Come and See – Chapter 8 of John – Part vii – Rejoice and Be Glad

Come and See

Chapter 8 of the Gospel of John

Part vii

Rejoice and Be Glad in It

Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.  (John 8:56)

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The Introduction to the Testimony of Faith

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Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.  (John 8:56)

   The present evil world has built an empire of sin and deception. They are taking their instruction from the prince of darkness, and are preparing themselves for their final destruction when the Lord of glory comes to establish His kingdom here on earth. This could overwhelm the sight of Adam. However, to the children of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ it is the continuation of God’s determinate counsels. Faith has a vision all of its own. Faith takes us into the heavenlies so that we can see the purpose of God on earth. Through the word of God, God has shown us His legions of angels that defend His throne, and God has also shown us that among this host of angels there are ministering spirits sent forth to minister to those who shall be heirs of salvation. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:14) The Lord has placed before us a marvelous treasure of His divine power. What, you say? This power is in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. The power is unlimited. It is the only power that brings forth salvation and the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ through this salvation. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17) The power that lies within the Person and life of the Lord Jesus Christ is unlimited. However, as one must have faith to receive the gospel, and those who herald the gospel must also do it in faith.

   Believing that God is able to save to the uttermost God gives us a taste of glory in Hebrews 12:23, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect. The Holy Spirit presents to us an innumerable company belonging to the church. These are just men made perfect. This includes ALL who bear the testimony of faith in the Lord of glory.

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The Testimony of Faith

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Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.  (John 8:56)

   In the battle of Abraham against the kings of the east, Abraham was only burdened for one man. In this text in Genesis 14, And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. The Holy Spirit (speaking of Lot) used the word ‘brother’— this is very important. The insert of this word is to describe the brotherly passion that Abraham had for his nephew Lot. Abraham was truly his brother’s keeper. He was also a good example of the good Samaritan. Abraham was willing to risk everything he had for one soul: his nephew Lot. Look around today, everywhere you go, every voice you hear, every line you stand in, every contact you make with another soul, you are looking at multitudes and multitudes in the valley of decision. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. (Joel 3:14)

   Figuratively one sip, one drop, from the cup of the gospel can change the vilest outcast into a prince with God. Just ask Jacob, or this writer. Remember that the soul of one repentant sinner is worth more than all the treasures of this earth. God has put the greatest treasure map into our hands, into our minds, and into our hearts. This treasure map is His word, the everlasting Word of God. All the gold and silver, all the gems and jewels, all the wealth real or imaginative is nothing compared to one soul who has been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

   Abraham’s battle with the ungodly kings of the east was long and fierce. He was tremendously outnumbered. In his own house he had three hundred and eighteen trained warriors who pursued these four armies to the very northern part of Dan which is left of Damascus to Hobah.

And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. (Genesis 14:14) And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. (Genesis 14:15)

   During the sojourn of Abraham in the land of Canaan, he had made an impression on Mamre, the Amorite, and his two brothers, Eshcol and Aner. These men had watched the testimony of Abram the Hebrew, and were willing to fight with him against the four kings of the east. The victory that Abraham received from the hand of God over the great multitude of the four armies of the kings of the east was a confirmation of Abraham’s faith. For the God of heaven, the God of glory, who had appeared to him in Ur of Chaldees, defeated the very kings of idolatry from the land of Mesopotamia. Remember that it was one soul who Abraham was interested in, his brother Lot. Although this was a great victory, did Lot remain with Abraham? No, Lot returned to the power of his present evil world without renouncing all the things of Sodom. Instead we see him back in Sodom vexing his righteous soul. And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (2^nd Peter 2:7) (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (2^nd Peter 2:8)

   The apostle John through 1^st John 5:19 and Paul (through Galatians 1:4) warns us of the evils of the world. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. (1^st John 5:19) Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: (Galatians 1:4) Both these men, the apostle Paul and John, described the world that they lived in. These were the same circumstances that Abraham lived in, and it is the same for us today. We live in a wicked world, and a PRESENT evil world. You should memorize 2^nd Peter 2:7-9 so that the next time you play in the world, and hear and see the things of the world, you will realize the great negative effect that this world has on the condition of your soul. Let these few verses BURN into your memory because while Lot was vexing his soul back in Sodom, Abraham was in communion with the God of glory, Melchisedec, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord stepped out of heaven in ALL His priestly garments to commune with His friend, faithful Abraham.

Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? (James 2:21) Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? (James 2:22) And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23)

But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.  (Isaiah 41:8)

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The Testimony of Fellowship

The Bread and Wine

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Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.  (John 8:56)

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (Genesis 14:18) And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: (Genesis 14:19)

For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; (Hebrews 7:1) To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; (Hebrews 7:2)

   The depth of the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ is completed in Hebrews Chapter 7. It is Christ who is the Eternal Priest of the Most High God, the Highest Himself, for the Lord Jesus is made higher than the heavens. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26)

   In Hebrews 7:2, we have the interpretation of the name of Melchisedec, which is King of righteousness. This is the ONLY place in Scripture that the Lord Jesus is referred to as King of righteousness.

Side Note: Names in Scripture: God likes to interpret names for us when it comes to His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

In Matthew Chapter 1, verse 23, the name Emmanuel is interpreted to mean ‘God with us.’ This fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 7:14. Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. (Matthew 1:23)

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

In John Chapter 1, we have two names: in verse 38, we have Rabbi which is interpreted as Master. In verse 41, the name or title is Messiah, being interpreted as the Christ which is the Anointed One.

Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? (John 1:38)

He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (John 1:41)

In Hebrews 7:2, we again have the Lord interpreting the title and name of His Son, Melchisedec, King of righteousness and King of Salem as King of peace. To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; (Hebrews 7:2)

The Holy Spirit understands the thoughts of men that sometimes because of the hardness of their hearts that they will not understand the things of Scripture. The Holy Spirit speaks of this in Hebrews 5:10-14. 

Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.  (Hebrews 5:10)

Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.  (Hebrews 5:11)

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. (Hebrews 5:12)

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (Hebrews 5:13)

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.  (Hebrews 5:14)

For us today, it is quite obvious that with the amount of unbelief that many cannot believe that the Son of God has always been in eternity as Melchisedec (Melchizedek ), the Priest of the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth.

   Now to embrace this, you must be a child of faith. In God’s determinate counsels everything that God does and plans MUST come into agreement with God’s righteousness. EVERYTHING is established based on God’s righteousness. For ONLY God is righteous, and the only way that mankind can receive God’s righteousness is for God to impute His righteousness to man. There has only been ONE King of righteousness, and this is the Lord Jesus Christ.

   In Genesis 14:18 the Lord brought forth the BREAD and WINE from the divine sanctuary in heaven. And Melchizedek (Melchisedec) king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. The bread and the wine are personally symbolized by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew Chapter 26, verses 26 thru 29.

And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. (Matthew 26:26)

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; (Matthew 26:27)

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. (Matthew 26:28)

But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom. (Matthew 26:29)

   The apostle Paul also reminds us of the Lord’s action in Matthew in 1^st Corinthians Chapter 11, verses 23 thru 27.

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: (1^st Corinthian 11:23)

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. (1^st Corinthian 11:24)

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (1^st Corinthian 11:25)

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. (1^st Corinthian 11:26)

   The psalmist also declared I will take the cup of salvation and CALL on the name of the Lord. What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? (Psalm 116:12) I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. (Psalm 116:13)

   In the case of Abraham, and apparently also with the psalmist, the cup of salvation was offered to both individuals. It was a free gift to them. God’s grace was given freely to these men, as it is given to us today. The psalmist presents the question, What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? No matter your circumstance, there is nothing that you can render unto the Lord. None of our possessions are worthy of the Lord. This leaves us with one road to salvation, and this is God’s free GIFT in Jesus Christ. When anyone believes, they are then sealed by faith, which in turn, pours out the grace of God upon them. God then sees His Son between them and judgment which renders the righteousness of Christ unto them that they may be made free in Him. Each time that a soul comes to the well, and drinks the water of life in Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the counsels of God is being accomplished. All this fits Abraham’s victory over the kings of the east. This was the Lord’s benefits toward him. In this victory, Abraham saw the working of faith within him. When Melchisedec came with bread and wine, it was speaking of a great victory, and this victory Abraham understood by faith.  Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56)Abraham looked into the future to see the Lord’s day, the day of redemption. And after this great victory, the great High Priest of the most high God came to confirm His promises to Abraham. God always shows us, and confirms our faith after a great battle against evil. Remember that the victory that Abraham had was over the Lord’s enemies.

   Upon Abraham’s victorious return, he was first met by the king of Sodom as documented in Genesis 14:17. And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. Abraham was met by the king of Sodom, and he was met in a place of idolatry, which was the king’s dale. (The world always wants to embrace you in their own surroundings.) The king’s dale is only mentioned twice in Scripture. The first, with Abraham, and the second time it was Absalom, the rebellious son of king David. It was Absalom who built an idol to himself in the king’s dale. Now Absalom in his lifetime had taken and reared up for himself a pillar, which [is] in the king’s dale: for he said, I have no son to keep my name in remembrance: and he called the pillar after his own name: and it is called unto this day, Absalom’s place. (2^nd Samuel 18:18)

Side Note: The Place the valley of Shaveh. The place of meeting was first associated with Emmims as recorded in Genesis 14:5, And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emims in Shaveh Kiriathaim. And the description of these people is found in Deuteronomy 2:10 and 11, The Emims dwelt therein in times past, a people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims;Which also were accounted giants, as the Anakims; but the Moabites call them Emims.

Every place that ‘the valley of Shaveh’ or ‘Shaveh’ is recorded is connected to evil, and idolatry. Follow along with the series called Giants in the Earth to see another side of evil and idolatry.

   The king of Sodom was the representative of evil. He represents his father the devil. He came to defeat the spiritual victory that Abraham had over God’s enemies. The Holy Spirit reveals the image of Satan in the king of Sodom, and the city of Sodom. Remember, there were four other kings whom the kings of the east had defeated, including the king of Sodom. In this defeat of the five kings, only one went to meet Abraham, and he was the most wicked of them all. He was/is the roaring lion to overthrow Abraham’s victory. In Genesis 14:17 we have the initial meeting between the king of Sodom and Abraham, and in verses 21 and 22 we have the second meeting between these two men.)

And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king’s dale. (Genesis 14:17

And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. (Genesis 14:21)

And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, (Genesis 14:22)

That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: (Genesis 14:23)

   It is noteworthy that we should see the progression from the first meeting to the second meeting. God (who knows all things) interjects Himself into verse 18 to confirm Abraham’s victory and to confirm his standing before God. The bread and the wine were only meant for Abraham, God’s faithful servant. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (Genesis 14:18) In the 18^th verse we have the spiritual power of the Priest of the most high God for the purpose to reassure, and to strengthen His servant Abraham for a great battle was yet to come. The same lore that overthrew Lot, was going to be offered to Abraham. The king of Sodom was going to offer the treasures of the world to God’s servant Abraham in an attempt to take his eyes off the Lord of glory, and to place them on the treasures of the world. Therefore, Melchisedec is also a position of power to Abraham. Melchisedec is the highest Himself. And of Zion it shall be said, This and that man was born in her: and the highest himself shall establish her. (Psalm 87:5) The man who will be born in the fullness of time, would also be the Royal Priest of the most high God, the highest Himself. He would be born in Zion, and He would be the Savior of the world. Although in His manifestation His royal priesthood was cloaked.

Side Note: His power shrouded. Virtue flowed out from Him by only a touch of His priestly garment of holiness.

And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all. (Luke 6:19)

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: (Matthew 9:20) For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. (Matthew 9:21) But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. (Matthew 9:22)

(Mark 5:25-34) (Luke 8:45-48)

   He had descended from His throne of righteousness to bring salvation to the world. He has now returned to heaven, and is sat down on His throne of glory where as the Royal Priest He ministers to the children of grace. He is the One who upholds us in all our trials, and in all our victories.

   When Melchisedec met Abraham it was to strengthen His servant, the bread and the wine was not a feast, but a ceremony. It was a ceremony of a future prophetic event in the bread and the wine.

   The problem with sin is that mankind always looks negatively on the past. Man always wants to think that he is doing better then his forefathers since he is smarter, and more intelligent. This is one evidence of the fall of mankind. For within mankind is that old call of Satan, ye shall be as gods.

   Spiritually, we have to look at Abraham as not only a patriarch, but also as a child of faith walking through the wilderness of this world. By meeting Melchisedec Abraham was shown what lies ahead in the future. He was beholding a Royal Priest in all His garments, who had appeared to Him out of heaven, and this Royal Priest revealed to Abraham the day of the Lord, the fullness of time. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, (Galatians 4:4) This filled his heart with exceeding joy. This made the heart of God’s servant, Abraham glad. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56) Abraham also received a blessing from the most high God possessor of heaven and earth. In this blessing Abraham also received revelation, and this revelation was of the future, and what was to come. Abraham entered INTO this blessing. Do you find it strange that Abraham would receive a revelation from God? Yet, you have no problem when Paul expressed that he received and continued to receive revelations from God. And what about the apostle John, the entire book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ was given to John by direct revelation from the Lord. Why could not revelation be given to Abraham from Melchisedec because power comes from the most high God possessor of heaven and earth.

Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? (Psalm 24:3) He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24:4) He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. (Psalm 24:5)

   Abraham was not only a servant of the most high God, but as we have seen, he was a friend of God. Should not this friend of God receive the mind of God concerning the promises that God had given to him? Let’s not criticize or demean Abraham because he was a tent dweller, and a stranger in this earth. He was there in the land of Canaan as a testimony of the most high God possessor of heaven and earth.

   The eternal priesthood belonged to the Lord Jesus even before the creation took place; the Lord was established as the executor of all righteousness. This was before the creation, and it was established by an oath. His priesthood was established to maintain and to uphold this righteousness in eternity. It was there (before creation) that He received His royal garments (the outward expression of his priesthood) and only THIS Priest of the most high God could fulfill ALL righteousness.

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The Testimony of the Divine Royal Priest

In Time and in Eternity

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  And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. (Matthew 3:15) After the baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ, we have the Spirit of God descending from heaven as a witness, NOT an anointing, for the Lord Jesus had ALREADY BEEN ANOINTED with the oil of gladness above His fellows in His pre-manifestation. (Hebrews 1)

   This was a wonderful meeting between the priest of the earth (John) and the divine Royal Priest of heaven (Jesus Christ). John the Baptist was in the succession of priests from the line of Levi, however, the usurpers had taken over the rights to the priesthood. (Read the parable of the vineyard in Luke 20:9-19)

   The lineage of John was from Aaron, both his father (Zacharias) and his mother (Elisabeth) were descended directly from Aaron, the first high priest under the law. There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. (Luke 1:5) And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. (Luke 1:6)

   We need to understand more about John the Baptist, first, he was of the line of Aaron. It was his right and lineage to be the high priest under the law; yet, John Chapter 1 tells us that he was a particular man SENT by God. So what did God see? God saw that John was the high priest under the law, disavowed by the priesthood of men in Israel, but accepted of God. Why is this important at the river Jordan? The earthly high priest and the heavenly high Priest were in a divine meeting to fulfill ALL righteousness. The baptism of the Lord Jesus united the priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ with the priesthood of the Law, for Christ had to fulfill the whole Law to maintain and uphold ALL the righteousness of God which He did both in His life and in His death upon Calvary. By fulfilling the righteousness of God He is able to impute righteousness unto those who come to God through Him (past, present and future). ALL are unworthy of God’s righteousness, however, the divine Judge placed the judgment of the world upon His Son, so that the children of God, through faith, can have divine righteousness through Jesus Christ. Even in this, He was fulfilling God’s righteousness by being the Daysman between us and the Judge. He is the high Priest of righteousness standing between us and judgment ministering His free grace to every child of faith. This included faithful Abraham. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56)

   We should also consider that the Lord Jesus brought about the end of the Law. For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. (Romans 10:4) When considering John the Baptist, we see the end of the Old Testament prophets, and the end of the Old Testament priesthood because John was the last person in the genealogy of Aaron, for John had no sons to follow in the line of the Aaronic priesthood. In the Jewish priesthood that was present at this time, no one had the right to be high priest except John. They were ALL usurpers, and had been made priest by man, and not by God’s qualifications of priesthood. Their qualifications were never approved by the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, in John Chapter 8, He denounced them as being children of the devil.

   So then, Abraham met Melchisedec, the priest of the most high God, He is a Priest with an endless life. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (Hebrews 7:16) The Lord Jesus was made under the Law not made by the Law. He was made by the power of an endless life in eternity. The Lord Jesus did not receive an endless life by His work on the cross at Calvary, but He is the Possessor of ALL life from ALL eternity. Life was never given to Him. He possessed Life. ALL life comes from Him, both natural and the supernatural life in the new birth of every believer comes from the One who is Life. We are brought into His life by the new birth and He possesses us in that life which is eternal. The child of God is anchored to heaven and not to the earth. He has been transported into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, and will ever reside in this position. The child of faith is maintained and preserved by the High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. We are blessed by the vision of the apostle John, we are allowed (through the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ) to look into heaven’s glory and see the Divine Priest walking amongst the candlesticks.

I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. (Revelation 1:9)

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, (Revelation 1:10)

Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. (Revelation 1:11)

And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; (Revelation 1:12)

And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. (Revelation 1:13)

   Let’s see some of the hues and colors of this magnificent revelation that was given to John. Let us, through the Spirit, paint in our hearts, soul and spirit this marvelous portrait of the Divine Priest of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth. In the Alpha and the Omega, we see the eternity of God, the complete spectrum of eternal life in the divine Being. In the first and the last, we see the completion of the determinate counsels of God, and we have just begun this marvelous portrait. The Lord addressed John, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. John was to write what he beheld with his own eyes. What was being revealed to him was supernatural, his eyes had been opened to see the invisible, and in this he beheld the Son of man, the Lord Jesus Christ. Are we not thankful for this vision that was sent to all the church that is still being proclaimed to this day? When John turned to see the voice who spoke to him, he entered in (through his vision) the sanctuary of God. John saw the High Priest of this sanctuary whose builder and maker was God.

Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; (Hebrews 8:1)

A minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. (Hebrews 8:2)

   The eyes of John were enlightened for he beheld the golden candlesticks, and walking in the midst of these seven golden candlesticks was the Person of the Son of man completely covered with the garments of righteousness, and upon His chest was a golden girdle (speaking of the irrefutable purity of the righteousness of God). And looking into His face one could see the image of the invisible God not only as the Priest forever, but as the Ancient of days embracing all the wisdom of Proverbs Chapter 8. The eyes of the Son of man, the same eyes that go to and fro throughout the whole earth were as a flame of fire. The intensity was/is to bring out the dross of sin. His feet were like unto fine brass that burned in a furnace. Here we see the feet of grace and the feet of judgment. Grace and truth MUST be upheld by the righteous judgment of God. The voice of the great High Priest was as the sound of many waters, not only in its reach, but in its volume. His voice, through His Spirit, is the great Heralder of truth throughout all eternity. The manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ on earth as well as in heaven brings forth the supernatural in all its glory to the child of God. Faith is not only of substance, but it is also that which looks into the realm of the unseen. Now, back to Abraham . . . .

   The Priest of the most high God the possessor of heaven and earth stood before Abraham in His position as Melchisedec. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56) As the Eternal Priest stood before Abraham, the Eternal Priest also stood before John the Baptist, and  before the apostle John.

   Although between Abraham and the apostle John, we traveled through thousands of years; yet, we have a view of the same High Priest who is in heaven for us. The High Priest in heaven today, has a ministry to His own to instruct them in the way of righteousness. After the Lord’s resurrection He met two on the Emmaus road, this was the resurrected Christ, and what did He do, He ministered. He began with Moses and the Prophets, and the Psalms, and He declared all the things concerning Himself. He was revealing to them who He was/is through the entire canon of Scripture. At this point, it would, of course, have been the Old Testament. The truth that these two men learned while walking and sitting with the Lord were unknown truths to other men. The Lord Jesus was revealing Himself to them in a manner that He had not previously done before, for this was the Resurrected Christ, and He was known to them in the breaking of bread.

And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. (Luke 24:13)

And they talked together of all these things which had happened. (Luke 24:14)

And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. (Luke 24:15)

But their eyes were holden that they should not know him. (Luke 24:16)

And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad? (Luke 24:17)

And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days? (Luke 24:18)

And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people: (Luke 24:19)

And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him. (Luke 24:20)

But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done. (Luke 24:21)

Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre; (Luke 24:22)

And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive. (Luke 24:23)

And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not. (Luke 24:24)

Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: (Luke 24:25)

Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? (Luke 24:26)

And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. (Luke 24:27)

And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. (Luke 24:28)

But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. (Luke 24:29)

And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.(Luke 24:30)

And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. (Luke 24:31)

And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?(Luke 24:32)

   In the second appearance of the Lord in Luke 24, verses 45 and 46, Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: In their first encounter, the Lord Jesus was made known into them in the breaking of bread. We have an added blessing in His second appearance in Luke 24. In verse 45, it was the Lord Jesus who opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures. This has not changed. The Lord Jesus STILL ministers to His own. He STILL opens their understanding so that the child of God can understand the Scriptures. In the ministry of the High Priest, the Lord Jesus Christ (through the Spirit of God) directs us to the throne of grace in Hebrews Chapter 4.

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (Hebrews 4:14)

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15)

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.  (Hebrews 4:16)

   Now let the Holy Spirit open our hearts, and our understanding concerning the Scriptures. In Hebrews 4:14, He is a great high priest, and He has passed into the heavens. This means that although the Lord Jesus cloaked His priesthood on earth, He was still the High Priest of God after the order of Melchisedec during His manifestation upon earth as the resurrected Son of God, Son of man, and Eternal Priest Melchisedec. In verse 15, we have a wonderful description about our High Priest while He was here on earth, He was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. This was as the High Priest, He fulfilled the righteousness of God which was mentioned to John the Baptist, and to show His position as the Great High Priest (without sin). This adds to verse 16, for when we see the earthly priesthood of the Lord Jesus Christ we also can understand the appearance of Melchisedec (as the Priest of the most high God) to Abraham in Genesis 14. It is not the throne of grace that gives us access, it is the Divine Priest of God (the Lord Jesus Christ) who gives us access to the throne of grace, which is in heaven.

   The example of this throne is shown in the mercy seat upon the Ark of the Covenant. The priest (Aaron) would take the blood to the mercy seat, just as the Lord Jesus Christ now brings grace to us through His blood on the divine mercy seat in heaven. It is at this mercy seat that we find grace and mercy to help in time of need. The heart must enter into this. The heart is the gateway to the soul and spirit. To see these things above that are completed in Jesus Christ has to come through the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ to us. He has to open our understanding of the throne of grace. These are not merely words printed on a piece of paper in Hebrews Chapter 4, verse 16, Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. We have a description of the place: a tangible throne in heaven with a tangible Priest in heaven, and the Holy Spirit beckons us to present ourselves to this throne of grace. In the gospel of Luke, Chapter 24, the Lord was known unto them in the breaking of bread, and with all the Scriptures that these two men heard, their reply to His words were, Did not our heart burn within us. In Luke 24:45 we read, Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, In Hebrews 4, for our present age, He has provided the ministry of His own priesthood over the throne of grace. Now let’s move on . . . to the Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the last church that is mentioned, the church at Laeodicea.

   The Lord Jesus presents His personal ministry through His Spirit, the Spirit of Christ, to the overcomer.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20)

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. (Revelation 3:21)

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. (Revelation 3:22)

   The divine picture presented to us is not just a man sitting at a table, it is of a man musing on the things of God. It is from the want in his heart that the Lord responds to. The Lord comes to the door, and knocks with the desire to reveal Himself in ministry to the heart of this individual; however, it is not just musing on the things of God, but it is opening the door to the ministry of Christ. To let Him come in and sup with you and you with Him. It is the bonding of His ministry to you that man cannot give, neither can the angels in heaven. This ministry can only come from the Lord Himself. Every example that I have given to you has been His priestly ministry to His own, and all is related to His divine priesthood.

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The Divine Royal Priest and Abraham

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   Abraham was blessed in the presence of the divine Priest from heaven revealing Himself to Abraham, and what a wonderful symbol, both bread and wine. And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (Genesis 14:18) And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: (Genesis 14:19)A symbol of the deepest fellowship that anyone can have with his Lord, even today is in the bread and wine.

   When Abraham met Melchisedec it was not a hasty casual meeting. There was great understanding, and much was revealed to Abraham. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56) This was a lengthy meeting similar to the meeting with the two on the Emmaus road. It was a lengthy meeting as those today who spend their time before the throne of grace. It is a lengthy meeting (even at the close of church history) when the Lord comes in and sups with His own. I will give you a wonderful fact: the Lord is always ready to have fellowship with you, and when He fellowships with you, He is not the one who ends it. All is controlled by your desire and your love for the Lord Jesus to have continued fellowship with the High Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.

   With this in mind, as Abraham, you will be able to face the king of Sodom with all his temptations. You will be able to reject the things of the world that separates the heart from the Lord Jesus. You will be able to lift up your voice and tell the king of Sodom that you have lifted up your hand to the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth. Why? Because you have just spent time with the God of glory and fellowshipped with Him in the breaking of bread and the cup of wine. We find that from Genesis 14:19 . . .

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. (Genesis 14:18)

And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: (Genesis 14:19)

And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all. (Genesis 14:20)

. . . to 1 Corinthians 10:16, the cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? The blessing that Abraham received from the most high God (the first time that this title is used) was the cup of blessing which we receive as well in the breaking of bread, and the cup of blessing. The unity of the bread and wine through Scripture teaches us divine fellowship with the God of heaven and earth through His own sacrificial work on the cross of Calvary for ALL the children of faith. It was because of the cup of blessing that Abraham received that he could reject the things of the king of Sodom. Abraham knew, through the fellowship with Melchisedec, that it was the most high God who had given him the victory over his enemies. It was also the most high God who had strengthened him to reject the things of Sodom. Abraham was not about to be lured as Lot had been. Abraham was going to reject the very ‘goods’ of the ambassador of Satan. And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. (Genesis 14:21) God gives us an eye into the mind and thoughts of Satan. He is not concerned about the things of the world, but he wants to destroy the souls of men — Give me the persons. This was the king of Sodom’s desire, Give me the persons to keep them under his evil control, and to degrade and corrupt them through his malignant evil.

   Abraham proclaimed, I will not take any thing that is thine. Abraham had herds and cattle, he had gold and silver, if he had taken one shoelatchet from the king of Sodom, then the king of Sodom would have taken credit for ALL that Abraham possessed, therefore, denying the most high God possessor of heaven and earth who had blessed Abraham. Do you see the spiritual fortitude of Abraham? It was his meeting with Melchisedec that strengthened him so that he might resist the devil, and thus, the devil would flee from him. From this point forward, there was no personal communication between Abraham and the king of Sodom. The devil had been rejected and now Abraham would continue his walk of faith.

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The Testimony of the Walk of Faith

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   In the walk of faith one must continually avail themselves to the Holy Scriptures for the Scriptures are living and breathing. They are part of the connection to heaven itself. One must have a connection with heaven to understand the Holy Scriptures, and of course, this connection is the Lord Jesus Christ. Doctrine can be used in two ways: doctrine can be united to the Scriptures to enhance one’s faith, If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. (1^st Timothy 4:6),or doctrine can be used to divide the word of God, and to separate the child of God from his Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, thus breaking the fellowship that the child of God has between his Savior and himself. That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Ephesians 4:14) The doctrines of men are just as dangerous as the goods of the king of Sodom; in our present day, doctrines, the doctrines of men, have been used to scatter the flock and not to bind it together.

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: (Colossians 2:6)

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:7)

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9)

   In Colossians 2:6, we are exhorted to walk in Him, to walk in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is not a strange theme throughout the Bible because Abraham was told the exact same thing in Genesis Chapter 17:1. The Almighty God stated to Abraham, walk before me and be thou perfect. And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. In Colossians 2:7, we are to be rooted and built up in Him. The very roots of our salvation are in the true vine, the Lord Jesus Christ. The roots cannot receive nourishment unless it comes from Him. When we are rooted in Him (heart, soul and spirit) then we will be built up in Him, and our faith will be established in Him. This was Abraham’s faith when he said to the king of Sodom that he had lifted up his hand to the most high God possessor of heaven and earth. Abraham was rooted and grounded IN the most high God, IN the God of glory, IN the Lord Jesus Christ.

   When the Lord was made known to Abraham in Ur of Chaldees, he saw the invisible God. Abraham left all because of his call by the God of glory. Abraham left Ur of Chaldees in the power of God’s might. The blessing that Abraham received from Melchisedec was from the most high God. Abraham enjoyed both fellowship and received strength in this fellowship. He knew from this particular appearance that there was strength and victory in the most high God the possessor of heaven and earth. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. (John 8:56)

   I would like us to see the many facets in the prayer in the gospel of John, Chapter 17, when the Lord Jesus was speaking to His Father in His high priestly prayer. I would like to concentrate on the portion of His prayer for His own. This is very important, as Abraham we should embrace the Lord’s present care for us as the high Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. Read and hear the words of John 17:21, That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. As the Son of God, we see equality with God the Father; we see a bond that is unbreakable, that the Spirit of God flows through both Father and Son in complete unity of God’s thoughts and actions. With this equality the Lord Jesus compares His own with both His Father and Himself. He brings the child of faith IN unity to the very Godhead that we are bound by Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In verse 24,of Chapter 17 we read, Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.) The Lord expands this unity to His present position on the throne of grace in Hebrews Chapter 4. In John 17 we have a Priest before His Father.

   While the Lord Jesus was on earth (and although His priesthood has been cloaked) He interceded for His own in one of the most intimate and deeply divine requests to God the Father. Only as the High Priest of God could the Son of God make this request because the fullness of the righteousness of God must be met in the Son of God. This divine meeting between the Son of God and God the Father was before the Lord’s death upon Calvary’s cross. He was acting here as both a divine Intercessor and as a divine Priest of the most high God. In verse 24 in John Chapter 17, we see the possession of the Lord Jesus Christ in His own, and what the Father had given Him, He desired to continue with them in a place where they will behold His glory – that they may behold my glory. This takes us back to before the foundations of the world where the Spirit of God presents to us the reality of the Eternal Son, the Eternal Priest, and the Eternal Savior, all One in the manifestation of the Lord Jesus Christ. Surely, we cannot comprehend all of this. It is only through faith and the Spirit of God (as in Abraham) can we lift up our hand to the most high God the possessor of heaven and earth.

   Let’s consider Abraham in a different way, he had a mind, a heart, a soul, a spirit, and when he lifted up his hand to the most high God, he was confirming his separation TO God. The Holy Spirit draws us into the life of Abraham through 1^st John Chapter 2, verses 15 and 17.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (1^st John 2:15)

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (1^st John 2:16)

And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. (1^st John 2:17)

   We are drawn into the life of Abraham through faith. Faith never changes, the same faith that Abraham embraced, we also embrace today. The apostle John confirms this by showing us our separation from the world around us. Abraham was also looking UP to the treasures in heaven and not to the things of the earth. All that the king of Sodom possessed was not worthy to be possessed by Abraham. Abraham was separated to heaven, he believed in his heart that God had given him not only treasures on earth, but future treasures in heaven. The apostle John tells us to not love the world because the false narrative of love that seems to be all around us today is nothing but a humanitarian scheme to take the mind and heart away from God and to place it on the ‘goodness’ of mankind (which is a false premise, for there is none good but God). The second aspect is to not love the things of the world. This would show us that the present evil world will use its own positions to draw us away from the most high God. We are to resist these things for even the king of Sodom used his possessions in an attempt to overthrow the faith of Abraham. The apostle John is very specific, for he states that if anyone  loves the world then the love of the Father is not in them. Abraham would have contradicted his own faith if he had laid hold of the possessions of Sodom. Abraham understood that the world will pass away, and all the lusts of the world with it. He understood that the one who does the will of God will abide forever. Was Abraham in possession of eternal life? Yes, he was. The Lord Jesus proved this by spending so much time on Abraham in the gospel of John, Chapter 8. Also James proved this by calling Abraham a friend of God, and the Holy Spirit proved it by using the name of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob repeatedly throughout Scripture and through time. And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. (James 2:23) But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. (Isaiah 41:8)

   In 1^st John Chapter 4, verse 5, we have the attitude of the king of Sodom. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. The ears of the world are in tuned with the character of the king of Sodom. They allow his wickedness throughout the nations of the world today. It is interesting that the king of Sodom is revered today in the sodomy of the world. They listen to his voice, they fall for his lies, and they have no moral code to control their emotions and their lusts. In contrast we have 1^st John 4:6, We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

   The qualifications is that one MUST be of God to hear the voice of God through the Scriptures and in ones heart, to know the ministry of the Lord Jesus through His Spirit. This is the key to understand your position before the Lord Jesus Christ, if you seek the words of God then they who are of God will hear you; however, the world will reject your words. In one sense we have two different languages: the child of God speaks the words of God; the child of wrath and the devil speaks the language of the world and constantly uses it attempting to overthrow the faith of the children of God. Notice the language of the king of Sodom, And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself. What was his main goal? The king of Sodom (like Satan) wanted to control both the lives and souls of the people of his dominion. This would be considered the category of ‘the world.’ Then next, the king of Sodom, held great value of things of the world, the possessions. This is what he was trying to accomplish, he was not trying to give away, but to take away from Abraham. The guile of this world under Satan is unbelievable. There are thousands of ways that the devil tries to overthrow the faith of the children of God. Remember that in Matthew Chapter 4, he tried to overthrow the Lord of glory through his lies, and was not successful. We are not that green tree, but he uses the same ploy, he attacks the Word of God, he attacks our faith, and he attacks heaven above.

   When Abraham lifted up his hand, it was a marvelous display of faith. He was sustained and kept by the most high God possessor of heaven and earth. The king of Sodom was only one antichrist, but the apostle John in his 1^st epistle warns us that we live in the last time, and there are many antichrists, there are many kings of Sodom, and for us to be diligent in recognizing them. How? Because the child of God has an unction, a perception, from the Holy One of God, and thereby, we discern between good and evil.

Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.(1^st John 2:18)

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. (1^st John 2:19)

But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. (1^st John 2:20)

   We should also consider Lot: he returned to Sodom. The fact that the things that he saw and heard vexed his righteous soul tells us that he understood the things of God. It also tells us that he had bowed to the king of Sodom, the eyes of Lot was on the world and not focused on the most high God possessor of heaven and earth. Why is this so important today? Because Sodom and sodomy is accepted everywhere in the world. The soul of the righteous must be diligent to preserve itself from the evil surroundings. There must be a spiritual separation in the hearts and souls from this wickedness. There are many today (as Lot) who know the truth; yet, they are engulfed by the world. There are many antichrists who play at Christianity trying to overthrow the truth and the just who hold the truth. In this world today, as faithful Abraham, it is hard to find fellowship with heaven in other professors. One must lift up a hand to the most high God, and have fellowship with Him. Do not be afraid to be an Abraham. The Lord remembered Abraham, and spoke of him in John Chapter 8, verse 56, Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.

Amen.

© Copyright 2020, Michael Haigh

This article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.

All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)