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Let us first go back to the beginning of this earth's history, and look up the very first book of the Bible. Starting with Genesis chapter 5:
“This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth.
Now let us quickly go back to the previous chapter, in the same book:
To Genesis chapter 4:
“Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.” See also Hebrews 9:22
"Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins." “And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;“ Cain was also the son of Adam, with quite perfect human genes. He was even born before Seth, with the same parents, and since the beginning before the corruption of genes that has increased steadily throughout the age of the earth’s history. Yet, Cain delivered up a sacrifice (from the earth) that was not pleasing to God. Because God can not forgive sins without the shedding of blood. Christ is a more perfect fulfilment of the blood of animals, but more about that in a future study. "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness." Hebrews 9:22 And shortly after, Cain also murder his own brother due to jealousy. So here we are presented with Cain, who committed terrible sins even while he was equipped with almost incorrupt genes, compared to most other humans coming after. Also including Christ who came 4000 years down the line, after so many years of genetic corruption. “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, “ Hebrews 2:9.
Yet Christ, in his earthen vessel, while yet being God incarnated, as He was filled with the holy spirit in His inner man, with so weak genes compared to Cain, and even in states of exhaustion and weakness, succeeded. After spending 40 days in the wilderness without food, and later in Gethsemane and on Calvary. In all these three major battles, Christ succeeded by using the word and spirit of God. During Christ's mission the time was still not ripe for Sola Scriptura plus. So those were the standards for that specific time. Read more on Sola Scriptura VS. Sola Scriptura Plus in the latest articles published in the series "Salvation /Sanctification". This was towards the end of His own sanctification. See Hebrews 5: 8-9 and Hebrews 7:28. The battle was fought in this vessel (See 2. Corinthians chapter. 4), in states of suffering and exhaustion against Satan, who appeared in the form of an exalted angel of God. He was fallen on the inside, in his heart, but he retained his angelic garb on the outside, in the "seen". "And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light." 2 .Corinthians 11:14. "This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world." 1. John 4: 2-3 “We are not commending ourselves to you again. Instead, we are giving you an occasion to be proud of us, so that you can answer those who take pride in appearances rather than in the heart.” -2 Corinthians 5:12 “For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Isaiah 14:13-15 Satan, who is more the fallen character of creation, be it angels or mankind, try to appeal to your pride in the external, to an overfocus on the shallow and earthly, representing the prince of this world. Hence Satan also deceive people by making them overfocus on the temporal and the shallow, the external, the physical and the apparent. "No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began." 1.Cornthians: 7. "to make plain to everyone the administration ofthis mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms." -Ephesians 3:9 What is this mystery? That the promise went from revolving around the ceremonial, and in a broader aspect the literal and external, the fleshly (See Romans 2:28-29 and Galatians ch 3, particularly verse 26-29). From the literal Jews and Israel, to encompassing all, both literal Jews and literal gentiles, through faith in Christ Jesus. Not only that, but Christ and also those people of God who came after, like the Apostle Paul, came to tear down the walls and barriers of separation. Of what? Separation due to external and shallow factors; like race, nationality, gender, genes, status and so on. This represent the old law and covenant, which was an immature, incomplete covenant and order. The new covenant represent the mature and more complete law. Christ did not come to abolish, but to fulfill the Law. From outer and literal, to inner and deeper, more spiritual. That being said, there will be a natural separation occurring due to great differences of belief/ faith though. Satan’s way is a way of pride, and pride in the outward man, pride in all the more shallow factors, and the apparent. While Christ’s way is a way of humbling himself, and victory in a righteous character, a pure heart. These first humans all represent perfection in the outer, yet some represent the image of God, and others represent the image of Satan. There was no earnest repentance of Cain either, so he persisted in his wicked ways even after murdering his brother. Had he repented, God would have granted him forgiveness like everyone else. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 3:23. Think of Paul as one example of transformation of character from wicked to righteous. From retaining the image of Satan to the image of God. Not all right away, as this is a sanctification process for all who sign up for the higher school of God, to prepare their inner soul/temple for the heavenly kingdom, with its laws and principles. Yet, Christ won largely due to his inner temple (character), which is a higher, more valuable temple (representing better the heavenly kingdom), not in the outer temple, where Satan excelled. He represent a high priest of the inner, most holy, more than the outer tent. Not a priest where inheritance and genes has any particular significance. Rather it is about character development and more so in our inner man by the grace of God and His holy spirit working in us, through faith in Christ as master, savior and Lord. Paul states: "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith" Ephesians 3:16-17. Read also Hebrews chapter 5-11. Satan’s way is in the overemphasis on the outer (temple), a cheap salvation, or a salvation by works, salvation in the outer type of gospel, trying to work his way into heaven. Satan's great counterfeit religion, Spiritualism, is mainly about higher energies. It claims to be spiritual, but if you peel back the outer layers of this teaching and the Christ-like words and phrases used, and see what this religion really do teach, it is still in the very outer layers. It is only God and His spirit that can penetrate deep enough. Though as a representative of the fallen, he still appear and convince people and Christians that he and his way, and way to salvation is of God, he even claim to be Christ. So by holding on to, and not receiving and rejecting present light, we are at great risk of sticking to a fallen church and the old covenant. He has even set up his "tent" inside the very churches of god, inside the Christian churches. Even inside the Christian’s mind, under a spell, hypnotized by the serpent of old. This represent the tower of Babel. An overfocus on the outer vs the inner, rather than an overfocus on the inner vs a smaller focus on the outer, represent Babylon the great. And doing this will put you into a state of being spell-bound by the spirit of this world, Satan. "You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?" Galatians 3:1-3 What is faith? Faith in the UNSEEN. Faith in the inner values, more so than the outward, external values (race, nationality, gender, genes, bank account, status etc). Faith also happens in the inner man. We think, analyze, judge and make decisions based on our hearts and minds. So faith represent the inner, the deeper, the heavenly. And wisdom in God and by God, not in the wisdom of the spirit of this world nor do we give the credit to ourselves. Read 2. Corinthians 4:16. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." -2. Cor: 16-18 "Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham." -Galatians 3:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.
-2. Corinthians 5:7
"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see". -Hebrews 11:1
"For we walk by faith, not by sight". -2. Cor 5:7
Just as Peter, a disciple of Jesus Christ, was temporarily under the influence of Satan’s spirit, when he was so concerned with an earthly, temporal perspective of things when Christ said: “get the behind me, Satan”. He wanted to make a point that his focus was not in harmony with the spirit and character of god in this matter, but in harmony with the spirit of the world and Satan. Blunt, but true.
Are you sure that right now you are more righteous than Peter was? If not then you are also at risk of being deceived. Even the very elect can be deceived. It is to anchor yourself to the shadows, the figures and types, vs the fulfillment, the spiritual and deeper, representing genuine Light. However, we must not end up spiritualizing way the law. As Christ said, he did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. But we do not have a law of outer circumcision anymore, do we?
According to Romans 2:28-29:
“For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.”
Seth, came from the same two parents, also with pretty much uncorrupted human genes. Yet, because of His faithfulness and character, inner temple, He is referred to as one who represent a human being with the likeness and image of God. If you advance on your sanctification, it means that Christ is drawing you unto Himself and draw your closer to His heart. And if we stay close to Him, He has given us all a promise that he will fulfill the good work that He begun in us, when we signed up to the higher school of Christ. But it is a fight, it is not without any sacrifices, and God wants the fuller sacrifices that are spiritual in nature: to sacrifice your spirit of the world and what keep you bound and spell-bound to this “earth”, so that discernment becomes dim and in the end blindness will follow. "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 1. Peter 2:5
All those who are under the spell of Babylon and do not make a full u-turn or get up from their spiritual ditch and carry on towards the kingdom of God, with the true way and gospel of Jesus Christ, rather than the false way, could end up in serious trouble. A way that seemeth right unto men, and even professed Christians, but the end thereof is the way of death and destruction. See Proverbs 14:12. Because it represent the spirit and law of death. "For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death." -Romans 8:2 We have also another story: David and Goliath: “A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span”. Goliath represent the team of Satan, while David represent God’s team.
Goliath was very tall and strong, which represent a very healthy individual. Physically “perfect”. While David represent a physically weaker human, short in stature. The size of Goliath is not far from the height of the first generation with quite perfect genes.
See also my note on the Nephilim on this blog that I will post at a later date. “David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.»
' “As the Philistine moved closer to attack him, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet him. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him.» -1. Samuel 17:48-50
Yet, David, like Christ, and represent a Christ figure, gain the victory against the physically strong Goliath. Not by getting physically as strong as Goliath, even if we are to do our best to live and eat healthy, but by a rock, symbolizing the rock of ages: Jesus Christ. The cornerstone, that we are to build our house/temple upon, which is the only house that can carry us on toward victory. Victory in and with Christ, the Rock. Not so much by physical strength, but spiritual strength, by the grace and power of the holy spirit of God that we are saved. It is not of ourselves, but by the power of God by His spirit, through faith.
Also notice where David hit Goliath? In the forehead. Where is the mark of the beast placed? In the forehead. This is a symbolic mark and relates to our spiritual mind. So how can we be safe from receiving the mark of the beast, which is the same as the law, character and spirit of the world, of death, of sin. If we build our house on the rock, the cornerstone, not made with human hands, but by the molding and shaping of the word and spirit of God and Christ. See Hebrews chapter 7 to 10.
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.» -2. Corinthians 4:7
“For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.” -2. Corinthians 4:6.
Christ is also the word. The word and the spirit.
“The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints
and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.»
- Hebrews 4:12
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.» 2. Corinthians 4:16 “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.» 2. Corinthians 4:18
Is the outward flesh seen and apparent? Yes. The spiritual heart and mind, however, is not seen, not apparent or even valued by the spirit of this world. The physical, of course, involves internal physical organs. The point is that it is in the outer, that which can be measured and judged by this world without the spirit of God. And even if we may be better able to understand people's heart with a fuller measure of the spirit, it is only God who can perfectly judge our hearts and motives.
“For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. “ -2. Corinthians 5:1
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1. Samuel 16:7
Read also 1. Cor ch. 2 and 3.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. “ 1. John 4: 1-5: ..…
If you preach a salvation with an emphasis on the outer vs an overfocus on the inner, as a consequence you transition the minor with the major, and the major with the minor, and you may by default reject the very gospel of Jesus Christ. Like the pharisees rejected Christ. Read Matthew chapter 23. Denying him coming and gaining the victory in human garb, by the power of the word og God, the holy spirit and with the law of God written on his heart.
We are expected to receive and welcome the light we receive. Before God send light and truth your way, it is not a sin, but after…” In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.» Acts 17:30.
And why is this so important now? Because we are nearing the climax of this earth’s history and we live in very solemn and serious times. We will very soon be called to make a decision. Will we follow Christ all the way? Or are we satisfied to remain in Babylon? We also do it if we want to preach Christ and His way and not an angel who just appear as light …and a way that seemeth right”.
A Satanic character represent the observable and the apparent, if we do not advance in the path of righteousness and receive present light.
What would have happened if Abraham had rejected the angel of present light and mercy on the mountain where he was ready to sacrifice his own dear son, and insisted to listen to yesterday’s truth and voice? The angel could easily have been a fallen angel appearing as light, so Abraham had to make a choice. If he made the wrong choice, he would disobey God. So what should he choose? Fortunately he chose to listen to the angel of present light and mercy.
The ancient Israelites had a veil over their eyes, they did not comprehend or receive all light at the time. If you think they did, then you would have to cut out the entire new testament. There will always be something new, something higher than where you were yesterday. Then here would be no need for the atonement or the fulfillment of the law in Jesus Christ. It is the same as rejecting Him and accepting the blood of the beast, the blood of the literal lamb, instead of the spiritual lamb and the fulfillment that was Jesus Christ, who is God incarnated and His atoning blood.
Read Ephesians ch. 3 and 2. Corinthians chapter. 3. Hebrews 9:10.
(see how the "blood of beasts", is also connected to the mark of the beast. See part 1 in this series about the opposite mark/seal of God, and the covering blood of Jesus Christ by clicking here.) It will be two classes in the end. Representing two different laws and spirits. Yet on the surface they both seem good and beneficial, even Christian. Those who overcome the beast with and in Christ and those who do not.
Truth vs various types of Babylon and a Babylonian Christ.
The whole world, including a large class of professed Christians, will wander after the spirit and doctrines of the beast, of this world of the seen, the apparent and outer. Who come dressed in robes of righteousness, in the name of love and light: the Satanic character appear as an angel of light (in the apparent), but in their inward man, in their inner temple, in their heart, they are rebelling against the government and principles of a kingdom that is not of this world. They walk by sight and not by faith.
One class offer up "sacrifices" in the outward (carnal or earthly) sacrifices , not spiritual sacrifices. They rely heavily on works in the flesh, in the outward (higher energy work in the outer man), or fall for the cheap and false version of grace. Another deceptions many will fall from is that they have a love for creation and man, more than love for God. So they will proclaim love, and even to be followers of Christ, but they will bow to group pressure or messages that seem loving, but they are limited. And as a consequence they will fail the final test of loyalty towards God and His commandments, first and foremost.
Then we have the other class, who will walk by faith and not by sight. Who value higher the inner courts, the character, which is of a more heavenly, perfect, righteous and holy nature. They rely on the inward work of having the entire law of God written on their hearts and minds by undeserved grace from the spirit of God, through faith in Christ. Not by our own power, but by the power and grace of God. Created and molded and fashioned by God, in the toughest school in the world: the higher and heavenly school of God. Faced with and not rejecting the trials to purify away the spirit of sin and Satan, of this world. Because we love Him and what He represent, we can endure unto the very end of age, and the end of our path of righteousness. It is free to sign on to, but like a pearl, it is costly. As it should be. Eternal life under the rule of Christ. Or eternal death, if you stick to the Lord of this world. They will sacrifice the spirit of the world for the sake of being obedient to God and Him first,
Not so much by physical, literal blood or water, but more so by spiritual blood and water. "For God has not called us for impurity, but in sanctification". 1. Tess 4:7 "Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit." 1. Tessalonians 4:8
We are sealed by the living God, by His word, His law and principles and by His spirit. At the end of our Christian journey, if or when we overcome the beast, his mark and image, by the spirit, character and law of God inscribed on our hearts we gain the victory, by grace through faith. And we are to trust God’s promise.
“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6
It is also important to notice that Christ was only made lower physically for a short while , namely a few decades while living and dying and rising from the grave, until he ascended into heaven on Ascension day. Likewise those who are overcomers in Christ and follow His gospel and receive His Law in their hearts, by His power in us, will likewise rise from the grave, receive new immortal bodies and ascend into heaven at the second coming of Christ. Those who are alive when He arrive, will be directly translated without tasting death. "But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone." Hebrews 2:9 "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord". 1 Thessalonians 4:17 In the book of Revelation we can read in chapter 19 verse 16 about Christ's position in the heaven and the entire Universe: "And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. John says in the book of Revelation chapter 21, verse 6 -7, concerning Christ and those who overcome by His blood: "And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. " And in verse 13 -14:
"I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”
Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
A supporting quote I found from E.G White on this highly important subject, on February 21, 2021. "It would have been an almost infinite humiliation for the Son of God to take man's nature, even when Adam stood in his innocence in Eden. But Jesus accepted humanity when the race had been weakened by four thousand years of sin. Like every child of Adam He accepted the results of the working of the great law of heredity. What these results were is shown in the history of His earthly ancestors. He came with such a heredity to share our sorrows and temptations, and to give us the example of a sinless life.
Those who claim that it was not possible for Christ to sin, cannot believe that He really took upon Himself human nature. But was not Christ actually tempted, not only by Satan in the wilderness, but all through His life, from childhood to manhood?
Our Saviour took humanity, with all its liabilities.
- The Faith I live by. Page 44. "The following is speaking of Christ, our High priest. And of the law of the old covenant versus the law of the new covenant.
"And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. For He testifies: “You are a priest forever. According to the order of Melchizedek.” For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness" -Hebrews 7: 15-19 This does not mean we can abolish the ten commandments. This is speaking of the old covenant law: the law of the letter, with a focus on birth (genes), nationality and generally outward factors, rather than the inward character (heart and mind), which characterizes the law of the new covenant. "It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people." - Hebrews 8.9-10 (Read also Galatians chapter 3, Romans 2:28-29, and Romans 8)
What road will you choose? What material do you want to build your house, your temple on? What image do you want to be fashioned into? Are you ready to wear a crown of thorns in this life and partake in the sufferings of Christ, which is the narrow path? Or do you want to travel the road of least resistance, and flee from all the trials that come your way? Which is the broad way. "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14: 12 In 1. Corinthians 3: 11-14 we read: "For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward." "The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish." Proverbs 14: 11
Notice again that this is not the complete identification of the Image of the beast. You will find a very important addition in part 4 of this series, in the section about the mark of the beast, called "A seal inside a more comprehensive seal", here.
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