Presents
Pamphlet #4637
My
highlighted verses:Hebrews 13:1 Let brotherly love continue.
2
Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained
angels unawares.
You "see", this is what it is all about in running "the race which is set before us", not for self gain nor for self glory but for the love of the brethren.meno, men'-o, Greek 3306; a primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) :- abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), × thine own.
The sons and daughters who serve God acceptably in this final generation know and "see" that many of our brothers and sisters, though they claim to be Christians and they cry "Lord, Lord, Praise the Lord", are spiritually blind and spiritually deaf and have become spiritually weak and lame indeed for they have been "drawn away" after the traditions of men and led down the wrong path which leads right into Satan's camp. To that end, always remember that we too were born in and were called out of spiritual Babylon, the land of confusion, like as Zerubabbel. Therefore since we were once lifted up ourselves and by His grace given eyes to see and ears to hear, always keep in mind when dealing with our brothers and sisters the saying "There for but the grace of God go I."philadelphia, fil-ad-el-fee'-ah, Greek 5360; from Greek 5361 (philadelphos); fraternal affection :- brotherly love (kindness), love of the brethren.
The sons and daughters who serve God acceptably in this final generation know and "see" that our brothers and sisters, though they claim to be Christians and they cry "Lord, Lord, Praise the Lord", are spiritually blind and spiritually deaf and have become spiritually weak and lame indeed for they have been "drawn away" after the traditions of men and led down the wrong path which leads right into Satan's camp. To that end, always remember that we too were born in and were called out of spiritual Babylon, the land of confusion, like as Zerubabbel. Therefore since we were once lifted up ourselves and by His grace given eyes to see and ears to hear, always keep in mind when dealing with our brothers and sisters the saying "There for but the grace of God go I."
Nevertheless, the fact remains that our people are right now being starved to spiritual "death" by the MANY false preachers and ministers Christ warned about in Mat. 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, who WOULD COME and deceive our people. Oh yes, those preachers hold praise and worship services but they just never quite get around to teaching God's Word chapter by chapter and verse by verse whereby our people can be nourished and strengthened by the true bread of life. You "see", we are right now in the midst of the great famine of the last days and most Christians have so little knowledge and spiritual discernment that they do not even know it. That is not a "put down", just a fact of observation coupled with the truth from His Word. To wit, Amos clearly explains to us what the famine is in these last days:
It is written... the famine in these last days is a spiritual famine for hearing taught the truth of God's Word! Though there are some good churches in our land who do teach God's Word chapter by chapter and line by line, you will look far and wide in this nation to find but a few handfuls of them in comparison to the multitude of churches who follow after the empty traditions of men which make the void the Word of God.Amos 8:11
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Become familiar with the works of the seven churches in the Book of Revelation and you will find that there are only two out of those seven churches with whom Jesus Christ found no fault. They are the churches of Smyrna and Philadelphia who follow the voice of the Great Shepherd of the Sheep (Heb. 13:20) and keep His Word instead of following the traditions of men. They have the key of David which unlocks the true lineage of Judah and the house of Israel and reveals the visions of the prophets, and they know who the sons of Cain are, the kenites who claim to be God's chosen people but are not and do lie and are of the synagogue of Satan (Rev. 2:9, 3:9).[12] And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
We have "ensamples" written where God's servants such as Abraham and Lot did entreat angels. At the same time we are also cautiously reminded of the fallen angels of Rev. 12:9 who come with Satan when he is cast out of heaven to this earth. However, in as much as the subject here is "enduring" (continuing) in brotherly love which concerns running the race set before us and the bringing forth of His truth to this starving spiritually captive world, then what Paul is explaining concerning the stranger and them that are in prison (spiritually) refers to the same thing Christ explains to us in Mat. 25:Hebrews 13:2
Be not forgetful* to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.[3] Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
We look toward and await our inheritance, even the kingdom! Meanwhile we are here to entertain in His Word and receive all those who hunger and thirst, etc., i.e. all who will hear the truth of God's Word.Matthew 25:34
Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
took me in = sunago, soon-ag'-o, Greek 4863; from Greek 4862 (sun) and Greek 71 (ago); to lead together, i.e. collect or convene; specially to entertain (hospitably) :- + accompany, assemble (selves, together), bestow, come together, gather (selves together, up, together), lead into, resort, take in.[35] For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
John 8:32 "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."[36] Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
That last verse says it all! And of course we know that salvation is open to "whosoever will", be they family, friend, or even foe (kenites), of any race, color, tongue or status in life! So don't forget, Paul is telling us, to extend that same brotherly love in bringing forth the Word of God to strangers and to those who are in bondage to ignorance through the traditions of men whenever the occasion arises.[37] Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?[38]When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
[39] Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
[40] And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Receive strangers also because you never know who it is you might be entertaining with the Word of God. In fact, some of the most unlikely folks have been brought in and entertained in His Word and have grown in such grace and knowledge to where they became excellent ministers and teachers of God's Word, acceptably so!
* Note: Take notice to some of the key points Paul emphasizes in this 13th chapter with "don't forget" (vs. 2), "remember" (vs. 3), remember" (vs.7 ), and "don't forget" (vs. 16)
We expect persecution outside the camp, but nevertheless we will gladly bear His reproach in pleasing our Father, holding fast to His Word and doing His will.[13] Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
We seek the same city our father Abraham sought, the heavenly city of Jerusalem.[14] For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.
It is your love for your Father, which you do show by serving Him acceptably, by keeping His Word and bearing fruit among the brethren, that pleases Him. He does not want nor need your "sacrifices" of material things, etc. He wants you to love Him and walk in His ways. Hosea 6:6 "For I desired mercy [love] and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings."[15] By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
The fruit of our lips is what grows
as a result of the seeds we plant with them. So
don't forget to fellowship, be hospitable, and communicate the Word of
God to others and bring forth fruit. It pleases
your Father very much!
[20] Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
If you do labor for the glory of God, which means you have faith and believe on Him, then you are part of the Church of Philadelphia and Smyrna and you know that there is yet work to be done... His Work... which is the will of God to be accomplished and finished in this final generation. Therefore, seek from Him those things that you need to help accomplish that work to the glory of God.[21]Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Again, if your goal as a son or daughter is to glorify God by serving Him "acceptably", doing the "work" according to His will by loving our brothers and sisters, then whatsoever you ask in Christ's name to further that work, He will see to it that you have it, i.e. that you have a part in His plan. May God grant you all you need in fulfilling your destiny.John 14:12-14
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.[13] And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
Again, the condition (IF) means you ask "in His name", for His name's sake in bringing forth the glory of the Father in Christ. In other words, do you "see" that you are really asking Him for the sake of your brethren, not for yourself? Jesus Christ works in these last days by and through those who have the faith that pleases Him, i.e. who love and serve Him according to His will! What a privilege and honor it is to serve Him acceptably, for a crown awaits those who "endure" and give testimony in declaring His righteousness, by "calling upon His name (authority)" and asking for those things to accomplish the work according to His will. Acts 2:21 "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[14] If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits;
to understand it, the highest of all goals.
We pray that with the guidance of the Holy
Spirit, you accomplish both.
is.
Published by:
Rhine
Publishing Co.
E-mail address - americanwisdomseries@verizon.net
If you would
like to have your essay published
as part of
the American Wisdom Series
submit your
manuscript to Rhine Publishing Co
at the address
above for consideration.
Click
Here to Return to "The
American Wisdom Series" home page.