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This study may be freely posted on other bbs' and distributed to others provided this leader remains with the study text at all times. *********************************************************************** HAVE YOU EVER NOTICED.....HOW OFTEN THE NUMBER 40 APPEARS IN THE BIBLE??? HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES, AND IN THIS BOOK, WE WILL SHOW WHY THE NUMBER 40 IS SO SIGNIFICANT. The rains (in Noah's day) fell for 40 days and nights (Gen.7:4). Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebekah (Gen. 25:20). Esau was 40 years old when he married Judith (Gen. 26:34). Israel ate Manna for 40 years (Exodus 16:35). Moses was with God in the mount, 40 days and nights (Ex. 24:18). The sockets of silver are in groups of 40 (Ex. 26:19 & 21). Moses was AGAIN with God 40 days and 40 nights (Ex. 34:28). Moses was 40 years old when he first visited his people (Acts 7:23). Moses led Israel from Egypt at age 80 (2 times 40), and after 40 years in the wilderness, died at 120 (3 times 40; Deut. 34:7). The spies searched the land of Canaan for 40 days (Num. 13:25). Therefore, God made Israel wander for 40 years (Num. 14:33-34). 40 stripes was the maximum WHIPPING penalty (Deut. 25:3). Caleb was 40 when he spied out the land of Canaan (Joshua 14:7). God allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 3:11). God again allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 5:31). God again allowed the land to rest for 40 years (Judges 8:28). Abdon (a judge in Israel) had 40 sons (Judges 12:14). Israel did evil; God gave them to enemy 40 years (Judges 13:1). Eli judged Israel for 40 years (1 Samuel 4:18). Goliath presented himself to Israel for 40 days (1 Sam. 17:16). Saul reigned for 40 years (Acts 13:21). Ishbosheth (Saul's son) was 40 when he began reign (2 Sam. 2:10). David reigned over Israel for 40 years (2 Sam. 5:4, 1 Kings 2:11). The holy place of the temple was 40 cubits long (1 Kings 6:17). 40 baths (measurement) was size of lavers in Temple (1 Kings 7:38). Solomon reigned same length as his father; 40 years (1 Kings 11:42). Elijah had one meal that gave him strength 40 days (1 Kings 19:8). Jehoash (Joash) reigned 40 years in Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:1). Egypt to be laid desolate for 40 years (Ezek. 29:11-12). Ezekiel's (symbolic) temple is 40 cubits long (Ezek. 41:2). Utter courts in Ezekiel's temple were 40 cubits long (Ez. 46:22). God gave Nineveh 40 days to repent (Jonah 3:4). Jesus fasted 40 days and nights (Matthew 4:2). Jesus was tempted 40 days (Luke 4:2, Mark 1:13). Jesus remained on earth 40 days after resurrection (Acts 1:3). IF WE LOOK CAREFULLY TO FIND THE SIMILARITY BETWEEN THESE VARIOUS INSTANCES, WE FIND A FAIRLY COMMON CIRCUMSTANCE IN THEM. THE NUMBER 40 SEEMS TO BE USED BY GOD TO REPRESENT A PERIOD OF TESTING or JUDGEMENT (ie.THE LENGTH OF TIME NECESSARY TO ACCOMPLISH SOME MAJOR PART OF GOD'S PLAN IN HIS DEALINGS WITH VARIOUS PORTIONS OF MANKIND). It should be OBVIOUS to the reader that the 40 days of rain in the days of the FLOOD were the judgements of God. Also, it should be easy to see that the 40 day periods of fasting, testing, and communing with God that were faced by Moses and Jesus were a form of God's judgements. The FORTY years that the Israelites spent in the wilderness were also OBVIOUSLY the judgements of God. Various leaders in Israel who reigned for 40 year periods were put there BY God according to HIS WILL and JUDGEMENTS. Egypt was left desolate for 40 years because of God's judgements. I could go on and on, but I think these examples should suffice for now. Twenty-eight out of thirty-five of these situations that we have listed were dealing with the passage of time (ie. 40 days or 40 years). The other seven include: (1) Maximum number of "stripes" allowed for punishment. (2) Number of sons which a "JUDGE" in Israel begat. (3) Number of "sockets" or foundation supports for the tabernacle SIDE walls. (4) The VOLUME of the temple LAVER (which had to do with ceremonial cleansing of the priests). (5) through (7) These all have to do with the LENGTHS of rooms in Solomon's and Ezekiel's temples. Looking at these descriptions, it should be easy to see that: (1) "Stripes" have to do with JUDGEMENT (including God's). See Luke 12:47-48. When God brings judgement upon His people, it may be rightly termed, "STRIPES". When Peter states (about Jesus) "by whose STRIPES ye were healed" in 1 Peter 2:24, he is quoting from Isaiah 53:5 which is a prophecy concerning SPIRITUAL and not physical healing as many teach. Although physical healing from God is a wonderful blessing, SPIRITUAL healing is an even GREATER blessing. Our salvation is dependent on the fact that Jesus BORE the STRIPES that you and I deserve to bear. In other words, Jesus' bore the MAIN FORCE of the JUDGEMENTS that SHOULD come upon you and I as Christians. Isaiah's prophecy shows the JUDGEMENTS OF GOD were poured out upon Jesus for OUR HEALING. (2) Forty sons of a judge in Israel (Abdon), whose NAME means "servitude" represents the PRODUCT or offspring of a JUDGE who SERVES in ISRAEL. A TRUE judge should begin with judgement at home (according to Bible principles...1 Peter 4:17), and therefore HIS 40 sons should have been the subjects of his judgement. Once again we see the number 40 used in connection with the subject of JUDGEMENT. (3) While the 40 silver sockets on each side of the tabernacle may be a little more difficult to understand than some of the things that we have already mentioned, we need only to take note of the following: (a) The OUTSIDE of the tabernacle was made of "badger's skins". Although these were not literal BADGERS (those are not found in that part of the world), and (based on the meaning of the Hebrew word) were actually DOLPHIN skins, our MAIN lesson we need to learn for THIS study is found in Ezekiel 16:10. That verse of scripture shows us that these "BADGER'S SKINS" were used for SHOE LEATHER. (b) In the Bible, the Christian life is called a "walk" (1 John 1:7, Romans 8:1&4, and MANY other verses). In Ephesians 6:15, Paul said we should have our "feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace". In the context, Paul is describing the armor and weapons that a Christian needs in order to be victorious for Christ. It should be easy to see that as usual, Paul is speaking in symbolic terms, and therefore SHOES are used symbolically in the Bible. If we can understand that symbol and its significance, then we can better understand our subject (40 TYPE). When Moses blessed the tribes of Israel before his death, he mentioned something that gives us a real "KEY" as to the meaning of the shoe symbol. In Deuteronomy 33:25 he said, "Thy shoes shall be iron and brass". Both of these metals are used in the Bible in connection with the ability to withstand heat (judgement). We can also observe the fact that even though such shoes (literally) might be VERY UNCOMFORTABLE, they WOULD stand up very well as protection against the various "enemies" of our walk which lie in the pathway of LIFE. To better understand what I am saying, consider how difficult it is to walk on stony or thorny paths WITHOUT SHOES. Therefore, SHOES symbolize the protection that we have spiritually which allows us to WALK in the Christian "pathway" without experiencing the painful (symbolic) sharp stones and thorns which lie there are the result of the the intense JUDGEMENTS AND WRATH of Almighty God. Have you never wondered WHY God told Moses to take off his shoes because he was standing on HOLY GROUND? That event happened for a spiritual "type" (allegory), as did ALL OF THE EVENTS OF THE OLD TESTAMENT PERIOD (see 1 Corinthians 10:1-13, Hebrews 8 and 9, Galatians 4:22-31, Romans 5:14, 1 Corinthians 15:45-47, etc.). God was demonstrating that "holy ground" does not require shoes in order to "walk" comfortably. The reason we need SPIRITUAL "shoes" is because most of our "walk" takes place amongst the world which is a "path" full of (symbolic) thorns, stones, and stumbling-blocks. (c) Since the outside of the tabernacle is covered with Badger's skins (which is SHOE LEATHER), and since the purpose of shoes is to withstand outwardly harmful forces, tests, and judgements, we can conclude that the outer of the four coverings of the tabernacle represents its ability to receive the judgements, tests, and trials that (symbolically) would fall upon it. Literally, the sun would of course POUR DOWN upon the tabernacle. In the thirteenth chapter of Matthew, Jesus used the sun to symbolize the "SPIRITUAL HEAT" which would come upon people as the result of the word of God. Since the "SUN" symbol in the Bible portrays the word of God (and indirectly Jesus himself), the rays of the sun would symbolize the BURNING HEAT caused by the intense rays of LIGHT. This would symbolize the JUDGEMENTS OF GOD AS BEING LIKE "FIRE". (c) This "roof" of SHOE LEATHER was supported by BOARDS standing upright and fitted carefully into "sockets" which were made of silver. There were 40 on each side, and of course the roof would not have been supported without BOTH GROUPS of 40. We won't expand on the subject in this study, but there are TWO kinds of JUDGEMENTS that God brings upon His people as a FOUNDATION for their experience and to allow them to be HIS "tabernacle" or dwelling place. Those TWO sets of 40 silver sockets WERE the main foundation for the two walls of the tabernacle that supported the ROOF of "shoe leather". There are of course many DEEP and beautiful truths in this type, but rather than leave our main subject we will move on for now. Suffice it to say that the TWO sets of 40 sockets have MUCH to do with God's judgements which is applied in two different manners. (4) There were ten LAVERS in Solomon's temple, and each one contained 40 BATHS of liquid volume (over 350 gallons each). Do these have anything to do with JUDGEMENT? Yes, because the water in the LAVER was symbolic of the word of God which "washes" us as Christians today (Ephesians 5:26). God's judgements which come to us through the WORD OF GOD allow us to be JUDGED NOW, so we don't have to be judged in ETERNITY (1 Peter 4:17). (5) The LENGTHS of some of the rooms in Solomon's and Ezekiel's temples are representative of God's judgement, but the study requires MUCH more space than we can give to it here, so we will have to save it for another book. I think we have given enough proof so far that the reader surely will continue to bear with us as we prove this point more and more in this study. I will say this much for now; The dimensions of the TEMPLES, the ARK of Noah, the TABERNACLE, etc. are VERY important in the spiritual TYPOLOGY that is presented in each picture. The 40s used in each are representative of a certain PERIOD of God's judgement. I believe one of the EASIEST "40s" to use to illustrate this symbolism is the story of Noah and the FLOOD. There are two basic forms of judgement that God sends forth. One is the type that He pours out upon the ungodly. This would be the kind we see illustrated in the FLOOD, and also the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The other is the type that He sends upon HIS people in order to awaken them or bring them to a closer "walk" with Him. We know that in Noah's day, the EXTREMELY HEAVY RAINFALL coming down from "heaven" had TWO different affects. Obviously, it was a VERY destructive force as far as the LOST were concerned. They were OUTSIDE of the ark of safety, and therefore beyond any hope of survival. However, when the water hit the earth it raised the ark. Raising the ark heavenward symbolises our being "lifted up to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Eph. 2:"6)". THE SAME waters that DESTROYED the wicked also caused the people of God to BE LIFTED UP (thanks to the ARK). God poured His judgements upon the ark. He knew it would stand fast. It was built to His plans and specifications. Why would God require the people to build an ark if He did not plan on sending the same judgements upon it as he sent upon the people who were not in it? THE ARK WAS A GOD GIVEN ESCAPE ROUTE FROM JUDGEMENTS WHICH FELL UPON THEM ALL. Many people think that when God shut the door of the ark, it represented (in type) the end of this time world. NOT SO. The forty days and nights of the flood are symbolic of God's judgements which fall primarily upon HIS PEOPLE AND THE SPIRITUAL ARK TODAY. In one of our studies years ago we proved that the INITIAL waters which fell, came as a HUGE BLAST from God. Then it continued to RAIN for 40 days. The INITIAL BLAST of water took care of destroying most life. We can still see proofs of what happened to our planet at that time when we look at some of the discoveries being made today. For example, the ancient MUSK-OX that was found frozen in Siberia with tropical plants still frozen in his mouth; He certainly was not killed by the flood, but rather by the blast of water knocking our planet off its axis by about 23 and 1/2 degrees. That produced INSTANT DEEP-FREEZE in some tropical locations. Even though the wicked DROWNED right away, God STILL had a purpose for the ARK to go through the 40 DAY AND NIGHT period in order to picture the spiritual type. The judgements of God had to fall upon EVEN HIS TRUE PEOPLE, but He had provided a means which would save them from those judgements. We COULD write many hundreds of pages commenting on each of the texts which use the number 40 in type, but we trust that the reader will do some thoughtful study on their own, and allow us to move on with this subject. Numbers 32: 13. And the Lord's anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the GENERATION, that had done evil in the sight of the Lord, was consumed. We can easily see from this text that God calls 40 years a generation. This is VERY IMPORTANT for us to know, as it will benefit us in studying the meaning of Jesus' words in Matthew 23. 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. (WAS JESUS SPEAKING THOSE PEOPLE LIVING IN THAT DAY OR TO US TODAY? OBVIOUSLY TO THEM). 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 23:33 [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city: 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (NOTE: "THIS GENERATION"). 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! 23:38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. Take CAREFUL notice of the fact that Jesus SPOKE TO THOSE PEOPLE STANDING THERE and said "THIS GENERATION". There are preachers today who want to believe their FALSE DOCTRINES so badly that they are willing to twist the scriptures any and every way possible to try to prove that Jesus was referring to OUR GENERATION today. We are about to put some BIBLICAL PIECES together in a puzzle that can solve a lot of unknowns and uncertainties in some major doctrinal areas. Let us look at the "pieces" we have figured out so far: (A) The number 40 has to do with God's judgements. (B) God speaks of a GENERATION as 40 years. (C) Jesus speaks of VERY SEVERE JUDGEMENTS that will come upon a PARTICULAR GENERATION of the LITERAL JEWS. Now we need to review briefly a subject that we have covered in detail in our book on the "SPIRITUAL A.I.D.S. DISEASE". The following is taken from that book: ******************************************************************* Much of what professes to be "christianity" calls the last part of the Bible the "New Testament", and in so doing it blinds most people to what the "NEW TESTAMENT" really is. If you read the book of Hebrews and especially the ninth and tenth chapters, Paul the apostle states (as was prophesied by the prophets of ancient Israel and Judah) that the NEW TESTAMENT began with the death of Jesus Christ. THIS SPEAKS OF A PERIOD OF TIME AND A MANNER OF GOD'S DEALING WITH MAN, RATHER THAN A PART OF THE BIBLE ITSELF. Notice especially the words of Hebrews 9: 9:15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions [that were] under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. 9:16 For where a testament [is], there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 9:17 For a testament [is] of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth. When verse 15 says that Jesus is the "mediator of the New Testament" IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT JESUS IS THE MEDIATOR OF THE LAST PART OF THE BIBLE. THE BOOKS OF MATTHEW THROUGH REVELATION ARE NOT THE NEW TESTAMENT. IN FACT, MOST OF THE EVENTS DESCRIBED IN MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE NEW TESTAMENT ERA, AND ALL OF THE EVENTS MENTIONED IN OUR BIBLE TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE FULL END OF THE OLD TESTAMENT ERA. We will explain that in a moment, as it is very important. Verses 16 and 17 will help us to see what the "TESTAMENTS" are if we look carefully and thoughtfully at what Paul has stated. The word "testament" and the word "covenant" mean basically the same thing. The "new testament" is really a "new covenant" or a new "will" to use today's modern terminology. I'm sure the reader realizes that it is normal for a "will" to be read and to begin to be brought into effect AFTER THE ONE WHO HAS MADE THE WILL HAS DIED. Verses 16 and 17 tell us that a testament or WILL goes into "force" after the person who is its maker is DEAD. This tells us that the "NEW TESTAMENT" or new "will" of God for his children was able to be put into effect because of the (and at the time of the) DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST. There are many FALSE doctrines in professing "christianity" today which result either from people not understanding the covenants and their purpose in the plan of God, or else from their not understanding the TRANSITION PERIOD during which the two covenants OVERLAPPED. There are many proofs that we could offer and will cover in a longer study, but for now I will just mention one thing for your consideration. Paul states in Hebrews 8:13 that the reason for the new covenant is because God had made the first covenant old by the bringing in of a better one. Then comes the "key words"; he says, "Now that which decayeth and waxeth old (which in the context speaks of the old testament era) is ready to vanish away". Study the the context of that statement, and it will begin to open up the fact to you that when the book of Hebrews was written, the NEW TESTAMENT was in effect, as Jesus' death and resurrection was many years past. Yet the OLD TESTAMENT was not yet fully removed. This was similar to times (today) when a person has DIED, and the will is made known, but it takes a little time to process all of the details and give the full possession of property to the heirs. During that time the "heirs" get by with what they already have. It is not difficult to prove (though lengthy) from the prophecies, from certain events in Paul's writings, and from details in the book of Acts, that since all of the nation of Israel had not yet had opportunity to hear the gospel (that Jesus was truly the messiah for which they had waited), GOD GAVE THEM A JUDGEMENT PERIOD OF ONE GENERATION (FORTY years) TO REPENT (this generation was mentioned in Matthew 23:36 and Matthew 24:34 by Jesus...). GOD CLOSED THE DOOR TO THEM, WHEN IN FULFILLMENT OF WHAT HE HAD DECLARED TO THE PROPHETS, HE SENT THE ROMAN ARMY UNDER TITUS TO BRING TOTAL DESTRUCTION TO THEIR TEMPLE, THEIR HOLY CITY JERUSALEM, AND TO THEIR RELIGIOUS ARTICLES. GOD HAD INSTITUTED A NEW COVENANT WHICH WAS A SPIRITUAL COVENANT, AND HE NO LONGER WAS GOING TO PUT UP WITH EITHER THE OLD COVENANT, OR WITH THOSE WHO TRIED TO PREVENT THE CESSATION OF IT. TODAY THERE ARE MULTITUDES WHO ARE STILL LOOKING AT PALESTINE AS THOUGH IT OR ITS PEOPLE ARE SOMETHING SPECIAL IN THE EYES OF GOD. YET THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF SCRIPTURES WHICH SHOW THAT THIS IS NOT TRUE. IN ABOUT A.D. 70 THE OLD TESTAMENT WAS TOTALLY DONE AWAY WITH BY GOD. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE FIRST PART OF THE BIBLE. I AM SAYING THAT GOD CHANGED THE "WILL" AND DID AWAY TOTALLY WITH THE OLD ONE. He proved it by destroying the temple and furnishings that OLD Israel was dependent upon in order to go through their rituals of the OLD LAW. THE TRANSITION PERIOD OF THE TESTAMENTS Moses Jesus Jesus God GIVES Ministry DEATH SENDS Israel Begins On Destruction God's At Age The On Jerusalem LAW 30. Cross In A.D. 70. |<---------------Old Testament Period--------------->| |<--------------New Testament Period--- Gospel to ISRAEL>| |<--Transition Period->| Matthew 10:5-6 ("this generation") THE TRANSITION PERIOD WAS TO BRING OLD TESTAMENT ISRAEL (GOD'S OLD COVENANT PEOPLE) TO THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR MESSIAH HAD COME. ****************************************************************** This is GOD'S way of doing things. For example, Revelation 2:21 says, "And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not". In this scripture, the Lord is saying that he: (1) Gives "light" or understanding to expose the sin. (2) Then gives a "space" of time for the person to QUIT and make restitution for their sin. (3) God goes on in the context to show that if they do not repent, then He brings severe judgement against them. God not only worked in this manner for the JEWISH people (literal Israel), but ALSO did the same in other cases as well. For example, God gave Nineveh 40 days to repent, and JESUS realized that was a "type" of what God was doing to LITERAL ISRAEL. Jesus ALSO knew that literal Israel would NOT REPENT as did Nineveh. Matthew 12:38-41, 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 12:41 The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas [is] here. At this point in our study, I HOPE the reader can see through the common FALSE TEACHING today, and realize that when Jesus repeatedly talked about the JUDGEMENTS of God coming on a "generation", he was NOT TALKING ABOUT THE GENERATION WHICH LIVED IN 1948-1988. Matthew 11: 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 11:14 And if ye will receive [it], this is Elias, which was for to come. 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. 11:16 But whereunto shall I liken this generation? ("HE" IN VERSE 15 REFERS TO THE GENERATION LIVING IN THE DAYS OF JOHN THE BAPTIST, WHICH IS THE GENERATION OF THE "TRANSITION PERIOD" OR IN OTHER WORDS, THE OVERLAP OF THE TWO COVENANTS). It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 11:17 And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. 11:18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say (ie. those people living in his day), He hath a devil. 11:19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children. 11:20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not: 11:21 Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 11:22 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. 11:23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 11:24 But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee. Honest hearted readers will want to know the truth of this matter badly enough to study carefully Matthew 24:27-42 and Luke 17:24-37 comparing them carefully. It SHOULD be VERY evident that those two passages refer to the same message (which is finished in Luke 21). Notice the following portions of those contexts: Matthew 24: 24:27 For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Luke 17: 17:24 Tor as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. 17:25 But first must he suffer many things, and be rejected of THIS GENERATION. The contexts are about the same thing, and Jesus is speaking the words at the same period of his ministry. OBVIOUSLY, THE GENERATION TO WHICH JESUS REFERS HERE IS THE GENERATION OF LITERAL ISRAEL WHICH WOULD REJECT AND CRUCIFY HIM. Was Jesus ESPECIALLY dealing with the GENERATION of JEWS in his day? 1 Thessalonians 2: 2:14 For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they [have] of the Jews: 2:15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: 2:16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost. Matthew 23: 23:31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 23:32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 23:33 [Ye] serpents, [ye] generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 23:34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and [some] of them ye shall kill and crucify; and [some] of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute [them] from city to city: 23:35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 23:36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. The reader should be able to see that IT IS SO PLAIN THAT JESUS WAS SPEAKING OF THAT GENERATION LIVING IN HIS DAY. So why do people today so often teach he spoke of OUR GENERATION? It is because they do not understand the surrounding context of Matthew 24. They have been taught the old false doctrine that places the "great tribulation" and other events of Matthew 24 in OUR DAY. Therefore, we need to take a look at that text as well. Matthew 24: 24:1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to [him] for to show him the buildings of the temple. 24:2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 24:3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what [shall be] the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? The companion texts (same statements) of this passage are found in Mark 13, and Luke 17 and 21. Those passages express the disciple's questions (as expressed here in verse 3) as follows: MARK 13:4 (1) "when shall these things be" (2) "what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?" LUKE 21:7 (1) "when shall these things be" (2) "what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass?" MATTHEW 24:3 (1) "when shall these things be" (2) "what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?"(Greek = AGE or ERA). In order to truly understand this text we MUST remember that ALL three of these writers are describing the SAME EVENT. Whatever was spoken (the exact words), all three writers are trying to correctly describe. Mark 13:3 tells us WHO was present when these words were spoken. It was JESUS, PETER, JAMES, JOHN, and ANDREW. Those disciples ask Jesus "PRIVATELY" about these things. Therefore, Matthew, Mark, and Luke WERE NOT PRESENT. However, they are all three telling the same story, and in fact all three are conveying the same basic meanings to us. Notice the following thoughts: (1) All THREE writers express EXACTLY the same FIRST question. The disciples ask, "WHEN WILL THE TEMPLE BE DESTROYED AND ALL OF THE STONES CAST DOWN". That is what Jesus had just spoken about when they ask him, "when shall these things be?" PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE TEMPLE AND BUILDINGS THAT THEY WERE LOOKING UPON; NOT SOME REBUILT STRUCTURE TO BE REBUILT MANY CENTURIES LATER. (2) Biblical teachings PROVE (stay with us and we will show you) that Mark, Luke, and Matthew were all expressing the EXACT same thing in different manners when they recorded the words of the four disciples who were "privately" speaking with Jesus in this instance. Notice: (a) Mark says they ask about a sign to accompany the fulfillment of the destruction of the "buildings of the temple". (b) Luke says they ask about a sign to accompany the fulfillment of the destruction of the "temple". (c) Matthew says they ask about a SIGN (singular sign...not two signs) of JESUS COMING and the end of the "world". The Greek word translated "world" here is "aionos" (from the root "aion"). The Greek word for this time world is "cosmos". The word used in Matthew 24:3 means "ERA". The disciples understood enough of prophecy and knew enough truth concerning future events which would come upon their (Jewish) people that they realized the destruction of their TEMPLE was to bring the FULL END to the OLD COVENANT (testament). They wanted to know HOW THEY COULD TELL WHEN THE OLD TESTAMENT ERA HAD COME TO A FULL END. I can almost HEAR readers saying, "BUT MATTHEW SAID THIS EVENT WOULD HAVE TO DO WITH JESUS' COMING". I certainly agree, BUT WE MUST CHECK THE SCRIPTURES TO SEE WHAT THE BIBLE CALLS HIS "COMING" (Greek word is "parousias"). The Bible speaks of several DIFFERENT events as all being Jesus' "coming". THAT IS BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL DIFFERENT KINDS OF HIS "COMINGS" (for example, Matthew 16:28 speaks of Jesus "coming" [Greek = erchomenon] in his kingdom before some of the people "standing" in his very presence that day died). The word "coming" in Matthew 24:3 is also translated "PRESENCE" in our Bibles, and that is in fact a very good rendering. I would like to ask you a question and I hope the reader will consider it VERY carefully. If what I have been teaching is TRUE, and the two covenants DID indeed overlap in a "transition" status, and the OLD TESTAMENT era did FULLY END with the destruction of the Jewish TEMPLE (and therefore the destruction of their means of "worship"), WOULD THE COMING OF THE FULNESS OF THE NEW COVENANT IN A.D. 70 BE ANYTHING SPECIAL IN THE EYES OF GOD? WOULD JESUS' PRESENCE BE SPECIAL DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE COVENANT WHICH HE PURCHASED WAS FULLY COME? Notice the events that are being spoken of in such a manner as to RELATE them to each other: (1) The destruction of the buildings of the TEMPLE. (2) The end of the "world" (Greek = AGE) of the Old Covenant. (i.e. that which was "decaying and waxing old" would "vanish away". (3) The "days of vengeance" and fulfillment of "all things which are written", upon the generation which rejected the Messiah (Luke 21:22). (4) "Jerusalem compassed with armies", and the resulting "desolation" (Luke 21:20). In A.D. 70 Titus' armies of Roman soldiers destroyed (after a lengthy siege) Jerusalem and the buildings of the Temple. They have never been rebuilt to this day. Read the works of Josephus, the Jewish historian of that day. All of Matthew 24 was fulfilled if you look for the kind of fulfillment that Biblical language dictates. (5) The "abomination of desolation" spoken of in Matthew 24:15 is a reference to Daniel's prophecy in Daniel 9. There, the events described are said to take place at the end of 70 weeks (of prophetic years) or 490 years from the "going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem". This rebuilding of Jerusalem is described in detail in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. It took place AFTER the 70 years of Babylonian captivity which was a present experience in the day that Daniel lived. The "abomination of desolation" was to be an event which immediately followed the coming of the "MESSIAH THE PRINCE" to his "own" people, LITERAL ISRAEL AND JUDAH. Today, false preachers teach a "GREAT PARENTHESIS" between the 69th and 70th "weeks" of Daniel's prophecy in order to make the events of the "great tribulation" still future in our day. That is necessary for them to FIT together their false theories concerning the "millenium", which they TWIST from the book of Revelation. If the reader would like to study further on this subject, we have a lengthy study book we would like for you to consider that shows the errors in the commonly taught false theories of today. (6) When Jesus spoke the words of Matthew 24:4-9 he was speaking to his four disciples; NOT TO YOU AND I TODAY!!!!!! NOTE: 24:4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 24:6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 24:7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 24:8 All these [are] the beginning of sorrows. 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. Can anything be any more plain? If Jesus said all of these things to them and yet meant someone other than them, JESUS WOULD HAVE CAUSED THEM GRIEF AND WORRY FOR NO REASON. Also, in the true sense of the word, these statements would have been LIES. Before you get upset at me for saying this, REMEMBER, I am NOT saying that Jesus lied!!!! I AM saying that what he said was true, and PREACHERS today are the LIARS when they apply his words to us today in a LITERAL sense (there IS a spiritual TYPE there for us to learn from today). I know there are several verses in Matthew 24 that are commonly misused (literalized) and misunderstood, and therefore it becomes difficult for people to see that entire context is fulfilled in the destruction of Jerusalem, and the following events. I won't have space in this study to cover everything, but I would like to at least give you an example of what I am talking about. Matthew 24: 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 24:31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. There is a MAJOR KEY that we must make use of if we are to understand these verses within this context. We MUST remember that once the FULLNESS of the NEW TESTAMENT ERA was begun, then there were NO MORE TYPES, but rather the spiritual fulfillment of those types. The events described leading up to this "great tribulation" were taking place while the OLD TESTAMENT era was "waxing old", but still very much alive. However, the events which FOLLOW the "great tribulation" in A.D. 70 ARE TAKING PLACE IN THE FULNESS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT ERA, AND THEREFORE WILL NOT BE LITERAL EVENTS, BUT RATHER SPIRITUAL EVENTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (SAME GREEK AS HOLY GHOST) DISPENSATION (i.e. the NEW TESTAMENT). Matthew 24 is not speaking of the LITERAL "sun", "moon", and "stars". Instead, it is speaking of what the LITERAL sun, moon, and stars symbolize in type. The STARS symbolize ministers of the gospel. Jesus said in Revelation 1:20 that the "stars" were the "angels" of the churches. The word "angels" comes from the Greek word "aggeloi". This Greek word means a messenger. Luke 7:24 shows that John the Baptist's disciples were "messengers". The SAME BASIC GREEK word is used (with a different ending to show its usage in the sentence)..."AGGELON". There are many different kinds of ANGELS (messengers). There are HEAVENLY, DEMONIC, and HUMAN! Every scriptural principle PROVES that God uses HUMAN MESSENGERS (angels) to gather HIS ELECT. The angels of the seven churches of Asia in Revelation 2 and 3 were HUMAN messengers or PASTORS of those churches. That is why God sent the message to them, EVEN THOUGH THE MESSAGES ARE DIRECTED TO GROUPS OF PEOPLE (their congregations). Even the "angel" that John the apostle fell down to worship in Revelation 19:10 said he was one of John's brethren who had the testimony of Jesus. HE WAS A HUMAN "ANGEL" (MESSENGER). THE SAME GREEK WORD THAT IS TRANSLATED "ANGELS" IN MATTHEW IS ALSO TRANSLATED AS FOLLOWS: 1. "messenger" in Mark 1:2 (speaking of John the Baptist as a messenger or ANGEL), 2. "messengers" in Luke 7:24 (showing that even John the Baptist had his own "messengers" or "angels" and they were other human beings that helped carry his message forth), 3. "messengers" in Luke 9:52 (showing that the HUMAN messengers that Jesus sent before him were "angels" in the Biblical meaning of the word). 4. "messengers" in James 2:25 (showing that the Israelite spies that Joshua sent into Canaan were HUMAN angels in the true sense of the usage of the word in the Bible). When we realize that Paul was received by the church of God at Galatia as an "angel of God" (Galatians 4:14), it is easy to see that any messenger of God (HUMAN OR HEAVENLY) is an ANGEL OF GOD! The SUN symbolizes Jesus as the WORD OF GOD (Mal. 4:2, Matt. 13:6 and 21, John 1:9, etc. ). The MOON symbolizes that LESSER light which reflects the LIGHT FROM THE SUN (the WORD), so the "moon" represents God's children (i.e. the CHURCH). Bible symbolism speaks of Jesus as the husband, and the church as the bride of Christ. That would make the SUN a "HE", and the MOON a "SHE". Notice Isaiah 13:10. For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in HIS going forth, and the moon shall not cause HER light to shine. Isaiah's prophecy is about the SAME thing as is declared by Jesus in Matthew 24. They are prophecies of APOSTASY that would come upon the New Testament church in her early stages. Let us briefly look at another prophecy which speaks of the symbolism of the sun and moon. We will keep it brief, but I would like to include this excerpt from Chapter 9 of our study book on Revelation: ******************************************************************* 30:26 Moreover the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the LORD bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound. Many people find this prophecy difficult to understand, and most seem to feel it has no meaning for us today, but was fulfilled in the past. However, even though the text is "deeper" than many others, and requires much more study (to make it clear) than what we can cover here, I believe the following thoughts will at least help the reader to begin to comprehend its meaning: (A) As verse 26 shows, this prophecy concerns a time when God would use GREAT LIGHT (understanding of the word of God) in order to "heal" and "bind up" the breach (DIVISION) among HIS TRUE PEOPLE. This thought presented in this verse CAN ONLY be fulfilled in one of two ways: (a) To "bind up" the division between the two branches of the twelve tribes of Israel (i.e. Israel and Judah). This never happened according to the Bible and History. In fact, there are still people today looking for the "10 lost tribes". (b) To "bind up" the division between God's true people in the NEW COVENANT (CHRISTIANS). That DIVISION is the result of the many different denominations and churches brought about by FALSE RELIGION. Although this "binding up" has not taken place it the past (and instead more and more denominations have constantly arisen which have further divided God's people, it IS TAKING PLACE TODAY in this seventh seal age of time IN GOD'S TRUE CHURCH. If we could add a few hundred extra pages to this study, I would have much more opportunity to greatly DETAIL the meaning of the context of Isaiah 30:26. Since we cannot do that now, I would like to at least present a few thoughts for your consideration in this teaching: > The SPIRITUAL body of Christ is the CHURCH; 1 Corinthians 12. > Jesus fleshly body was not broken; type of CHURCH. John 19:36 > Passover lamb (TYPE) no bones broken; Ex. 12:46; 1 Cor.5:7. > God does not want division in the church; 1 Corinthians 1:10. > DIVISION shows SPIRITUAL BABYHOOD & CARNALITY; 1 Cor. 3:1-11. > God wants the CHURCH to "grow up" SPIRITUALLY; Ephesians 4. > The TRUE SPIRITUAL "BODY" OF CHRIST can NOT exist in its FULL AND COMPLETE FORM UNTIL THERE IS NO DIVISION in it at all!!! Since this DIVIDED CONDITION OF THE CHURCH is the result of denominations and the large number of "churches", God is bringing to pass something very special in the "SEVENTH" or last "DAY". Isaiah's prophecy describes the event in common symbolism. SUNLIGHT and MOONLIGHT are both said to be equal, and in fact, ARE TO BE SEVEN TIMES AS "BRIGHT" AS NORMAL! Many people literalize this passage, but it is quite obvious that if the sun were to increase to seven times its intensity, NO LIFE would survive! Isaiah 30:26 shows us that the people of God are healed; NOT KILLED!! Most readers will realize that the SUN is used throughout the Bible as a symbol of JESUS AS "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" (John 8:12). Malachi 4:2 calls Jesus the "SUN of righteousness". Matthew 13:5-6 & 21 will show the reader another picture of the "WORD" (Jesus - John 1:1-14) being symbolized by the "SUN". PSALMS 121: 121:6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. (Ever been "smitten" by the LITERAL moon?). Literalists would have to teach that this means a Christian does not have to use lotion to prevent sunburn! However, IT IS NOT LITERAL, and in fact, if it WERE, then TRUE SAINTS do not have to worry about "MOON BURN" either! The SUN pictures Jesus as the "LIGHT OF THE WORLD" (John 8:12), and the MOON represents the means of REFLECTING the light of Christ to the world (just like the literal moon reflects light from the sun! This "moon" is a spiritual picture of God's true people who are "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" when they REFLECT the light of Christ (the "sun"). (Matthew 5:14)! That is why the stories of God's people in the Bible are "TYPES", or symbolic pictures of spiritual truth. That is also the reason that Christians need to SHINE AS THE MOON TODAY (ie: reflecting the light of Christ)! Friend DO YOU REALIZE WHAT ISAIAH 30:26 IS SAYING? If we summarize its teaching in the light of the entire Bible, we realize the following truths: (A) God's people are separated by a breach (division)! (B) Jesus prayed that we would have TRUE UNITY (Not just union) in John 17:20-23! (C) False doctrines and traditions of men have created FALSE RELIGIONS in hundreds of variations (II Peter 2:1-3; II Timothy 4:2-4; I Timothy 3:1-2; Matthew 7:15-23; Matthew 24:24; etc.). (D) These FALSE RELIGIONS are the cause of the "BREACH" (division) among the people of God, which is forbidden in I Corinthians 1:10! (E) This division has "WOUNDED" the BODY OF CHRIST; THE CHURCH! (F) There is a time that God has foreordained and prophesied, when He would "BIND UP" (close) the "BREACH" and HEAL the "WOUND"! (G) We can know the time of this "HEALING" work of God has begun, by the BRIGHTNESS OF THE SPIRITUAL LIGHT SOURCES AND REFLECTORS (ie: the amount of greater light coming forth from the word of God through true preaching, and being reflected by the TRUE CHURCH)! (H) The LIGHT will be seven times (SPIRITUALLY COMPLETE or in other words, fully understood and taught in a SPIRITUAL manner rather than literalizations) from the SUN. (I) The LIGHT of the MOON (The TRUE CHURCH) BECOMES EQUAL TO THE LIGHT OF THE SUN! The TRUE CHURCH in these last days is to have understanding of the WORD of GOD which is equal to that of Jesus' understanding. (J) The time of this fullness of light is on the SEVENTH DAY, OR AT THE END OF A COMPLETE PERIOD OF TIME (ie: the New Testament day)! This is why Isaiah 30:26 says, "as the light of seven days"! Seven basic periods of events (seven seal "days") make up the New Testament age. Since we live in the last part of the last day, we can expect the LIGHT given by God today to be VERY BRIGHT! (K) The sun and moon are common symbols in the book of Isaiah (and in other scriptures). For example, Isaiah 60 is showing the picture of the change in God's dealings with His people under the New Covenant as contrasted with the Old Covenant. In the Old Covenant, there was a LITERAL city of God; JERUSALEM. However, Isaiah 60:18 shows the New Covenant city of God has walls of "SALVATION" and gates of "PRAISE". NOTICE the difference in "THE sun" versus "THY sun" and "THE moon" versus "THY moon". This is comparing the LITERAL versus the SPIRITUAL. "THE" sun is literal, and "THY" sun is spiritual. Keep in mind the prophet is declaring all of these things in a spiritual manner. Isaiah 60: 60:18 Violence shall no more be heard in thy land, wasting nor destruction within thy borders; but thou shalt call thy walls Salvation, and thy gates Praise. (New Testament CHURCH). 60:19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory. 60:20 Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended. Isaiah 60:18-20 is a comparison picture. Verse 19 shows the NEW TESTAMENT city of God does NOT NEED THE LITERAL SUN OR MOON FOR LIGHT! Instead, (as verse 20 shows), God's SPIRITUAL city (THE TRUE CHURCH WHICH IS THE NEW "HEAVENLY" JERUSALEM; THE BRIDE OF CHRIST; Revelation 21:2 ,& 9-10), has its own SPIRITUAL SUN AND MOON, which NEVER CEASE TO GIVE LIGHT! This of course refers to the LIGHT of Jesus shining through His word; the light that "REFLECTS" from Christ through the spiritual symbolism of the scriptures; AND THE WORD "LIVED" BY THE TRUE PEOPLE OF GOD! Should someone object to the teaching of the SUN picturing Jesus and the MOON picturing the CHURCH (the BRIDE OF CHRIST), study Isaiah 13:10 where the spiritual symbolism identifies the SUN as a MALE ("his"), and the MOON as a FEMALE ("her")! If the reader is still having trouble with the meaning of Isaiah 30, I would like to give you a little more help with the context. Please take note of the following: (a) Isaiah 30:23...speaks symbolically of a time of GREAT blessing when the "bread" is "fat and plenteous" and the cattle "feed in large pastures". Obviously this is a spiritual picture of a time when the BREAD of LIFE is VERY RICH and the PASTURES (the word "pastor" means "pasture") OF SPIRITUAL "FEED" FOR GOD'S "CLEAN BEASTS" will be "large" spiritually (i.e. Large pastures cover a lot of ground and so will TRUE preaching in this last day). (b) Isaiah 30:24...speaks of the "oxen" and the "young asses" (Hebrew word means YOUNG BURDEN BEARERS) eating "CLEAN Provender". This "CLEAN" food comes as the result of winnowing or separating the CHAFF (no life) from the WHEAT (the grain wherein is genuine life). This separating task is the same as illustrated in TYPE in John the Baptist's ministry, and is pictured also in the parable describing the SEVENTH SEAL AGE OF THE NEW COVENANT in Matthew 13. It surely should be evident to the reader that the period of time prophesied in Isaiah 30 is a time of GREAT "FEEDING" and blessing for the people of God (spiritually). This is the result of the 7 TRUMPETS (complete and full TRUTH) sounding forth in the SEVENTH SEAL AGE. ******************************************************************* We cover these prophecies in MORE detail in our other writings, but for now let us look briefly once again at the statement in Matthew 24: 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. THIS TEXT IS OFTEN USED AS PROOF THAT THIS PASSAGE REFERS TO THE END OF TIME. HOWEVER, THE REASON FOR THIS USAGE IS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT SO WRONGLY AS TO THE EVENTS OF THE END OF TIME. Let us briefly look at the "cloud" symbolism, and then perhaps we can better understand the picture portrayed in this text. In the book of Jude, verse 12, he tells us that FALSE PREACHERS are "clouds WITHOUT WATER". Whenever the Bible gives us a "key" (such as this) to the meaning of a symbol, we must also examine the IMPLICATIONS of the "key". The IMPLICATION here is that a TRUE child of God (and especially a TRUE PREACHER) is a (spiritual) cloud that carries with it the "water" of life to pour out on those who are "thirsty earth". In our study book on Revelation, we have demonstrated and PROVED that the Book of Revelation is SYMBOLIC, and NOT LITERAL PICTURES OF TRUTH. Therefore, these are symbolic pictures: (1) Revelation 10:1, the angel "clothed with a cloud". (2) Revelation 14:14-16, 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like unto (IT DOES NOT SAY IT WAS JESUS...REMEMBER, HE IS NO LONGER LIVING IN A FLESHLY BODY BEING MANIFEST AS THE "SON OF MAN", BUT HIS TRUE PEOPLE ARE HIS SPIRITUAL "BODY", AND ARE "LIKE UNTO HIS FLESHLY MANIFESTATION) the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe. 14:16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. (3) Revelation 1:7, "behold he cometh with clouds". Paul was familiar with this symbol and used it in Hebrews 12:1, where he spoke of the saints of the old covenant era as a "GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES". He also showed the "cloud" was a symbolic "type" in 1 Corinthians 10:1; Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea. In verse 11 of this same text, Paul said that these things were for OUR ADMONITION and that they are "ensamples" (Greek word translated ensamples is "tupoi" which is Greek for "types"). Paul went on to say in verse 2; And were_all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. Notice what this is declaring; ALL THE ISRAELITES WERE BAPTIZED (IMMERSED) UNTO MOSES IN THE CLOUD. This means that when Moses led the children of Israel, spiritually speaking HE WAS MANIFEST IN THE "CLOUD" OF ISRAEL. Symbolically, they were immersed unto him, or became part of him "IN THE CLOUD". We COULD say then that the Israelites who followed Moses were IMMERSED or symbolically placed IN HIM as the result of being under the CLOUD (which symbolized the SPIRITUAL "VAPORS" or outward manifestation of the WORD AND SPIRIT OF GOD). Therefore, in true prophetic language, Moses "came out of Egypt" in a "cloud". This illustrates to us how JESUS' "coming" spiritually in the FULLNESS of the NEW TESTAMENT era was in a CLOUD of "witnesses" (those who were baptized or immersed unto him). Was Jesus REALLY manifest to the world in a "cloud" of NEW TESTAMENT witnesses near and at the end of the OLD TESTAMENT? Let us check: (A) The church was the "body of Christ", and the saints in the church were "members" of that "BODY" (1 Corinthians 12:27). Therefore, the only PHYSICAL manifestation of Jesus (in this world) was the TRUE CHURCH. (B) When Jesus was here in his own MORTAL body, God was IN HIM, and using him to reconcile the world unto Himself (2 Cor. 5:18-20). However, that same text shows that after Jesus ascended back to the Father, the ministry of reconciliation was passed on to the CHURCH. Paul's exact words are these; "we pray you in Christ's stead". Therefore, at that time Jesus' manifestation in the world was through the "spiritual body", the CHURCH. (C) 1 John 4: 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. 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ IS come in the flesh is of God: 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. This is written AFTER Jesus' ascension, and therefore AFTER HE WAS NO LONGER PERSONALLY "come in the flesh". However, the translation is in the correct tense...IT SHOULD BE "IS COME", and not CAME. It is STILL true today as it was back then...ANYONE WHOSE SPIRIT WITHIN THEM DOES NOT "CONFESS" OR MANIFEST THAT JESUS DWELLS IN THEIR FLESH IS OF THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST. I know this confuses many people, because they think that "ANTICHRIST" means AGAINST CHRIST. The Greek word translated "antichrist" is "antichristou", and the word "anti" in the GREEK means to replace or "instead of". It does NOT mean someone is necessarily AGAINST CHRIST. IF SOMEONE WITH THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST WAS OPENLY AGAINST CHRIST, JOHN WOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO TELL THEM HOW TO RECOGNIZE SUCH A PERSON. YOU DON'T HAVE TO "TRY THE SPIRIT" OF SOMEONE WHO IS OPENLY AGAINST CHRIST IN ORDER TO KNOW IF THEY ARE OF GOD. Instead, those who have the spirit of antichrist PROFESS to serve Christ, yet their spirit does not manifest ("confess") that Jesus is come in their flesh (i.e. dwell within their BODY which is "the temple of the Holy Ghost". Such people are described in Matthew 7:13-23. Such people say, "LORD, LORD, WE HAVE DONE THIS AND THAT IN THY NAME SO YOU HAVE GOT TO TAKE US TO HEAVEN". In other words, they are TRUSTING in their own works for their salvation, rather than having TRUE salvation PRODUCING the GOOD WORKS (Eph. 2:8-10, James 2, etc.). (D) Let's look at a "type" in the life of Jesus AFTER HIS RESURRECTION. John 20:14 And when she had thus said she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Mary mistakenly thought Jesus to be the gardener. The mention of a gardener carries our minds back to something almost four thousand years before this particular day, when Adam was the first gardener in the first garden. Adam was the first of the human race. Jesus is the second Adam (1 Cor. 15:45 and Romans 5:14), and he was mistaken by Mary to be a gardener. This shows us she did not realize it was him, in spite of him manifesting himself to her. This was during the forty days of testing (judgement) of his disciples after his resurrection (Acts 1:3). This testing was for Jesus' disciples, and yet today you and I are still subject to this same testing. Jesus appeared to Mary, and she thought he was the gardener. Jesus appears to you, and you think it is one of the saints. Our human vision looks to the flesh, and thereby misses the realization that we are standing in the very presence of our Savior. Remember friend, "JESUS IS COME IN THE FLESH". He lives in the heart of every true child of God, and the manner in which we treat them is the manner in which we treat Jesus. In the parable of Matthew 25:40, Jesus is picturing himself as the king and he said, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. " In Jesus' own words, OUR ACTIONS TOWARDS OUR FELLOW CHRISTIANS ARE TAKEN BY JESUS TO BE OUR ACTIONS TOWARD HIM. Can you see how that (symbolically) one manner of Jesus' "coming" or "presence" is in the lives of New Testament Christians? That is his meaning of his words in Matthew 24. One of the means of judgement God is using today is much like what He used back then. He is checking to see if we ARE SPIRITUAL ENOUGH to recognize Jesus whenever he comes around, or if we will think he is just the gardener, or Tom, Joe, or Sally. We can look on one another as commonplace, and in ourselves we know we are NOTHING, but when we look at one another as saints of God, we need to see ONE ANOTHER with different vision. When we look at one another we must see each other as part of the "body of Christ" manifest. If we do not do so, we fail the "forty", and fall under the judgements of God. The reason people are chastised and have heartache and suffering is because they flunk the test. Luke 24:13-35 takes place during the forty day period of testing and judgement. It is another instance of Jesus appearing to some of his own, and they fail to recognize him. When Jesus began to teach these people, "He expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." He used every one of the Old Testament scriptures concerning himself. Some things seem to be of face value and very evident concerning the Messiah. Those would have not been necessary to be expounded upon. I believe Jesus gave them a quick lesson in "types" as they walked along the road. They walked eight miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus, had a meal with Jesus, and got so excited they very likely ran the eight miles back. It says "...they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem,..." They did not hesitate to get started, and I do not believe they tarried along the way. If they did not run, they at least hurried very quickly. Why? because their whole direction in life had been changed by coming to a realization that they had seen Jesus, even though they did not know HIM at the time. We are spiritually going through the same "forty days" today. We are going through a SPIRITUAL "40" of testing and JUDGEMENT. God is giving us the test, and "correcting" our papers. In that day, those who had known him did not recognize him until they NOTICED one symptom. They said,"... Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?" THAT IS HOW WE WILL RECOGNIZE THE TRUE SPIRITUAL BODY OF CHRIST TODAY IN THE MIDST OF SO MANY FALSE PROFESSING "BODIES". I would like to briefly summarize some of our MAJOR points we have studied so far (as a reminder before we apply them to something VERY important). (1) The number 40 is a number of God's JUDGEMENT, and God allowed ONE GENERATION of 40 years from the time of the ministry of Jesus Christ until the TOTAL DESTRUCTION of JERUSALEM (if you don't think that it was 40 years, contact us and I will give you the name of some historical reference works that will prove it. The calendar is not entirely accurate today). (2) During the 40 years, the prophecies concerning ONE PHASE of Jesus' "coming" were fulfilled. This "coming", or manifestation of Jesus spiritual "body", was a gradual GROWTH process, EVEN AS JESUS LITERAL BODY BEGAN AS A BABY, AND GREW INTO MANHOOD. The church (the "body of Christ") was in its BABYHOOD in the early years of that "40" (1 Cor. 3:1-2, Heb. 5:11-14), but the SEVERE TRIALS of that time of JUDGEMENT caused it to grow up to as great a degree as the LIGHT of the first century would allow. That fulness of spiritual growth in the first century took place at about the same time as the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. AFTER THAT, APOSTASY BEGAN TO TAKE PLACE VERY QUICKLY, AS THE MORE SPIRITUAL AND FAITHFUL SAINTS WERE SLAIN AS MARTYRS. We could illustrate it as follows: Last |<-------------------------40 YEARS----------------------->| half Daniel's Paul's letters church grows up Jerusalem 70th week. to "BABES". spiritually Destroyed IMPERFECT, PARTIAL UNDERSTANDING OF N.T. TRUTH "PERFECT" IMMATURE .........SPIRITUAL "BODY" GROWING.................MATURE. In order to understand this chart, lets look at 1 Corinthians 13. 13:9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. Paul speaks here at a time early in his own ministry, and at a time when the church he was addressing (as well as others) was in its BABYHOOD (see 1 Cor. 3:1-2). He says that AT THAT TIME the KNOWLEDGE and PROPHESY was PARTIAL (ie. not complete). 13:10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. "THAT WHICH IS PERFECT" is contrasted with "THAT WHICH IS IN PART". Whatever "that which is perfect" refers to, it will be a COMPLETE manifestation of "that which is in part". That is like saying that a baby is PARTLY perfected, but when they reach their full growth they will be MATURE. The Greek word translated "PERFECT" is "teleion", and it MEANS to be MATURE. That is why Paul continues in the next verse: 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. Paul uses this example because he is speaking of the "body of Christ" and its growing to maturity. In the PREVIOUS chapter, he spoke of this VERY subject. We need to remember that HE IS NOT WRITING this in chapters and verses. THIS WAS ORIGINALLY A LETTER, AND HE IS STILL DEALING WITH THE SAME BASIC THOUGHT AS HE WAS COVERING IN CHAPTER 12. He shows us that a greater perfection or MATURITY is coming, and that it will change the manner in which the church functions, just as maturing causes a baby to change the manner in which THEY function. 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. Many people THINK that this text refers to JESUS as "THAT WHICH IS PERFECT". However, I challenge you to find any other place where Paul or anyone else referred to Jesus as "THAT". Many people also think that verse 12 speaks of our seeing Jesus "face to face" in eternity. HOWEVER, the GREEK word here translated as "GLASS" is "esoptrou", and is the same as is translated "glass" in James 1:23 which speaks of a mirror. MIRRORS used to be called "looking glasses" or referred to as a "GLASS". In the day when Paul was writing, there were many different kinds of "looking glasses", manufactured by different methods. Some of them were "dark" or hazy to look into. An example is the polished metal mirrors commonly found in that day. Paul was drawing the analogy that even as the UNDERSTANDING of TRUTH was still very much like drinking "MILK" (1 Cor. 3), and therefore the church was not able to look into a very clear "MIRROR" of God's word, the day would soon come when they would GROW UP and would see themselves in the mirror "face to face" (ie. CLEARLY). If the reader will read James 2:22-25, you will see that this symbolism was commonly used in the first century church. When he said they would "know" as they were known, he was speaking of the fact that when the WORD of GOD becomes clear, and we see OURSELVES CLEARLY IN IT, then we can KNOW what we look like as God and others see us (spiritually). I KNOW THAT MANY PEOPLE TEACH THIS PASSAGE VERY DIFFERENTLY, BUT THAT IS BECAUSE THEY DO NOT INTERPRET THE PASSAGE IN THE LIGHT OF ITS CONTEXT. NOTICE: (1) Paul is very concerned with the problems that are existent at Corinth, as is obvious from the fact that he deals with many of them in this letter. He stresses that the majority of their problems comes as a result of their being "yet carnal" (BABIES). He SCOLDS them like babies all through the letter. (2) Paul finally begins to scold them for their carnal (baby- like) actions, and their failure to understand and discern the true BODY OF CHRIST in chapter 11:29 and context. In chapter 12 he begins to explain WHAT IS the TRUE BODY OF CHRIST, and to show it is not something that you can "feed" upon in a literal manner, because it consists of God's true people (chapter 12:23). (3) As Paul teaches about the TRUE "body of Christ", he begins to explain how each member functions differently within a human body, and he uses that analogy to picture the functioning of the spiritual "body". In the last part of the twelfth chapter, he tells of some of the FUNCTIONS of the "body of Christ" in its "BABY" stage. (4) It SHOULD be obvious to the reader that a "BABY" acts differently than does a mature adult. Paul is trying to convey to the church at Corinth that the SAME is TRUE of the CHURCH. Notice again his analogy: 13:11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. WHATEVER THE READER BELIEVES IS PAUL'S SUBJECT, SURELY YOU CAN AGREE THAT HE IS SPEAKING OF A TIME TO PUT SOMETHING "AWAY". Remember, he is trying to teach the church something about some of the spiritual gifts they were experiencing AT THAT TIME. NOTE: Paul said, "WHEN I WAS A CHILD..." (a) "I SPAKE as a child.." (b) "I UNDERSTOOD as a child.." (c) "I THOUGHT as a child.." A careful Bible student who is led by the Holy Spirit will notice that in spite of the fact there are many things a child does differently than an adult, Paul lists only three, and those directly relate to the three gifts he has just mentioned in this chapter! For example, "tongues" would relate to the aspect of speaking! Since Paul is writing about gifts which cease when something better comes along, it is obvious his illustration refers to the gift of tongues as a form of baby talk! This baby talk ceases when more mature speech is learned. In other words, the gift of tongues would no longer be needed when the early church GREW UP and ceased to be "babes", so they could speak the Word in a mature manner! The second thing Paul mentioned is "I understood as a child". This is a comparison with the gift of prophecy. Numbers 12:6-8 show us that prophecies are "dark speeches". They are often hard for even the prophet to fully grasp (Dan. 7:15-16). This is comparable to the way that little children "understand". They really are not able to study and comprehend for themselves. Instead, their "understanding" is that which their parents give them (partial). In the same manner, the early church had not achieved the spiritual growth and obtained sufficient understanding of the WORD to give them the ability to study and learn on their own. In fact, until the book of Revelation was written, they did not even have the spiritual keys to unlock the door to understanding the rest of the Bible (Remember, the Greek word for Revelation means unveiling or revealing. The first verse of Revelation shows us that it unveils or reveals Jesus Christ. Since Jesus is the word manifest [John 1], then we really cannot understand much of the rest of the Bible, until we truly understand the Book of Revelation! For more information ask about our study guide to Revelation.). Because of this, the early church only had a partial or childlike understanding at this early stage of growth. Until the book of Revelation was given, the prophecies were incomplete and based upon this special gift of prophecy rather than upon the completed scriptures! In Paul's third comparison, he said, "I thought as a child". The word thought comes from a Greek word which means to reason or determine. A child reasons or determines things according to the influence of parents and superiors, rather than as the result of personal experience! This is the way that the saints labored as "babies" (spiritually) in the early church. The gift of the word of knowledge helped them to "reason" according to the influence of their heavenly Father. Someone might ask, "why would God ever take away such a gift?" To answer we might remind the reader that since a baby or small child does not have a way to read and learn about things, they are easily influenced in the wrong directions. They can easily be turned away from the reasoning or knowledge given to them by their parents. They might believe one theory one day, and another the next! They are easily tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:11-15)! For this reason, the Lord gave us a completed Bible so we can read it, and keep close track on those who preach to us! That gives us something we can "hold on to"! SO WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS SHOW US? LOOK AT 1 CORINTHIANS 13 AGAIN. 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 13:2 And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. Paul is making it VERY CLEAR here that the gifts of TONGUES, PROPHECY, and WORD OF KNOWLEDGE are NOT PROOFS THAT A PERSON IS A CHRISTIAN. They are NOT the most important aspect of the Christian life. IN FACT, LOOK AT WHAT HE STATES IN VERSE 8. 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. I remember reading an article recently by a well known Pentecostal preacher. He said that these gifts were STILL here today because man still has knowledge, and therefore it has not vanished away. That verse of scripture IS NOT speaking about KNOWLEDGE in general. It is speaking of a miraculous means by which spiritual knowledge was given without the means of a completed scriptural basis for study. Paul was showing that once the church was grown from baby-hood, and the Bible was completed, then those three special gifts for the BABY stage of the church would no longer be needed. NOTICE: CHILDHOOD STAGE * MATURE STAGE * Gifts of: * Prophecy - Tongues * Completed N.T. scriptures Word of Knowledge * Church grows up. * PARTIAL KNOWLEDGE * Complete "first seal" LIGHT PARTIAL PROPHECY * Book of REVELATION given * Like looking at oneself * Like seeing oneself face to in a dark mirror * face (clearly). * Jesus knows us but we do not * We look into the scriptures and see ourselves as He sees us. * they show us how we look in We only partially know what * Jesus' sight. Then we can know we "look like" spiritually. * ourselves as Jesus knows us. Friend, if you object to the last portion of the chart above, just look up the meaning of the word translated glass (as used in I Corinthians 13:12) in a Greek dictionary. It means "mirror"! What do you see when you look into a mirror? YOU SEE YOURSELF, IF YOU ARE FACING THE MIRROR SQUARELY!!! Since Paul is giving us a series of comparisons here (as we have already shown), it is obvious that what is seen more clearly (ie: "face to face") is the same as what is seen "by means of "the dark glass"! James 1:22-23 did not say we look into the "glass" and see Jesus! Looking in the GLASS lets us see ourselves. In the rest of the verse he says, "Now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known". People say we cannot know Jesus in this life as well as he knows us. He is not talking about knowing Jesus! He says, "Right now I am looking in a glass. I know partly what I look like in the sight of Christ! When the glass clears up, I will know as much about what I look like (in the sight of Christ) as He and my friends know about me"! Isn't that what James 1:22-23 is teaching about the purpose of the "glass"? We look in a mirror to see what others see when they look at us. I Corinthians 13:13 says, "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity". "NOW abideth", means that they are going to stay around for THIS period of time. That which was perfect was going to come and do away with the three sign gifts, but faith, hope, and charity were still going to abide! Friend, that cannot refer to eternity. When we get to eternity we will not live by faith! The Bible shows us when we get to eternity, our hope will be a realized EXPERIENCE! It will not be hope anymore; it will be fulfilled hope! There is not going to be any more fighting the good fight of faith because our battles will all be over! Paul was not talking about something over in eternity! He was talking about something that was going to abide even after these special sign gifts passed away! Today (thank God) we STILL HAVE "faith, hope, and charity". Those are MUCH GREATER than the other "gifts" that so many people are boasting of or fighting over today. There are many people fussing and fighting over WHETHER OR NOT the gift of tongues is STILL in the church today. Many people quote 1 Corinthians 14:39 stressing, "FORBID NOT TO SPEAK WITH TONGUES". They talk as though they believe Paul spoke those words directly to you and I today. We must realize that when Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, the church was STILL A BABY, and Paul was saying, "DON'T FORBID THE BABY TO TALK IN BABY TALK". Why? Because that is the only way a baby can communicate. I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS NECESSARY TO GO INTO THE TINY DETAILS OF 1 CORINTHIANS 14 AND ACTS CHAPTER 2, ETC. IN ORDER TO KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT ABOUT THE GIFT OF TONGUES. IF WE SIMPLY UNDERSTAND AND BELIEVE WHAT PAUL HAS TAUGHT IN 1 CORINTHIANS 13, THEN IT IS EASY TO SEE THAT TONGUES WAS A GIFT FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD. NOTICE 1 Corinthians 14: 14:21 In the law it is written, With [men of] other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. 14:22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 14:23 If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in [those that are] unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? It should be obvious that Paul is not referring to ALL unbelievers in verse 22. If that is the case, he is telling us that the "SIGN" for unbelievers makes them think God's people are "MAD". Surely you will agree that is not a very good sign. The KEY to understanding what Paul means in this text is our context. In verse 21 Paul quotes from Isaiah 28:11. That prophecy is a statement that God makes about UNBELIEVING JEWS. Paul then goes on to say in verse 23 that those who are "unlearned" (ie. don't know of Isaiah's prophecy) or unbelievers (ie. GENTILES) will think the tongues speakers and those in the congregation are MAD. PAUL MAKES IT PLAIN THEN (TO THE CAREFUL BIBLE STUDENT) THAT "TONGUES ARE NOT A SIGN FOR BELIEVERS" NOR ARE THEY A SIGN FOR UNBELIEVING GENTILES. THEY ARE ONLY A SIGN FOR UNBELIEVING JEWS WHO KNOW OF THE WRITINGS OF ISAIAH THE PROPHET CONCERNING THEIR NATION. This shows us then that since TONGUES were a sign for unbelieving JEWS, then when the Jewish nation was cut off by God in A.D. 70, that sign was no longer needed and PAUL SAID IT WOULD "CEASE" (1 Cor. 13:8). "Perfect" or mature prophesy and knowledge were then "come", as the church was growing up. 1 Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge (ie. the "gift of the word of knowledge"..1 Cor. 12:8), it shall vanish away. If the gift of tongues IS still used by God in the church today, it would have to fulfill these conditions: 1) "Tongues" are not to be spoken without an interpreter (1 Cor. 14:27-28)! 2) "Tongues" and all spiritual gifts are given for the benefit of all the body of Christ; not just personal edification (I Cor. 12:7). 3) TRUE "TONGUES" were under the control of the speaker (I Cor. 14:27-28) and did not "overcome" him! 4) "Tongues" speakers were to keep themselves under control so that only one spoke at a time (ie: "by course" - I Cor. 14:27)! 5) "Tongues" were limited as to the amount of usage (I Cor. 14:27)! 6) True "Tongues" were used as a sign to unbelieving Jews (I Cor. 14:21-23 and see comments in this booklet)! If there are no "literal" Jews present (as there were in every place where "tongues" were spoken in the scriptures), then beware of the "tongues" which are spoken. 7) If TRUE "TONGUES", there will be a balance in their usage along with all other gifts (I Cor. 12:17-19)! 8) If true "tongues", those who speak in them will not feel "superior" in any way to those who do not, but will live according to the rules in I Corinthians 13:1-7! 9) If true "tongues", you will receive them because God wanted you to have them, AND NOT BY ASKING FOR THEM (I Cor. 12:11; Heb. 2:4)! 10) True "tongues" will unify God's people in the TRUTH (context)! 11) True "Tongues" will NEVER produce "holy rolling" or other indecent actions (I Cor. 14:33 and 40)! 12) "Tongues" are NOT in any way proof of salvation OR of the Holy Ghost (I Cor. 13:1 - "Charity" or Godly Love - Rom. 5:5)! 13) True "tongues" were not for everyone (I Cor. 12:29-30)! 14) True "tongues" is the least gift (I Cor. 12:28), and was greatly prized by a "carnal" church (I Cor. 3:1-4)! Paul the apostle stated in 1 Corinthians 12:31, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: AND YET SHOW I UNTO YOU A MORE EXCELLENT WAY". Go to the Greek and it only emphasizes MORE what Paul is stating here; the message we have been teaching which Paul presented in 1 Corinthians 13 WAS THE "MORE EXCELLENT WAY". Chapter 14 does not nullify or cancel that truth; it only explains how the gift of tongues was to be dealt with during the intermediate time before its cessation. The coming in of the "MORE EXCELLENT WAY" at the end of the TRANSITION PERIOD brought an END to the SIGN GIFTS (Heb.2:3-4).