The first precept we apply to our faith as Christians of the third millennium, is that we are at war, and our enemy has grown into a massive global organization! Moreover, it is well concealed, and networked to deceive the entire world! Revelation 13:3 and 18:23. With ability to steal, kill, and destroy, John 10:10, it is wise to be quiet. Amos 5:13. We trust no one we have not got to know. Personal face to face meeting is the only form of communication we may trust! We do not trust the digital networks, the internet, or mobile telephones! Whilst very convenient, the digital era has developed into a sophisticated spying system, and the world has been robbed of privacy!
Although this war rages on earth as well as in the spirit realm, our warfare is NOT carnal. 2 Corinthians 3:10. Essentially this means Christians do not amass arms, or plan military coups. This we learn is not necessary as we apply ourselves to understanding prophecy! We do however need to know this war has raged since the first advent of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it has claimed millions of Jewish and Christian lives! Whole families, men, women, and children were arrested after our Lord ascended into heaven, and given to hungry lions to be made sport of. Those fortunate enough to have visited Rome, will have seen the Colosseum and the Catacombs, and might have begun to realize how DANGEROUS being a Christian had become! Similarly, Germany has the modern-day evidence of what humans are capable of doing to humans, and if we believe this cannot happen again, we had best look around at all the security companies to rethink the reality of these being a private army, owned by a very big secret society!
With the end of the age drawing ever closer, scripture teaches the dangers of being a committed Christian will increase. We particularly need to watch our Christian company, what we say, and what we talk about. We need to know we are not in the company of wolves dressed in sheep’s clothing, Matthew 7:15, or Communists, when speaking about the secret things of the Lord Jesus Christ, Matthew 13:35, because it is dangerous! Proverbs 13:3, Amos 5:13, Matthew 10:21 and 36.
“The Doctrine of Selectivity” is clearly established in scripture. Being “selective” strongly portrays choosing, and making choice! This is confirmed in The Revelation, “and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful”. The Revelation 17:14. That disciples are instructed to be “selective”, is confirmed in Matthew 10:11. “And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire in it who is worthy; and there abide until ye go thence”. We may note Matthew chapter 10 is an important devotion when counting the cost of going forward in the Christian faith! We may further note our Lord Jesus specifically instructed His disciples; “Go not from house to house”. Luke 10:7.
To embrace the full message of The Doctrine of Selectivity, and the reality of needing to be selective, a brief look at the origin of the name Israel, will be helpful. The name Israel appears for the first time in scripture as Jacob’s new name. Genesis 32:28. Jacob wrestled with a man until break of day, Genesis 32:24, and would not let his opponent go except his opponent blessed him. Genesis 32:26. His opponent then pronounced his new name as Israel from thenceforth, as he had power with God and men, and Jacob had prevailed! It is worth noting the wrestling was not due to conflict, but for blessing! Demonstrating determination, tenacity, and perseverance, Israel evolved to become a nation of war! Whilst Israel obeyed God in all God commanded, Israel conquered!
Gilbert James Brett’s Dictionary Concordance and Collation of Scriptures has recorded the meaning of Israel as, “Warrior of God, figuratively, the church”, and “true Christians collectively”! Romans 9:1 to 26, and Galatians 6:16. This knowledge provides insight to our Lord’s words, “From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force”. Matthew 11:12 in the old KJV. The NIV, (New International Version) reads; “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it”. It is important to note the period of the kingdom of heaven “forcefully advancing”, is from the birth of John the Baptist, (and our Lord Jesus), up to the time our Lord began to minister, and preach the kingdom of heaven as being at hand.
The forceful advancement of the kingdom no doubt being the result of Messiah’s birth bringing about the slaughter of children, it is a forgotten truth the birth of our Lord Jesus saw every little boy under the age of two in Bethlehem, and the coasts thereof, put to a Roman sword! Matthew 2:16. Herod was not going to have any Messiah threatening his reign! It is not difficult to conceive there was a militance in Israel, such as had never been seen! Religion, had lost its meaning!
Evidenced in Nathanael’s remark, “Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?”, John 1:46, we must understand Nazareth, from whence Jesus came, was a place of vows. Men undertook not to cut their beards, nor shave their heads, actions that appeared to serve no purpose, which did not impress those burning with desire to see Israel freed from Roman oppression! Philip says, “Come and see”.
Seeing Nathanael coming to Him, Lord Jesus says, “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” John 1:47. Nathanael says, “Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answers and said unto him, “Before that Philip called thee, when thou was under the fig tree, I saw thee”. Nathanael answered and saith unto Him, “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel.” John 1:49.
The essential message of being selective lies in Nathanael having “no guile”, meaning, he was a man without treachery or deceit! Our Lord Jesus immediately saw an Israelite that could be trusted! The Revelation fully reinforcing the message of a conquering people, (overcoming) in the Spirit’s instructions to John to write to the seven angels of the seven churches, The Revelation 2 and 3, the quality of disciples our Lord seeks, is revealed! We are about to learn why we share the secret things of the Lord Jesus Christ with no one, except those we have truly and implicitly learned to trust! Matthew 7:6.
May the fear of The Lord be our portion, as we seek God’s truth, amen! Proverbs 9:10.
Lester Oliver Thomas Flock © 2020