| by William P. Goff (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) |
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| God’s Feast of Tabernacles pictures the Millennium – the 1,000-year reign of our Lord (And His Saints) at His return. It is a time of rejoicing for the entire family, because it’s a foretaste of the coming utopia that will transform the earth from all of its troubles, tragedies, downfalls and the like, and will usher in a time of peace and prosperity for everyone. It pictures a time when even the nature of animals will change for the better. And a time when children can run and play free of any chance of harm or injury. A time when sin will no longer dominate or be practiced on this planet. Yes, a time when the arch deceiver (Satan and his Demons) will no longer be around to broadcast their evil ways. A time when there will finally be a righteous Government ruling this earth. For 6,000 years’ man has tried every form of human government. But all have failed. Even Democracy has not been able to bring about peace and prosperity to this world. (No, no Utopia yet.) The word “Utopia” was first used by Sir Thomas More, back in1516. It was the title of his book. Utopia is defined as = an imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect. Utopia is defined as an “imaginary” place. Imagined is defined as = belief in something (unreal or untrue) to exist to be so. But for us Brethren, Utopia is a place beyond just mere imagination, because Utopia Does exist, Utopia IS real, and Utopia IS coming. It is called the Kingdom of God. A place where everything IS Perfect. The Feast of Tabernacles is a time for us to come together in unity, and to get focused on that coming Kingdom, and prepare for it. But you know when we consider the overall condition of the church these days; we don’t see much unity, but instead, a lot of division and confusion. (Confusion is authored by Satan.) Confusion is defined as = A lack of understanding – uncertainty. There should be no confusion here, because we are the church Brethren, the church is defined as the Pillar and Ground of the Truth. I want to start my message today by addressing this confusion and disunity. We need to know where this trouble came from. And then I want to focus on what we all need to “do” or “achieve” in order to be totally prepared for the coming Kingdom of God. 1st (Recognizing the Signs of the Times.) We need to realize that we are living at a time when Faith and Belief are in Very short supply.) Our Lord (2,000 years ago) questioned whether He would even find Faith (find belief) on the earth at this time. (Luke 18:8) Mark 16:15-18: (This account testifies there is a lack of faith in the Church of God today.) (To them that Believe shall these signs follow!) Those signs are not here. Why? Because there is a “belief” problem in the Church of God today. And it is this belief problem that’s causing all the confusion and disunity. This is Very serious because not only is this belief problem causing confusion and disunity, but verse 16 says: “he that “believeth not” shall be “dammed” = judged against, sentenced, condemned. Faith and Belief go hand in hand. Faith = Strong’s # 4102 = Persuasion = Credence = Conviction Belief = Strong’s # 4102 (same word) Persuasion has to do with one being persuaded to believe something. Credence = belief or acceptance of something as true or truth. Conviction = a firmly held belief. Most in the church have all three of these. Credence, where we believe or accept something as “true” or “truth.” And many have conviction = firmly held beliefs. And we all have persuasion = where we have been “persuaded” (by one thing or another) to believe what we believe. The question is, are all of our beliefs correct? Are they based on Biblical Truth? We have to bring two more very important words into the equation here, because they pertain to what this belief and faith is all about. Doctrine (That’s what we’re talking about right?) Doctrine is defined as: a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church. Truth = the quality or state of being true. We can have a belief in some doctrine, even a very strong belief where we have total conviction, but that doesn’t necessarily make the doctrine or teaching true. Let us notice something back in Mark 16 concerning these “signs follow”. This will help clarify what I’m trying to say here about “belief.” Mark 16:17-18 talked about the “signs” that shall follow those who believe. Mark 16:19 “After the Lord had spoken unto them; he was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God.” (That is where he still is today.) (Now notice verse 20) “and they (the disciples) went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the “word” with signs follow.” That word “working’ means “coadjutor” assistant. Notice they were not assisting our Lord, our Lord was assisting them, and He was “confirming” their “word” with sign following. (Better put, confirming that what they were preaching was true, by the “signs” the “miracles”.) Confirming means = establish the truth or correctness of (something believed.) Good News Translation puts it like this: “The disciples went and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and proved that their preaching was true by the miracles that were performed.” If we want our Lord to “confirm” what we are teaching, or preaching or believing, we have to be Teaching and Preaching Truth. (Contemporary English version) Then the disciples preached everywhere. The Lord was with them, and the miracles they worked proved that their message was true. All I am trying to point out here is that there has to be “Truth” being preached (being taught) and being believed, in order for our Lord to be confirming. He is NOT going to confirm any false doctrines or false beliefs. Our Beliefs, have to be based on “Truth” And supported by “Scripture.” Now Scripture tells us that Truth comes from only one place, and it is what sanctifies (or sets us apart) John 17:17. (Sanctify them “through” Thy Word, Thy Word is Truth.) In 1Timothy 3:15 Paul defines the house of God, as the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. Let us ask a question here. If truth comes from the Bible (and it does) and if the church is the pillar and ground of the Truth (which it is) then where did all this confusion and disunity come from? How did Satan get his foot in the door of the Church of God? 2 Peter 2:1-2 And please realize, 1st Peter deals with problems from the “outside” but 2nd Peter deals with problems “inside” the Church of God, (And inside the Church of God today.) Let us read these verses in their proper tense:) But there were false prophets among the people, even as there “are” false teachers among you, who privately “have brought in” damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that brought them, and bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And “many” “are following” their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth “is” evil spoken of. Brethren, we need to realize that these “false teachers” have been here for some time now and have already brought in “damnable heresies” And the “many” (not the few but the many) are following their “pernicious” ways. Pernicious = ruin or loss (physical, spiritual, or eternal): damnable, destruction, perdition. We are not talking about “false teachers” out in the world; we are talking about “false teachers” here in the Church of God today, who have brought in “damnable heresies.” We need to understand something about heresy: “heresy” itself is not necessarily a bad thing. Heresy is just a teaching or belief that is contrary (or at odds) to what is generally taught or believed. Even Paul was said to teach heresy, and he was proud of it. (Acts 24:14) It is “Damnable Heresy” that we have to be on guard against. Especially now when the way of truth is evil spoken of, and the many are following “promiscuous” ways. “False Teachings”. Many false teachings and damnable heresies have been around and taught for so long, they are now being believed as ‘truth” when the real “Truth” is evil spoken of. (We need to be very careful here NOT to get our heresies mixed up.) Because some of our beliefs (strongly held beliefs) might be contrary to the Scriptures. That is why we have to “study” “prove all things” “Hold fast to that which is good” That’s why the Scripture is for “Proof” and “Reproof” and “Correction in Righteousness”. That is why our persuasion (concerning what we believe) needs to come from the Bible, not from the mouth of men. We need to make sure that we do not put too much “faith” too much “trust” in what man preaches or teaches. We need to Know Who our “Real” true teacher is. (John 6:45) says: (I want to read this in the NIV.) “It is written in the Prophets: “They will all be taught by God, Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to me.) (And it is speaking of coming to Christ.) 1 John 2:27 tells us: “we need no man teach us, If we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. It is okay to listen to men, (but we need to chew before we swallow.) We need to allow His Spirit to guide us, to lead us, and not be too focused on men in pulpits? (Many pulpits like to “quench” the Spirit.) John 16:13 Our Lord said when the “Spirit of truth” shall come it (the Spirit of Truth, not man) will guide us into all Truth, (And even show you things to come.) (Our biggest culprit (by far) to learning Truth, is man.) Our Lord in Mathew 24 said: Take heed that no man deceive you, because many men will come in my name and deceive many. Jude 1:1-5 There is a LOT here that we need to comprehend! Jude “exhorts” us “invokes” us to “Earnestly Contend” for the faith that was once delivered to the saints. “Earnestly Contend” is a Very powerful word. Only ever used when referring to the Olympic Athletes who were fighting for the Gold. If you look at the commentaries concerning the “faith once delivered” (The faith, we need to be fighting and struggling to get back to) it is talking about “doctrines” it’s talking about “Truth”. Brethren, do we put that much effort into searching for “Truth”? Do we have a “Love” for the Truth? According to 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 many in the church “do not” have a love for truth. Why? Because they have a love for taking pleasure in unrighteousness instead. We need to get back to that faith once delivered. All the pulpits in the Church of God today teach and preach that we have already gotten back to the “faith once delivered to the saints” (But that’s not true) we still need to be struggling by studying, proving, rightly dividing the word. A number of years ago the Worldwide Church of God stated that they had restored 18 truths. (That we just have to hold on to them.) No need to look for anything else; just hold on to what we have already been taught. They have been preaching that for many years, actually most pulpits in the Church of God have been preaching and teaching the same things for many years, with no growth, no increased knowledge. We are supposed to be growing in Grace and Knowledge. Too many in the church today have become too content, too complacent. Brethren, we are living at a time when many of us in the Church of God need to anoint our eyes with that “eye salve” that the Laodicean’s were admonished to apply. The Laodiceans are the ones who think they have it all. Normally, when pulpits speak of the Laodicean’s, they are usually pointing their finger at the other guy. But are we sure that we do not fit the bill? how Hot are we? How on Fire are we for Truth? How on fire are we for the Coming Kingdom of God? Do we still have our First Love? Or has that fire faded out? (Fires always have to be stoked and poked.) Remember when we first came into the Truth? When we could not stop studying, learning? Back when we were on fire, our mouth runeth over and we wanted everyone to know what we were learning? It is easy to spot a Laodicean, they have a very “distinguishing trait” sticks out like a sore thumb, they are “Lukewarm.” Our Elder Brother, our Lord and Savior despises the “lukewarm.” And He tells them to be zealous and repent. Or he is going to spew them out. Our Lord also tells the Laodiceans He is on the outside, knocking to come in, and that IF one opens the door, they will “sup” together. Now IF we fit the Laodicean roll, we do not have to panic, but we do have to repent. Repentance “always” makes everything better. He goes on to say: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down in my Father’s throne. We need to always exercise caution Brethren, we need to be circumspect, because our enemy is out to get us. (We need to be Berean’s.) (Quick to listen to other teachings and then search the Scriptures to see if it is correct. Most today will not give ear to anything outside of the box they are in. Why? Because some are brain washed or fear they will be disfellowshipped if they even read material from others. (Where is the Scripture to support that? The Scripture says “Iron sharpeneth Iron.”) Malachi 3:16 says: “They that feared the Lord spoke often one to another and thought upon His name, and He (our Heavenly Father) heard and made a book of Remembrance.” Men have the Church of Gods divided into hundreds of separate groups. (With no speaking or even associating with members of other groups.) Let us Not be fooled by men Brethren. There is simplicity in Christ. Man may have the church divided into hundreds of separate groups, BUT in God’s eyes there are only two groups out there, yes two: The wise and foolish – the sheep and goats. The sheep are those that help their fellow Brethren. (They will be entering into the Kingdom., But the goats will not.) The wise are busy filling their lamps with “oil” the foolish are not. (Let us stop here and understand something) One of the false teachings in the Church of God today, concerns the “oil” in that parable of the ten virgins.) (It is not Spirit, its Truth.) Matthew 25:1-9 The foolish are told to go and buy this oil for themselves. You cannot buy the Holy Spirit, Simon Magus proved that Acts 8:18-20 Brethren, we need to be filing up on Truth, studying and rightly dividing. If we are going along with the crowd, we will end up in only one place. (The blind leading the blind “Always” end up in the ditch.) (God’s True church does Not contain the masses.) Matthew 7:13-14 Straight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth to Life (And Few there be that find it.) (Remember Gideon’s army.) Judges 7:3-7 Started out with 32,000 men. (The fearful were sent home, all 22,000 of them. 10,000 remained. But our lord said still too many. (Test them at the water hole.) Circumspect were 300. (The True Church of God, is a little flock.) His little flock hears His voice, (And they follow Him, and Him alone.) Many preachers like to say: “Follow me as I follow Christ”.) But Nowhere in the Scriptures are we ever told to follow man.) 1 Corinthians 11:1 is mistranslated in the KJV, the word Paul used was “imitate” me, not follow. (Big difference) We need to be following our Lord and Savior, and we need to stay focused on the goal of being totally prepared for the Kingdom of God. (Especially during the Feast of Tabernacles.) I was looking through the many Church of God Feast sites, and as usual many of them like to list the various attractions near their location, trying to entice us (lure) us in to attend at their particular site. One Church of God was planning a Feast site over in Europe, I noted how it was located next to a world famous race track. (What a wonderful opportunity to see it they claimed.) And then there are places like Branson Missouri, so many “exciting” things to look forward to there, right? Well, how about the “Sea of Glass” Isn’t that an exciting place to look forward to? Being that is where the church (At least some in the church) will be standing on in the Very near future. (Let us go there for a moment and see just how close we are to that event.) Revelation 15:1-2 we are living in unprecedented times Brethren. Is that real to us Brethren? Do we picture ourselves “Standing” up there when Christ returns? (Or is that Metaphor or something?) The church, the elect will be standing up there (and while the Beast power is still controlling this world) it will be a busy Time: (“Wedding Ceremony” “Establishing Government”) (Preparing to return to this earth with our Lord and Savior.) Our Lord is Not returning to this earth alone Brethren, His called chosen and faithful will be returning with Him, after He establishes His Government. We are instructed to pray “Thy Kingdom Come” But do we realize that that Kingdom that we are praying for to come, has not even been set up yet, or established? Daniel 2:44 many who will be placed in office are still asleep in the grave. It is a time to exercise “Vision” (Scripture tells us, if we lack Vision, we will perish.) We have no time for “fables” we have no time for “false doctrines”, and we have no time to be “lackadaisical”. The Feast of Tabernacles is a time in which we are told to dwell in booths for seven days, and for a very important reason. (To remind us we are sojourners.) The Israelites dwelt in booths because they had no permanent dwellings. They were merely heirs to the land God had promised to give them, but they were not yet inheritors of that land. That “perfect place” That “Utopia” was still further down the road. The Patriarchs were well aware of this because they had “Vision” which pushed them to overcome the ways of this world, and to qualify to be granted entrance into the Kingdom of God. Now please do not misunderstand here. Entrance into the Kingdom of God is a “Free Gift” No one can buy their way in. But from Genesis to Revelation, our Creator makes it Perfectly Clear that “sinners” “transgressors” will not be there. (High Standards and virtue is required.) Heb 11 the faith chapter speaks of that perfect place, that Utopia that is coming, and how the Patriarchs (due to their actions, due to their behavior, due to their Faith, will enter in when it arrives. Hebrews 11:9 says: By Faith Abraham sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, WHY? Why did Abraham dwell in tabernacles? Why did he not have a permanent residence here on this earth? Because he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Hebrews 11:13 says: these all died in the faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off (Yes Having Vision) were persuaded of them and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth, Well how about us Brethren? Are we looking for that City, the one built by God? Are we living down here on planet earth as strangers and pilgrims realizing this is not our permanent dwelling place? Or have we become content with this present evil age, comfortable just the way things are? Complacent – Maybe lost our focus, lost our vision, forgot about our High calling? We need to get focused. We need to get back to that Faith once delivered. Brethren, I believe we have been led astray by men in pulpits in a number of ways, including a number of doctrines. I want to turn my focus now to one in particular, because I believe it is not only one of the biggest false teachings, but it’s also the most important to comprehend, concerning our entering into the coming Kingdom of God. James 1:27: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. Now my focus is not going to be on the first part of that admonition, But one of the Biggest false teaching amongst the churches of God today, and one that our entrance into the coming Kingdom of God, and the fulfillment of our High Calling hinges on, pertains to the last part of that verse: “Keeping oneself unspotted from the world.” I do not believe the church has put much emphasis on this important requirement. They rarely stress the importance of overcoming. Matter of fact, most of the time that subject of becoming “Perfect” or becoming “Holy” is viewed as something that is impossible for a mere human being to achieve. Many seem to think that there is a “magic wand” at the end of the day that God will wave, and instantaneously create His Holy Righteous Character in us. (Make us Perfect “fully mature” Holy.) If you check on the teachings of the various larger Church of God organizations, you find a lot of “smooth talk” One Church of God organization has a book titled: “Assurance of Salvation.” That book makes you feel good as a Christian but is says not to be too concerned if you find yourself backsliding into your old sins, That our Lord will pull us through. Another well-known preacher says, “Don’t worry about your everyday sins, the ones we all commit every day, he says we will be committing those sins right up to our change.” I wrote that man a letter saying that if we do not concern ourselves and address our everyday sins, we might not be changed. (He never replied.) Another false teaching from pulpits, that may have led to this, is their misunderstanding of Leviticus 23:17 Leviticus 23:17 “Ye shall bring out of your habitation two wave loaves of two tenth deals; they shall be of fine flour (Talking about the church here) they shall be baked with leaven; they are the first fruits of the Lord.” The Church of God pulpits teach that leaven in the wave loaves represents sin. (They say that they are baked with sin because the church is full of sinners.) Brethren, nothing could be further from the Truth. There is a good leaven that the Bible speaks about, its God’s Holy Spirit. His Spirit is what changes our nature, our character. God always gives us the physical to better understand the spiritual. If you look at the making and baking of bread, you see that the leaven in the dough is what changes the nature of the dough. Then, once baked you have a finished product in which the nature cannot be changed back. Same with God’s Spirit which He has given us; it is there to change our nature. God will not bake us (change us into spirit beings) if we have sin in us. The Kingdom of God has no sin. Matthew 13:33 (The Good Leaven.) 1 Kings 6:7 (No Magic Wand, But an Axe.) (“Made Ready” Complete – Perfect., before brought “thither” to the other side. Cut and prepared so well, no need for mortar, perfect fit. Brethren our Creator has called us to become like Him. He calls us his silver. When the silver smith refines silver, he has to heat it up to remove all the impurities. (Same as God does with us when we go through trials and tribulations.) The silver smith knows when all the impurities are removed when he can see his reflection in the silver. That is what our Father wants to see in all of us, His reflection. He wants all the impurities removed, He wants us to be just like Him, possessing His Holy Righteous Character. We need unity Brethren, but there will be no unity with the masses or the majority at this time. (Unity will only be amongst those in one accord with Him.) And unity cannot come through compromise. Compromise allows the acceptance of standards that are lower than is desirable and will not bring proper unity. Let us go to Acts 5:12 please and begin wrapping this up.) (Solomon’s Porch can tell us a lot about what it takes to have the right kind of unity, even the unity that will bring about the “signs follow”.) Acts 5:12 Solomon’s Porch was a colonnade of Upright Pillars, with the Entablature on the Top. Entablature was just like another Pillar, but the Head pillar, and on top connected to all the other Upright Pillars. The Entablature is Christ. If we want to be connected to Christ, we have to be Upright. Too many in the Church of God have the pulpits of men on the Top; they don’t seem to realize that our Lord and Savior is alive and well, and quite capable of heading His church. (The many Signs and Wonders was the proof that our Lord was working with them and confirming their Words.) One last Scripture, 1 John 3:3 “And every man that hath this hope in him (what hope? The hope of meeting our Lord in the clouds, (first resurrection) and being with Him and the Father for eternity) Every man that hath this hope in him, Purifieth himself (How Pure) as pure as He is pure. Our Lord’s flock is a little flock, and unity amongst us can only come by being directly connected to our Lord and Savior and following Him and Him alone. We need to be Upright. And that is accomplished by Believing and Walking in Truth. We need to walk in Spirit and in Truth (Biblical Truth – Sound Doctrine.) (Not false teachings or Damnable heresies.) And what we need to “do” or “achieve” in order to be totally prepared for the coming Kingdom, is “overcome” “conquer” All 7 churches in revelation were told to him that overcomes, will I give this and grant that. No mention of “trying” to overcome (Just trying does not cut It) we have to accomplish; we have to succeed. May we all have Spiritual, Rewarding, and Uplifting future Feasts of Tabernacles. ———————————————————————————— Reprinted with permission from: A Voice in the Wilderness https://khofh.org/ ———————————————————————————— |
| Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Preparing for the Kingdom Article by William P. Goff Comments by Darwin Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota) |
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| I can agree with much of what William Goff writes in this article “Preparing for the Kingdom”. There is at least one item that needs some real attention, for it is something that has been covered in some detail already in these Church of God Newsletters in the Iron sharpening Iron section. It has to do with his comment about the ten virgins. About in the midst of his writings he says this, “The wise are busy filling their lamps with ‘oil’ the foolish are not. (Let us stop here and understand something) One of the false teachings in the church of God today, concerns the ‘oil’ in that parable of the ten virgins”. (It is not spirit, its truth.) Herein lies the fallacy in that statement when he says truth is what the parable represents of the oil, not spirit. Matthew 25:1-12 (KJV) Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. The argument stems from those that teach that the oil represents God’s spirit. Since God’s spirit cannot be bought or “buy it”, the oil has to represent “truth”. Now, as if you can buy truth is somehow now become “the truth”. They quote Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Ac 8:19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. Ac 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. So, “the truth is”, you can buy truth but not God’s Holy Spirit”. Wait a minute, how can one buy “truth”? Where do I go to buy that? The last time I consulted God’s word, this is what I found out, what the Bible says about Truth, John 16:13 (KJV) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 6:63 (KJV) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Jon 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you. Joh 15:26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. 1 John 5:6 (KJV) This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. Now, if you can’t buy Spirit (God’s), then you can’t buy truth, for they are one and the same! 1 John 5:6. God leads us into all truth and to think you can buy God’s Spirit or truth is sheer nonsense! Acts 8:18; 1 John 5:6 As it is quite clear from scripture, you can’t come to all truth without God’s Holy Spirit. So according to Goff’s new doctrine, you can buy truth, which is God’s Spirit, yet he quotes Acts 8:18 showing that you can’t buy God’s Spirit. So then, what is the parable of the virgins trying to point out? For one, it’s about being wise over being foolish. What a concept! It’s not about what the oil represents, that of buying truth verses God’s Spirit, for you can buy neither. The example, (story) parable is an analogy. An analogy is not meant for all aspects of a story even of a parable to be taken literally. If the oil was meant to be literal, then the wise virgins would be saying go ahead and “buy for yourselves, we bought our own”. The parable is trying to say be wise and look for truth which comes from God if you ask. Don’t even suggest you give Him some money for it! Also, if one were to take the parable as literal, the lamp would have some part in all of it. What then would the lamp represent, a real lamp that burns oil? The lamp in this analogy is your mind. Is it full? Of what? It certainly would have to be God’s Spirit and Truth! The part about “buying” is an analogy of the lamp (mind) being short on oil, God’s Spirit and Truth. Also, the parable states that all ten virgins were all sleeping. If that meant literal sleeping spiritually, then all ten virgins would have the door shut to them. So again, the parable is talking about being woke up, (the trumpet sounds) and the resurrection of the saints is come, being called to the marriage supper but five are not invited. Others have argued that proverbs says to, “buy truth”. Proverbs 23:23 (KJV) Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. So, if you want to argue that you can buy truth, this same verse also says you can buy wisdom, and instruction, and understanding. Now really? So, what can we make of the apparent contradiction in God’s own inspiring “contradictions”? Well, guess what, God does not contradict Himself! The only explanation for Proverbs 23:23 can be is that this verse is a: met•a•phor (ˈmɛt əˌfɔr, -fər) n. 1. the application of a word or phrase to an object or concept it does not literally denote, suggesting comparison to that object or concept, metaphor noun figure of speech, image, symbol, analogy, emblem, conceit (literary), allegory, trope, figurative expression the writer’s use of metaphor. The object and the concept are not meant to be literal. It’s a metaphor in that truth is so valuable you will go to the ends of the earth if you must and get this “truth” and not ever sell it, not that you could, because who would buy it from you if you could sell it? So, if you can buy truth, then you can also sell it and how much money can you get for it? Maybe it could be auctioned off to the highest bidder! Balderdash! The Bible is full of metaphors, analogies, parables, similes, the key is to study and not look for your own interpretation of scripture and let God lead you into all truth (without money) and He will help you understand when He is talking in metaphors, analogies, or literal meanings. For example, scripture says, “the lion shall dwell with the lamb” looking into the future. Is that a metaphor or literal? Many scholars of the Bible that reject much of future prophecy of earth and God’s kingdom, believe those prophecies are just that, metaphors and not meant to be taken literal. Oh yah! Why would that be? Well, that doesn’t work with their corrupt understanding of going to heaven when you die if you’ve been nice or going to hell if you have been naughty! I will conclude with, Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. There, go ahead and buy wisdom and understanding if you can. How much money will it take to buy those priceless items? The real message of the parable of the virgins is that the wise did their “homework” and the foolish watched “TV” and argued over Spirit versus truth, steering one away from understanding what God is messaging to us by that parable. Can you guess, was that last statement about the virgins “homework-watching tv” meant to be taken literally or was I speaking metaphorically? |
| Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Preparing for the Kingdom Article by William P. Goff Comments by Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota) |
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| Mark 16:9-20 (The earliest manuscripts and some other ancient witnesses do not have verses 9–20 of Mark, meaning that someone may have added them later. This is still a debate by scholars. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_16) |
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