13:30 unboxed and revealed

Matthew 13:30 describes a very frightening scene, which is real, and happening in our midst throughout human history, until the end. This is the revelation the watchman receives tonight and jumps up from bed and read again this familiar parable. While sleepless, he was anxious and asked the Lord what is real and what is fake and how to sieve through the massive data the present generations who are avid net readers and viewers consuming hungrily daily.Tonight the reply came in the form of the parable of the wheat and darnel which appeared in his mind vividly.

In short, Jesus described how the Lord sowed good seed in His field, i.e. the kingdom of heaven, and His enemy came in the night and sowed darnel among the wheat. Lest in gathering the wild wheat (weeds resembling wheat), the [true] wheat be rooted along with it, the Lord let them grow together until the harvest.

This is the scenario today, and it has been this way throughout history, i.e. God always sows the good seed—those whom He calls wheat, and will be gathered to be with Him in eternity. His enemy always sows the darnels which will be gathered and burnt by the angelic reapers in harvest time. There exists two groups of people on earth: The children of God and the children of the devil.

What are the darnels? Darnel is a mimic weed, an evil twin of wheat. It is a stowaway. Farmers are careful to separate it from the genuine wheat. It is poisonous. When consumed it can cause dizzy, off-balance and nauseous symptoms. A large amount if it can cause death. Its duplicity has been described as symbol of subversion. “Where there is darnel, there is treachery and toxicity”.

Jesus has given this parable as a warning to the churches. The enemy is clever and crafty. The imitation wheat looks very alike the genuine one. It can even be likened to a almost perfect clone though without a human spirit. Human spirit, that make a person human, comes from God. No technology can duplicate human spirit. a darnel is not a wheat. And that is a fact.

What has this parable got to do with my question to God on how to differentiate between truth and fakes? This parable shows that we will only know when it is harvest time. The revelation will be clear and specific and no mistake will be made as far as God’s classification is concerned. Those classified as darnel will be exposed, removed and burned.

Those God classifies as wheat will be gathered to His kingdom.

The Lord’s last word in this parable: Matthew 13:30 ³⁰ “Let them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will say to the reapers, Gather the darnel first and bind it in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my granary.” (Said the Lord.)

Should I worry about what is not revealed yet? The answer is no. The Lord knows what needs to be done and He takes care of the steps ahead. Our responsibility is to stay in a close relationship with Him and bear good fruits as He intended in our design. Make sure our children do the same.

Deuteronomy 29:29 The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.

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About the human darnel

“by some means or another, gets into churches, and they become members thereof: at first they look like wheat, like true believers, have a show of religion, a form of godliness, an appearance of grace, but are destitute of it; and prove tares, unfruitful, unprofitable, and of no account, yea hurtful, and whose end is to be burned.” (John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible)

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Watchman’s note:

The above parable applies to all aspects of life, and every field in which human plays a role.

Kainotes, 2021-03-30

29:29 unboxed

Often a repetition makes us remember better and confirms the seriousness of the matter. It is more important when God is the one who repeats saying something. This is a repeat of the covenant God made before with the same people group, but a generation younger.

Unboxing: Deuteronomy 29:29 New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁹ “The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us, so that we may obey all the terms of these instructions.

There are things the Lord has not revealed to us (Mark 13:32, Acts 1:7, John 21:22, and Colossians 2:18). We don’t yet know all things (1 Corinthians 13:9-12). But we need to be careful not to let what we don’t know keep us from doing what we do know.

What has been revealed to us? Let us read the example of Moses and the Israelite people of God included in Deuteronomy 29. Let us unbox the verses.

Moses repeated what God has covenanted with them earlier and reminded them of the terms, the condition, and the outcomes therein —blessings or curses.

God made the same covenant, revealed through Moses, with the Israelites in Horeb, or Mount Sinai (Exodus 19-20). All of the older generation who were present when the Law was given had perished in the wilderness (Numbers 14:34-35). Moses repeats the same terms and conditions to the younger generation now to make sure they know what is expected and will always remember them so that they can enter the promised land and receive all the blessings God has promised to give them. This is a renewal of the covenant of the Law.

When Moses spoke on behalf of God and renewed the covenant in Deuteronomy 29, those who were under twenty years of age when Moses first brought them out of Egypt had seen the miracles done by God in Egypt and went through the whole process of exodus. Of course the younger ones born in the wilderness would only have heard of them. The fact that God reminds remind them now through Moses shows that God wants to make sure everyone knows the purpose of entering the promised land and God wants them well and not perish. This wasn’t a voluntary covenant. No one was exempt. This was a national covenant. It was the law of the land. The original covenant was made with their fathers forty years earlier (Exodus 24:3). Here, the Lord was renewing the covenant with their children. It’s not enough to have a godly heritage; each generation has to renew the covenant for themselves. God doesn’t have any grandchildren.

29:10-11 ¹⁰ All of you—tribal leaders, elders, officers, all the men of Israel—are standing today in the presence of the Lord your God. ¹¹ Your little ones and your wives are with you, as well as the foreigners living among you who chop your wood and carry your water.

God’s purpose of the renewed covenant: 30:1 “In the future, when you experience all these blessings and curses I have listed for you, and when you are living among the nations to which the Lord your God has exiled you, take to heart all these instructions.” They are all given a choice: 30:15 “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. Following the Word is the key to prospering (Joshua 1:8).

What about our revelation as believer of Jesus Christ? What has God revealed to us? What does God expects of us? The Lord has given us the same choice.

29:15 I am making this covenant both with you who stand here today in the presence of the Lord our God, and also with the future generations who are not standing here today.

God has revealed the above truth to us. We are the future generations included above. Under the New Covenant, the Lord has given every born-again believer a new heart with God’s laws written on it (Hebrews 8:8-12). We have been redeemed from the curse (of not fulfilling the law of Moses). (Galatians 3:13) At the same time, God gave us all these OT examples in Scripture so that we could avoid the situation described here (1 Corinthians 10:6 and 11). God has given us His words to empower us to stay on the right path: Keeping God’s Word in our hearts keeps us from evil (Psalms 119:11 and Deuteronomy 6:6-9). Jesus has taught us that His words are seeds. We are the good soil that will generate the good crops. The revealed physical and spiritual law of sowing and reaping has never changed. And it is a matter fo choice, just as Moses has reminded the Israelites.

Deuteronomy 30:20 New Living Translation (NLT)

²⁰ You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

Kainotes, 2021-03-29

Walking with Jesus: Old Gate -Ancient Path—why Emmaus to the Cross of victory!

walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus

Walking with Jesus on the road to Emmaus and back, to where the Cross is, outside the Old Gate. Back to the solid foundation, where the first ground shaking miracle —the resurrection of Jesus occurred!

AAA watchman

The watchman discovered that rebuilding Old City Gate has great depth of meaning and significance that he could never have dreamed of.Yes, the Spirit of God prompted him to find this old path as he waited upon the Lord. When leading the class to do this prophetic act of faith he had merely started the work by faith. But now he knows this not initiated by him. The following are revelations received as he sought the Lord.

Revelation One: God wants His people to look back to Him as the Foundation, the Source of life. Ps. 102:25 “Long ago, You laid the foundation of the earth and made the heavens with Your hands.” Jeremiah 6:16 states ‘Thus says the Lord, Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is and walk in it; And you will find rest…

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When God speaks twice—soon it will come to pass: what has He said today? 13 sets of verses in twin numerals

Matthew the Evangelist

Last night I was prompted to read some of the verses with the same numeral in chapter and in verse.* I have found that they are significant at this time of Lent and the Holy week**. They have a deep meaning to me. I can identify with the Gospel author Matthew whose life was transformed after he personally encountered Jesus. I urge readers to read and meditate on the verses and let the Holy Spirit speak to you personally too. I have included below my understandings and some of the verses (excerpted from NKJV) from the Gospel of Matthew who recorded the life of Jesus, the Messiah, the King who brought the Kingdom of Heaven.

4:4 Man shall live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. God’s words give life and sustenance for life.

5:5 the meek shall inherit the earth. (Biblical meekness is not weakness but rather refers to exercising God’s strength under His control – i.e. demonstrating power without undue harshness.-HELPS Word-studies) God looks for this kind of leadership to represent God. Jesus Himself is the Role Model. (Matthew 11:29) Jesus’ leadership gives rest and not stress.

6:6 God openly rewards prayers made in secret.

7:7 God answers and honors our earnest actions: Ask, seek, knock. He actually makes sure they are fulfilled. Who qualifies for this kind of special treatment? Jesus makes the distinction between two groups in the same chapter, 7:21, not everyone who says to Him, Lord, Lord, but he who does the will of “My Father in heaven.” Those who have a relationship of Father and sons with God in Christ Jesus are the ones who can enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

8:8 Faith means: believe in the power of the words spoken by God (Jesus has demonstrated His power in His spoken words). Faith needs to be acted on to be effective.

9:9 “Follow Me.” The key words are: “follow” (an action on our part) and “Jesus” (our only focus and motivation). And Matthew (tax collector, disciple of Jesus, and author of the Gospel of Matthew) did just that. The rest is history.

12:12 When to break a “law”? When it is a matter of life and death for a human. The saving of a human life is above man-made law. Laws are meant to save life and protect human life.

13:13 “seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” Jesus spoke of the blinded and deafened condition of the general great multitudes in this context. The whole multitude stood on the shore, while Jesus got into a boat and sat. Some people in the same crowd followed Jesus in his ministry. Some even followed his journey to Jerusalem. Disappointed by His not becoming a human king (for Israel), they deserted Him at the end.

16:16 Who really is Jesus? He is “the Christ, the Son of the living God.” God has revealed this to every believer, at the moment we are born again. When we choose to believe, we are immediately given the citizenship in God’s kingdom. Our King is Jesus Christ. We receive all the benefits and responsibilities in that Kingdom. We become supernatural because of our new spirit, which is born of the Spirit of God.

17:17 Why do people not believe in Jesus? Because they are the “faithless and perverse generation“. Jesus said. “How long” can they remain in this perverted condition? Not long. Jesus has brought to earth a supernatural breakthrough for the human race. The condition is: we must have faith (in contrast to unbelief) in Him to enter that supernatural realm. (Matthew 17:20)

24:24 Those who do not believe in Jesus will rise and show great signs and wonders too. But their motive is to deceive, if possible, even the believers of Jesus. Jesus speaks of these leaders/influencers as “false christs and false prophets“. They have the position and talent to influence others. But they abuse their authority. They can be in any field and positions on earth, often with authority and power to control others.

26:26-28 “Take, eat; this is My body.” “drink from it, all of you. for this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” This is a very special commandment. Those who believe and observe them by faith can receive all the physical and spiritual benefits thereof. The early churches and believers knew this and practiced it faithfully.

28:18 “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” Jesus resurrected in victory! And the power and authority are for us!

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Hebrews 4:12 (NLT) For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

Kainotes, 2021-03-27

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*Bible chapters and verses numbering: The chapter divisions commonly used today were developed by Stephen Langton, an Archbishop of Canterbury. Langton put the modern chapter divisions into place in around A.D. 1227. The Wycliffe English Bible of 1382 was the first Bible to use this chapter pattern. Since the Wycliffe Bible, nearly all Bible translations have followed Langton’s chapter divisions. The Hebrew Old Testament was divided into verses by a Jewish rabbi by the name of Nathan in A.D. 1448. Robert Estienne, who was also known as Stephanus, was the first to divide the New Testament into standard numbered verses, in 1555. Stephanus essentially used Nathan’s verse divisions for the Old Testament. Since that time, beginning with the Geneva Bible, the chapter and verse divisions employed by Stephanus have been accepted into nearly all the Bible versions.

**Lent (Latin: Quadragesima, ‘Fortieth’) is a solemn religious observance in the Christian liturgical calendar that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends approximately six weeks later, the night before Easter Sunday. The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer for Easter through prayer, mortifying the flesh, repentance of sins, almsgiving, simple living and self-denial. The last week of Lent is Holy Week, starting with Palm Sunday. Jesus’ crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday, and at the beginning of the next week the joyful celebration of Easter Sunday recalls the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Put on one power-packed verse so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack

One Bible verse contains tons of power. I have compiled a summary of 65 versions of the Bible on this crucial and urgent verse which I received today.

Apply EPHESIANS 6:11 Put on God’s complete armor so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack.

TPT      Put on God’s complete set of armor provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser!

Summary of sub-groups of Bible versions on this one verse:

Know this before we start: (Taken from the verse Ephesians 6:11)

1. we cannot see the enemies -the Devil and all his angels
2. they control the darkness of this world
3. they are bad spirits who have power in the air
4. it is a life-or-death fight
5. the devil uses all methods of attack
6. they are spiritual and have their organizations like human
7. they have powers
8. they have headquarters and spiritual agents
9. They accuse the believers of Jesus
10. Their attacks are like: burning missile hurled at you

Here are the Bible verses from three versions: WE, MSG, and PHILIPS

WE      We are not fighting against people of flesh and blood. But we are fighting against rulers and powers whom we cannot see. We are fighting against those who control the darkness of this world, and against bad spirits who have power in the air.

MSG    And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

PHILLIPS          In conclusion be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. Put on God’s complete armour so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women.

KNOW THEIR METHODS OF ATTACK: They plan and then execute against the believers of Jesus. The followings are some of their frequently used methods.

Wiles: 15 versions. e.g. the wiles of the devil. (KJV, NKJV)

Schemes: 15 versions. e.g. the devil’s ·evil tricks [schemes]. (EXB) the schemes of the devil. (NASB)

Strategies: 7 versions. example: the evil strategies of the accuser. (TPT)

tactics: 4 versions. e.g. the tactics of the Devil.(HCSB, NABRE)

tricks: 8 versions. e.g. devil’s clever tricks, evil tricks (ERV, GNT)

deceits: 3 versions (DRA, RGT, OJB)

ambushes; assaults; traps: 5 versions. eg. the crafty assaults of the devil. (NMB) artifices of the devil (Darby). The ambushing, or assailing,] of the devil (WYC). Traps (NLV)

combined schemes, strategies, deceits, tricks: 3 versions. (AMP, AMPC, TLB) e.g. all strategies and tricks of Satan. (TLB)

combined scheming deceitfulness, wiles, evil plots: (OJB)

combined deceptive tactics of the Adversary: (CJB)

HOW DO WE COUNTER ATTACK? THE SAME SET OF VERSES HAS GIVEN US THE WEAPON: We are assured of success: (Ephesians 6:11-18)

1. PUT ON GOD’S COMPLETE SET OF ARMOR.
2. RESIST EVIL: ALL THE DEVIL’S METHODS OF ATTACK
3. STAND YOUR GROUND
4. STAY ALERT AND PERSISTENT IN PRAYERS IN THE SPIRIT

Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women. (PHILLIPS)

SUMMARY OF WEAPONS (Ephesians 6:14-18)

1. BELT OF TRUTH
2. BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
3. GOSPEL OF PEACE -ON YOUR FEET
4. HELMET OF SALVATION
5. SWORD OF THE SPIRIT -THE WORD OF GOD
6. SHIELD OF FAITH
7. PRAY AT ALL TIMES IN THE SPIRIT

Kainotes, 2021-03-26