Spiritual Sight Lesson 2 The Spiritual World Versus the Physical World

Transcription

1 Spiritual Sight Lesson 2 The Spiritual World Versus the Physical World 2 Corinthians 4 physical and spiritual worlds are parallel 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. Just because spiritual beings and spiritual places cannot be seen with the physical eye does NOT mean they cannot be seen at all. God can see them, and angels can see them. Spiritual Principalities Ephesians 6 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Daniel 10 possibly the same angel (Gabriel) from chapters 8 and 9 12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Daniel 10 same conversation 20 Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. 21 But I will show thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince. Revelation 12 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Spiritual Places Jude 1 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Eternal things are unseen (spiritual). Hell will have REAL fire (but not PHYSICAL fire, because physical fire requires oxygen and other burnable materials, temporal, seen, physical elements). Just because the fire is not physical does NOT mean that it is not real. Revelation 21 brimstone typically associated with volcanoes 10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. The lake is not physical, but it is real. Mark 9 referred to as early as Isaiah 66:24 43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Spiritual Sight Lesson 2 Page 1

2 The worm ( literally grub or maggot) is not physical, but it is real. Luke 16 either there was or there wasn t! Is Abraham a parable or a real person? 19 There WAS a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there WAS a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. Revelation 22 heaven is an eternal place, too 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. The Physical Universe Will Be Destroyed John 1 spiritual Beings existed before anything physical 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. Colossians 1 spiritual Beings existed before anything physical 15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and FOR him: 17 And he is before all things, and by him all things CONSIST. Hebrews 1 spiritual Beings will exist after the physical is gone 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: 11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail. 2 Peter 3 elements dissolved, stars fall, the planets and galaxies disappear 7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Hebrews 12 the earth and heaven will be removed 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. 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. Spiritual Sight Lesson 2 Page 2

3 The Spiritual World the Only Thing That Matters Ecclesiastes on the Importance of Earthly Life Ecclesiastes is designed (among other things) to deal with people who think only in terms of this world and this life that this life is all there is. Case by case, detail by detail, it establishes that this world and this life are pointless, if there is no next life. If we don t understand this about Ecclesiastes, we will misunderstand most of its teaching. The following scriptures prove that Solomon, himself, believed in an afterlife. Ecclesiastes 11 only Judgment Day fits this description 9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for ALL these things God will bring thee into judgment. Ecclesiastes 12 again, only Judgment Day fits here 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Ecclesiastes 12 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. All Is Vanity Ecclesiastes 1 first chapter of the book 2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 12 last chapter of the book Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. Ecclesiastes 6 after saying it is vain to be rich, vain to eat, etc., etc. 11 Seeing there be many things that increase vanity, what is man the better? 12 For who knoweth what is good for man in this life, all the days of his vain life which he spendeth as a shadow? for who can tell a man what shall be after him under the sun? Ecclesiastes 9 9 Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Work Is Vanity Ecclesiastes 1 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. Ecclesiastes 4 7 Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun. 8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail. Spiritual Sight Lesson 2 Page 3

4 Laughter Is Vanity Ecclesiastes 2 1 I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity. 2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it? Ecclesiastes 7 2 It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart. 3 Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. 5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity. Possessions and Pleasure Are Vanity Ecclesiastes 5 10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. 11 When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? Ecclesiastes 2 4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards: 5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: 6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: 7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: 8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. 9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. 10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour. 11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun. Ecclesiastes 2 18 Yea, I hated all my labour which I had taken under the sun: because I should leave it unto the man that shall be after me. 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have showed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity. Wickedness and Righteousness Are Vanity Ecclesiastes 8 10 And so I saw the wicked buried, who had come and gone from the place of the holy, and they were forgotten in the city where they had so done: this is also vanity. Ecclesiastes 8 such as a righteous Man being crucified like a common thief 14 There is a vanity which is done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity. Even Wisdom Is Vanity Ecclesiastes 9 13 This wisdom have I seen also under the sun, and it seemed great unto me: 14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. Spiritual Sight Lesson 2 Page 4

5 Ecclesiastes 1 6 I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 17 And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. 18 For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow. Ecclesiastes 2 14 The wise man s eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. 15 Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity. 16 For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. The Conclusion Ecclesiastes 12 this is the entirety of man only the spiritual world matters 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 FOR God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Some people are like animals. They eat, sleep, void, reproduce This is their whole life! Cultured people add a layer of complexity to that, but it isn t that much different (like a spider building a beautiful, intricate web that is gone the next day.) This life only matters if there is a next life. Don t Get Attached to This World 1 John 2 DON T LOVE IT! we are going to have to leave it behind 15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. Colossians 3 do NOT set your affection on things on the earth 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, NOT on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 1 Corinthians 15 Christianity is meaningless if this earth is all there is 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 1 Corinthians 15 - no point in a faithful Christian life 32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. Hebrews 11 Ur was to Abraham what America is to us 13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: WHEREFORE God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11 Abraham had no allegiance to Canaan, any more than Ur 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the Spiritual Sight Lesson 2 Page 5

6 land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 FOR he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Ownership Psalm 113 this is astounding 4 The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. 5 Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high, 6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in HEAVEN, and in the earth! Psalm 100 He owns us, because He made us, and He owns the earth that sustains us 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. If you take a limb out of your back yard and make a walking stick with it: A. Who owns it? B. Who has a right to dictate who uses it and how they use it? C. Who has a right to decide what happens to it? God requires us to be set apart only for his use! Here Is the Use for Which We Were Created Ephesians 2 specifically created for this 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Matthew 28 the Neglected Commission 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. 2 Corinthians 5 4 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, THAT they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. Matthew 16 why a cross? 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Your life is gone! Lost! If you lose it, do you have it anymore? Galatians 2 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live BY the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Spiritual Sight Lesson 2 Page 6

7 Luke 9 daily makes it impossible for cross to refer to baptism 23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross DAILY, and follow me. Holy Means Exclusive Use holy specified or set apart for good! Exodus 30 don t use this mixture for anything else 34 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: 35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: 36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy. 37 And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD. 38 Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people. Exodus 31 don t use the Sabbath day for anything else 15 Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Our religion touches every detail of our lives. 1 Peter 1 don t use yourselves for any other purpose! 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But AS he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in ALL manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. sanctify to set apart for sacred use; consecrate 1 Thessalonians 4 sanctified describes how you behave 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, THAT ye should abstain from fornication: 4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God. 2 Timothy 2 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. We groom a child for a career from before the time they can talk (sometimes before they are born). We push them to do school, homework, field trips, saving for college... When they aren t doing that, they are involved in recreation and entertainment and social development. This along with things like eating and sleeping takes up % of their time (usually the latter). We need to reorient our children and ourselves. Colossians 3 is this really doable? 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do ALL in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. If we do this, what will happen is that 90% of what they do may be the same outward activity, but it will be driven by a completely different purpose. (NOTE: This WILL NOT happen without CONSTANT reminder of our purpose!) Spiritual Sight Lesson 2 Page 7

8 I Can Go to School for Me OR for the Lord? Romans 13 because I am commanded to obey the government 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 1 Timothy 5:8 because I am commanded to provide for my family 8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. I Can Go to Work for Me OR for the Lord? Ephesians 4:28 because I am commanded to give to God 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 because I am commanded to work if I am able 10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. Colossians 3:22-24 because I'm actually working for Jesus 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. I Can Take Out the Trash for Me OR for the Lord? Colossians 3:20 because I must obey my parents (love your spouse) 20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. I Can Eat Lunch for Me OR for the Lord? Mark 12:30 depends on whether I use the strength to serve Him 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. I Can Have a Friend for Me OR for the Lord? Proverbs 13:20 depends on the kinds of friends I have 20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. 2 Corinthians 5:16,17 depends on what those friendships are based on 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. Bottom Line Ecclesiastes 12 if living for any other reason, you are just marking time! 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 FOR God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. Spiritual Sight Lesson 2 Page 8