Q/r/ 2. Man's words.

s/ 3, 4. The Speakers "Cut off."

R/ 5-. The oppression of the humble. R/ -5. Deliverance from the oppression.

Q/r/ 6. Jehovah's Words.

s/ 7. The hearers. "Preserved."

P/s/ 7. The hearers preserved.

Title. A Psalm of David.

Psa 12:1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

Psa 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Psa 12:3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

Psa 12:4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

Psa 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

Psa 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

Psa 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

Psa 12:1 Help , LORD; for the godly man ceaseth ; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.

CPSB Note: Help = Save. LORD Heb. JEHOVAH Ap. 4. II. (See Psa. 11 study) godly man = gracious man. ceaseth = is no more. Cp. Isa. 57.1. Mic. 7. 2.

Isa 57:1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.

Isa 57:2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

Mic 7:2 The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net.

Mic 7:3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up.

Mic 7:4 The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity.

CPSB Note: Mic. 7:4. The day of thy watchmen. Put by Fig. Metonomy ( of Adjunct), Ap. 6. i.e. the day (of punishment ) foretold by the watchman.

Psa 12:2 They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

CPSB Note: They speak. Man's words contrasted with Jehovah's words. Cp. v. 6 and see structure above. double = deceitful. Heb. "a heart and a heart" Cp. 1 Chron. 12. 33.

Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

1Ch 12:33 Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, fifty thousand, which could keep rank: they were not of double heart.

Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Jas 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Jas 1:3 Knowing that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Jas 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Jas 1:7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

(Rob note: What is a double minded man?)

CPSB Note: double minded. Gr. dipsuchos. Only here and 4:8.

Jas 4:1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

Jas 4:2 Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

Jas 4:3 Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Jas 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Jas 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

Jas 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Jas 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

Jas 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Jas 1:8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

(Rob note: What is a double minded man?)

CPSB Note: only here and 4:8. There is no verb, but "double minded" and "unstable" qualify "that man." Cp. Psa. 119:113.

Psa 119:113 SAMECH. I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love.

Psa 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

CPSB Note. Psa. 199:113. thoughts = divided or doubting thoughts. Same root as I Kings 18:21 (Cp. Jas. 1:8); or, them that are double minded.

(I would propose there are two things that contribute to the double mind, which in effect makes us ineffectual in our bearing of fruit, and all His branches are called to bear fruit. Those who do not bear fruit are pruned off and gathered for the fire. This is from the Father. Not all will bear the same amount of fruit. Some 30 fold increase, some sixty fold increase and some 100 fold increase. This is also from the Father.

The first contributor to the double mind is remaining under the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It all began with "Hath God Said." If Eve had had the capacity to say in response to the remark of the serpent who beguiled (totally seduced) her as she was not present when the LORD spoke the prohibition of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil saying to Adam in Gen. 3:15, 16, v. 15 "And the LORD God took the man, and put the man into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." v. 16. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:" v. 17. "But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." God had not yet formed the woman from Adams rib, for between the commandment going forth and the deep sleep of God were he removed the rib (ribonucleic acid or DNA) from Adams flesh to make him an help meet. Adam was given the task of naming all living things the LORD God had made. Life and Death are the power of the tongue. (Prov. 18. 21).[borrowed from Rudy Jones "the crystal river"]. Seeing Eve was not present during the giving of the command, if she would have deferred to Adam her Covering, and if he would have remained faithful to the spoken word of the LORD? But we see that in Gen 3.

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

CPSB Note: serpent. Heb. Nachash, a shining one. See note on Numbers 21:6,9

Num 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.

Num 21:9 And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived. ) The old serpent (2. Cor. 11. 3) (2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.) transformed as "an angel of light" (= a glorious angel 2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works). Cp.(Compare) Ezek. 28, 14, 17 connected with "cherub" (Ezek. 28:13,14,16).

Eze 28:13 Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius, topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, and the jasper, the sapphire, the emerald, and the carbuncle, and gold: the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created.

Eze 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

Eze 28:17 Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness: I will cast thee to the ground, I will lay thee before kings, that they may behold thee.

And contrasted here in Gen 3:24. subtil = wise Heb. 'arum a Homonym. Same as 2 . 25. here = wise (as Job 5:12; 15:5. Prov 12:16, 23; 13:16; 14:8,16,18; 22:3; 27:12). Cp. Ezek. 28:12,13,17. If the Ellipsis (Ap. 6. Iii. 1) be supplied from the preceding context 3:1 will then read on from 2:25, thus; "they were both naked ('arum), the man and his wife, and [knowing only good, 2:17] were not ashamed [before God]. But the Nachash was more wise ('arum) than any living being of the field which Jehovah Elohim had made, and [knowing evil, and not ashamed (2:25) to question the truth of God's word] he said unto the woman, &c.

beast = living creature or being; same as Zoon in Rev 4:6-9; 5:6, 8, 14, &c. And. Note the Fig. Polysyndeton (Ap. 6) throughout this chapter emphasizing each detail. Ap. 6. Polysyndeton = or, Many Ands (Gen 22:9,11; Josh.7:24; Luke 14:21). The repetition of the word "and" at the beginning of successive clauses, each independent, important, and emphatic, with no climax at the end. (Compare Asyndeton and Luke 14:13).

Asyndeton; or, No Ands (Mark 21- 23. Luke 14:13). The usual conjunction is omitted, so that the point to be emphasized may be quickly reached and ended with an emphatic climax (Cp. Plysyndeton, and Luke 14:21).

(Rob note cont: as we can see from above the serpent in the garden was not a snake but a Nachash or shining one. And he had made his approach to Eve in the absence of her covering, her husband Adam. This in no way minimizes Adams transgression which was greater because he had received both command of dominion, and the command of prohibition concerning the tree of the knowledge of good and evil directly from God. And he was not beguiled or deceived by the serpent but was enticed by his wife. And the Scriptures gives Adam full responsibility, for it was by Adams transgression of the Word of GOD that sin and death entered to reign until the cross. I was raised in the church, and the message received is not always taught explicitly, some things are deeply ingrained in ones understanding by implication. Though I was not taught this directly, there was message I received by implication. What I was taught was that God made the heavens and the earth, and formed man from the dust of the dust of the ground, and breathed into him the breath of Life, and he became a living soul. And God placed him in a special garden in Eden, walked with him in the evenings and had fellowship with him and he (Adam) was the LORDS prize possession. That is where things begin to break down. It is implied that God went away for a while, or took a nap, or was somehow otherwise occupied in His duties as the Supreme Being, and while he was preoccupied Satan snuck into the garden of Eden and stole His most prized possession. And then God was forced to come up with a plan to rescue man from Satan, sin and death. But this is insulting to the MOST HIGH, Who is the ALPHA and OMEGA the Beginning and the End. Who inhabits Eternity, Who IS , and Was, and IS to COME.

God has never needed a second plan for anything. The Scriptures declare Christ was slain from the foundations of the world. If God had in His DIVINE PURPOSE chosen to have ISRAEL be the glorious light to the nations bringing the nations unto Himself with their witness, he would have accomplished that. He has never failed in a single generation since the fall to accomplish His purposes in the earth or the lives of men. The law is good , and is full of the revelation of CHRIST JESUS, but its intent was not to bring salvation, but to show clearly, fully, and completely our need of a savior. And all the law and ordinances speak of the true nature of God. And reveal that He does everything He does from LOVE. He is not a lover, who loves today and turns away tomorrow, He is LOVE, and the giver of all good things. But He is working out the mystery of His will, and will bring all things back into Himself, He is preeminent, and following every man in his own order. That God may be exalted forever.

Continuing with the question, what is a double mind? James tell us in James 1:1-8, that a double mind has to do with unbelief through the idea of wavering. There are many examples of GOD leading Israel through the wilderness with the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night, where He led them into difficult situations, and gave them opportunity to TRUST in His ability and care and provision. Invariably they failed to look beyond the circumstances and see His faithfulness, He would deliver them any way and in miracle after miracle and with mighty signs and wonders yet they would forget and when the test was upon them, they would grumble against the Lord, and or against His servant Moses. They feared exceedingly when they saw the mountain shake and burn as the presence of the LORD descended on it. And whosoever is fearful is not yet made perfect in love, for love casts out fear. And we are told we do not come before the physical Mountain that quakes and shakes and burns with fire, but we are come unto Mount Sion itself, and to an innumerable company of angels and to the spirits of just men, and unto the very throne of Majesty on High.)

Heb 12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Heb 12:25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Heb 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.

Heb 12:27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

Heb 12:28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Heb 12:29 For our God is a consuming fire.

(Now the fear of the LORD is clean, what a strange thing to say. Fear is thought to be the most powerful and primitive emotion, and is a negative emotion, for "fear hath torment, and torment is of the devil." Fear in the physical sets up a cascade of physiological responses called by modern man fight or flight responses. The heart rate is accelerated, the blood pressure is elevated, the pupils dilate, all the senses are enhanced, the nostrils flare increasing the awareness of smell and increasing the oxygen available for the coming crisis or storm. The body begins to dump adrenaline and begins converting fat stores into sugar for energy to meet the need. As in the natural so in the spiritual.)

1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

1Jn 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

1Jn 4:5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.

1Jn 4:6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

1Jn 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

1Jn 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1Jn 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

1Jn 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1Jn 4:13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.

1Jn 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.

1Jn 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

1Jn 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

(It is interesting to look at John the beloved, who also received the "Revelation of Jesus Christ" on the Isle of Patmos, (Not the revelation of Saint John the Divine). He is one who in particular drank deeply from the cup of Yeshua Jesus, in that he received of the Love of the Father, His Gospel is from a different perspective than that of Matthew, Mark and Luke, as he speaks to the DIVINE Nature of CHRIST. And His presence in the FATHER from the BEGINING, (JOHN 1:1) In the Beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. He also gave us what is probably the most well known verse of the BIBLE John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth ( TRUST in the O.T. = to run into for refuge) on Him may have everlasting life.")

Heb 5:5 So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee.

Heb 5:6 As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

(Now if there was ever a man who was perfect in love it was our Savior Jesus Christ. What then is the meaning of this text "Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto HIM that was able to save him from death, and was heard, in that He feared."

CPSB Note: in that, &c. = for (Gr. apo. Cp. Acts. 12. 14) His piety, or Godly fear (Gr. eulabe. here and 12 . 28). This verse is a Divine supplement to the Gospel records. G2124 eulabeia yoo-lab'-i-ah From G2126; properly caution, that is, (religiously) reverence (piety); by implication dread (concretely): - fear (-ed). G2126 eulabe's yoo-lab-ace' From G2095 and G2983; taking well (carefully), that is, circumspect (religiously, pious): - devout.

(We see then there is a fear that is not negative, but rather is simply agreement with the TRUTH of what IS. Yeshua, Jesus always pointed to the Father, he never accepted gratuitous flattery, "Good Master," but rather declared repeatedly, "there is none good save one , God the Father." The spirit of anti-christ is that spirit which supplants the provision of the living Christ. It is anything that would attempt to intervene or take the place of Christ. Even though He was the revealed Christ of God born of a virgin, recognized by Demon spirits as the Christ the Son of God, yet He never took glory upon Himself. And He did not think it robbery to one with God, Paul also tells us in Philippians 2:5-6, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, Who being in the form of God (image and likeness) thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, He Humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God has also highly exalted Him, and given Him a name, which is above every other name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the Glory of God the Father. Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation, with fear and trembling. For it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure."

John who was called the beloved, reclined on Jesus breast. David spoke about a love shared between men that is better than the love of women. (1st Sam 1. 26). This was from the intimacy of sharing their lives in war, there is a special bond created under such extreme adversity. David had a group of men referred to as Davids mighty men, who were loyal to a fault. Once in the season of war with the Philistines, David made a passing comment, Oh wouldn't a drink from this certain well that was in an occupied city taste wonderful. He was merely remembering the freshness and refreshing nature of the water from this particular well. And that night three of his men raided the town and snuck through the enemy guards at great peril to themselves and acquired a pitcher of water from that very well. Why did they do this. Because David was not only their king, he was their friend and they loved him, they thought nothing of risking their lives to get him a drink from that well. When they presented it to Him, he was so overcome, he refused to drink it for their lives were precious to him and they had risked all to satisfy a whimsical remark. And he poured it out before the LORD as a drink offering. Why, in thanksgiving to God for the love of his men and for their safe return.

How then can we, this very day, overcome the double mind. By believing that the work of the cross was complete, sufficient and reckoning ourselves to be crucified with Christ, and by living the life that we NOW live by the faith of the SON of God. What is the difference between the faith of the Son of God and faith in the Son of God. The difference is the mind of CHRIST. Our High priest freely offered Himself. No man could take His life from Him. The Cross could not kill him: he surrendered to death, when He gave up the ghost with these words, "Father, into your hands, I commend my spirit," fully trusting in the WORD He has received from the Father. "I have the power to lay down my life, and I have the power to take it back up again." And thus He became the firstborn from, first begotten from the dead, and the Savior of the world. We also must enter into perfect trust, knowing that our place in Him is secure, not by anything we bring to the equation; but by the All Sufficiency that is found in Christ Jesus our LORD. Our lord prayed for us that we would share in the oneness he shared with His Father. So how does the double mind relate to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil? Because we believe what we feel, think or see above the written testimony of the WORD of GOD. We bring nothing to the salvation of God, He has done all, we simply respond according to the drawing of the Holy Spirit as our eyes are made open by the hearing of the word, "for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God"... "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the LORD Jesus, and believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9, 10). "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature , old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5. 17).

Rom 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Rom 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

(Jesus said I AM the door to the sheepfold, there is no other way in, but the entrance does not require self mutilation of flagellation, or any other work. It requires only that a sheep hear the voice of the great shepherd and hearing, recognize the voice and agree that it has come home, where it belongs, in the loving care of the Great Shepherd. Who not only spoke of giving His life for the sheep, but who in fact did lay down His Life for the sheep.

The second thing that contributes to the double mind is tied ever so closely to the first, and is accomplished by the accuser, continually bringing accusation against us, for real and even at times false or imagined infractions which he throws at us as fiery darts, claiming how could we be in Christ seeing we are such miserable failures. And so for a season under the burden of real or imagined guilt we remain in our minds separated from the love of God, until a sufficient period of time has passed that we may, feel less of the weight of guilt or we are re-exposed to the message of grace and come to the lord for help. The delay and time we suffered feeling cut off is wasted and is time we could have walked rejoicing the fullness of His Salvation, and in fellowship with Him. So we believe a lie that His Salvation and work on the cross was not enough. We minimize the truth of the statement but it is none the less the truth. We have been crucified with CHRIST, and the life that we live is by the faith of (NOT IN) the SON of GOD. This was not a special provision only for Paul and the Apostles, this IS the Glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. In most translations the above text reads "in" Christ, it is in italics to call attention to the fact that it was altered from the original to read "in," when in the original it reads "of."

We have a faithful High Priest who is familiar with the weakness of our flesh, and with our failings and infirmities. And Although He was not forsaken on the cross as tradition states, for God would never abandon His Son, but as a man bearing the full weight of the sins of the world HE our blessed savior felt cut off from the Father.

And yet He declared the greatest proclamation of trust the universe has ever beheld when He said with His last words, "Father into thine hands, I commend my Spirit," and then "is finished." And then he gave up His life.

Let us cling to the truth of the Gospel and choose to trust in His lovingkindness and mercy. I am going on a retreat weekend that is CHRIST Centered and where I have seen the Holy spirit move mightily in transforming mens lives with the truth of the Gospel message. The weekend leader selected a military theme as the weekend is number 101, and He served in the 101st infantry Division. He shared with us at our first preparation meeting about how the LORD came and appeared unto Gideon as he was hiding and attempting the thresh wheat in the wine press, because he was fearful since there was so much enemy activity, here is the greeting of the Angel of the LORD as Recorded in Judges 6.)

Jdg 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

Jdg 6:11 And there came an angel of the LORD, and sat under an oak which was in Ophrah, that pertained unto Joash the Abiezrite: and his son Gideon threshed wheat by the winepress, to hide it from the Midianites.

Jdg 6:12 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him, and said unto him, The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour.

(Remember what the LORD said to Samuel when He looked upon Eliab Jesse's eldest son!)

Sa 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.

1Sa 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for The LORD Seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

(So we find Gideon hiding in the wine press, and yet the LORD speaks of him how? Does the angel of the LORD great him with rebuke. No He speaks truth into his spirit "The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valour." And so He would speak to you when are hiding, feeling like a failure for He see us made white in the blood of the lamb. This is the valley of shadow, and God has chosen that we should walk by faith and not by sight.

Gal 5:5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

1Jn 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

1Jn 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

1Jn 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. AMEN)

Psa 12:3 The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things:

CPSB Note: The tongue,&c. Quoted in Jas. 3:5.

Jas 3:1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

Jas 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Jas 3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Jas 3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

Jas 3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

Jas 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

Jas 3:7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

Jas 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Jas 3:9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Jas 3:10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully, bless them that curse you use you, and persecute you;

Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Luk 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,

Luk 6:28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.

Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

1Co 4:12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

Psa 12:4 Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us?

CPSB Note: With our tongue we will prevail = thanks to our tongue, we will prevail.

Isa 28:15 Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:

Psa 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

CPSB Note: poor = wretched. Heb. ani. See note on Prov. 6:11.

Pro 6:11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

CPSB Note Prov. 6:11. Poverty = need. There are six words that render poor in Proverbs;

(1) rush = in want of necessaries of life.

(2) dal = impoverished, reduced.

(3) Heser = in want.

(4) 'anah = wretched.

(5) 'ebyon = destitute, helpless.

(6) Yarash = disspossesed.

as one that travelleth = as a highwayman. as an armed man = a man with a shield. Man. Heb. ish Ap. 14 II. ish, has regards to sex, a male, a great man in this world in contrast with ordinary men. And to an husband. Can relate to a man of God. Psa.12:6.

saith The LORD = let JEHOVAH say.

(Rob note: poor from Proverbs 6:11 notes. What are we my friend apart from the riches of Christ Jesus. Are we not naked, wretched and poor. Remember the words of the resurrected Christ in the Revelation: Rev 3:17).

Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

Rev 3:22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

(rob note cont: from Rev 3:17-22,)

CPSB Note: Rev 3:17-22. V. 17. nothing. Gre. Oudeis G3762 oudeis oo-dice'

Including the feminine oudemia oo-dem-ee'-ah and the neuter ouden oo-den' From G3761 and G1520; not even one (man, woman or thing), that is, none, nobody, nothing: - any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.

knowest . Ap. 132. I. i. the verb. i. oida = to know (intuitively) without effort, to understand. No. i. is subjective while number ii. is objective. wretched = the wretched one. See Rom. 7:24 and Cp Hos 2:11; 5:15. "O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death."

(Rom. 7:24) (Hos. 2:10) "And now will I discover her lewdness in the sight of her lovers, and none shall deliver her out of Mine hand. (11) I will cause her mirth to cease, her feast day, her new moon, her Sabbath, and all her appointed feasts." (All these are singular here. = her feast, her new moon, her Sabbath, her every appointed season.) (Hos. 5:15) "I will go and return to My place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek My face: in their affliction they will seek Me early."

(rob note cont: In Rev 3:17-22 Jesus is talking to His People, Not the Jews, but the Church; the religious activity has replaced - TRUTH - v. 13 they are lukewarm - because? What did Jesus say? He posed a question to the Pharisees, "who will love more, he who is forgiven little, or he who is forgiven much?" and He approved of the response, for it was said in response, "Him who is forgiven much." Lukewarm comes from the flurry of religious activity, that subtly takes the place of the Cross of Christ. For the carnal mind does not want to surrender to the death of the cross. As long as we remain at the cross there is no provision for the flesh mind, as we behold who and what we are; we are partakers of the Divine nature through Jesus Christ. But ever the old man seeks to re-assert his place, and take credit for the mercies of God. The People Jesus is addressing, are born again believers, but their hearts are divided. There confession is a good one! v. 17 "Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing:" but it is not honest. All these things they said are true of anyone whose life is hid with Christ in God, they were a successful thriving metropolitan church, but they had lost their first love. They had transplanted the works they did, and their religious activities as proof of their right standing, this we may never do.

There are good works to be done, originating from the Heart of the Father, ordained for us to do from the foundations of the world. But they are not our righteousness. That my friend is the free gift of God. Jesus said in Luke 17:10.)

Luk 17:7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?

Luk 17:8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?

Luk 17:9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

Luk 17:10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

(Rob note cont: We never have the right to take upon ourselves anything God gives us. This does not mean we are not partakers of all He has given and promised. Taking credit for His work is idolatry in its simplest, purest and most deadly form. Jesus is our ultimate example, He gave the Father the credit, and glory in all things, whatsoever He did. This is not false humility but is rather a coming into agreement with the TRUTH: for God alone is HOLY and unlike the accusation leveled against Him in the garden of Eden, He has invited us in Christ Jesus to share in the intimacy of the Godhead, and made us holy and undefiled, prepared to dwell in His presence. Consider the parable of the laborers. All the laborers were contracted for a penny, some worked all through the heat of the day, some only worked the last hour, possibly the last few minutes before the harvest was complete. Some of those who had worked in the heat of the day complained when they received the same wage as those who had barely labored, and what was the response of the LORD of the Harvest. Did you not agree to work for a penny? Well yes, than take your wage and be glad. You see my friends, God just doesn’t look at things the way we do. He has the whole picture, we see through ‘a glass darkly.’ What the scriptures tell of our works, is that the righteous deeds of the saints, make up the garments we will wear in eternity. Tells the same thing the Lord Jesus said repeatedly, that the purpose of the works is to reveal the glory of God, to shew forth His Love, True Character, and to reveal Him to men, to the end that all men would see and believe (Trust in = take shelter and find refuge, safe haven in.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has no place in it for the power hungry and self seeking, although it is our destiny according to the words of Jesus that greater works than these are to be accomplished in our lives, because we believe (trust in, have our place of refuge in) Christ Jesus. It nothing to be looked at. There are examples all around us, men who began in truth, moved in faith exercising the gifts and callings of God and lost their way, because like Lucifer they became full of themselves, and all that they have accomplished for God. You can recognize them wherever they go for their names are prominent on the Marquee Lights, and the farther they slip down this slippery slope, the less God is glorified and the more they are glorified. I tell you truly, they have their reward. If they are saved in the end it will be by fire. Some of these folk will be surprised in that day when they come in full confidence before Him and he says to them, "Depart from Me ye workers of iniquity for I never knew you." There is a deep insecurity in men since God came walking in the garden in the cool of the day and said, "where art thou man?" God, who knows all things did not ask because He was seeking information, he asked that man might recognize the separation that now existed between them. When that insecure Old man rears up his ugly head, and speaks of showing how we are really good; recognize the lie and reject it and speak the truth to your own soul, 'I am redeemed by the blood of Christ and He is my salvation.' The Good News my friends is that the veil was rent. We are not NOW separated from Him, for He has removed our transgressions as far as the east is from the west, and buried them in the sea of forgetfulness. We may not glory in anything save Christ and Him Crucified. Again beloved let us fix our eyes on Jesus Christ, the Author and finisher of faith. And to see Him exalted until all His enemies are at His feet in submission, and then He shall lay all at the Fathers feet. And we will learn throughout the ages to come of the wonders of His Love and mercy for and to us.)

Rev 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.

Rev 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Psa 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

(rob note: What is the answer?)

Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

(Rob note: Turn and repent. This ties so completely with the law of the "leper" and Jesus repeatedly telling us apart from Him we can do nothing. We are to embrace the truth of our wretchedness at the cross and partake of His death and resurrection life. As with the leper we can do nothing, but The High priest of our profession Jesus Christ call our name and we hear the good news, for faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, The blood is applied to the leper first on the tip of the right ear, then the tip of the right thumb, then the right great toe, then the priest takes the oil of anointing and applies it over the blood, first on the tip of the right ear, then the right thumb, and then the right great toe, and lastly the remaining oil is poured upon the head of the leper.

This speaks to the words of Jesus directly, "apart from Me you can do nothing" and speaks to our ever present need to abide Him, (not a one time event, but a moment by moment total dependence upon Him). WE DO NOT BECOME SELF SUFFICIENT AT ANY POINT IN THE PROCESS. The oil remaining in the palm of the priest is poured on the head of the leper, this speaks of the mind of Christ. The mind of Christ always seeks to please the Father, and finds no shame in so doing, the mind of Christ rejects the flattery of men and returns to the true worship of the Father, and we have received the testimony that the Father is seeking those who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Remember beloved, perfect love casts out all fear. When the accuser casts his fiery darts and your fearful unbelieving heart cries 'woe is me.' We have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. And he has revealed to us the true heart of the Father which has always been a heart of LOVE, and that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Let us believe the testimony of Jesus concerning the Character of the Father and enter into the rest of God. For we are told in Hebrews there remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. What a Wonderful Savior He is, AMEN.)

CPSB Note: of. Gr. para. Ap. 104 xii. 1. Para governs three cases (Genative. Dative and Accusative), and the uniform meaning is beside, or alongside of. 1. With the Genative it denotes from beside, implying the source from which anything proceeds (eg. Matt. 24:21, 42; Luke 6:9; Acts 26:1; Phil. 4:18) Christ is the source of salvation= and life itself (Acts 17:35). As distinguished from hypo (no.xviii, below) it denotes a general sense of motion, while hyoo marks the the special sense or efficient cause of such motion. As distinguishing from apo (n0.iv, above). It marks the motion of a person (eg. Matt 2:16). While apo mat imply motion from a place. 2. With the dative it denotes rest beside and at, a person, place or thing; exposing rest and position there (eg. John 19:25. Acts 9:43) lays up with, or in store with, (eg. Matt. 6. 1. Luke 1:30) or in proximity to ( eg. Matt. 22:25; Col 4:16). Hence it implies the power of (Matt. 19:26. Luke 1:37): Matt 19:36 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them "With men this is impossible: but with GOD all things are possible."

Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

CPSB Note: Rev.3:18. Cont: in. Gr. "ek" Ap. 104. viii. Ek. Governs only the one case ( the Genative) and denotes motion from the interior. It is used of time, place and origin. (Rob note: Acts. 17:28; Rom. 11:36; Col. 1:20; Heb; 2:10). And denotes motion from the interior. (For the kingdom of heaven is within you). It is used of time, place, and origin. It means out from, as distinguished from apo above (no. iv. Above in Ap. 104), which means off, or away from.

Ek marks the more immediate origin: while apo marks the more remote origin; of expressing intermediate meanings. fire. Cp. Hag. 2:8; Zech 13;9; Mal 3:3.

Hag 2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;

Hag 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.

Hag 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

Hag 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zec 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

Zec 13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Mal 3:2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers'soap:

Mal 3:3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

CPSB note: Rev 3:18, Be clothed = clothe thyself

(Rob note: How can we do this? by believing the WORD of GOD over what we see, think, feel, or imagine. (Believe = Trust, take refuge in, rest in, and who has entered into His rest but he who has ceased from his own labors: as God did from His).

Rev 6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:

Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

(Rob note: cont. Fine lines, white raiment, are the garments of the next age, and they are worn by the saints and elders.)

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

Rev 13:7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Rev 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Rev 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.

Rev 13:10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

CPSB Note: Buy of me Gold, white raiment.

Isa 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Isa 55:2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

Isa 55:3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.

Isa 55:4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a leader and commander to the people.

(Rob note: Speaking of the True David, David's Lord, Yeshua the Messiah of God. There is nothing we can add or need to try to add to the all sufficiency that is in Christ Jesus our Lord, for it is the free gift of GOD. And our attempts to curry favor apart from that free gift is an affront to His bountiful grace and the supreme price that He paid for our pardon, and he did not stop with our pardon but chose to impute unto us the very righteousness of God which is by faith.)

CPSB Note: Rev 3:18. do not appear. be not ( Ap. 105 II) made manifest.

CPSB. Ap. 105 THE USAGE OF NEGATIVES IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

Ap. 105. II me = no, not the expressing of conditional negation, depending on feeling, or some idea, conception, or hypothesis. Hence,

me is subjective ou denies a matter of fact.

me denies a matter of feeling.

ou denies absolutely.

me denies conditionally.

ou is negative affirmation.

me is negatives a supposition, and prohibits or forbids.

ou is generally used with the indicative Mood.

me with the other moods of the verb.

For the difference see John 3:18 "He that believeth on Him is not (ou) condemned: but he that believeth not (me, supposing such a case) is condemned already, because he hath not (me) believed (according to the supposition made). See also Matt. 22:29: "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures." Had the negative here been "ou" it would imply the fact that they did not know, because of not possessing them. But it is "me," implying the feeling they did not wish to know. The same distinctions apply to all the compounds of ou and me respectively.

Rev 3:18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

CPSB Note: Rev 3:18. do not appear. (Ap. 106. I. v. ). See 106. v. phaneroo =to bring to light. Cp. phaneros = manifest in no viii below. Viii. Eimi phaneros = to be visible, manifest, or open to sight (phaneros, adj. of No v., above, with eime = to be). So rendered only in 1 Tim 4:15.

Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

see. Rev. 3. 18... And anoint thine eyes with eyesalve that thou mayest see CPSB Note: see.

Ap. I. 5. blepo = to have the power of seeing, to use the eyes, to look at; used in the act of looking, even though nothing is seen. Hence to observe accurately and with desire; used of mental vision, implying more contemplation than horao (see no. 8. below);

8.horao = to perceive with the eyes. It is used of the bodily sight, with special reference to the thought as to the object looked at. It thus differs from No. 5 above, in the same way as No. 1 does, and from No. 1 in that it has regard to the object, while No. 1 refers to the subject.

(a) opssomai is used as the future of harao (No. 8, above), and has regard to the object presented to the eye, and to the subject which perceives, at the same time. It denotes, not so much the act of seeing (like No. 5 and 8, above) but the state and condition of the one to whose eye the object is presented. Hence to truly comprehend.

Heb 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

CPSB Note: Rev 3. 19. Love. Ap. 135. I. 2. This is preceded by Gr. ean ( ap/ 118. 1. a.)

CPSB . PG. 158. Ap. 188. "IF": THE VARIOUS CONDITIONS CONVEYED BY ITS USE.

Ap. 118. 1. a. ean = if haply, if so be that, from ei (no.2) AND AN HAPLY, PERCHANCE. The exact condition is shown by the Mood of the verb with which it is used: Cp. Isa. 43. 4 &c.

a. Followed by the Indicative Mood ( with the Present tense), it expresses the condition simply; without any reference to its being decisive by experience, or by the event, as in John 5, 15, elsewhere and in the Papyri.

Isa 43:1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isa 43:3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.

Isa 43:4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.

Isa 43:5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Isa 43:6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;

Isa 43:7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Isa 43:8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf that have ears.

Isa 43:9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the people be assembled: who among them can declare this, and shew us former things? let them bring forth their witnesses, that they may be justified: or let them hear, and say, it is truth.

Isa 43:10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Ap. 135 I. 2. Phileo = to kiss, to be fond of, having regard to feeling as distinct from principle. The demonstration of No. 1. Hence No. 2 is never used of mans love to God: this is always No. 1. (1, agapao = to regard with favor, to make much of a thing or a person, on principle. The cause or ground of No 2.) Both words are used of God's love to man. No. 2. Is used of the Lords love for Lazarus (John 11. 3. 36), but not in v. 5 where the sisters are included. See notes on John 21:15-17 and on John 12:25.

his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.

Joh 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Joh 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

Joh 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

CPSB Note: John 21:15. more that these; i.e. than these other disciples do, Referring to His words in Matt 26:33, 35.

Mat 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

Mat 26:34 Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

Mat 26:35 Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.

CPSB Note cont. love. Gr. Phileo Ap. 135 I. 2. (see above pg. ) Note the different words used in these verses. The Lord uses agapao twice, and phileo once. Peter always Phileo.

(Rob Note: Simon Peter has two distinctions in his story. He is forever maligned on the one hand for his brash manner, it seems you never had to wonder what was on his mind, he was a man of action, it was Peter who drew out His sword and cut off the high priests servants ear. And when he told the Lord He would die for Him or at least die with Him he was absolutely sincere. But he was sincerely wrong, he knew nothing of the severity of the enemies attack in the crucifixion of Christ. Afterwards he was deeply ashamed of himself, he no longer claimed to have more that the deep affection of human love in this episode of questioning, for he had hit the wall as it were, and found himself lacking. Yet even though He saw himself as a failure and unworthy, the Lord refused to leave him with that low self deprecating opinion of himself, and as he spoke to Gideon in the wine press, "Thou mighty man of valour," He continued to hammer at Peter until he could understand, the cross and resurrection had changed everything. There was no break in calling of fellowship, and thus the command, feed my sheep. All men are like Peter in that we want to trust in ourselves. Beloved, let us place all our trust in Him, we need not be afraid. He has overcome this world, and it is the Fathers good pleasure to give us the kingdom. Hallelujah.)

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

CPSB Note: Rev 3:19. rebuke = convict. Gr. elncho G1651 elegchō el-eng'-kho

Of uncertain affinity; to confute, admonish: - convict, convince, tell a fault, rebuke, reprove.

Joh 16:7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Joh 16:8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Joh 16:9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

Joh 16:10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

Joh 16:11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Joh 16:12 I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Joh 16:13 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.

Joh 16:14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

CPSB Note : stand. Lit. have taken my station. at. Gr. epi Ap. 104.. iv. 3. knock = The call to the wedding feast (19.9), to which the parable pointed, eg. Luke 12:35- 38 When He cometh and knocketh." The popular belief that the Lord is knocking at the heart of every sinner is a distortion of Scripture.

Rev 19:9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Luk 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luk 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.

Luk 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Luk 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

Luk 12:36 And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

Luk 12:37 Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Luk 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

CPSB note; Luke 12 . 37. A gracious promise to His servants.

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

(Rob note: in - not on: Satan wanted to sit on Gods throne as God. This is the Mystery of iniquity! But Gods plan was always for us to sit down with Him in His throne. What is the difference? To sit down in the throne leaves God as God; and is a statement of agreement in His absolute, authority, goodness, and holiness: A Michigan State policeman does not sit on the throne (Seat of the Governor) of Michigan; yet he wields an authority that is much greater than that that of his own personal self. The Authority of the State. This is a clear picture of faith. What exactly is the State of Michigan, here in United States it is supposed to be an amalgam of the desires and wishes of the people living in this defined territory called the State of Michigan.)

Rev 3:18 buy of Me Gold.

Rev 5:2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

Rev 5:3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

Rev 5:4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.

Rev 5:5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.

Rev 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

(Rob note: Connection: key: in the midst of the throne. Whose throne; the Fathers throne, This speaks to central purposes of God in this earth age. Rev 13. * "" And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, (the Anti-christ or man of the earth) whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

The point I had previously been trying to make or to describe was relating to faith and the fact that we cannot in fact with our physical eyes see God; He is a Spirit. Just as we cannot see the State of Michigan; we can see small pieces of the State, one at a time, We can see the symbols of the "State." Yet not one of us questions if the State exists. People may agree or disagree with the rules or laws of the State, they may even at times break or defy them. But if the infraction is too severe to be tolerated they may find themselves under the authority of the State in a way they would prefer to avoid.

Our Lord prayed that we experience the oneness He has with the Father, God is not spiteful or vindictive, he is full of mercy and loving-kindness. Let come to Him in faith believing and trusting in His Word).

Psa 12:5 For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.

CPSB Note: from him that puffeth at him = let him [ the oppressed ] despise it [the oppression]. him = it: i.e. the oppression.

Psa 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace; of earth, purified seven times.

CPSB Note: 6. Words = the spoken words, sayings, or utterances. Cp.(compare) Psa. 199. 38.

Psa 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.

Psa 119:35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.

Psa 119:36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.

Psa 119:37 Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.

Psa 119:38 Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear.

Psa 119:39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good.

Psa 119:40 Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.

Psa 119:41 VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

6. silver tried: i.e. pure silver. furnace = crucible. Put a full stop after this word.

of = to, or pertaining to (referring to the "words"). The letter Lamed (L) is the sign of the Dative case, and not the Genative.

earth. Heb, 'erez (the earth), not 'adamah (the ground): i.e. "words for, or pertaining to the earth," but purified seven times: i.e. with a higher spiritual perfection (See Ap. 10). Some are used with a higher meaning; some in a different sense. Verse 6 is an alternation.

Psa 66:10 For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou hast tried us, as silver is tried.

Psa 66:11 Thou broughtest us into the net; thou laidst affliction upon our loins.

Psa 66:12 Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

Psa 66:13 I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: I will pay thee my vows,

Psa 66:14 Which my lips have uttered, and my mouth hath spoken, when I was in trouble.

Psa 66:15 I will offer unto thee burnt sacrifices of fatlings, with the incense of rams; I will offer bullocks with goats. Selah.

Psa 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.

Psa 66:17 I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue.

Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

Psa 66:19 But verily God hath heard me, he hath attended to the voice of my prayer.

Psa 66:20 Blessed be God, which hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

Zec 13:7 Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the LORD of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones.

Zec 13:8 And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the LORD, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein.

Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.

Psa 12:7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.

CPSB Note: v. 6. Purified. The verb. Is singular agreeing with silver. 7. them: i.e. the godly. Pl. ref. to "the faithful" of v. 1. Them = him, refers to man of grace of verse 1. (the man of grace is in Christ).

Psa 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

CPSB Note: wicked = lawless. Heb. rasha. Ap. 44. x. rasha, wickedness I the sense of the restless activity of the fallen nature (Job 3:17, Isa. 53:9, 57:20, 21); where it refers to the activity of the impious and ungodly, or, robbers.

men: i.e. the sons of Adam, as in v. 1. "P". To the Chief Musician. Making the Psalm appropriate for temple worship and for congregational or public worship. Who is the Chief Corner stone, Who is the Great Shepherd, Who is the Chief Musician?

Completed 4/24/2012; Rob Seal. All notes taken from the Companion Study Bible. Personal notes marked by (Rob notes).