The American Wisdom Series 
 http://www.americanwisdomseries.com

Presents 

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO
LUKE
Chapter 10

Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Dake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it?  Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
 published at http://www.theseason.org/ 

You can view it at the season`s web site (address above) as originally published
or here, as now edited by people at
 
The American Wisdom Series  

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

 Now here is our revised study of:

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO

LUKE

Chapter 10

"The Kingdom Nigh. [1-24]"
"The Seventy. [17-24]"
"Joy of the Seventy. [17-20]"
"Joy of the Lord. [20-24]"
"First Demand of the Lawyer. [25-28]"
"Second Demand of the Lawyer. [29-37]"
"The Samaritan's Conduct. [33-34]"
"The Journey. [38-42]"
"Martha. Her Colloquy with the Lord. [40-42]"

In the ninth chapter we saw that our Lord Jesus Christ will be transfigured after the crucifixion. When Jesus came out of that tomb, there would be no flesh remaining, for His very body Itself would be transfigured into His glorified body. Then very shortly after that the disciples lost their focus on spiritual insight, because they started to look at each other as to which of them was the greatest in the kingdom of God. Jesus set them straight quickly, for the least of you here on earth will be great in the kingdom of God. There is no greatest in God's kingdom aside from Jesus, but you will be great and on an equal status. Just being within God's kingdom will be great.

We saw how important that our commitment is to following the instructions that Jesus gave us. We must commit ourselves to His work, and talk with our heavenly Father and let Him know from our own words, our love for Him. Our work for Him is to live our lives and set an example in our community whereby others can see that there is a difference in the Christian life. Our direction for our life is always through His Word.

When the transfiguration was over and Jesus and the three disciples were coming down off the mount, the minds of the disciples were in many directions. Then out of a cloud, the voice of our heavenly Father came and told the disciples; "This is my beloved Son: hear Him." This is the most important advise that can be given to us, to listen to Jesus when He is talking to us through His Word. Then you will always be blessed. God gave you the right to make your own mind up in your choices, to chose His path as Jesus taught, or the ways of the world. You set the direction for your life, and thus, you are responsible for your words and actions.

Luke 10:1 "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face into every city and place, whither He Himself would come."

Jesus divided these seventy witnesses of the Gospel into groups of two, and sent them into every place where Jesus had intended to come. This is the start of harvest time, and it is time to start planting the seeds of the Word. Seven in biblical numerics is spiritual completeness, this carries on into 70, or 7000. In reading of these numbers, your mind should think of God's "elect". Those are the ones that God intends to send out into the harvest field of the world. So we will see within this chapter that God is preparing us for our ministry, and telling us what we are to do.

We see that God has 35 sets of two witnesses going into many communities preaching the Gospel of Christ. 35 in biblical numerics is the number for hope. Two witnesses are required even in a court case, for we know that our faith and hope is in Christ. We will never be let down when we place our faith and hope in Him. Jesus is sending these seventy out to teach His Word and show them the kingdom of God.

Luke 10:2 "Therefore said He unto them, "The harvest truly is great, but the labours are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest."

In the Greek text, the word used for "unto them" is "pros". "Pros" is when you speak to someone very close to you and use words of kindness. It is taking somebody very close and you give them reassurance that what they are doing is important. So when is this harvest? It is at the end of this world age, and following the Millennium age of Christ's kingdom. We are told in Matthew 13:38-40; "The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one [Satan];" [38] "The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world [age]; and the reapers are the angels." [39] "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world [age]." [40]

No one will go into the hell fire by accident, for at the seventh trumpet, Christ will return to this earth, and Satan will be removed to the pit for a thousand years. His angels and all the rudiments of evil will be removed from the earth, and each soul that did not have a chance of hearing the truth and making a choice will be given a clear choice during that thousand year period. How can this be? At the sounding of the seventh trump Jesus will return right here to earth and instantly, faster than you can wink an eye, every soul living in their flesh body will be changed into their new incorruptible bodies for that next thousand year period of teaching and discipline. Paul tells us.

I Corinthians 15:50 "Now this I say brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption."

Corruption are these flesh bodies, and incorruption is your soul in its spiritual body, as everyone in heaven has. Paul is telling us that when Jesus Christ comes to set up His kingdom here on earth, not one flesh and blood body can exist at that time, here on earth, or in heaven. Remember the lesson of Moses and Elijah in their transfigured body. That body doesn't get old or sick.

I Corinthians 15:51 "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,"

Did you get that? It doesn't say that these flesh and blood bodies will die, but we shall be changed. Every soul living in their flesh and blood body at a particular point in time, will be changed into their spiritual body. This is a mystery that had not been talked about before Paul is revealing it to you, here in the Word from God. So when will this change take place?

I Corinthians 15:52 "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."

In a moment in time, and faster than you can wink your eye this change, into our spiritual bodies, will take place. To be "dead", is to be "spiritually dead", and to be raised is to be changed. Revelation tells us that there are seven trumps and that the seventh is the last. At the sixth trumpet, Satan comes to earth to set up his kingdom, but at the seventh trump our Lord Jesus Christ returns and all earthly flesh bodies are changed into the type of bodies that the angels have for the next thousand year period.

This is why we are told in Revelation 20:12-13, that the judgment after the Millennium will be by works only. While we are in our flesh and blood bodies, Christ is not with us but at the right hand of the Father. Our Salvation now is by our faith and hope in Jesus Christ, and our prayers of repentance are in Jesus' name. He is not with us now in person, but at the seventh trump, Jesus returns to earth, and will reign from then on. God's grace is given to those that believe on His name now [have faith in Him]; in the Millennium age of Christ's kingdom your salvation will be by your works only [it can't be any more by faith because He will be right here with us]. There will be nothing unseen or unknown to you, as it is in this earth age.

  At the sixth trump Satan comes claiming to be Christ Endure til the end

Live Link to- At the seventh trump Christ returns.

Live Link to-  The  Millennium

Then after the Millennium age comes the Great white throne judgment of our Heavenly Father, and the separation take place. If you go into hell fire, it will be by your choice. This is when the harvest time will be when the wheat is separated from the chaff, and those that follow Satan will accompany him into the lake of fire. [Revelation 20:14, 15]

Live Link to- The Walking Dead

Live Link to- The Great White Throne

This is why we are to pray for the laborers to go into the field of this world age that we are in now, and tell the people of this time of harvest. It is coming and it is not far away from the times we are in today. This is why we are to study the Word, so the message that we give to this lost world is accurate, for we are the watchmen on the wall, and the enemy is approaching fast, the sixth trump is not far away, when Satan and all his hoards of fallen angels are right here on earth. Remember that when our Lord returns, it will be as it was in the days of Noah. People will be giving and taking in marriage with the fallen angels, that's right, right here on earth.

Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."

So you don't get confused who this Satan is, Jesus is giving us through the pen of John many of the names Satan goes by, the dragon in the first earth age, the serpent in the garden of Eden, and the Devil in his deceiving in this earth age. Michael is going to cast Him out onto the earth at the sixth trump, and Satan and his angels will have five months to deceive the world and he will. All that is, but God's elect, those sealed in their mind with the truth from God's Word. That time is coming shortly.

So Jesus is sending his elect into this lost world, with kindness He sends them to teach others of the way back to Himself.

Luke 10:3 "Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves."

That is what this world has become, with all its greed and plotting against each other. So what do lambs do? They eat and they follow the shepherd. Their defense is the shepherd, and our defense should be the Good Shepherd, Jesus the Christ. God's lambs are constantly working in the field all the time, even with the wolves of this world all around them. A lamb is constantly feeding, and taking in nutrients for their growth, while the shepherd is constantly taking care of the sheep. If you trust your Shepherd than don't worry about the wolves. When Jesus sends you into the field to feed and and plant seeds of truth, He will look over your needs and protection. Jesus calls you His lamb for a reason, for He knows that when you are out there doing the work of the Lord, Satan and all his demonic forces will be there as raving wolves to devour you, and stop your ministry. Jesus knows the troubles you face, and He is there to protect in those times of trouble. The point here, is that we are to depend on the Lord.

Luke 10:4 "Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way."

When you go out to minister to others, the Lord wants you to focus on His work and not waste time talking to old friends, and off shopping and doing things that take away from what you were sent to do. Sure, you can greet the friends that you meet, but stay focused on the ministry you were sent out to do. Do the word, and get back. The purse is what you carry your money in, while the scrip is the begging bag. Never take a begging bag with you while you are teaching God's Word, for it is a disgrace to God and on you. No servant of God has to beg. It is a sign that you don't trust your Shepherd. If you feed the sheep, the Shepherd will take care of you. Hidden in this promise is the fact that God's children that you are feeding will take care of you.

Luke 10:5 "And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, `Peace be to this house.' "

Before you enter into that home, the reason you say `Peace be to this house' is to find out if it is a Christian home. If the people's response is good toward your blessing on that home, than stay there.

Luke 10:6 "And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again."

In other words, if their be a Christian [son] in that home, the peace that God gives to you will rest on that person. If there is no Christian person in that home, then turn around and leave. It won't be hard to determine whether Christ is the center of that home or not.

Luke 10:7 "And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house."

Any time you became a house guest, there was a tradition of welcoming the guest. If you went from house to house, you would be spending all your time in these welcoming meals and times and it would take away from your ministry. I just doesn't matter if they are rich or poor, for if Christ is there, you will be welcome. Stay there.

Luke 10:8 "And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:"

Don't be picky as to what you eat, or where you sleep, for eat what the others eat in their diet, and sleep as the people sleep in that household. If they sleep on the floor, than that is where you sleep. Of course we have to pay attention as to what is fit and clean, and not eat those scavenger foods. If you are not used to eating those foods, it can make you sick. If the person of the house is of God, they are not going to eat those foods in the first place.

Luke 10:9 "And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, `The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.' "

The "kingdom of God", is the King, Jesus the Christ, and His domain. The good news that Jesus was living and amongst them, and present in His domain, which is this world. Sure Satan tries to have his way, and God allows it to happen in this age of the flesh. The healing of the sick is an act of God's supernatural power, and it is done in faith. When it is said, "The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." If one is of Christ he will know exactly what you men. Those not of Christ won't know what you are saying.

Luke 10:10 "But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,"

This is to be done publicly, when you are not received in a town. This is a spiritual way of throwing the dung of the street back in their face, for their rejection of Christ and His kingdom, of which you are His servant. It is important that you do not feel that your time has been wasted in that community, for you have given that town the opportunity to hear the gospel of Christ, and become part of His kingdom. But don't waste your time on idle and itchy ears.

If you have planted a seed of truth, that seed may grow long after you have departed. For us living today, when we are going to be delivered up, those people that you have talked to will know that you are well aware of what you are talking about. Many will come out of confusion even at that time. It is not for you to determine how important your ministry is, for when it is done the right way, God will use it long after you have left the place. When ever you have planted precious seeds of truth, it will not be wasted, God has promised us that it will not return to him void, even if it is not taken at that time.

Luke 10:11 " `Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: Notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.' "

When you shake the dust of the city streets off your feet, it is like throwing it back in their face. When you are saying, 'notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you', you are telling them that the Gospel of Christ came to their city and they had the opportunity to receive it, and by choice they refused the kingdom of God. By kicking the dust off the feet, it is letting it be known that you are not responsible for what comes to them in the future.

Luke 10:12 "But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city."

This chapter is looking forward to judgment day, and on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom and all her sins, than on that city that had the Word of God and refused it. Sodomy is one of the worse sins in the eyes of God, and Sodomy was filled with filth and wickedness of all sorts. God will be easier on Sodomy than that little town that refused to allow one of God's elect to speak in their town.

Luke 10:13 "Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes."

"Chorazin" is the little town in Galilee where the word was taught, next to the city of Bethsaida. Woe unto thee "Bethsaida", the house of fish, where the Word of God is suppose to be taught. There is a map in the Companion Bible, Appendix 169, that shows the location and relationship of these towns to each other, and it will be at the close of this chapter. The Word of God was given to them and they did not accept it. Tyre and Sidon were cities of the Kenites, cities of Satan and his people. It was the center of Satan's merchandising fleets, as they spread their trade around the world. Jesus is saying that in time even Tyre and Sidon had repented. This is going back to the days of Jonah, when God sent His prophet to convert them. Though God was about to destroy them, when God's prophet told them the good news of God's kingdom, the whole city repented in sack cloth and ashes.

Jonah wanted to die, rather than have the Assyrians hurt his people, the house of Israel. Yet after running away, he went to Nineveh and shouted out that the kingdom of God was here and for them to repent. They heard the Word from the prophet, and repented, and God saved that generation. Jonah 3:5 "So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them." The whole city of Nineveh repented and were saved. When God put His hand on Jonah to do a work for Him, He protected Jonah until that work was completed. Jonah was exceedingly angry with God, yet in the end Jonah did the work. Remember the God that the people of Nineveh worshipped? It was the Dagon, the fish god. Here the very thing that they worshipped coughed up this man on the beach, that preached and taught them who the real God was. When the true God was revealed to them, they repented and followed the true God.

Jesus expects us to be a witness where ever we are sent, and let the truth be know as it is written in the Word. We are to be humble, yet not force the truths on anyone. Plant the seeds of truth, and if it is not received, then leave.

Luke 10:14 "But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you."

On judgment day, God will come down hard on those that touch His anointed ones. God sends his elect into the worldly field as lambs and protects them.

Luke 10:15 "And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell."

"Capernaum" is the city of "Naum", the city of consolation or compassion. It was exalted to a high position in its self-righteousness, and very close to Chorazin and Bethsaida in location. God didn't like the things that were going on there.

Luke 10:16
"He that heareth you heareth Me; and he that despiseth you despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me despiseth Him That sent Me."

Jesus is addressing these seventy witnesses that are going out in sets of two, to teach the Word that Jesus gave them to teach. He is telling them that those people that will not listen to you, would not listen to Me, because you are my ministers. If they hate you and the Word you teach, they hate Me. And if they hate Me, they hate the Almighty Father that created them. So we see that when we teach the truths as it is written in His Word, it carries a lot of weight in heaven where it counts. Remember back in Luke 9:35 what almighty God told Peter, James and John, after the transfiguration? "This is My beloved Son: Hear Him." Be firm, bold and at the same time, show compassion. When God opened your mind to the truth, and touched you to be one of his witnesses, it was because you were willing to serve Him, and that made the difference. It wasn't by accident, but He knew you, He created you and you held fast to the truth, as is written in Romans 8:28-32.

Luke 10:17 "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through Thy name."

"THROUGH THY NAME", This is something that you never want to forget. The name of Jesus is where the power of God comes from. You pray to the Father, but you ask in Jesus' name, because that gives you credentials that you are of Christ. That you are a Christian, a believer, and have faith in Jesus the Christ. When you are giving the devil an order to leave, or do something, don't ever say please. You are in command and carry the power and authority of Jesus Christ, and just like a General gives an order to a private in the army, there is no please. You give the command in Jesus' name and the devil and his demons and realm respond. Your aren't afforded that right to come in the power of Jesus name and say please to the devil. We please God not Satan, get it?

The power that you have is not in your name, or position, but in the Name of Jesus. Demons are real, and they do exist even today. These demons are what is called evil spirits, and there are many evil spirits in the world today. Every entity has a spirit, and we have a spirit with the soul that is within each of us. Sure you used that spirit for many purposes; to get someone to agree with you, or to do something for you. When you fell in love, you use your spirit to gain influence on the one you love. You use that spirit to communicate with the spirit of the one you are trying to reach. Your true love is not communicated by flesh, but by spiritual means. Your human eye mirrors the soul, and it is your human spirit that carries your love forward.

Satan himself has a spirit, and God allows him to project his spirit and those evil spirits that follow him, to project themselves to this earth. They can't walk to and fro, like he did in Jobs day. However those evil spirits are able to enter and control the mind of those souls that allow them to enter into them. You have to allow them into your mind and soul before they can control you. Some people call these evil spirits, evil thoughts or other terms, but they do exist and they do control people that allow them in.

When you began to notice to many negative things happening within your family, that is the time to make that stand, and order them out of your life and your family. When you accept Jesus and repent of your sins in Jesus' name, Father gives you the right to use Jesus' power and authority to order those negative things out of your life, but you have to make that stand, you do the ordering, and Satan and his demonics do the leaving. However it requires your faith in Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit within your soul before the power of Christ is present within you. This isn't a mind game between men, but the very Spirit of the Living God taking control over your life, to place the power and authority at your command. We will see now the instruction that Jesus gives to us on taking that power. These seventy that were sent out witnessed the fact that even the evil spirits were subject to each of them, through the name of Jesus.

Luke 10:18 "And He said unto them, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."

This now is a new subject that Jesus is teaching us. This is Jesus speaking to His followers and it is prophetic, and refers back to the time of the garden of Eden, and Satan's fall from the first earth age. It also applies to Revelation 12: 7-9, when Michael will cast Satan out onto the earth, and his fallen angels will come with him. So in the word "fall" indicates that Satan will be here in person because he was kicked out of heaven, and not on his own accord. The plan is set in motion, and it will take place exactly as it is written. Satan came in the first place as a deceiver, to destroy the seed line that the Christ would come through. The second time he will come as the false Messiah, to deceive all the people of the earth. It will happen exactly as it was prophesied.

Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you."

In the Greek text, it is "Behold I have given you the power..." The enemy is Satan, the one that will "fall as lightning from heaven onto the earth". The serpents are the Kenites, the children of Satan, through his son Cain from the garden of Eden. The Scorpions are the fallen angels, that will be booted out of heaven on to the earth right along with Satan. Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him." This next time takes place at the sixth trump, and we will see these fallen angels of Satan here on earth in our generation.

Remember in the prior verses Jesus had stated that "I send you out as sheep among the wolves." Yet God will give those lambs that He sends out, power over all the wolves that come against them, but they must know how to attain that power and authority. It isn't valuable to them until the know how to use that power. Jesus gave us, His lambs "power over all your enemies." then Jesus said; "And nothing shall by any means hurt you." If you say you're a Christian; and Jesus gave you a promise like that, how can you have any fear of any enemy that is on this earth. We will see in Luke 21 that "not one hair on your head can be hurt", and just because you will be delivered up to death, which is the devil, to give account of yourself, doesn't mean that you will die. But you will be given the opportunity to witness to the world, and have the Holy Spirit of God be placing the words in your mouth and the thoughts in your mind.

There hasn't been one soul or spirit that has died yet, for that time of death comes at the end of judgment day. Satan is not after your physical body, but your soul and spirit, and he will try to deceive you, or buy it at his price. What is your soul worth? Is there a price that you would sell out to Satan for? It is time to wake up spiritually, and open our eyes and ears to the truth. Stop and think on this: Satan's power and that of his angels are limited. in Revelation 9:4 we see that it goes; "...only to those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads." If you have studied the Word and know the truths that we will face from Satan, there is no fear or deception that can sway you.

Revelation 9:5 "And it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man."

The time that Satan and his one world system will rule is for five months. So how is "the torment of a scorpion, when it striketh a man?" The first thing to understand is that because a scorpion has no stomach, its digestive process is outside its own body. It grabs hold of the subject, paralysis it, and vomits its digestive juices on the subject. While the subject lies helpless, the juices dissolve the subject's body and then the scorpion sucks that food back into itself. The person "man" that has been struck lies helpless through the entire process, unable to think or defend himself.

So notice first that those with the seal of the truth in their mind from verse four are not affected by Satan and his realm, and the sealing must be prior to the coming of Satan. The truth in a person's mind of the Word is the the protective barrier from the poison of that scorpion Satan's deceptions. Once Satan has arrived, then God turns, or gives the men, women and children over to Satan, and this torment comes upon them. Their ignorance of the truth from the Word is their protective barrier, for this act of following Satan in ignorance, not knowing who Satan is, will allow them the right for the teaching and instruction of the Millennium age of Christ's kingdom here on earth. So why can't they get the word at that late time when Satan is on earth? Amos 8:11 tells us that; "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." The Spirit of our heavenly Father Himself will close their minds to the truth, and turn them over to Satan.

Revelation 9:6 "And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them."

So this is how Satan and his angels will react when they come to this earth. Sure, men will seek the truth but they will not find it. When you have God's Word in your mind and soul, you will not be turned to mush at the striking of Satan's deception. Satan's time of rule will happen for a five months period, and it shall happen in our generation, just as it is written in His Word. So when Jesus gives you power over all your enemies, and if you have faith strong enough to believe, you have nothing to fear today. You will be in charge and in control over anything that will come against you, and be a strong Christian for Almighty God.

Luke 10:20 "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven."

"Notwithstanding" ["plen" in the Greek] meaning "But", and emphatic conjunction. So put what is said in this verse in line with what has been stated above. Jesus is telling you not to rejoice because you have the power given you by the Holy Spirit and in the name and authority of Jesus the Christ, to rule over the evil spirits. "But rejoice rather because your name is written in the book of life in heaven."

At the time we are in at this moment, these spirits are not in any physical form, but their spirits can come into our realm or dimension of our physical bodies. Jude 6 told us that their bodies are held in chains until the time of judgment, but their evil spirit can. Your own spirit better also be subject to your soul, and not to the flesh nature that tries to gain control over your soul. We live in a flesh body, and as such it as a nature that desires the things of this world age. That mind within you had better be subject to your spiritual being that has been given over to Christ, and in control of your entire being. When there is a conflict between your physical and spiritual needs, which one do you allow to win out. That tells you which nature of yours is in control. You are in charge of your own spirit, and it must be subject to you, if you have eyes to see and understand the truths from His Word. You are responsible to get it under control.

Luke 10:21 "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, "I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that Thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight."

It doesn't matter how powerful any evil spirit is, you have control over it; It is subject to you. Your power comes from Jesus' name, if you are a believer, and they must be subject to you. This power of Jesus' name has been hidden from those that think they are wise and prudent in worldly standards. They think they are so smart you couldn't tell them a thing. Without reading God's Word, some evil spirit comes along and touches them and they think they know everything. That is not the way God operates, for they are self-righteous. Jesus is saying, Father, I thank you that you have hidden this truth from those types of people.

Out of the mouth of babes in Christ, comes the truth. Those babes are the children of God. But this is in reference also to David, and those words from the mouth of David and Goliath, from I Samuel 17:40-47. As David selected those five stones from the brook, the two armies looked down at David, but a young lad put those stones in his script or shepherds bag. David crossed that brook and continued going up the hill against that giant that no man of Israel would face. The curses and defiance poured from Goliath's mouth, as he watch this lad coming up the hill at him. However when he was done cursing the words from Almighty God came pouring through David's mouth, and let it be known exactly where the power that led David came from. That fourteen foot spear and huge shield had no defense against even one of David's little stones.

I Samuel 40:45 "Then said David to the Philistines, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield; but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, Whom thou hast defied."

After Goliath spoke, this is what David said to the giant. This is the type of wisdom that Jesus was talking about back in Luke 10:21. This is the wisdom that came from the mouth of that babe David. David had all the faith in our heavenly Father, and even staked his life on the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel.

I Samuel 40:46 "This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel."

Notice that David didn't put his strength on those stones or the sling shot, but he knew that God would deliver him somehow into his hand. David was smart, he did not telegraph the method that he would use, but allowed God to give direction to those stones. God was not only going to deliver Goliath to David's hand, but the entire army of the Philistines into the hand of the God of Israel. The purpose for David taking the life of Goliath and the Philistines, was "that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel". That is faith and the wisdom that came from David, a babe of the Lord.

I Samuel 40:47 "And all this assemble shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands."

"Five" in Biblical numerics signifies "Grace", and these five stones were worn smooth over a long period of time. The point to remember here is "The battle is the Lords, and He will give you into our hands." David knows where the victory was coming from. Listen and learn where our strength comes from, for the lips of Jesus and from the Old and New Testament alike. God gives us the victory, not man or the tools of men. He gives us the victory from intelligence on high, for the beginning of all know-ledge is from the love of God.

Proverbs 1:7 "the fear of the Lord is the Beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction."

I Samuel 40:48 "And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came and drew nigh to meet David, that David hasted, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine."

As Goliath struts down the hill, David gave his charge up the hill to make an end of the Giant by the hand of God.

I Samuel 40:49 "And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth."

Goliath was dead, none of that armor could save him from the path of that stone, and David knew exactly where that stone was headed. It was what came out of David the babes mouth that was powerful, because that showed the faith that was in David. The truth is not hidden to us today, and the entire Word can be known and used in our defense of these end times. Our defense is the Word of God in our foreheads, before the enemy, the giant Satan comes to earth. That is the protection of the battle in our day, for it will be with lies, half truths, deception, and lying wonders. Get it. It will be a battle not with guns and tanks, but of words and ideas, false doctrine and traditions of men that people have come to love and rely on. With all the tricks that will be pulled on the elect, God will give power and authority over all of our enemies, if you have the faith.

Luke 10:22 "All these are delivered to Me of My Father: and no man knoweth Who the Son is, but the Father; and Who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal Him." 

Do you know who "the Son" of the Almighty Father is? There is a false son that is coming first, and his name is Satan. Can you tell the difference between the two? Like Jesus told us in verse 18, "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven..." Satan is coming to earth for one purpose and that is to deceive people. If you know the real Son, and the real Messiah it will be sealed away in your mind before that false son gets here. The point here is that we are not to show our ignorance by bowing down, before the fake son. David didn't wait on Goliath to march on him, he ran to face Goliath, and brought the war to the Philistines. You have power over all your enemies, but you have to take that power and use what God places in your hands, at the time, to fight the enemy. For David it was the stone, for you it is what ever gifts that His Spirit as placed in you. All the gifts are important, and each of us in the body of Christ have our own gifts.

Romans 12:5 "So we being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another."

God has given each of us members of the body of Christ a responsibility. The purpose of our membership is to spread the gospel of Christ to those that are spiritually blind; Israel and Gentile alike.

Paul tells us; Romans 12:6 "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;"

The gifts that you have are according to the grace, or opportunity and faith that God has made available to you. Some will be required much more than other, some in teaching and other in support of that teaching.

Romans 12:7 "Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;"

When you have the leading or calling to teach, you wait on that ministering until you understand what you are to teach. The Holy Spirit will open your mind to the truths, and the direction you are to go.

Romans 12:8 "Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness."

Exhortation, "paraklesis" in the Greek; it is giving solace or comfort where it is needed. What ever we do, we are to show mercy and diligence in using the gifts that God has given us. One of those gifts that God gives us is the power and authority to order Satan and all evil spirits out of our lives.

Luke 10:23 "And He turned Him unto His disciples, and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:"

Blessed are you that can see this conspiracy that is going on between Christ and Satan. Blessed are all those that know the parable of the fig tree, and know of Satan children, the Kenites, and know the ways that they will come against God's children in these final days. God's elect know their enemies, whereas most that call themselves Christian today, don't even know who their enemies are.

Live Link to- The Parable of the Fig Tree

Luke 10:24 "For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."

Jesus is telling each of us, you can count on it; many prophets and kings have desired to understand the things which we see and understand, but it is closed to them. They strive to know the truth, yet even in hearing the truth, it just doesn't make sense to them. God has closed their minds to the truths from His Word. We live in that generation of the fig tree that most prophets wanted to live in, but they were not given that opportunity. That generation began in May 1948, when the good and bad figs, alike went back to the land of Judah, and established that tiny nation called "Israel". That is when end time prophecy started. Today we have moved all the way into the fifth trumpet, and most Christians today have no idea where they are as far as the prophecies of the end time are concerned. It is never too late to start learning from God's Word.

The verses from 18 to 24 are some of the most powerful verses from God's Word, from Jesus Himself. These verses grant you, as a believer the authority and power, if you have the faith to claim it and use it in your life. It grants you the right to take control not only of evil spirits, but your own spirit. God grants your spiritual intellect of your soul to guide you into right decisions bringing victory in your life both here on earth, and in heaven. However, like Jesus said; "Don't rejoice because you have power over evil spirits, but because your name is written in the Lamb's book of life in heaven."

Luke 10:25 "And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, "Master, what shalI do to inherit eternal life?"

Here comes one of those Scripture lawyers. This lawyer is asking Jesus a question, and the purpose of the question is to trip up the Lord. Does he really care what it takes to inherit eternal life? Hardly, for these types of questions are even common today.

Luke 10:26 "He said unto him, "What is written in the law? how readest thou?"

Jesus response to this lawyer is answering with another question. "What is written in the law, how do your read it to be?" This man calls himself a lawyer, he ought to know what the law of Moses says. "What have you read there?"

Luke 10:27 "And he answering said, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself." 

This lawyer is quoting from Deuteronomy 6:5, and Leviticus 19:18 and he knows it well.

Luke 10:28 "And He said unto him, "Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live."

Jesus told this lawyer that he gave the right answer, then Jesus quotes Deuteronomy 18:5 back to the man.

Luke 10:29 "But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?"

This Scripture lawyer now take the answer to another level by trying to make Jesus give him an answer he can use against him.

Luke 10:30 "And Jesus answering said, "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him and his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead."

So Jesus is answering this question with a little story, or parable. This man going from Jerusalem to Jericho is stripped, robbed and beaten, then left to die.

Luke 10:31 "And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side."

This is one of those priests, the religious man with his position to maintain, and he passed by this man lying there on the road half dead. He did not want get his robes soiled, for what would have they thought in the temple? Dirt on your religious robes, my, my he couldn't do that. Is that a neighbor? That is what the question was.

Luke 10:32 "And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side,"

The tribe of Levi, the line of the priest; when he saw this man lying there, he also passed by. Was he a neighbor? Their the good old boys from the church, from the temple and he ignored the dying man. He just didn't want to get involved.

Luke 10:33 "But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,"

These Samaritans were people that were really hated by those good folk back in the temple at Jerusalem. In many cases it was deserved. These in most cases were from those five different peoples that were brought into the land of the house of Israel after the Assyrians had removed them from their lands back in 745 to 722 B.C. That was how the Assyrians kept control on the people they conquered. These were offspring from those peoples brought in. Notice that Jesus picks Samaria, which was the capital of the ten northern tribes of old house of Israel when that nation still lived there prior to the Assyrian dispersion.

Editor's Note: Do you know what happened to those Ten Tribes of ancient Israelites after the Assyrian invasion and dispersment? Live Link to- "Do you know who you really are?"
Are you a Israelite?

Be thoughtful before you answer.
(Maybe you only think you're a Gentile!)

Live Link to- Israel's Lost Tribes"

Luke 10:34 "And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him."

This Samaritan man used expensive oils and wine to treat this man along the roadside, and put him on his beast and brought him to the inn to be cared for. This took time, money and an effort to care for someone that wasn't even of his race, or kinship.

Luke 10:35 "And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, `Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee."

This man was taking care of a person that he never knew. Take a look at Exodus 30:12 "When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the Lord, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them."

Notice that two pence that is talked about in Jesus parable is one half shekel.

Exodus 30:13 "Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the Lord."

Exodus 30:14 "The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the Lord, to make an atonement for your souls."

That is the price of the life of one of God's people, two pence, or one half shekel. Do you think Jesus picked this number at random, or is there a point that He is trying to make here. Would this Scripture lawyer know the difference? Of course not.

Luke 10:36 "Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?"

So which was the neighbor, the priest, the Levite, or the Samaritan?

Luke 10:37 "And he said, "He that shewed mercy on him." Then said Jesus unto him, "Go, and do thou likewise."

This is how you handle those that would try to trip you up. You use the Word, and their own words to answer their questions. If they present themselves as Scripture lawyers, which are critics today, guide their own questions into the Word of God, and let them answer their own questions...they will remember the lesson better. It becomes their answer and words, and they will guard it with more value than from your mouth, in most cases. One thing about these critics of today, they know of the Word, but do not have a working knowledge of what they read. They twist the Word to fit their imaginations, and could care less of the intent of what they read. This is the way you handle entrapment, by going back to the Word itself, as Jesus was our example here.

Within this Samaritan, we see the compassion that Christ has, that He would risk all to save many. He willingly went to the cross to be crucified, so that our spiritually dead souls could be saved when we come to believe on him in repentance. There is eternal live through forgiveness, because Christ's shed blood paid the price once and for all time.

The potter's field that was bought with thirty pieces of silver represented a field filled with broken pottery that was discarded as worthless. That represents all of mankind that is made of the dust of the field, and broken bodies and spirits that is discarded down through the years. That is what the blood of Christ was shed for, so that each of those souls, like the discarded pottery, could be mended and put back together, and given eternal life in a new living soul. When our lives fall completely apart, Christ can put them back together, and heal that damaged spirit. He can do that in your life, if you have eyes to see the truths of His Word, and come to him in repentance.

Luke 10:38 "Now it came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house."

This starts a new thought, and let get into it. Notice that this house belonged to Martha, and Mary and Martha were sisters. So Martha was responsible for what took place within the household.

Luke 10:39 "And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His word."

While Jesus was over at Martha's house, Mary came over to listen intensely to what Jesus was saying.

Luke 10:40 "But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, "Lord, dost Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone, bid her therefore that she help?"

Luke 10:41 "And Jesus answered and said unto her, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:"

I can just see Jesus comforting Martha in His soft loving voice.

Luke 10:42 "But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."

Naturally the food that is served to maintain these physical bodies is important, but the one thing that is more needful is the spiritual food that Jesus gives through His Words. Jesus is reminding Martha of the great love that her sister Mary had for Him and God's Word. Jesus is reminding Martha that she did not have to go to all the trouble cooking for Him, and worrying about all the things of the house. Jesus understood Martha, and her desire to be a good host, and he also understood that Mary put the hearing of the Word over assisting Martha in the kitchen. We all have choices to make, and many times we put our worldly obligations before the Word of God. Martha wanted the very best for Him, and was willing to sacrifice the one for the other.

If we are not careful, we can do the same thing in our lives. This is especially so with people that work in and close to a ministry. There is a lot of work connected with ministering to the needs of others, and if you are not careful it is easy to let the work pull you away from the context of the Word being taught. The point here is keep our work and the Word both in proper focus, and better balance our time. We need the Word, and to go without hurts us spiritually. Jesus is telling us to balance our efforts and make this living in the flesh easier, but don't lose sight of what the purpose of that ministry is all about. Keep your priorities in true perspective.

              

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.


The American Wisdom Series

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Published by:

Rhine Publishing Co.
E-mail address - americanwisdomseries@verizon.net

Here at the American Wisdom Series our goal is to make you think about and question the wisdom of the current:
doctrine of many of our Christian churches, (The Man on a White Horse)
political direction of our country, (The Man on a Red Horse)
economic direction our country has taken, (The Man on a Black Horse)
 and teaching of our schools and media, (The Man on a Pale Horse)

The Four Hidden Dynasties of the New World Order Revelation 6:1-8
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
Did you know all four are being ridden by Satan?