|
Many Be Called, But Few Chosen
Open flower = brings forth the fruit = symbol of
truth and life
Philippians 1:26 That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming
to you again.
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that
whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that
ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of
the gospel;
-
Ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of
the gospel
-
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God,
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth.
Matthew 20:16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for
many be called, but few chosen.
Isaiah 43:8 Bring forth the blind people that have eyes, and the deaf
that have ears.
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.
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.
Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
-
Or, because you believe in Christ and accept
Jesus Christ, God blesses you in all these
things.
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
-
Long ago before the foundations of this world
ever were, God chose us to be His servants
without blame.
-
Now understand the predestination indicated
here.
-
He chose the elect in the spiritual world before
the foundations of this world were lain.
-
Many deep scholars find it very difficult to
understand that He chose this group of people,
but the elect are wise enough to understand that
this is written to two levels.
-
We take that of it that pertains to us, and let
them that of it which they can accept.
-
It will fall in place as we go along.
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ
to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
-
He chose you not by the good deeds or the great
things you did, but according to His will.
-
Before we go further however, let's clarify one
thing.
-
God chose you because you earned the right in
that spiritual war in which Satan rebelled
against God and a third of God's children
followed him.
-
At that time, the elect stood firm and loyalty
remained with God.
-
They stood with Michael and earned the right to
be the elect, to be the chosen on this earth.
-
You will not understand this epistle unless you
totally see that.
-
Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow,
he also did predestinate to be
conformed to the image of his Son, that he might
be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did
predestinate, them
he also called: and
whom he called, them he also
justified: and whom he
justified, them he also glorified.
Justified, or He judged that they were worthy
because of their loyalty and the stand that they
had taken.
31 What shall we then say
to these things? If God be for us, who can be
against us?
We see beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is
foreordained or predestined.
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us
accepted in the beloved.
-
The Beloved is Christ, making us the first
fruits with Him.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
Hebrew 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every
son whom he receiveth.
7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what
son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before
thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee
a prophet unto the nations.
6 Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.
7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to
all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt
speak.
8 Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee,
saith the LORD.
9 Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD
said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
Romans 11:2 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye
not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God
against Israel, saying,
3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and
I am left alone, and they seek my life.
4 But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself
seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to
the election of grace.
6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no
more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise
work is no more work.
2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the
resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the
name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of
silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to
dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel
unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared
unto every good work.
1 Peter 1:2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of
the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which
according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively
hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not
away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to
be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye
are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
Revelation 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.
9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
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.
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two
horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and
causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first
beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from
heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Galatians 1:15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my
mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen;
immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me;
but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode
with him fifteen days.
19 But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother.
20 Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not.
1 Thessalonians 5:5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children
of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be
sober.
7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are
drunken in the night.
8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate
of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.
9 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our
Lord Jesus Christ,
10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live
together with him.
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as
also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you,
and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be
at peace among yourselves.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the
Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with
the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power
and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;
because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be
saved.
11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had
pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren
beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to
salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye
have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which
hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope
through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
2 Timothy 2:18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that
the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the
name of Christ depart from iniquity.
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of
silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to
dishonour.
21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel
unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared
unto every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity,
peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do
gender strifes.
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all
men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God
peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the
truth;
1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his
eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make
you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
11 To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
Acts 13:48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and
glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal
life believed.
49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.
Romans 1:5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to
the faith among all nations, for his name:
6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ:
7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to
you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them
he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he
justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be
against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how
shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that
is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh
intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are
accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk
worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
-
Notice again the word "called".
-
You were called or chosen for this specific
purpose, and note again that Paul calls
attention to the fact that he's still in prison.
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love;
-
Don't think or walk like you're better than
others
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope
of your calling;
-
There's only one God and you are called to a
specific purpose.
-
Understand the predestination stated here.
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
-
We don't have here Methodists, Catholics,
Presbyterians, etc.
-
There is only one God, one faith and one Lord.
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in
you all.
-
I want you to note that.
-
He is in you and you are in Him.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of
the gift of Christ.
-
Out of this abundance of Christ's gifts, each
one of you is given a gift as you are suited.
-
We are all in the same service and each is a
part of the whole.
-
We are all one body.
-
You share in what I do.
-
I share in what you do, and we each have a
talent to use in His service.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men.
-
Psalm 68:18 Thou hast ascended on high, thou
hast led captivity captive: thou hast received
gifts for men; yea for the rebellious also, that
the LORD God might dwell among them.
9 Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into
the lower parts of the earth?
-
Why did Paul emphasize that He ascended, but
first He had to come down here?
-
For the reason the argument of that day also was
that it was not the Messiah that was here and
crucified on that cross.
-
So Paul is pointing out that by His
resurrection, he overcame death.
-
That was in fact the proof, He was the true
Messiah.
10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all
heavens, that he might fill all things.
-
Or, to fulfill all things.
-
He was the Messiah written of in the Old
Testament as the Psalms spoken of Him, as the
prophets spoke of Him.
-
He was the Christ
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
-
He chose the vessels to reach new people, to
tend the flock, to help them in their troubles,
to encourage, to guide them and to teach.
-
These abilities are all God-Given.
-
They are all His gifts.
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for
the edifying of the body of Christ:
-
For the perfecting of the saints.
-
Consider this, you who have ears to hear.
-
The elect, especially the 7,000, were chosen for
a specific reason.
-
You are concerned with His people, but you also
have a responsibility to each other.
-
Being a part of that one body, we are not
complete, one without the other, thus each will
perform as He gives us duties to do.
-
We are one family with one God, one body, one
church, one Christ.
-
The elect are the bride of Christ.
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of
the fulness of Christ:
-
Or, till we become Christ-like in unity of
faith.
-
This is addressed to the final hour and concerns
the body that shall accomplish His work during
the millennium.
-
You are all priests, no matter what category of
that priesthood you fall in, because Christ will
speak through you, to the whole world soon, when
you are delivered up for not accepting the false
Christ.
-
Mark 13:10 And the gospel must first be
published among all nations.
-
11 But when they shall lead you, and
deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what
ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but
whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that
speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the
Holy Spirit.
• Exactly 2520 years from the exile
of Benjamin, Iceland became an independent nation.
•
The first tribe to be
conquered by the Assyrians was Manasseh,
in 745 B.C. Exactly 2520 years later America became a nation on July 4, 1776.
• Study the book: Abrahamic Covenant,
(A study outline of the identity of God's people) By E. Raymond Capt
- page 25
|
|
|
|
|