Acts 20:26-27 NKJV (26) Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. (27) For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
Acts 20:27 AMP (27) For I never shrank or kept back or fell short from declaring to you the whole purpose and plan and counsel of God.
I must take the time to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Romans 6:21-23 NKJV (21) What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. (22) But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. (23) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:23 AMP (23) For the wages which sin pays is death, but the [bountiful] free gift of God is eternal life through (in union with) Jesus Christ our Lord.
Notice there is a fruit or wage that sin pays. The result of sin will always be death. There is no way around it.
Sin has already been judged and it has been determined that it carries the death penalty with no hope of appeal as in our justice system.
For the person outside of a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, there is direct exposure to the verdict that has already been rendered on sin (judgment for sin).
For the believer, you can still pay this price but it will be because of the decisions that we make to be disobedient and live in sin and thus we allow the enemy to bring destruction into our lives because we go outside of God’s protection.
This does not mean that the attacks of the enemy that come upon us all are a result of sin. What we are talking about are the effects of death or the curse that is in our lives on a consistent basis.
Psalms 34:19 NKJV (19) Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.
The Bible and Bible prophecy can be greatly misunderstood if the proper rules of Bible interpretation are not used when you are studying it.
You cannot ignore prophecy in the Bible because 1 in 3 scriptures in the Bible is prophecy.
Just because people get prophecy wrong does not mean that we don’t need to give it the attention that we should.
Examples of this very thing:
A lot of the regulations and laws that God gave the Children of Israel in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy were designed to provide the people with good hygiene practices. They were to help keep them free from sickness and disease that comes from lack of sanitary practices that would come from living in close quarters like tent cities. There were instructions about health laws and what to do with your garbage and sewage.
The people of the Middle Ages disregarded a lot of these practices and because of this, the rats and fleas, etc. that were rampant in the day sunk the entire known world into the greatest times of sickness and disease and killed 1 in 3 people in Europe. This largely contributed to the beginning of the Dark Ages.
It will cost you to disregard the Word of God and not give it the attention that you should.
We cannot afford to “blow off” a part of the Word of God, even if we don’t fully understand it.
Rules of interpretation that we are to follow:
- In His dealings with humanity, God divides people up into three categories: The Jews, the Gentiles, and the Church.
1 Corinthians 10:32 NKJV (32) Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God,
When looking at Bible prophecy, you must ask yourself the question, is God talking to the Jews, the Gentiles, or the Church.
- In reading Bible Prophecy, you must understand that God will never punish the righteous with the wicked.
Nahum 1:2 NKJV (2) God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies;
1 Thessalonians 5:9 NKJV (9) For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,
God does not order His children to taste of His wrath.
Genesis 18:25 NKJV (25) Far be it from You to do such a thing as this, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous should be as the wicked; far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?”
When God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He sent angels in to remove the righteous ones from the cities beforehand.
This is a spiritual principle.
- That which has been, shall be again.
If there is something that the Bible says is going to come to pass, there is a reference to it in the Scripture happening before.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 NKJV (9) That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.
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- There is reference in Jeremiah 3, Jeremiah 31, and Isaiah to an Exodus of Jews that will come out of Russia that will be greater than the Exodus coming out of Egypt. There is not just one Exodus but two.
- The Bible talks about the Tribulation period and the fact that the antichrist will push people to take a mark on the forehead or right hand that will be an act of worship to him.
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- Numbers are important in the Bible.
According to Revelation, 6 is the number for man. Three is the number for God. When you have three sixes it is obviously a reference to man saying, “I am God.”
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- Nebuchadnezzar built the statue of himself and wanted the people to worship it. It was 60 cubits high, 6 cubits wide and it was worshipped when 6 musical instruments were played.
- When David went out to fight Goliath, Goliath had a spear that weighed 600 shekels, he stood 6 cubits and 6 pieces of armor but David beat him.
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- In the Bible that are symbolic terms that are used.
Jesus made reference to the fig tree.
Hosea 9:10 NKJV (10) “I found Israel Like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. But they went to Baal Peor, And separated themselves to that shame; They became an abomination like the thing they loved.
Trees are symbols of nations.
- You must always be aware of who is doing the talking and how credible they are as a source of information.
The Bible is not literally true in the sense that every statement is a statement of truth.
The Bible is inspired by God and is truly stated but it is not a book where every statement in it is truth. You must consider the source.
- Some things are truly stated in the Bible, but they are not statements of truth.
Example: The Pharisees said that Jesus was a blasphemer; Satan’s throne will be exalted above God’s throne.
- God always has the best idea the first time around.
When you can establish a principle of truth in the Bible, it will remain throughout the rest of the Bible. It will not change as the Dispensations change. It is based on the immutability of God.
- You cannot use a minor revelation from the Bible to interpret a major revelation.
You may begin interpreting the New Testament in light of the Old Testament.
- When you interpret the Scripture, you always use the greatest light you that have to bring light on that particular subject.
As we uncover principles in the Old Testament, they should hold true throughout the entire Bible unless the New Testament gives us more revelation on the subject.
For Example:
Job 1:21 NKJV And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
John 10:10 NKJV The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Since the book of Job was written, we then have all of the books of the Old Testament after it and then of course the New Testament. What most of the Church does, however, is interpret the rest of the Bible in light of the Book of Job, including the New Testament.
We are trying to interpret the entire character of God in the New Testament based upon the very first book written in the Old Testament, the book of Job.
Romans 11:22 NKJV (22) Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
One thing that we need to remember about the story of the Children of Israel, is that the Egyptians kidnapped the people (God’s firstborn).
Exodus 4:22 KJV (22) And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
God takes the mistreatment of His people very seriously. He wanted it stopped.
Acts 9:1-19 NKJV Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest (2) and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (3) As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. (4) Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (5) And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” (6) So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (7) And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. (8) Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. (9) And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (10) Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” (11) So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. (12) And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” (13) Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. (14) And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” (15) But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. (16) For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (17) And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (18) Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. (19) So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
It is God that allowed the judgment or curse to come on the Egyptians, but it is also the same God that preserved and protected the Children of Israel in the midst of the plagues.
It really does not come down to Israelites or Egyptians, because as the Egyptians repented and accepted the God of the Hebrews, the curse was removed from them. It really comes to believers and unbelievers; the just and the unjust.
God always gives grace and mercy for repentance before judgment comes. God gave the Egyptians time (400 years) to repent before the plagues began.
The Children of Israel were protected from the plagues that came upon the Egyptians as they lived in the land of Goshen.
We can see the same scenario in the flood of Noah and how God protected the righteous in the ark. God “sent” or allowed the flood to come on the unjust because of their wickedness. They were given 100 years to repent.
The dwelling of righteous will be protected!
Wicked people are always exposed to the curse because they are wicked and separated from God.
Not every destruction in the earth is caused by Satan. It could be that evil people have brought the penalty of sin into their own lives as God has declared that it would be. It could be the simple fact that we live in a planet that is bearing the curse of sin in it. This is something that it was never designed to do.
Sometimes, however, in the lives of believers, the enemy can come as we allow him because of our disobedience.
Let’s look at when believers get into disobedience and destruction comes.
- When the Children of Israel were in the wilderness and the serpents came into the camp, who sent them? Was it God? No, because it was the camp of the righteous, they were protected from God’s judgment, so Satan sent the serpents. God provided a way of healing for them.
- When Ananias and Sapphira died, who was responsible for their deaths? Was it God? No, their disobedience opened the door for death to come into their lives and it killed them.
Acts 5:1-11 NKJV But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. (2) And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. (3) But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? (4) While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” (5) Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. (6) And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. (7) Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. (8) And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” (9) Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” (10) Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband. (11) So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
When we are believers, and if the curse it persistent in our lives, it is we who are opening the door for those things.