Old Dog IV
Two Battles Same Sword
March 24, 2000:
“He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches…..”
I share this with whomever will “listen”….for several weeks I have listened to THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT say “WHEN HE COMES IT WILL BE WITH A SWORD”. It was a simple unemotional statement. Nothing to “feel good” about. Nothing to “build up” or “expound on”. A simple fact based on THE WORD.
Matthew 10:34
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
Present theology and sentiments might try to argue the meaning of this quote of THE KING. only if you stay in context the image is crystal clear.
Matthew 10:32-42
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household.
37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.
41 He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.
42 And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (KJV)
In these ten short verses may be the sum of all the APOSTOLIC/ PROPHETIC moves that many have been speaking of for years. It also is a clear statement of exactly who the true disciples/ believers are. It also points out where the opposition originates and how it will appear and manifest. At first glance it is a “gospel” of division and confrontation. That is because THE GOSPEL OF KING JESUS is….divisive and confronts everything that Paul speaks of to the Church in Corinth.2 Corinthians 10:5-6
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. (KJV)
There is also a clear aspect of THE GOSPEL OF THE KING that speaks explicitly about vengeance and recompense. the problem is the issue of FULL GOSPEL…or SELECTIVE GOSPEL. EVERY WORD…or only those that are “profitable” to self-centered religion and people intent of what “is right in their own eyes”. This situation applies today as it did in the time of Joshua and the Judges….because there is “no king” in their land or their lives. in Matthew 10 KING JESUS said we must be found “worthy” of HIM. proven “worthy” at the cost of conflict and hostility in our “house” and “family”.
HE COMES WITH A SWORD……with power, authority, and purpose based on HIS
WILL and not human whims. To “weigh” all in HIS RIGHTEOUS SCALES with TRUE
WEIGHTS. HE COMES to all SERVANTS, both GOOD and WICKED, and will demand HIS TALENTS and the PROFITS EARNED. THE JUST JUDGE, THE RIGHTEOUS KING
warned us clearly…Luke 18:7-8
7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (KJV)
“When the Son of man cometh” must be a clear reality that we must be prepared for. Yet few seem aware that HIS COMING is at HAND…and i have been told HE COMES WITH A SWORD. HE COMES as HE PROMISED. It is not something to “feel good about”. Being confronted by THE LAMB OF GOD with SWORD READY is an image that should produce fear and trembling, a major source of contemplation and reflection. the actions HE HIMSELF SPOKE CLEARLY to John must take place…..Revelation 2:12-17
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan’s seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth.
14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that 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.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh 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 knoweth saving he that receiveth it. (KJV)
“Where Satan’s Seat is”…..where the doctrines of Balaam and the Nicolaitans thrive….the time to repent seems to be over and “HE COMES WITH A SWORD”.
What I did not understand is what THE MOST HOLY SPIRIT meant by what followed
“WHEN HE COMES IT WILL BE WITH A SWORD”. “TWO BATTLES SAME SWORD”.
Today I was given an answer….and the “urge” to share it…..with those who will hear….
Isaiah 51:17-23
17 Awake, awake, stand up, O Jerusalem, which hast drunk at the hand of the Lord the cup of his fury; thou hast drunken the dregs of the cup of trembling, and wrung them out.
18 There is none to guide her among all the sons whom she hath brought forth; neither is there any that taketh her by the hand of all the sons that she hath brought up.
19 These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword: by whom shall I comfort thee?
20 Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the Lord, the rebuke of thy God.
21 Therefore hear now this, thou afflicted, and drunken, but not with wine:
22 Thus saith thy Lord the Lord, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:
23 But I will put it into the hand of them that afflict thee; which have said to thy soul, Bow down, that we may go over: and thou hast laid thy body as the ground, and as the street, to them that went over. (KJV)
I have no interpretation or teaching to give. Those who “hear” will understand as THE LORD gives HIS INSTRUCTIONS. May we all be found obedient and faithful.
shemuel