Matthew 13:10-17 KJV And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? (11) He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. (12) For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. (13) Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. (14) And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: (15) For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (16) But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. (17) For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
I am returning to the text from which we read last week.
Elisha was a man of God who could hear from God.
In fact it was hearing from God that got him into trouble with the king of Syria.
And it is this very experience that we spoke of last week, and feel to continue in this thought, in another strain. We quoted Jesus : John 9:39-41 KJV And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. (40) And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? (41) Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. That parallels the thought of Elisha opening the eyes of his servant while blinding the eyes of the enemy. Think of this picture of opening eyes of some while blinding others when you read the following: Mat 13: (12) For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. The servant was one who learned from Elisha.
I compared this last week with accepting Jesus in humility and being given more to see, while the proud who rejected him are blinded.
Let's reach into this even more. Paul did the very same thing Elisha did with his servant. Ephesians 1:15-20 KJV Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, (16) Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers; (17) That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (18) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, (19) And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (20) Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, Paul prayed for us to see, just as Elisha prayed for his servant to see.
The very thing that Elisha prayed for his servant to see was the very thing he was blessed to see when ELIJAH LEFT. 2 Kings 2:9-12 KJV And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. (10) And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. (11) And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. (12) And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. 2 Kings 6:17 KJV And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. Notice this occurred with Elijah and Elisha just after they crossed the JORDAN after Elijah urged him to stay at several places beforehand.
Gehazi was with him in Chapter 4, probably one of the sons of the prophets whom we read about in chapter 6.
Leprosy is sin, and people can be used of God and follow the Lord, but wind up in sin as Gehazi did and lose their ministries.
At any rate, the new servant experienced Jordan with Elisha as Elijah did with Elijah.
Notice this picture: The very sort of chariot of fire that lifted Elijah from the world were all around Elisha IN THE WORLD.
Paul prayed that WE MIGHT SEE THAT THE SAME POWER, THAT RAISED UP CHRIST AND SET HIM UP IN HEAVENLY PLACES, IS ALL OVER THE CHURCH RIGHT NOW. Church, the MESSAGE OF APOSTLE PAUL is a further revelation we must all receive.
Ephesians 3:1-6 KJV For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, (2) If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward: (3) How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, (4) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) (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; (6) That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel: He said the apostles and prophets in the church were receiving this revelation at THAT TIME. Peter even said Paul was getting things from the Lord. 2 Peter 3:14-15 KJV Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. (15) And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; They concerned being without spot and blameless. Paul spoke of this in Eph. Ephesians 1:4 KJV According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Notice it was before the foundation of the world.
Ephesians 2:10 KJV For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. All those chariots of fire around Elisha that the servant suddenly saw REPRESENT the POWER OF GOD TOWARDS US THAT RAISED UP JESUS AND SET HIM IN HEAVEN. Elijah represents JESUS and ELISHA represents PAUL AND HIS MESSAGE TO US TODAY. I noticed through the years that many many ministers stay away from the revelations Paul preached.
But the truth is that the enemy is afraid we come to Paul's revelation.
Notice these words: Ephesians 1:4-6 KJV According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (5) Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (6) To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. God preplanned way back at the beginning of the world, that we be without blame ,a nd BE TO THE PRAISE OF THE GLORY OF HIS GRACE.
Ephesians 1:7 KJV In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE GAVE US ALL OF THIS!!! Paul said we need to SEE THESE RICHES! Ephesians 1:17-18 KJV That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: (18) The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, John 3:3 KJV Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:5 KJV Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. You cannot ENTER what you FIRST cannot SEE! You SEE IT AND THEN ENTER IT.
So it is something planned from the foundation of the world. Ephesians 1:10-12 KJV That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (11) In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (12) That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. And it is an INHERITANCE.
And it is speaking of a throne of POWER. God has been showing us that Matthew 24 and all the endtime discussion actually was fulfilled in AD70.
Matthew 25:34 KJV Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD.
Elijah was raised up to heaven by chariots of fire.
Romans 8:11 KJV But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. The SPIRIT that lifted Christ up and away is UPON US TO EMPOWEER OUR MORTAL BODIES.
Romans 8:12-13 KJV Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. (13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. That SPIRIT upon us is like the CHARIOTS OF FIRE that carried away Elijah.
You have fiery chariots with you! They represent the power with which God raised up Christ from the dead! Jesus said there is more abundantly given to those who who have and believe. Mat 13: (12) For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Look what Paul said: Ephesians 3:19-20 KJV And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. (20) Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, ABUNDANTLY MORE than what we ask or think! Preachers are to PREACH this message of Paul. Ephesians 4:1 KJV I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, Ephesians 4:11-15 KJV And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: This is the "heavenly places" seating we have with Christ.
BUT HE BLINDS THOSE WHO REJECT CHRIST. As the armies of Syria were blinded and taken into captivity, Jesus said that which people have is taken away if they receive not his words. While believers SEE SOME, and know Jesus saved them and set them free, JESUS WANTS TO LET YOU SEE MORE. But those who reject Jesus, WHAT LITTLE THEY DO SEE, like the armies of Syria, WILL BE TAKEN AWAY TOTALLY until they are captured. Isaiah 6:1 KJV In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Isaiah 6:5 KJV Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. THEN ISAIAH WAS CLEANSED.
Isaiah 6:9-12 KJV And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. (10) Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. (11) Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, (12) And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. And watch this: John 12:35 KJV Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth. John 12:37-41 KJV But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him: (38) That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed? (39) Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again, (40) He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them. (41) These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. Israel rejected Jesus and was blinded and taken into destruction 40 years later, like the Syrians were blinded and led into captivity in Samaria. Luke 17:28-30 KJV Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; (29) But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. (30) Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. Recall Lot? Sodomites (homosexuals) sought to take even the angels of God and lay with them, when the angels came to rescue Lot from the destruction.
Romans 1:16-32 KJV For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (19) Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (20) For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (21) Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (22) Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (23) And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (24) Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (25) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (26) For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (28) And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (31) Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (32) Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. Romans speaks of the revelation of salvation.
BLIND! Oh let's appreciate what God has shown us and seek to SEE MORE, and UNDERSTAND PAUL'S MESSAGE, and live a life to the praise of the glory of his grace! If you can TRULY SEE JESUS RISEN, you will see His power on you! If Elisha could SEE ELIJAH WHEN HE LEFT, he would have the double portion. John 1:50 KJV Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. John 14:12 KJV Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. |