By Jim Stockstill

Who will Judge the Fallen Angels?

October 27, 2022

 

What is at stake [Hades, Eternal Torment]?

Who will rule in our lives, God, or Satan? It is that simple

 

It is More than the Fear of Punishment [Going to Hell]

 

Ruling and Reining with Yeshua HaMashiach

 

Daniel 7:27 “Then the kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be given to the people of the saints (believers) of the Most High; His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.”

Daniel prophetically promises rulership to the saints in God’s government which is why an essential decision in our lives revolves around government.  Government is the overriding issue in the Bible.  Who will rule in our lives, God, or Satan?  It is that simple.  So, there is more at stake on November 8, 2022, than a political party and its compromised leaders.  Will the true (Saints) Ekklesia awaken from the pleasures and dispassionate detachment of our nation [Government] that is falling further and further away from our “covenant” with the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob?

The examples of the first and second Adam prove how vital the subject of government is.  In the Garden of Eden, the test that Adam and Eve failed was the test of government – or more precisely, rulership.  To whose authority [rule] would they submit, God’s or Satan’s rulership?  The Devil’s temptation of Christ (Matthew 4 and Luke 4) was the same test: would Yeshua submit to God’s or Satan’s government?  Jesus passed the test for his eternal kingdom.  We, then, have the same test to pass.  To which government will we submit?

 

Confirmation

 

“1 Does any one of you, when he has a complaint (civil dispute – not criminal matters) with another [believer], dare to go to law before unrighteous men instead of placing the issue before the saints 2 Do you not know that the saints (God’s people) will [one day] judge the world? If the world is to be judged by you, are you not competent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you do not know that we [believers] will judge angels?”  1 Corinthians 6:1-3

 

Old Testament Precedent of Judging Angels

 

Genesis 5:3-27 “3 When Adam had lived a hundred and thirty years, he became the father of a son in his likeness, according to his image, and named him Seth. 4 After he became the father of Seth, Adam lived eight hundred years and had other sons and daughters. 5 So Adam lived nine hundred and thirty years in all, and he died. 6 When Seth was a hundred and five years old, he became the father of Enosh. 7 Seth lived eight hundred and seven years after the birth of Enosh, and he had other sons and daughters. 8 So Seth lived nine hundred and twelve years, and he died. 9 When Enosh was ninety years old, he became the father of Kenan. 10 Enosh lived eight hundred and fifteen years after the birth of Kenan and had other sons and daughters. 11 So Enosh lived nine hundred and five years, and he died. 12 When Kenan was seventy years old, he became the father of Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived eight hundred and forty years after the birth of Mahalalel and had other sons and daughters. 14 So Kenan lived nine hundred and ten years, and he died. 15 When Mahalalel was sixty-five years old, he became the father of Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived eight hundred and thirty years after the birth of Jared and had other sons and daughters. 17 So Mahalalel lived eight hundred and ninety-five years, and he died. 18 When Jared was a hundred and sixty-two years old, he became the father of Enoch. 19 Jared lived eight hundred years after the birth of Enoch and had other sons and daughters. 20 So Jared lived nine hundred and sixty-two years, and he died. 21 When Enoch was sixty-five years old, he became the father of Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked [in habitual fellowship] with God three hundred years after the birth of Methuselah and had other sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And [in reverent fear and obedience] Enoch walked with God; and he was not [found among men], because God took him [away to be home with Him]. 25 When Methuselah was a hundred and eighty-seven years old, he became the father of Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived seven hundred and eighty-two years after the birth of Lamech and had other sons and daughters. 27 So Methuselah lived nine hundred and sixty-nine years [969 years], and he died.”

 

Adam – Seth – Enosh – Kenan – Mahalalel – Jared – Enoch [after 365 years he is taken to heaven]

 

• The Book of Enoch

 

Chapter 12: 4-6 “4 Enoch, scribe of righteousness, go and inform the Watchers of Heaven, who have left the High Heaven and the Holy Eternal Place, and have corrupted themselves with the women, and have done as the sons of men do, and have taken wives for themselves, and have become completely corrupt on the Earth. 5 They will have on Earth, neither peace nor forgiveness of sin, for they will not rejoice in their sons. 6 The slaughter of their beloved ones they will see; and over the destruction of their sons, they will lament and petition forever. But they will have neither mercy nor peace.”

Chapter 13:1-10 “1 And Enoch went and said to Azazel: “You will not have peace. A severe sentence has come out against you: You should be bound. 2 And, you will have neither rest, nor mercy, nor the granting of any petitions, because of the wrong which you have taught, and because of all the works of blasphemy, and wrong, and sin, which you have shown to the sons of men.” 3 And then, I went and spoke to them, all together, and they were all afraid; fear and trembling seized them. 4 And they [Angels] asked me to write out, for them, the record of a petition, so that they might receive forgiveness, and to take a record of their petition up to the Lord in Heaven. 5 For they were not able, from then on, to speak, and they did not raise their eyes to Heaven, out of shame for the sins for which they had been condemned. 6 And then I wrote out the record of their petition, and their supplication, concerning their spirits, and the deeds of each one of them, and regarding what they asked; that they should obtain absolution and forbearance. 7 And I went and sat down, by the waters of Dan, in Dan, which is southwest of Hermon; and I read out the record of their petition until I fell asleep. 8 And behold a dream came to me, and visions fell upon me, and I saw a vision of wrath that I should speak to the sons of Heaven and reprove them. 9 And I woke up and went to them, and they were all sitting gathered together, as they mourned, in Ubelseyael, which is between Lebanon and Seir, with their faces covered. 10 And I spoke in front of them, all the visions that I had seen in my sleep, and I began to speak these words of righteousness, and to reprove the Watchers of Heaven.”

• Chapter 14:1-7 “1 This book is the Word of Righteousness, and of Reproof, for the Watchers who are from Eternity; as the Holy and Great One commanded in that vision. 2 I saw in my sleep what I will now tell, with the tongue of flesh, and with my breath, which the Great One has given men in the mouth so that they might speak with it and understand with the heart. 3 As He has created, and appointed, men to understand the word of knowledge; so, He created, and appointed, me to reprove the Watchers, the sons of Heaven. 4 “And I wrote out your petition, but in my vision, thus it appeared, that your petition would not be granted to you, for all the days of eternity; and complete judgment has been decreed against you, and you will not have peace. 5 And from now on, you will not ascend into Heaven, for all eternity, and it has been decreed that you are to be bound, in the Earth, for all the days of eternity. 6 And before this, you will have seen the destruction of your beloved sons, and you will not be able to enjoy them, but they will fall before you by the sword. 7 And your petition will not be granted, in respect of them; or in respect of yourselves. And while you weep, and supplicate, you do not speak a single word from the writings which I have written.”

Chapter 15:1-2 “1 And He answered me, and said to me, with His voice: “Hear! Do not be afraid, Enoch, you righteous man, and scribe of righteousness. Come here and hear My voice. 2 And go say, to the Watchers of Heaven, who sent you to petition on their behalf: “You ought to petition on behalf of men, not men on behalf of you!”

Timothy 2:12 “If we endure, we will also reign with Him, if we deny Him, He will also deny us. Our action without corresponding action is just talk. Are we following truth and growing in maturity in Christ? Faith without works is dead.

Reign [G 4821] [G 4862: with, beside, accompany]: (2x) To be co-regent, reign with. 1 Corinthians 4:8 

• James 2:14-26 “14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works, faith was made righteous? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.“

Revelation 2:24-29 “24 But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not explored and known the depths of Satan, as they call them, I place no other burden on you, 25 except to hold tightly to what you have until I come. 26 And he who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God] and he who keeps My deeds [doing things that please Me] until the [very] end, to him I will give authority and power over the nation’s 27 and he [Yeshua] shall shepherd and rule them with a rod of iron, as the earthen pots are broken in pieces, as I also have received authority [power to rule them] from My Father; 28 and I will give him [Members of the Body of Christ] the Morning Star. 29 He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches.“ [Ecclesia/Ekklesia]

Revelation 3:20-21 “20 Behold, I stand at the door [of the church] and continually knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him (restore him), and he with Me. 21 He who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant to him [the privilege] to sit beside Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down beside My Father on His throne.”

Revelation 5:10 “You made them [true saints] into a kingdom for God to rule [G 4165], Cohanim [Priest] to serve him, and they will rule [G 4165] over the earth.” [Those who have their name in the Book of Life – not those who say they know Yeshua, but He will command them to depart – Matthew 7:21-23]

Revelation 20:4-6 “4 Then I saw thrones, and those seated on them received authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for testifying about Yeshua and proclaiming the Word of God, also those who had not worshipped the beast or its image and had not received the mark on their foreheads and their hands. They came to life and ruled with the Messiah for a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is anyone who has a part in the first resurrection; over him, the second death has no power. On the contrary, they will be Cohanim of God and the Messiah, and they will rule [G 4165] with him for a thousand years.”

Revelation 22:16 “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you and to give assurance of these things for the churches. I am the Root (the Source, the Life) and the Offspring of David, the radiant and bright Morning Star.”

• The verse is associated with supernatural beings.  The Morning Star is associated with the ruling and reign of Jesus Christ, and the final picture is a clear view of Jesus Christ we (Ekklesia) reigning with his children (family on earth) in harmony with the heavenly family.

Being true followers of Yeshua Hamachi, in these dark days, we must have a true relationship with God and understand [true knowledge] that by following the Scripture and work of the Holy Spirit, He will provide the grace and strength to achieve His purpose for each of us.  His gifts flow to the humble because “we” will submit to His government and His will, and for that reason, God will not withhold good gifts for us [them] (Romans 8:32; Psalm 84:11).  By prayer, and especially by striving to pray always, we are submitting every thought, word, and action to the scrutiny and governance of our heavenly Father and His only begotten Son – Yeshua Hamachi.

• Philippians 1:6 “I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will [continue to] perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” [the time of His return]

 

Will we (true followers) reign with Christ?

 

From Scripture, we have confirmed that [true] believers are heirs of Christ and have an inheritance in Him.  This includes enjoying the reality of the many promises He has given including (but not restricted to)

• Receiving a new body like His
• Being like Him in nature when we see Him
• Fellowship with the Lord and with other saints
• Being free from all pain, sickness, death, and mourning
• Enjoying Heaven and the New Jerusalem that He has prepared for us
• Enjoying a New Heaven and a New Earth, with access to the Tree and river of life.

 

Yeshua HaMashiach – In the Old and New [Renewed] Testament [Covenant]

 

Jesus on two occasions in the New Testament. Also, in a vision it is different than an appearance: we will see Yeshua/Jehovah standing, sitting, walking, eating, and drinking.

 

Mark 6:48-50 “48 Seeing the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) He came to them, walking on the sea. And [acted as if] He intended to pass by them. 49 But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost [KJV spirit] and cried out [in horror]; 50 for they all saw Him and were shaken and terrified. But He immediately spoke with them and said, “Take courage! It is I (I Am)! Stop being afraid.”

• Ghost [G 5326] (2x): An apparition [definition is a ghostly figure], Spectre [a ghostly appearing figure; “we were unprepared for the apparition that confronted us”. Matthew 14:26

Luke 24:36-42 “36 While they were talking about this, Jesus Himself [suddenly] stood among them and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37 But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a spirit. [G 4154] 38 And He said, “Why are you troubled, and why are doubts rising in your hearts? 39 Look at [the marks in] My hands and My feet, [and see] that it is I Myself. Touch Me and see; a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” 40 After saying this, He showed them His hands and His feet. 41 While they still did not believe it because of their joy and amazement, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave Him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and He took it and ate it in front of them.”

 

God [Yeshua] Appears to Abram

 

Genesis 17:1-8 “1 When Abram was 99 years old, the Lord appeared to Abram and announced, “I am God Almighty. Live in constant awareness that I’m always with you and be blameless. 2 I’ll establish my covenant between me and you, and I’ll greatly increase your numbers.” 3 Then Abram fell to the ground as God continued speaking to him. 4 “Look, I’ve made a covenant with you. You will be the father of many nations. 5 Your name is no longer to be Abram. Instead, your name will be Abraham, since I’ll make you the father of many nations. 6 I’m going to cause you to have many descendants, and I’ll bring nations from you. Kings will come from you. 7 I’m establishing my covenant between me and you, and with your descendants who come after you, generation after generation, as an eternal covenant, to be your God and your descendants’ God after you. 8 I’ll give to you and your descendants the land to which you have traveled, all the land of Canaan as an eternal possession. I will be their God.”

 

Abraham:

 

Genesis 18:1-8 “1 Now the Lord appeared to Abraham by the terebinth trees of Mamre [in Hebron], while he was sitting at the tent door in the heat of the day. 2 When he raised his eyes and looked up, behold, three men were standing a little distance from him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed down [with his face] to the ground, 3 and Abraham said, “My lord, if now I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass by your servant [without stopping to visit]. 4 Please let a little water be brought [by one of my servants] and [you may] wash your feet and recline and rest comfortably under the tree. 5 And I will bring a piece of bread to refresh and sustain you; after that, you may go on, since you have come to your servant.” And they replied, “Do as you have said.” 6 So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Quickly, get ready three measures of fine meal, knead it, and bake cakes.” 7 Abraham also ran to the herd and brought a calf, tender, and choice, and he gave it to the servant [to butcher], and he hurried to prepare it. 8 Then he took curds and milk and the calf which he had prepared and set it before the men, and he stood beside them under the tree while they ate.” [standing, sitting, eating, drinking, and walking]

• John 8:55-59 “55 Yet you do not know Him, but I know Him fully. If I said I did not know Him, I would be a liar like you. But I do know Him and keep His word. 56 Your father Abraham [greatly] rejoiced to see My day (My incarnation). He saw it and was delighted.” 57 Then the Jews said to Him, “You are not even fifty years old, and You [claim to] have seen Abraham?” 58 Jesus replied, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you before Abraham was born, I AM.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus concealed Himself and left the temple.”

 

Moses:

 

Exodus 3:1-6 “1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian; and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb (Sinai), the mountain of God. 2 The Angel [H 4397: the theophanic (appearance of a god to a human, a divine manifestation) angel] of the Lord [H 3068: Yehovah – Angel capitalized to show God in visible form] appeared to him in a blazing flame of fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was on fire, yet it was not consumed. 3 So Moses said, “I must turn away [from the flock] and see this great sight—why the bush is not burned up.” 4 When the Lord saw that he turned away from the flock to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” 5 Then God said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet [out of respect] because the place on which you are standing is holy ground.” 6 Then He said, “I AM the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face because he was afraid to look at God.”

Exodus 3:13-15 “13 Then Moses said to God, “Behold, when I come to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they say to me, ‘What is His name?’ What shall I say to them?” 14 God said to Moses, “I AM who I AM”; and He said, “You shall say this to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” 15 Then God also said to Moses, “This is what you shall say to the Israelites, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (Israel), has sent me to you.’ This is My Name forever, and this is My memorial [name] to all generations.”

 

Jacob (Israel):

 

Genesis 48:15-16 “15 Then he blessed Yosef (Joseph): “The God in whose presence my father’s Avraham (Abraham) and Yitz’chak (Issac) lived, the God who has been my shepherd all my life long to this day, 16 the Angel [H 4397] who has rescued me from all harm, bless these boys. May they remember who I am and what I stand for, and likewise my father’s Abraham and Isaac, who they were and what they stood for. And may they grow into teeming multitudes on the earth.”

 

Holy Ground – We Are the Temple of the Holy Spirit

 

John 14:28-30 “28 You heard Me tell you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming back to you.’ If you [really] loved Me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going [back] to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does take place, you may believe and have faith [in Me]. 30 I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of the world (Satan) is coming. And he has no claim on Me.” [no power over Me nor anything that he can use against Me] [KJV: hath nothing in me]

• Hath Nothing [G 2192]: No power over me in John.  To have, i.e. to hold.  To have (hold) in the hand, in the sense of wearing, to have (hold) possession of the mind (refers to alarm, agitating emotions, etc.), to hold fast keep, to have or comprise or involve, to regard or consider or hold as own or possess.  External things such as property, riches, or furniture.  To hold as in bonds of marriage.

As we have studied, the Tabernacle of Moses, the Temples of Solomon, and Herod represents the Body, Soul, and spirit/Spirit as well as demonstrating the Holy (set apart) ground of Jehovah.  Remember, the Lord told Moses to remove his shoes for he was on Holy Ground – i.e., wherever Jehova/Yeshua occupied.  The same is true with Joshua as we will see.

• The phrase “holy ground” is found only twice in the Bible, once in the Old Testament and once in the New.  God, Himself first identified the area in which He met with Moses on Mount Horeb (Sinai) as holy ground.  It was there that God commanded Moses to go to Pharaoh and demand that he let the people go from bondage to Egypt.  At the moment Moses came upon the burning bush out of which God spoke to him, God gave him two commands: don’t come near and take off your sandals.  Both commands were to impress upon Moses that he was standing on holy ground (Exodus 3:5). Joshua 5:15 describes a similar incident, but the phrase “holy ground” is not used.

It was not that the actual ground on which Moses stood was holy; rather, it was the presence of the holy God that made it holy.  The direction to Moses to remove his shoes conformed with what was well known to Moses, for, having been brought up in Egypt, he would have known that the Egyptian priests observed the custom in their temples.  Today it is observed in all Eastern countries where people take off their shoes or sandals before entering mosques and synagogues as a confession of personal defilement and conscious unworthiness to stand in the presence of unspotted holiness.  Moses responds by not only removing his shoes but also by hiding his face, a sign that he understood he was in the presence of the glory of the divine Majesty and was conscious of his sinfulness and unworthiness.  Moses was so aware of God’s holiness that he was afraid to look at Him (Exodus 3:6).  When the Angel of the Lord (Yeshua) met with Joshua:

• Joshua 5:15 “The captain of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, ‘Remove your sandals from your feet because the place where you are standing is holy (set apart to the Lord).’ And Joshua did so.”

In the New Testament, the event described in Exodus is reiterated by Stephen as he was preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ before the Sanhedrin.  He recounted the history of the Jews and their dealings with the God of their forefathers (Acts 6—7).  He reminded them of the incident of the holy ground on which Moses stood and spoke to God (Acts 7:33).  The holy ground was rendered sacred by the presence of God, who is the very essence of holiness.

The outer court and the Holy Place and Holy of Holy wherein the Cohen (Priest) ministered was different from ordinary ground/dirt (Hebrews and other nations) outside the Tabernacle and Temple grounds.  Outside represented sin and was performed annually at the fall feast of the Lord – Yom Kippur (national repentance).

 

The Story of Naaman: Commander of the armies of the King of Aram (Syria)

 

Scape Goat in the Old Testament:

 

Leviticus 16:7-10 “7 He shall take the two goats and present them before the Lord at the doorway of the Tent of Meeting. 8 Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord, the other lot for the scapegoat [Azazel]. 9 Then Aaron shall bring the goat on which the Lord’s lot fell and offer it as a sin offering. 10 But the goat on which the lot fell for the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement on it; it shall be sent into the wilderness as the scapegoat.”

• Azazel: An evil spirit of the wilderness to which a scapegoat was sent into the wilderness which symbolized carrying away Israel’s sin.  Ritual of atonement First Known Use of Azazel 1639.  Azazel is the name of a fallen angel–demon.

The Law of Moses, and the 613 laws, assisted the Jewish nation to live healthier lives [thus the law of sanitary cleanliness] and appreciate the sanctified grounds of Eden and the former Tabernacle and Temples.

 

Jesus – The Scapegoat:

 

• Hebrews 13:10-13 “10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tabernacle (sacred tent) have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as an offering for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 Therefore Jesus also suffered and died outside the [city] gate so that He might sanctify and set apart for God as holy the people [who believe] through [the shedding of] His blood. 13 So, let us go out to Him outside the camp, bearing His contempt.” [the disgrace and shame that He had to suffer]

 

Leaving the ways and traditions of Judaism (the Levitical system, the old covenant of sacrifice

 

Holy Ground for the Ekklesia [true follower of Christ]

 

1 Corinthians 6:14-20 “14 And God has not only raised the Lord [to life] but will also raise us by His power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Am I therefore to take the members of Christ and make them part of a prostitute? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that the one who joins himself to a prostitute is one body with her? For He says, “The two shall be one flesh.” 17 But the one who is united and joined to the Lord is one spirit [small s] with Him. 18 Run away from sexual immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the one who is sexually immoral sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is within you, whom you have [received as a gift] from God and that you are not your own [property]? 20 You were bought with a price [you were purchased with the precious blood of Jesus and made His own]. So then, honor and glorify God with your body.”

• Prostitute: Corinth was famous for its prostitutes, and many if not all probably practiced their trade in connection with the worship of Aphrodite.  Having relations with temple or cult prostitutes was considered acceptable behavior, and Paul’s admonitions here indicate that some of the Corinthian converts were continuing the practice.

 

Living Stones:

 

1 Peter 2:4-10 “4 Come to Him [the risen Lord] as to a living Stone which men rejected and threw away, but which is choice and precious in the sight of God. 5 You [believers], like living stones, are being built up into a spiritual house for a holy and dedicated priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices [that are] acceptable and pleasing to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For this is contained in Scripture: ‘Behold, I am laying in Zion a chosen stone, a precious Cornerstone, and he who believes in Him will never be disappointed.’ 7 This precious value, then, is for you who believe [in Him as God’s only Son—the Source of salvation]; but for those who disbelieve, ‘he [very] stone which the builders rejected has become the chief Cornerstone,’ 8 and, ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense’ for they stumble because they disobey the word [of God], and to this, they [who reject Him as Savior] were also appointed. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s possession, so that you may proclaim the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

• Spiritual [G 4152]: the acts of a life dedicated to God and approved by him, due to the influence of the Holy Spirit (tacitly opposed to the sacrifices of external worship), equivalent to produced by the sole power of God himself without natural instrumentality, supernatural.
  

• House [G 3624]: In habited home.
• Priesthood [G 2406]: Priests of kingly rank, i. e. exalted to a moral rank and freedom which exempts them from the control of everyone but God and Christ.

The term living stones is used as a metaphor to illustrate the secure and intimate relationship believers have with Jesus, who is described as the “living Stone.”  Together, these two verses picture how Christ and His followers are joined by God Himself: “As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

The foundation of God’s building is His Son, Jesus Christ, the “living Stone.”  The “living stones,” in turn, are believers who come to Jesus and place their lives upon this foundation.  The living Stone is “precious” to those who believe (1 Peter 2:7), but some men reject the living Stone to build their lives their way, not God’s way (Psalm 118:22 and Luke 6:46–49).  Unbelievers cast this living Stone aside, not caring that Jesus is the only true foundation upon which they can build securely (1 Corinthians 3:11).

In a metaphor much like that of the living Stone, Jesus is described as the chief cornerstone in Ephesians 2:19–22.  Peter references Jesus as the cornerstone in Acts 4:11–12, stating that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.”  God accepts no one who refuses to become a part of His building.  And God is just like all builders—He has a foundation upon which all workers must build (Matthew 7:24–27).

The Ekklesia [true believers], then, are the “living stones” of the church that Jesus promised to build (Matthew 16:18).  As living stones, we have new life in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).  As integral parts of the building of God, we have security in Christ (John 6:37).  As the Master Builder, God places His living stones just where He wants us to be (1 Corinthians 12:18).  As living stones, we are connected in the body of Christ (Romans 12:5).  Our Lord, the foundation Stone, is alive forevermore and will never crumble.  He will support us eternally.  The spiritual house God is building is designed for His glory, and we, the living stones, glorify the Lord in all we do (1 Corinthians 10:31).

 

For Those Who Question Their Salvation – It is Solid as A Rock: [Jarhead in Oceanside]

 

Romans 8:33-39 “33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself]. 34 Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us. 35 Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword? 36 Just as it is written and forever remains written,

 

“For Your sake, we are put to death all day long.”

We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.”

 

37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. 38 For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited and unmerited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

[gossip, wagging of tongues, ridicule, ostracization, destructive lies, etc.]

 

Blessings in Christ,

Joseph “Jim” Stockstill
“National War Council” – Founder and Chairman
Jim5555@nationalwarcouncil.org
P.O. Box 931
Argyle, TX 76226

nwc@nationalwarcouncil.org
Jim5555@nationalwarcouncil.org
Donations to National War Council

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
Mark Twain