) that causes a stirring or an agitation. For instance:

Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

The word “pervert” was translated from the Greek word “metastrepho”, which implies to transmute or corrupt. In this context, it will imply to corrupt the Gospel of Christ.
The word “trouble” means to unsettle; make to lose confidence; create anxiety; panic and the need to do something. This is a major talking point, because a very noticeable trait is the major damage another gospel does by disturbing the believer’s assurance and rest in Christ’s work.

It makes him feel INSECURE and creates the need in his mind to PLEASE God!
Notice, it is not Christ that it troubles, because His work for us is DONE. Rather, it is the believer. The result of another gospel is that it leaves the believer thinking more should be done. This (another) Gospel perverts the gospel of Christ; changes its narratives.

Verse 8…Let him be accursed
The word “accursed” was translated from the Greek word “anathema;” it implies to ban, excommunicate, or separate from.

Hence, Paul’s instruction was very clear, ANY TEACHING / MESSAGE (by a minister of the gospel) or VISIONS AND INTERACTIONS (with angels) that twists the facts of the Gospel of Christ and unsettles the believer’s assurance in what Christ has DONE, must be separated from; rejected; refused.
This is similar to what he said to the Church at Corinth
2nd Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

The word “preacheth” was translated from the Greek word “kerusso;” it means to announce or publish.
The phrase “...ye might well bear with him” was translated from a compound Greek word “anechomai;” it implies “to hold oneself up against”.

This implies that there must be a stern opposition against the preaching, teaching and reception of another gospel; another Jesus; another Spirit.
In other words, the written word / the gospel is THE REVELATION! The written word, remains the basis, why a vision, utterance or interaction with angels will be accepted or refused.

Recall, (in Verse 8) that Paul included himself here. In other words, the fact that a man has taught the gospel well in the past, is not a license for him to teach another gospel or for the audience not to discern if he is preaching a troubling message.
All true teachings must affirm the past tense of His work, upon which all things we do derive its legitimacy.
• …Who GAVE himself for our sins… (Galatians 1:4)
• …From him that CALLED you into the grace of Christ… (Galatians 1:6)
• …I am CRUCIFIED with Christ, nevertheless I LIVE… (Galatians 2:20)
• …RECEIVED ye the Spirit… (Galatians 3:2)
• …Having BEGUN in the Spirit… (Galatians 3:3)
• …God HAS SENT forth the Spirit of his son into our hearts… (Galatians 4:6)
• …They that are Christ HAVE CRUCIFIED the flesh with the affections and the lusts… (Galatians 5:23)
Hence, Paul emphatically stated concerning “another gospel”: “…that you have not received…” (Galatians 1:9)
Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Recall, John also from Revelation 1:5-6 used “past tenses” in describing, what God did in Christ for us, and also the New Birth!
Revelation 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, Vs 6  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
In essence, any or every vision, book, movie, testimony, doctrine, interactions with angels, that lacks the ALL important; permanent assurance of the eternal nature of Christ's work can safely be termed, another gospel!
This implies that in studying the book of Revelation, which had a heavy involvement of angels, imageries and figures of speech, the litmus tests in agreeing with what was seen, heard and written by John, will be the WRITTEN WORD.

For instance:

i) Revelation 22:6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Vs 7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. Vs 8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Vs 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. Vs 10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. Vs 11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.

The person speaking to John clearly was an angel. With the understanding of the Epistles, it is not possible for Jesus (in person) to have uttered Verse 11!

Even John, in his synoptic account, recorded Jesus’ words concerning Salvation

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Vs 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. Vs 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

The Epistles explain why angels talk like that

1st Peter 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Vs 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Vs 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

The statement by Peter “which things angels desire to look into”, shows angels are learning. They never had an understanding of the promise of God, fulfilled in the resurrection and exaltation of His Son.

Ephesians 3:8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; Vs 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Vs 10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the chu0rch the manifold wisdom of God,

It is the Church that makes known unto angels the manifold wisdom of God and not vice versa. Today angels are learning about God from the Church. The Church of Christ Jesus is the school of angels.

That was why, Jesus and even the apostles in talking about the promise of God in the Old (The Gospel) Testament never mentioned angels.

Luke 24:25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Vs 26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? Vs 27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

Hence, Paul in his Epistles warned believers concerning the worship of angels.

Colossians 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, Vs 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

They do not have the words (understanding) of Salvation, hence, they desire to look into it. Hence, they are being schooled and trained by the Church. This explains why the book is full of imageries and figures of speech, and if not read cautiously can lead to error, with very grave consequences. The Epistles were written with plainness of speech.

Nothing mysterious in the Epistles! Everything God wants us to know has been revealed in the Epistles!

Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, Vs 26 But now is made manifest, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
Ephesians 3:2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: Vs 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Vs 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Vs 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

Colossians 1:25  Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God; Vs 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: Vs 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Any message not written and well explained in the Epistles is another doctrine – another gospel! Even if, it was revealed by angel!
Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel (“heteros euaggelion”): Vs 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Vs 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 
1st Timothy 1:2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Vs 3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine (“heterosdidaskaleo”)
1st Timothy 6:3 If any man teach otherwise (“heterosdidaskaleo”), and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;"

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Pastor Chris Segun Onayinka
Saints Community Church