Glorious Glory - Rumor notes 130

 Revelation 14

6 I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 7 He said with a loud voice, "Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!"

give him glory

I want to first clarify the true meaning of the word glory. Here is Strong's definition, starting with the base word and then the secondary word from which it is translated.

Dokeo: to think; by implication, to seem truthfully or uncertainly: – be accounted, pleasure, be of reputation, seem good, suppose, think, trow.

Doxa: glory (as very apparent), dignity, glorious), honor, praise, worship.

To give someone glory then is to think and speak of their reputation positively, to view them as truthful, a source of pleasure, be accounted worthy of admiration, see them as good, honorable, worthy.

We actually give glory often, but without using that word. It is clearly seen at sports events, in Hollywood, at political rallies and wildly popular talent shows, usually far more than to God.

...To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood; and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his God and Father; to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Revelation 1:5-6)

When the living creatures give glory, honor, and thanks to him who sits on the throne, to him who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne, and worship him who lives forever and ever, and throw their crowns before the throne, saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, the Holy One, to receive the glory, the honor, and the power, for you created all things, and because of your desire they existed, and were created!" (Revelation 4:9-11)

I heard every created thing which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth, on the sea, and everything in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb be the blessing, the honor, the glory, and the dominion, forever and ever! Amen!" (Revelation 5:13)

Who wouldn't fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed. (Revelation 15:4)

After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, "Hallelujah! Salvation, power, and glory belong to our God:

A voice came forth from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!"

Let us rejoice and be exceedingly glad, and let us give the glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his wife has made herself ready. (Revelation 19:1,5,7)

He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it was a jasper stone, clear as crystal; having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. (Revelation 21:10-12)

People were scorched with great heat, and people blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues. They didn't repent and give him glory. (Revelation 16:9)

There are a number of passages that indicate that giving glory is not a nice suggestion but a necessary activity. This is important because giving glory results in a reaction back on the one giving the glory. To withhold giving glory to the true Creator God is to invite darkness to invade our thinking.

Give glory to Yahweh your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and, while you look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness. (Jeremiah 13:16)

Jesus therefore said to them, "Yet a little while the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn't overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn't know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light." Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them. (John 12:35-36 WEB)

Now, you priests, this commandment is for you. If you will not listen, and if you will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name," says Yahweh of Armies, "then will I send the curse on you, and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have cursed them already, because you do not lay it to heart. (Malachi 2:1-2)

Jesus answered, "Weren't the ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this stranger?" (Luke 17:17-18)

For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse. Because, knowing God, they didn't glorify him as God, neither gave thanks, but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. (Romans 1:20-21)

When we keep awareness of the original purpose for which God created us, it is easier to see what giving glory to Him means and why it is central for our role in this war. Humans were specifically created to be reflectors of God, meaning our main purpose is to reflect His glory, but even more to magnify it, amplify it, make it more obvious. This makes perfect sense in the context of dark misapprehensions about God.

We are designed to give God glory, so this angel is calling us back to our original purpose and design, to again reflect the true glory of God's amazing and consistent character of pure love, light, truth and eternal joy. This is how evil and darkness are overcome and the kingdom of love triumphs. So this first angel presents how to win this war against darkness if we take his message seriously.

You who fear Yahweh, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify him! Stand in awe of him, all you descendants of Israel! (Psalms 22:23)

Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth meet together. Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs out of the earth. Righteousness has looked down from heaven. Yes, Yahweh will give that which is good. Our land will yield its increase. (Psalms 85:9-12)

I will praise you, Lord my God, with my whole heart. I will glorify your name forevermore. (Psalms 86:12)

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples. For great is Yahweh, and greatly to be praised! He is to be feared above all gods. (Psalms 96:3-4)

While we are called to return to our original design and purpose of reflecting and magnifying God's glory to recover His damaged reputation back to honor again, it is impossible to do this without first receiving into our own hearts the glory of God's power of love that ever flows from His throne. Thus we must posture ourselves in correct orientation to the origin of this glory in order to be able to give/reflect glory for His reputation. The glory comes from Him as well as belonging to Him.

Sing, you heavens, for Yahweh has done it! Shout, you lower parts of the earth! Break out into singing, you mountains, O forest, all of your trees, for Yahweh has redeemed Jacob, and will glorify himself in Israel. (Isaiah 44:23)

When they came to the nations, where they went, they profaned my holy name; in that men said of them, These are the people of Yahweh, and are gone forth out of his land. But I had regard for my holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations, where they went. Therefore tell the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: I don't do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations, where you went. I will sanctify my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the nations shall know that I am Yahweh, says the Lord Yahweh, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

Then shall you remember your evil ways, and your doings that were not good; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. Nor for your sake do I this, says the Lord Yahweh, be it known to you: be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel. Thus says the Lord Yahweh: In the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be built. (Ezekiel 36:20-23, 31-33)

I believe it is now time to personalize these truths, to identify as the house of Israel that profanes the reputation of God, and to consent to let God salvage it in the way He needs to do it.

"Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, good will toward men." (Luke 2:14)

As he went, they spread their cloaks in the way. As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen, saying, "Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest!" Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples!" He answered them, "I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out." When he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it, (Luke 19:36-41)

Yet, looking to the promise of God, he didn't waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith, giving glory to God, (Romans 4:20)

Or don't you know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

having predestined us for adoption as children through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his desire, to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he freely bestowed favor on us in the Beloved, (Ephesians 1:5-6)

who will pay the penalty: eternal destruction from the face of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired among all those who have believed (because our testimony to you was believed) in that day. To this end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire of goodness and work of faith, with power; that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:9-12)

But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. (1 Peter 4:16)

When we have a better appreciation of the larger perspective of this cosmic war we are involved in, we will see that God's reputation is at the the very heart of it and is what has been blasphemed. It is for this very reason that the Son of God necessarily became a Christ for His Father, to exonerate His reputation, to give glory to His name by exposing the real truth about His character. This was not merely for humans to see more clearly, but for the entire watching universe who have also been caught up in the confusion caused by the accusations and insinuations of Satan. This is why some passages note particularly that glory needs to go to both the Father and the Son, for His Son alone is the agency through which the Father's heart and disposition are communicated. Thus glory given to the Son simultaneously needs to be given to the Father, for as Jesus said,

"...He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, 'Show us the Father?' (John 14:9)

I and the Father are one. (John 10:30)

Jesus, the Lamb of God, came to restore the original glory of God's reputation that was severely damaged by the cherub closest to His throne originally. Lucifer coveted the glory and worship that swirled all around him going to God, and this became the root of his great rebellion. Michael, the angelic form assumed by the Son of God, resisted Lucifer's slander, insinuations and discontent that undermined God's reputation and credibility. It was Michael that declared war against the dragon Lucifer turned Satan in heaven, ending with Satan being cast out with all his followers to the earth. Yet it was not enough to have Satan with his dark, sinister, infectious lies to be displaced from the seat of God's glory, for so long as there remains any doubt or lingering unresolved issues in regards to God's integrity, the universe cannot be safe. So God sent His own Son to take on another created form, that of a human reflector so that in the very place where Satan set up his headquarters of rebellion against God, the light of truth would be released to challenge every last vestige of darkness until it is fully dispelled. This was the primary purpose of the Lamb of God, for until the integrity of God's reputation is fully recovered, it will be impossible to neutralize the subtle power of the evil insinuations undermining the authority of His government. The reputation of God's integrity must be seen clearly through His Christ who is the only entity in the universe that has what it takes to restore the government of heaven to a secure footing.

who, existing in the form of God, didn't consider equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, yes, the death of the cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him, and gave to him the name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:6-11)

"Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? 'Father, save me from this time?' But for this cause I came to this time. Father, glorify your name!" Then there came a voice out of the sky, saying, "I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again." (John 12:27-28)

For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, "Buy what things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. Therefore, having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. (John 13:29-32)

Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you; even as you gave him authority over all flesh, he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do. Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed. (John 17:1-5)

Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

We must learn from the disastrous example of Lucifer to avoid any contamination of lust to embezzle any of the glory swirling around or through us that belongs to our loving heavenly Father.

I want to explore one more venue relating to the glory of God, that is, how the definition of sin is directly linked to this issue of giving God glory.

Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin. But now apart from the law, a righteousness of God has been revealed, being testified by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all those who believe. For there is no distinction, for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; whom God set forth to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God's forbearance; to demonstrate his righteousness at this present time; that he might himself be just, and the justifier of him who has faith in Jesus. (Romans 3:20-26)

What does it actually mean to fall short of the glory of God? If we use the context of our original design as God-reflectors, a lot of things begin to make much more sense.

If I am designed to reflect the glory of God, but I am falling short of doing that, maybe the falling short part might include some of these things:

I fall short of eternally reflecting the true love of heaven because of death

I fall short of reflecting selfless, unconditional love because of inherited selfishness

I fall short of reflecting only His light of love because views that mix truth with lies

Worship and glory are inextricably intertwined with each other in this message proclaimed in our time with a loud voice. To give glory involves worship, and to worship is to glorify.

When we allow the Lamb's revelation of God's heart and will to become infused into our hearts, our spirit is elevated as we consent to allow His Spirit to dwell in us. Then our reflection of His reflection of God's heart transforms our character into the same likeness as Christ's character. This is how our reflection is restored to synchronize with that of the true reflection of His Son.

Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

To give glory to God is the essence of the New Song. That is what the New Song is all about – giving God all the glory, praise, admiration, our deepest affections, respect and to honor His reputation that has been so damaged and perverted by the myriads of lies and slander from the enemy and by all of us.

Beholding the Lamb is the very essence of life-receiving worship that results in glory to God.

Beholding the beast receives and reflects an authoritarian, controlling god identity/image.

To give glory to God then is in clear contrast to wondering after the beast which ultimately gives worship and glory to the dragon. This is what is accelerating in our world today, and its subtle power to rivet our imagination is overwhelming. We need this reminder to give glory to God above all.

When we allow ideas about God as being at all like the beast and dragon versions of Him to dominate our imagination, our characters become formed into an image of the beast in our own lives as well as collectively. This darkened image is a counterfeit, an exploitation of our original design as imagers of God's heart. By reflecting the serpent's version of God, we defame God's reputation as we reflect attributes and dispositions opposite that of the Lamb, and in so doing we bear false witness that these attributes define what God is like. Yet in doing this we are denying our identity and purpose to reflect the Lamb's reflection of God as authentic, displacing our true identity with the beast/dragon version of God, and end up believing that is our identity as well.

The Lamb invites us to come and reason together, something the beast never does.

The beast and image demands worship at threat of social stigma, financial embargo and even death.

Independent thinking, open communication, relationship and honest discussion with Jesus, God and the Holy Spirit, are opposite to the blind obedience and top down authoritarian tactics of the beast.

To give Him glory is to realign ourselves into proper orientation with the great circuit of flowing love power for which we are designed. Everything and everyone was created for the glory of God, and as we allow ourselves to be brought into alignment with our true purpose for our existence, our heart and lives may be filled with increasing joy, peace and deep levels of satisfaction that are presently unimaginable to our feeble perceptions and crippled imagination. This is God's desire, for us to reconnect to the joy the rest of the universe shared at the conclusion of the creation of our planet.

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding. Who determined the measures of it, if you know? Or who stretched the line on it? Whereupon were the foundations of it fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? (Job 38:4-7)

He said in a clear resounding voice, "Be in awe of God, and glorify him by living his methods of love, because the hour has come for everyone to make a judgment about God and worship the Designer, Creator and Builder who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and springs of water, which all operate upon his law of love." (The Remedy)

Next time we will move deep into the next instruction here that is directly linked to God's glory, His reputation and the deeper meaning of what this judgment of God is really about.

Eternal Good News Angel - Rumor notes 129

 

Revelation 14

6 I saw an angel flying in mid heaven, having an eternal Good News to proclaim to those who dwell on the earth, and to every nation, tribe, language, and people. 7 He said with a loud voice, "Fear the Lord, and give him glory; for the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and the springs of waters!"

I saw an [another] angel flying in mid heaven

This is possibly the first of a set of 7 angels in a sequence found from here through chapter 18. These first three angels may parallel 3 sets of 7 that involve repeated outpourings of light beginning with the opening of the seals. This is followed up with increasing intensity by 7 trumpets and finally culminating with the 7 bowls. Based on this pattern, this first angel would parallel the first set of 7's - the unsealing of the Seals. (see list and chart of all the 7's compiled from Revelation)

There may be another pattern here that possibly carries even more significance that may be worth considering. It relates to an announcement injected before the beginning – and is repeated during – the last three trumpets. This could indicate that these three angels we are about to focus on, are counterparts or relevant responses, to the content of the last 3 angels with their trumpet messages.

I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, "Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!" (Revelation 8:13)

I have compiled a comparison chart to test this idea, and while it is not completely convincing, it does expose compelling attributes that makes it worth considering, at least from my perspective.

This proposed interpretation is enhanced by the meaning of the word here in chapter 14 rendered as another in reference to this first angel. It would seem confusing to some as to why John would use this word to start a new sequence of 3 angels with their cluster of closely-related messages. Yet in this case, based on the context, this word could have important implications.

The word translated 'another' is defined this way by Strong's concordance.

Allos - a primary word; "else," i.e. different:--more, one (another), other(-s, -wise).

While this implies that this messenger is in addition to others already mentioned, given the fact that the next two angels are referenced as starting from this specific angel and message, it would seem to indicate that this angel is distinct or unique in some way that separates it from all the previous angels mentioned. This angel could be like hitting a reset button on the angel counter.

Another, a second angel, followed, saying... Another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a great voice... (Revelation 14:8-9)

The way the next two angels are referenced makes it explicitly clear that this angel is the first of a series, despite the fact that it is referred as another. So again, what might make this angel different from previous angels already mentioned to set it apart as the first of a series of at least 3 or even 7 angels?

What has just been presented previous to this verse? There has been an involved description we have been studying for weeks about a group of people on earth known as the 144,000. Of particular note, this group of people are unique from others because they sing a New Song and follow the Lamb wherever He goes, something almost unheard of about any other group of people previously described. So what is so new about this Song, and what makes it new? We spent a great deal of time unpacking the newness of this Song, so given our enhanced awareness of the unique nature of this Song, we should now immediately recognize that the message of this first angel in particular corresponds exactly to the parameters that define what makes this Song New and different.

I see this as an important aspect of the meaning of the word another in reference to this angel. It means different, and that could alert us that this angel is presenting something so new and different as to cause this angel to stand out from everything we have heard from angels up to this point. This powerful message is in fact the message (1 John 1:5) that has transformed this elite group of Lamb-followers into glowing reflectors of His glory and expert musicians of His kind of music. This is what makes them so different from any other group of believers previous, for their advanced reflection of the truth about God's glory has ripened their hearts to become first fruits who are now in sync with the very first Fruit – the Son of Man. He was the first human to fully mature the fruit of the likeness of God's heart, reflecting His selfless love in a human body, mind, soul and spirit. And He accomplished this while living among us here on this diseased and wicked planet.

This is the Lamb these people emulate, admire and follow tenaciously. And just as their song is startling different than any other version of praise heard previously offered up to God, so too is the message of this angel the very essence of what is being sung and transmitted through the lives and witness of these people who have allowed the Lamb and the Spirit to transform them into the same image and likeness of God's heart just like the Lamb they follow.

The message of this angel we are about to study, is really a continuation of the description just given of people who follow the Lamb and enjoy His style of love songs. If we will take this first message seriously and allow it to have its intended impact in our hearts and lives, it will transform us just as what was described in the previous verses, and there would be no need for the following, increasingly shrill warnings of the next two angels. The entire content of saving, healing, restorative truth needed to reset us back into living in joy of perfect synchronization with God's heart of passionate love, is encapsulated in the succinct and totally positive message of this first angel. That is what makes this angel unique from the previous messages presented in that it calls us back to focusing only on the goodness and glory of God's true character as the focal point of existence. The only thoughts worth circulating in our imagination, the only fascination that should capture our heart, the only love worth pursuing passionately until it consumes every other distraction is all in this message.

having an eternal Good News [the eternal gospel] to proclaim

You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength. Lift it up. Don't be afraid. Say to the cities of Judah, "Behold, your God!" (Isaiah 40:9)

But Israel shall be saved by Yahweh with an everlasting salvation: you shall not be disappointed nor confounded world without end. (Isaiah 45:17)

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of good, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, Your God reigns! (Isaiah 52:7)

Behold, an angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, "Don't be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. (Luke 2:9-10)

For I am not ashamed of the Good News of Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation for everyone who believes; for the Jew first, and also for the Greek. For in it is revealed God's righteousness from faith to faith. As it is written, "But the righteous shall live by faith." (Romans 1:16-17)

Even if our Good News is veiled, it is veiled in those who perish; in whom the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the Good News of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn on them. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different "good news"; and there isn't another "good news." Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any "good news" other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed. As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any "good news" other than that which you received, let him be cursed. For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn't be a servant of Christ. But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man. For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ. (Galatians 1:6-12)

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him; in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will; to the end that we should be to the praise of his glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the Good News of your salvation,--in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is a pledge of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:9-14)

We give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, having heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have toward all the saints, because of the hope which is laid up for you in the heavens, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the Good News, which has come to you; even as it is in all the world and is bearing fruit and growing, as it does in you also, since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; (Colossians 1:3-6)

yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant. (Colossians 1:22-23)

We know, brothers loved by God, that you are chosen, and that our Good News came to you not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and with much assurance. You know what kind of men we showed ourselves to be among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5)

But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth; to which he called you through our Good News, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don't obey the Good News of God? (1 Peter 4:17)

This is the message which we have heard from him and announce to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5)

those who dwell on the earth

We will pass on reviewing this, given we have explored it a number of times in this study.

with a loud voice, "Fear the Lord

The nations were angry, and your wrath came, as did the time for the dead to be judged, and to give your bondservants the prophets, their reward, as well as to the saints, and those who fear your name, to the small and the great; and to destroy those who destroy the earth. (Revelation 11:18)

Who wouldn't fear you, Lord, and glorify your name? For you only are holy. For all the nations will come and worship before you. For your righteous acts have been revealed. (Revelation 15:4)

A voice came forth from the throne, saying, "Give praise to our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, the small and the great!" (Revelation 19:5)

They said to Moses, "Speak with us yourself, and we will listen; but don't let God speak with us, lest we die." Moses said to the people, "Don't be afraid, for God has come to test you, and that his fear may be before you, that you won't sin." (Exodus 20:19-20)

Now therefore let the fear of Yahweh be on you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with Yahweh our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of bribes. Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites and the priests, and of the heads of the fathers' houses of Israel, for the judgment of Yahweh, and for controversies. They returned to Jerusalem. He charged them, saying, Thus shall you do in the fear of Yahweh, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. (2 Chronicles 19:7-9)

Oh how great is your goodness, which you have laid up for those who fear you, which you have worked for those who take refuge in you, before the sons of men! (Psalms 31:19)

Effective Mouthwash - Rumor notes 128

 

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Revelation 14

3 They sing a new song before the throne, and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the one hundred forty-four thousand, those who had been redeemed out of the earth. 4 These are those who were not defiled with women, for they are virgins. These are those who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These were redeemed by Jesus from among men, the first fruits to God and to the Lamb. 5 In their mouth was found no lie, for they are blameless.

In their mouth was found no lie

He had seven stars in his right hand. Out of his mouth proceeded a sharp two-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest. (Revelation 1:16)

Moses said to Yahweh, "Oh, Lord, I am not eloquent, neither before now, nor since you have spoken to your servant; for I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue." Yahweh said to him, "Who made man's mouth? Or who makes one mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Isn't it I, Yahweh? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth, and teach you what you shall speak." (Exodus 4:10-12)

In the year that king Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up; and his train filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim. Each one had six wings. With two he covered his face. With two he covered his feet. With two he flew. One called to another, and said, "Holy, holy, holy, is Yahweh of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!" The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.

Then I said, "Woe is me! For I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, Yahweh of Armies!"

Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. He touched my mouth with it, and said, "Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin forgiven." I heard the Lord's voice, saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am. Send me!" (Isaiah 6:1-8)

Who may ascend to Yahweh's hill? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart; who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood, and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from Yahweh, righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, who seek your face--even Jacob. Selah. (Psalms 24:3-6)

Who is someone who desires life, and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking lies. Depart from evil, and do good. seek peace, and pursue it. Yahweh's eyes are toward the righteous. His ears listen to their cry. Yahweh's face is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. (Psalms 34:12-16)

All the words of my mouth are in righteousness. There is nothing crooked or perverse in them. (Proverbs 8:8)

They made his grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in his death; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)

The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid. (Zephaniah 3:13)

"These are the things that you shall do: speak every man the truth with his neighbor. Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates, and let none of you devise evil in your hearts against his neighbor, and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate," says Yahweh. (Zechariah 8:16-17)

The law of truth was in his mouth, and unrighteousness was not found in his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many away from iniquity. (Malachi 2:6)

It could be easy to conclude that we need to work hard to control what comes out of our mouth, and to an extent this might be true. But far more important is to have what is behind coming out of our mouth dealt with effectively, that is according to Jesus' perspective.

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, neither in this age, nor in that which is to come.

Either make the tree good, and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt, and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned. (Matthew 12:31-37)

The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.

Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and don't do the things which I say? (Luke 6:45-46)

but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. Don't lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, (Colossians 3:8-9)

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth." Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously; (1 Peter 2:21-23)

For, "He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1 Peter 3:10-12)

even he whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deception of wickedness for those who are being lost, because they didn't receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. Because of this, God sends them a working of error, that they should believe a lie; (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11)

they are blameless

In the Hebrew this word has the following meaning from which I assembled this sampling of many verses throughout Scripture relating to this characteristic that identifies the Lamb-followers.

tamiym: entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also integrity, truth: without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerity, sound, without spot, undefiled, upright, whole.

This is the history of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with God. (Genesis 6:9)

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, Yahweh appeared to Abram, and said to him, "I am God Almighty. Walk before me, and be blameless. (Genesis 17:1)

You shall be perfect with Yahweh your God. (Deuteronomy 18:13)

As for God, his way is perfect. The word of Yahweh is tested. He is a shield to all those who take refuge in him. For who is God, besides Yahweh? Who is a rock, besides our God? God is my strong fortress. He makes my way perfect. (2 Samuel 22:31-33)

With the merciful you will show yourself merciful. With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect. With the pure you will show yourself pure. With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd. (2 Samuel 22:26-27)

This introduces us to an important principle related to reflection, that of projection. Not only do we reflect what we actually imagine God to be like, but we also tend to project back onto God what we are like. Our preferences, prejudices and traditions form a filter that distorts how we perceive and interpret God's interactions with us in all our circumstances. This means that if we are trusting and blameless, we will see God as trustworthy and blameless just as Jesus reveals Him to be. But if we are always suspicious, fault-finding, critical or desiring revenge, these distorted base cravings of the flesh will cause us to view God in a distorted light, believing that He is in fact like the serpent accused Him of being, knowing both good and evil.

The serpent said to the woman, "You won't surely die, for God knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:4-5)

Believing this fundamental lie about what motivates God in His relations with us, always produces fear of punishment which in turn induces us to look for someone else to blame for our mistakes or sins. This is clearly seen in the story of Adam and Eve right after they bit into that lie that infected their hearts from the father of the ultimate lie, Satan. When asked the simple question about what had so altered their disposition towards their loving Creator, they both instantly began to blame others, and even God. What is clear is that they were assuming that God had now come to punish them with death, and their survival instincts went into warp drive seeking some way to avoid punishment by shifting responsibility to someone else, even on God.

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. (1 John 4:17-18 NRSV)

This link of fear with punishment is one of the most potent strongholds the enemy maintains inside most every human being keeping us easily manipulated and exploited. So long as we believe God is in the punishing business we will be unable to appreciate and embrace the truth of His unconditional love, compassion and tenderness towards us all the time. There may be no other story with more references to this attribute of blameless, along with a great deal of blaming, than as seen in the story of Job. This became so troublesome in Job's life he began to view it as a liability.

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil. (Job 1:1)

Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil." (Job 1:8)

Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil. He still maintains his integrity, although you incited me against him, to ruin him without cause." (Job 2:3)

Isn't your piety your confidence? Isn't the integrity of your ways your hope? (Job 4:6 Eliphaz)

Behold, God will not cast away a blameless man, neither will he uphold the evil-doers. (Job 8:20 Bildad)

Though I am righteous, my own mouth shall condemn me. Though I am blameless, it shall prove me perverse. I am blameless. I don't regard myself. I despise my life. It is all the same. Therefore I say he destroys the blameless and the wicked. (Job 9:20-22)

I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke. (Job 12:4)

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that you are righteous? Or does it benefit him, that you make your ways perfect? (Job 22:3 Eliphaz)

(let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity); (Job 31:6)

Job comes to the conclusion that the problem that had to be addressed was that the scales by which he was being tried were rigged against him unfairly. What he failed to see, and what most of us also fail to discern, is that the entire system of measuring according to balance scales is invalid, and that our hope does not come in convincing God to make adjustments to our balance sheets of moral value, but that our perspective of sin is skewed from inside of it instead of seeing God's side. We get a hint of this in how the sea of glass is first described in Exodus 24 as a glass ceiling above the heads of God's invited guests who came to eat with Him. They could only see translucent outlines of something far more spectacular on the upper side. By contrast we find in Revelation that God is the one on trial, and His throne on the upper side is on this sea of glass as the floor of heaven. Here the truth begins to emerge that the problem of evil involves our ignorance, our fears and distortions that induce distrust because of believed lies the enemy uses to viciously attack His reputation since the outset of the war. It is our thinking that needs adjusting to realign with the truth, not God's.

Blameless also means we stop blaming altogether. Blame was one of the very first symptoms that appeared after sin infected the human psyche, and it has plagued us ever since. Those who are blameless stop looking for others to blame for the problems of evil, and instead focus their attention on the glory of God's goodness, graciousness, kindness and relentless love for all His children. Blame believes someone must be punished, and that justice forces God to impose due punishment for evil. This is rooted in the psychopathic lies the enemy successfully uses to keep us afraid of God and distrustful of His heart. This is the true cause of evil, and salvation is designed to heal us from this.

Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart; (Psalms 15:1-2)

Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me. Then I will be upright. I will be blameless and innocent of great transgression. (Psalms 19:13)

Judge me, Yahweh, for I have walked in my integrity. I have trusted also in Yahweh without wavering. (Psalms 26:1)

Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever. (Psalms 37:18)

Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace. (Psalms 37:37)

Against you, and you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight; that you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge. (Psalms 51:4)

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to Yahweh's law. (Psalms 119:1)

The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way, but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. (Proverbs 11:5)

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool. (Proverbs 19:1)

Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich. (Proverbs 28:6)

The bloodthirsty hate a man of integrity; and they seek the life of the upright. (Proverbs 29:10)

You are all beautiful, my love. There is no spot in you. (Song of Solomon 4:7)

The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless ones. Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting burning? He who walks righteously, and speaks blamelessly; He who despises the gain of oppressions, who gestures with his hands, refusing to take a bribe, who stops his ears from hearing of blood, and shuts his eyes from looking at evil-- he will dwell on high. His place of defense will be the fortress of rocks. His bread will be supplied. His waters will be sure. (Isaiah 33:14-16)

You were perfect in your ways from the day that you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you. (Ezekiel 28:15)

This unrighteousness was distortions of the truth of God's character that blamed Him for evil.

Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. (Daniel 6:4)

Or have you not read in the law, that on the Sabbath day, the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are guiltless? (Matthew 12:5)

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. (Luke 1:5-6)

Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find no basis for a charge against this man." (Luke 23:4)

Herein I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men. (Acts 24:16)

I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus; that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge; even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ; who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:4-8)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ; even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love; (Ephesians 1:3-4)

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; so that you may approve the things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense to the day of Christ; being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. (Philippians 1:9-11)

Do all things without murmurings and disputes, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world, holding up the word of life; that I may have something to boast in the day of Christ, that I didn't run in vain nor labor in vain. (Philippians 2:14-16)

circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, found blameless. However, what things were gain to me, these have I counted loss for Christ. (Philippians 3:5-7)

You, being in past times alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now he has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and blameless before him, if it is so that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the Good News which you heard, which is being proclaimed in all creation under heaven; of which I, Paul, was made a servant. (Colossians 1:21-23)

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you; and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you, to the end he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:11-13)

May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Deacons likewise must be serious, not double-tongued, not indulging in much wine, not greedy for money; they must hold fast to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them first be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them serve as deacons. (1 Timothy 3:8-10 NRSV)

I left you in Crete for this reason, that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city, as I directed you; if anyone is blameless, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, who are not accused of loose or unruly behavior. For the overseer must be blameless, as God's steward; not self-pleasing, not easily angered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for dishonest gain; but given to hospitality, as a lover of good, sober minded, fair, holy, self-controlled; holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict those who contradict him. (Titus 1:5-9)

But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them. For such a high priest was fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:24-26)

For if the blood of goats and bulls, and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled, sanctify to the cleanness of the flesh: how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13-14)

knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from the useless way of life handed down from your fathers, but with precious blood, as of a faultless and pure lamb, the blood of Christ; (1 Peter 1:18-19)

But, according to his promise, we look for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, seeing that you look for these things, be diligent to be found in peace, without blemish and blameless in his sight. (2 Peter 3:13-14)

Now to him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory in great joy, to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 1:24-25)