THE SECRET MESSAGE IN NUMBERS 33. THE NAME MEANINGS FORM A CODE.
The book of Numbers, chapter 33, has an ancient secret message. It is formed by placing the ancient name meanings together and by guidance from God. I did not come up with this. It was by God's leading I was able to see this message from the name meanings. But, if you are interested, I encourage you to seek God about this article to see what He would show you.
We will show you the name meanings based on Bible dictionary and concordance definitions. Then, we will show all the name meanings strung together in one paragraph (in the order they appear in the Holy Scripture), and we will show you a secret message from God.
Numbers 33:1-5
"[1] These [are] the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2. And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these [are] their journeys according to their goings out. 3. And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians. 4. For the Egyptians buried all [their] firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.
5. And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth." [End quote]
The place names continue from verse 5 down to verse 49, in Numbers chapter 33. These ancient names have meanings which are important since they are found in the Holy Scripture of God. You will see that there is a message God wants to bring forth through these name meanings. Let's look at the names in Numbers chapter 33, verses 5 through 16. We will start with Israel in verse 5. At the end of this list of name meanings, you will see the secret message.
NAMES FOUND IN NUMBERS 33:5-16
Name: Yisrael (Israel)
Strong's (Concordance) Number: 3478
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it means: "From sarah and 'el;..." Sarah is "A primitive root; to prevail -- have power (as a prince)." El refers to God.
Spiritual Meaning: (A prince who has power with God. {See Genesis 32:28.})
Name: Rameses
Strong's Number: 7486
Meaning: A son of Ra (the Egyptian sun god).
Spiritual Meaning: ("He who was of Ra." Or, "He who once served Ra.")
Name: Succoth
Strong's Number: 5521
Meaning: A tabernacle or tent, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.
Spiritual Meaning: (A tabernacle or tent.)
Name: Etham
Strong's Number: 864
Meaning: Acc. to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary, Etham means "their strength; their sign".
Spiritual Meaning: (Their strength)
Name: Elim
Spiritual Meaning: ("A place of much strength." Or, "A place of many trees.")
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: (suph) (yam) Red Sea
Strong's Numbers: 5488 and 3220
Note: It just refers to the Red Sea.
Meaning: The Red Sea.
Name: Ciyn ([Wilderness of] Sin)
Strong's Number: 5512
Meaning: Uncertain derivation.
Spiritual Meaning: ("Sin (Ciyn), a nameless wilderness.")
Name: Dophqah (Dophkah)
Strong's Number: 1850
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it is: "A primitive root; to knock; by analogy, to press severely -- beat, knock, overdrive."
Spiritual Meaning: (Being severely pressed or tried.)
Name: Dophqah (Dophkah)
Spiritual Meaning: (Being severely pressed or tried.)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Alush
Strong's Number: 442
Meaning: Acc. to Hitchcock's Bible Dictionary, it means "mingling together".
Spiritual Meaning: (Mingling together.)
Name: Alush
Spiritual Meaning: (Mingling together.)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Rephidim
Strong's Number: 7508
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it is: "Plural of the masculine of the same as rphiydah;..." Rephidah is "From raphad". Raphad is "A primitive root; to spread (a bed); by implication, to refresh -- comfort, make (a bed), spread."
Spiritual Meaning: (To bring comfort and rest.)
Name: Rephidim
Spiritual Meaning: (To bring comfort and rest.)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Sinay (Sinai)
Strong's Number: 5514
Meaning: Unknown derivation.
Spiritual Meaning: (Sinai, the mountain of the laws of Moses.)
Name: Sinay (Sinai)
Spiritual Meaning: (Sinai, the mountain of the laws of Moses.)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Qibroth Hattaavah (Kibrothhattaavah)
Strong's Number: 6914
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it is "From the feminine plural of qeber, and ta'avah..." Qeber means "grave" or "sepulcher". Ta'avah means "greedily" and "lusting".
Spiritual Meaning: (Graves of the lusting.)
_________________________________________
The words we looked at above are arranged in the exact order found in the Bible in Numbers 33:5-16. We list them below as they appear in the Bible:
Israel, Rameses, Succoth, Succoth, Etham, Etham, Pihahiroth, Baalzephon, Migdol, Pihahiroth, Etham, Marah, Marah, Elim, Elim, fountains, palm trees, Elim, Red sea, Red sea, Sin [wilderness], Sin [wilderness], Dophkah, Dophkah, Alush, Alush, Rephidim, Rephidim, Sinai, Sinai, Kibrothhattaavah
Put these name and word meanings from Numbers 33:5-16 together, and they form these paragraphs below:
- A prince who has power with God. He who once served Ra. A tabernacle or tent. A tabernacle or tent. Their strength. Their strength. Mouth of the gorges. A lord of that which is dark or hidden. A tower. Mouth of the gorges. Their strength. That which is bitter. That which is bitter. A place of much strength. A place of much strength. Fountains. Palm trees. A place of much strength. The Red Sea. The Red Sea. Sin (Ciyn), a nameless wilderness. Sin (wilderness). Being severely pressed or tried. Being severely pressed or tried. Mingling together. Mingling together. To bring comfort and rest. To bring comfort and rest. Sinai, the mountain of the laws of Moses. Sinai. Graves of the lusting. -
Here is a paraphrased version:
- A prince who has power with God [was] he who once served [the false god] Ra, [and this prince is now given] a tabernacle or tent [and] strength. [Israel was in the] mouth of the gorges, [trapped by] a lord of that which is dark or hidden [(Pharaoh)].
A Tower [in] the mouth of the gorges [was] their strength [as they went through] that which is bitter [and oppressive]. [As they went through] that which is bitter, [they had] a Place of much Strength. [In this] Place of much Strength, [they had spiritual and literal] fountains [and] palm trees [to nurture them]. [Here was] a place of much strength.
[They passed through] the Red Sea [and entered] Sin (Ciyn), a nameless wilderness, [and they were] severely pressed or tried [as they went]. [They were] being severely pressed or tried [and were] mingling together [or in one congregation].
[They were brought] comfort and rest [as they obeyed God in] Sinai, the mountain of the laws of Moses. [Those who forsook] Sinai [and the laws of Moses were buried in the] graves of the lusting. -
(Note: All the words in brackets were added, but the words outside the brackets are the word meanings from Numbers 33:5-16. These meanings are based on Bible dictionaries and concordances.)
______________________
[Kibrothhattaavah (meaning "graves of the lusting") was the place where the wicked people who defied God and pursued the idol of gluttony perished and were buried (See Numbers 11:32-34). Read the article below if you are curious why many thousands of Israelites were killed for murmuring against Moses, despising God, and greedily lusting after meat.]
______________________
The Difference Between the Old Testament and the New Testament Saints
Many people have wondered why the Old Testament Hebrews were often struck down with plagues and judgments of God while wondering through the wilderness near Mount Sinai.
The Old Testament people who rebelled against the Old Testament laws were destroyed in the wilderness of Sinai. They were destroyed because they were in the presence of God and were hardening themselves against God's teachings, which He gave to Moses. Their actions and words proved that their hearts were hardened against God and His ways.
The sacrificial laws, and the feast day laws, and the dietary laws, and other ceremonial laws were all fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:4, Galatians 3:1-8). We Christians have no need to fulfill them since Christ did that for us, nailing all the ordinances, which were written against us, on the cross (Colossians 2:6-17).
But, God does expect us to obey Him in the Ten Commandments, which are repeated throughout the New Testament, including in the epistles from Romans to Revelation (as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit). When we disobey Him, all we have to do is confess it to Abba Father God and repent. Asking Abba God to fulfill that unmet need is the next good thing to do.
We have the promise of God Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:11. Jesus said: "[11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
The danger is not believing God's Holy Word, and seeking after sinful pleasures (and idols) or self-righteous performance (or both). The Holy Spirit, using Paul and other New Testament writers, warned people who thought God's grace would allow them to continue in stubborn sin.
These unrighteous people, who may have been born-again Christians at one time, thought that living in sin and in rejection of God's Ten Commandments would be ignored by Jesus Christ, the Sovereign Judge of all (John 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 13:36-43).
In John 5:22-23, Jesus said: "[22] For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: [23] That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."
If we say that we love Jesus Christ and that He is our Lord and Savior, then we should obey what He says in the Holy Scripture. If we disobey Him and refuse to repent, but we still say we love Him, do we then actually love Him? Jesus addressed this question in Matthew 15:8-9.
In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus said: "[8] This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. [9] But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Is it wise to follow the teachings of men, such as those who teach that once you are saved through Jesus, you can "never" fall away (or that you can "never" lose your place in Heaven)? (Many of those people are well-meaning, but what does the Bible actually teach?) Is it wise to place your eternity into a system of belief that does not fit with the teachings of scripture?
Jesus constantly warned His own disciples and us about the reality of Hell, and that sin in a believer's life would prevent him or her from entering Heaven. He even said on several occasions statements such as those found in Matthew 18:34-35, in Matthew 6:14-15, and in Mark 9:47-48.
In Matthew 18, Jesus was telling His disciples and other people a parable about an unforgiving servant. This servant was forgiven all of his very large debt, but he was unwilling to forgive someone who owed him much less than what he had owed to his creditor. This unforgiving servant was delivered to the tormentors (demons) and placed in prison (or Hell, the Biblical abode of the unsaved deceased).
Matthew 18:34-35
"[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. [35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."
Matthew 6:14-15
"[14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Mark 9:47-48
"[47] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: [48] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote this admonition to the believers in Galatia:
[Galatians 5:19-25]
"[19.] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
God, in His wisdom, cannot let a rebellious person (who despises God by way of despising His Word and His teachings) ever enter Heaven, unless that person confesses the sin which God is convicting him about, and repents (1 John 1:9 and 1:7).
Abba Father God desires for us all to have an intimate, close fellowship with Him and with the Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. There is no way to have intimate fellowship with God by way of self-righteous works, holding onto doubt, or holding onto sin. Only by confessing these things and by choosing to forsake them (by looking to God for the power) can a person be able to have intimate, deep fellowship with our loving Abba Father God (and His Son Jesus Christ).
➠ If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, click here to read more.
"[1] These [are] the journeys of the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt with their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2. And Moses wrote their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of the LORD: and these [are] their journeys according to their goings out. 3. And they departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the morrow after the passover the children of Israel went out with an high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians. 4. For the Egyptians buried all [their] firstborn, which the LORD had smitten among them: upon their gods also the LORD executed judgments.
5. And the children of Israel removed from Rameses, and pitched in Succoth." [End quote]
The place names continue from verse 5 down to verse 49, in Numbers chapter 33. These ancient names have meanings which are important since they are found in the Holy Scripture of God. You will see that there is a message God wants to bring forth through these name meanings. Let's look at the names in Numbers chapter 33, verses 5 through 16. We will start with Israel in verse 5. At the end of this list of name meanings, you will see the secret message.
NAMES FOUND IN NUMBERS 33:5-16
Name: Yisrael (Israel)
Strong's (Concordance) Number: 3478
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it means: "From sarah and 'el;..." Sarah is "A primitive root; to prevail -- have power (as a prince)." El refers to God.
Spiritual Meaning: (A prince who has power with God. {See Genesis 32:28.})
Name: Rameses
Strong's Number: 7486
Meaning: A son of Ra (the Egyptian sun god).
Spiritual Meaning: ("He who was of Ra." Or, "He who once served Ra.")
Name: Succoth
Strong's Number: 5521
Meaning: A tabernacle or tent, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance.
Spiritual Meaning: (A tabernacle or tent.)
Name: Etham
Strong's Number: 864
Meaning: Acc. to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary, Etham means "their strength; their sign".
Spiritual Meaning: (Their strength)
Name: Pi Hachiroth (or Pihahiroth)
Strong's Number: 6367
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's it means, "mouth of the gorges".
Spiritual Meaning: (Mouth of the gorges.)
Strong's Number: 6367
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's it means, "mouth of the gorges".
Spiritual Meaning: (Mouth of the gorges.)
Name: Baal Tsephon (Baalzephon)
Strong's Number: 1189
Meaning: It means "From Ba'al and tsaphown". Baal refers to a "chief man", or a "master", or a "lord". Tsaphon means "northern side, dark, gloomy".
Spiritual Meaning: (A lord of that which is dark or hidden.)
Strong's Number: 1189
Meaning: It means "From Ba'al and tsaphown". Baal refers to a "chief man", or a "master", or a "lord". Tsaphon means "northern side, dark, gloomy".
Spiritual Meaning: (A lord of that which is dark or hidden.)
Name: Migdol
Strong's Number: 4024
Meaning: Acc. to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary, it means "a tower".
Spiritual Meaning: (A tower.)
Strong's Number: 4024
Meaning: Acc. to Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary, it means "a tower".
Spiritual Meaning: (A tower.)
Name: Pi Hachiroth (or Pihahiroth)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Etham
Spiritual Meaning: (Their strength)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Etham
Spiritual Meaning: (Their strength)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Marah
Strong's Number: 4751
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's Concordance, it refers to being "bitter" and "discontented" and "angry". (It also refers to bitterness, as in the taste.)
Spiritual Meaning: ("Bitterness." Or, "That which is bitter.")
Name: Marah
Spiritual Meaning: ("Bitterness." Or, "That which is bitter.")
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Strong's Number: 4751
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's Concordance, it refers to being "bitter" and "discontented" and "angry". (It also refers to bitterness, as in the taste.)
Spiritual Meaning: ("Bitterness." Or, "That which is bitter.")
Name: Marah
Spiritual Meaning: ("Bitterness." Or, "That which is bitter.")
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Elim
Strong's Number: 362
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it is "Plural of 'ayil." Ayil means "tree" or "strength".
Spiritual Meaning: ("A place of much strength." Or, "A place of many trees.")
Strong's Number: 362
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it is "Plural of 'ayil." Ayil means "tree" or "strength".
Spiritual Meaning: ("A place of much strength." Or, "A place of many trees.")
Name: Elim
Spiritual Meaning: ("A place of much strength." Or, "A place of many trees.")
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: ayin (fountains)
Strong's Number: 5869
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it means "a fountain", "outward appearance", and an "eye".
Spiritual Meaning: ("Fountains" Or, "That which the eye can see.")
Strong's Number: 5869
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it means "a fountain", "outward appearance", and an "eye".
Spiritual Meaning: ("Fountains" Or, "That which the eye can see.")
Name: tamar (palm trees)
Strong's Number: 8558
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it means a "palm tree".
Spiritual Meaning: (Palm trees)
Strong's Number: 8558
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it means a "palm tree".
Spiritual Meaning: (Palm trees)
Strong's Numbers: 5488 and 3220
Note: It just refers to the Red Sea.
Meaning: The Red Sea.
Name: Ciyn ([Wilderness of] Sin)
Strong's Number: 5512
Meaning: Uncertain derivation.
Spiritual Meaning: ("Sin (Ciyn), a nameless wilderness.")
Name: Dophqah (Dophkah)
Strong's Number: 1850
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it is: "A primitive root; to knock; by analogy, to press severely -- beat, knock, overdrive."
Spiritual Meaning: (Being severely pressed or tried.)
Name: Dophqah (Dophkah)
Spiritual Meaning: (Being severely pressed or tried.)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Alush
Strong's Number: 442
Meaning: Acc. to Hitchcock's Bible Dictionary, it means "mingling together".
Spiritual Meaning: (Mingling together.)
Name: Alush
Spiritual Meaning: (Mingling together.)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Rephidim
Strong's Number: 7508
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it is: "Plural of the masculine of the same as rphiydah;..." Rephidah is "From raphad". Raphad is "A primitive root; to spread (a bed); by implication, to refresh -- comfort, make (a bed), spread."
Spiritual Meaning: (To bring comfort and rest.)
Name: Rephidim
Spiritual Meaning: (To bring comfort and rest.)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Sinay (Sinai)
Strong's Number: 5514
Meaning: Unknown derivation.
Spiritual Meaning: (Sinai, the mountain of the laws of Moses.)
Name: Sinay (Sinai)
Spiritual Meaning: (Sinai, the mountain of the laws of Moses.)
(See the name meaning up the list.)
Name: Qibroth Hattaavah (Kibrothhattaavah)
Strong's Number: 6914
Meaning: Acc. to Strong's, it is "From the feminine plural of qeber, and ta'avah..." Qeber means "grave" or "sepulcher". Ta'avah means "greedily" and "lusting".
Spiritual Meaning: (Graves of the lusting.)
_________________________________________
The words we looked at above are arranged in the exact order found in the Bible in Numbers 33:5-16. We list them below as they appear in the Bible:
Israel, Rameses, Succoth, Succoth, Etham, Etham, Pihahiroth, Baalzephon, Migdol, Pihahiroth, Etham, Marah, Marah, Elim, Elim, fountains, palm trees, Elim, Red sea, Red sea, Sin [wilderness], Sin [wilderness], Dophkah, Dophkah, Alush, Alush, Rephidim, Rephidim, Sinai, Sinai, Kibrothhattaavah
Put these name and word meanings from Numbers 33:5-16 together, and they form these paragraphs below:
- A prince who has power with God. He who once served Ra. A tabernacle or tent. A tabernacle or tent. Their strength. Their strength. Mouth of the gorges. A lord of that which is dark or hidden. A tower. Mouth of the gorges. Their strength. That which is bitter. That which is bitter. A place of much strength. A place of much strength. Fountains. Palm trees. A place of much strength. The Red Sea. The Red Sea. Sin (Ciyn), a nameless wilderness. Sin (wilderness). Being severely pressed or tried. Being severely pressed or tried. Mingling together. Mingling together. To bring comfort and rest. To bring comfort and rest. Sinai, the mountain of the laws of Moses. Sinai. Graves of the lusting. -
Here is a paraphrased version:
- A prince who has power with God [was] he who once served [the false god] Ra, [and this prince is now given] a tabernacle or tent [and] strength. [Israel was in the] mouth of the gorges, [trapped by] a lord of that which is dark or hidden [(Pharaoh)].
A Tower [in] the mouth of the gorges [was] their strength [as they went through] that which is bitter [and oppressive]. [As they went through] that which is bitter, [they had] a Place of much Strength. [In this] Place of much Strength, [they had spiritual and literal] fountains [and] palm trees [to nurture them]. [Here was] a place of much strength.
[They passed through] the Red Sea [and entered] Sin (Ciyn), a nameless wilderness, [and they were] severely pressed or tried [as they went]. [They were] being severely pressed or tried [and were] mingling together [or in one congregation].
[They were brought] comfort and rest [as they obeyed God in] Sinai, the mountain of the laws of Moses. [Those who forsook] Sinai [and the laws of Moses were buried in the] graves of the lusting. -
(Note: All the words in brackets were added, but the words outside the brackets are the word meanings from Numbers 33:5-16. These meanings are based on Bible dictionaries and concordances.)
______________________
[Kibrothhattaavah (meaning "graves of the lusting") was the place where the wicked people who defied God and pursued the idol of gluttony perished and were buried (See Numbers 11:32-34). Read the article below if you are curious why many thousands of Israelites were killed for murmuring against Moses, despising God, and greedily lusting after meat.]
The Difference Between the Old Testament and the New Testament Saints
Many people have wondered why the Old Testament Hebrews were often struck down with plagues and judgments of God while wondering through the wilderness near Mount Sinai.
The Old Testament people who rebelled against the Old Testament laws were destroyed in the wilderness of Sinai. They were destroyed because they were in the presence of God and were hardening themselves against God's teachings, which He gave to Moses. Their actions and words proved that their hearts were hardened against God and His ways.
The New Testament Completes the Old
The sacrificial laws, and the feast day laws, and the dietary laws, and other ceremonial laws were all fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:4, Galatians 3:1-8). We Christians have no need to fulfill them since Christ did that for us, nailing all the ordinances, which were written against us, on the cross (Colossians 2:6-17).
But, God does expect us to obey Him in the Ten Commandments, which are repeated throughout the New Testament, including in the epistles from Romans to Revelation (as we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit). When we disobey Him, all we have to do is confess it to Abba Father God and repent. Asking Abba God to fulfill that unmet need is the next good thing to do.
We have the promise of God Jesus spoke of in Matthew 7:11. Jesus said: "[11] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?"
The danger is not believing God's Holy Word.
The danger is not believing God's Holy Word, and seeking after sinful pleasures (and idols) or self-righteous performance (or both). The Holy Spirit, using Paul and other New Testament writers, warned people who thought God's grace would allow them to continue in stubborn sin.
These unrighteous people, who may have been born-again Christians at one time, thought that living in sin and in rejection of God's Ten Commandments would be ignored by Jesus Christ, the Sovereign Judge of all (John 5:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 13:36-43).
In John 5:22-23, Jesus said: "[22] For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: [23] That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."
If we say that we love Jesus Christ and that He is our Lord and Savior, then we should obey what He says in the Holy Scripture. If we disobey Him and refuse to repent, but we still say we love Him, do we then actually love Him? Jesus addressed this question in Matthew 15:8-9.
In Matthew 15:8-9, Jesus said: "[8] This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. [9] But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
Is it wise to follow the teachings of men?
Is it wise to follow the teachings of men, such as those who teach that once you are saved through Jesus, you can "never" fall away (or that you can "never" lose your place in Heaven)? (Many of those people are well-meaning, but what does the Bible actually teach?) Is it wise to place your eternity into a system of belief that does not fit with the teachings of scripture?
Jesus constantly warned His own disciples and us about the reality of Hell, and that sin in a believer's life would prevent him or her from entering Heaven. He even said on several occasions statements such as those found in Matthew 18:34-35, in Matthew 6:14-15, and in Mark 9:47-48.
In Matthew 18, Jesus was telling His disciples and other people a parable about an unforgiving servant. This servant was forgiven all of his very large debt, but he was unwilling to forgive someone who owed him much less than what he had owed to his creditor. This unforgiving servant was delivered to the tormentors (demons) and placed in prison (or Hell, the Biblical abode of the unsaved deceased).
Matthew 18:34-35
"[34] And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. [35] So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."
Matthew 6:14-15
"[14] For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
Mark 9:47-48
"[47] And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: [48] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched."
By the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote this admonition to the believers in Galatia:
[Galatians 5:19-25]
"[19.] Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."
Conclusion
God, in His wisdom, cannot let a rebellious person (who despises God by way of despising His Word and His teachings) ever enter Heaven, unless that person confesses the sin which God is convicting him about, and repents (1 John 1:9 and 1:7).
Abba Father God desires for us all to have an intimate, close fellowship with Him and with the Second Person of the Trinity, Jesus Christ. There is no way to have intimate fellowship with God by way of self-righteous works, holding onto doubt, or holding onto sin. Only by confessing these things and by choosing to forsake them (by looking to God for the power) can a person be able to have intimate, deep fellowship with our loving Abba Father God (and His Son Jesus Christ).
➠ If you would like to know Abba God the Father and Jesus Christ (God the Son), and be saved from sin, click here to read more.
No comments:
Post a Comment