:cloud9: As I shared in an earlier post.........
And again; if you would study the Tabernacle, you would realize that the "gate" and the "narrow way", are both references to the openings of the Tabernacle pattern, which get progressively smaller as you pass thru the 3 courts, effectively making sort of an arrow pointing the way into the holiest of all, the Most Holy Place.
The reason "few there be that find it", is because what is at the end of it is the high calling in Christ Jesus Paul spoke about, and only a remnant will find it initially, as God always deals with a firstfruits, first. It has NOTHING to do with the salvation of the others that don't initially find it, as you understand salvation.
It's scary to find out nearly everything you've been taught/believed could be in error, isn't it, "lee"? Gives you that "Peter feeling" of not knowing if you're going to sink when you step out of that boat of carnal reasonings, doesn't it? Come on in, the water's fine........Blessings....
:cloud9: There is a sticky under Christian Life section about the Tabernacle, for starters.......I don't know of any books on it, but I'm sure there are. I learned from reading about it in the OT after the lightbulb went off in Hebrews 10 about IT being the pattern of the heavenly things.
I couldn't figure out when I first came to the Lord why nobody else wanted to study this immeasurably RICH pattern. It is LITERALLY the framework for EVERYTHING that IS, in the waters beneath the firmament (everything under heaven). Blessings....
Lee100 PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE READ THIS
New Testament ( Law Vs. Grace )
Lee This may be a long story with every ch. and vs. But It will answer the base Question of why it says what it says in
Matthew's Book
Now in this translation, the statement, "a different evangel, which is not another," is both readable and intelligible. First, the Greek word HETERON, literally means DIFFERENT, and denotes not the same, distinct, unlike. This clearly reveals, in accord with what we have already learned, that there are "different gospels" in the Scriptures. Furthermore, Paul marveled that the Galatians were "removed" or transferred to "a different gospel" from that which he had brought to them. And he also declared that it was "not another" gospel for them! Now the truth of this statement may be recognized for the reality of what it says when we remember that Christ affirmed that "the Scripture cannot be ( 'broken' ) annulled" (John 10:35). This reveals that Scripture MEANS EXACTLY WHAT IT SAYS, and FOR WHOM IT IS SAID. Therefore, if a "gospel" which was divinely ordained for one people, is perverted to another, its promises simply cannot be fulfilled.
Consequently, it is "not another" gospel or "good news" for them. And those to whom it is being preached, becomes both disturbed and deceived. Now when this "different gospel" while true for the people for whom it was divinely ordained, was perversely forced upon the Galatians, the Uncircumcision, the "gentiles," its promises could not be fulfilled, therefore, their faith was misplaced and nullified! ( Dose this sound like lee100) And on this account Paul doubly emphasized the "curse" or anathema upon the preachers, saying, "though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you ( Galatians, the Uncircumcision or "gentiles"), than that ye have received, let him be accursed" (Gal 1:8-9;2:2,7). Now the reason for all this defense is as follows. Paul had gone into Galatia in accord with his divinely ordained commission, bringing the gospel which came to him through a revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal. 1:11-12 ), for which he had been separated (Rom 1:1-5),and which he specifically designated "that gospel which I preach among the gentiles" (Gal 2:2), and "the gospel of the Uncircumcision" ( Gal 2:7) . Later, Christianized Jewish preachers visited the churches of Galatia and "removed" or transferred the believers from the grace of Christ in which they had been called to "a different Gospel" of faith and works , which was none other than "the gospel of the Circumcision" that was committed unto Peter for the Circumcision ( Gal 2:7-9 ) Consequently, they were urged to be "circumcised" ( Gal 5: 2-3; 6: 12-13 ), to "observe days, months, seasons and years" ( Gal 4:8-11 ), and to be "zealous for the law" and "live according to the customs of Moses" like as the Jewish believers were demanded by " the gospel of the Circumcision" Gal 3:1-9; 4:19-21; 6:12-15; Acts 21:19-21. Therefore, Paul was moved by "a revelation" to go up to Jerusalem and "communicate, " submit or make known to them—James, Peter and John, who are supposed to be pillars—"that gospel which he preached among the gentiles" ( Gal 2:1-10). At this meeting, those of repute—James, Peter and John—submitted nothing to Paul ! On the contrary, Titus, being a Greek believer through Paul's ministry, was not permitted to be circumcised, and Paul did not simulate or give place by subjection, not even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with us (Gal 2:1-5 ). Furthermore, at that meeting, it was clearly revealed that Paul had been entrusted with "the gospel of the Uncircumcision, according as Peter of the Circumcision." And also, "when James, Cephas ( Peter ) and John, who seemed to be pillars, learned of the grace that was given to Paul, they gave to him and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that they should go unto the "heathen" or nations, and they unto the circumcision" ( Gal 2:7-9 ). After this meeting, Paul was moved by the Spirit to write this epistle to the Galatians, that they might be delivered from this disturbance and bondage of the law to which they had been "removed" or transferred from the truth of the gospel of the grace of God, which he had brought them, with its freedom of Sonship through the hearing of faith apart from works of the law
Gal 3: 1-14. He also was quite vehement in his protest against the preacher, invoking the "curse" or anathema ( which was the ancient custom of devoting a person to an expiatory or atoning sacrifice to the gods in order to avert public calamity), upon any man, even himself or a messenger from heaven, who would bring "ANY OTHER GOSPEL TO THEM ( The Galatians, the Uncircumcision or "gentiles")THAN THAT WHICH HE, PAUL HAD PREACHED TO THEM !" What would Paul say to apostate Christendom if he were here today, when, conservatively speaking, seventy-five % of its teachings, beliefs, customs and practices are drawn from the Circumcision gospel and writings, thus "removing" or transferring believers from the grace of Christ, in which they are called, and consequently distorting the gospel of Christ.
God has clearly and definitely declared that Paul was His chosen vessel to bear His name to the "gentiles" or nations. He entrusted to him the specific gospel for the nations by a revelation of Jesus Christ ( Gal 1:12), namely, "the gospel of the Uncircumcision" (Gal 2:7 ). He was separated and commissioned the apostle, herald and teacher of the nations in knowledge and truth ( Rom 1: 1-5;11:13;15:15-18 ).
And he was also given the glorious revelations of Grace, Justification, Conciliation, Reconciliation, the "mystery" or secret ordained before the "world" or eons for our glory, and the administration of the secret, with the happy expectation and allotment of grace glorious among the celestials in the heavens for believing nations, (peoples).
Yet in spite of all these grand and transcendently glorious truths, of which the Circumcision apostles scarcely dreamed, to say nothing of preaching or teaching them, we find "theology" and the "religious teaching" of Christendom super-imposing the gospel of the Circumcision, concerning the earthly kingdom and its allotments of terrestrial glory (earth-base), upon these grand revelations for the heavens, revealed through Paul. Such ministry beclouds, bedims, and befogs the glorious truths of the spiritual blessings which God has so graciously provided and ordained for believers today, in this administration of His Grace ! And, how often we hear the confident, contented, complacent comment, "O we take Paul's writings together with all the other writings of the Bible! How little those who persist in such lawlessness and unbelief, realize that they are preaching and believing "a different gospel" than that which God had graciously ordained and revealed for them, and are consequently "removed" or Transferred from the Grace of Christ! And the sad and lamentable part of it all is, that those who receive and believe "another" or "different gospel" then that which God gave Paul for the Uncircumcision or "gentiles, " for this administration of grace, though it be in the Bible, are, nevertheless, misplacing and nullifying their faith, because the promises cannot be fulfilled to them ! They have been erroneously taught, deceived, lied to and removed from the grace of Christ! They have "fallen from grace" and "Christ profits them nothing," consequently, "they are debtors to do the WHOLE LAW" ( Gal. 5:2-6)!
Finally, God has already separated "the gospel of the Uncircumcision" for the "gentiles" or nations from " the gospel of the Circumcision" ( Gal 2: 1-9 ), and placed in it that which cannot be Mixed or Confused with the demands and promises of the " other gospels" of the Scriptures without "frustrating" or (Repudiating His Grace---deny the truth or validity of or/and refuse to accept or be associated with.) ( Gal 2:21) ! This joining together and mixing, misplacing and misapplying demands and promises which God has ordained for one people in another administration, (age ) with the peoples of this administration, (age ) of the secret and the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus today, distorts and perverts the Scriptures. Consequently, it draws down the " CURSE " or Anathema on the one thus preaching or teaching, even though he be an angel ( messenger ), from heaven! Therefore, we should give the most earnest consideration and obedient recognition to what God has written, that we may "correctly cut the word of truth" and thus present ourselves to Him qualified, unashamed, approved workers, and receive His blessed applause in that day ( 2 Tim. 2:15;--But a ( Blind man) cant see , until a unveiling happens.)-- 1 Cor. 4:1-5) The Gospel of OUR Salvation
Retyped by Lee Damboise II
:cloud9: Lee, you do realize there are layers upon layers of revelation in the book, don't you? If not, read this.........
The system of hebraic understanding used by all hebrew prophets and scholars was and remains a system that goes by the acronym of PARDES whic stands for PASHAT/ Literal primary meaning, REMEZ/Hints in the text of something deeper, DRASH/ The added understanding that can only be gleaned by parables, riddles, stories etc and SOD/ Secrets and mysteries which are mysterious underlying secrets revealed in text.
What I said is one them. And what I said does not take away from the letter at all. The wide gate is still the outer court realm, and it does lead to destruction, and the false prophets are teaching a false peace that leads to it. And judging others is what will ultimately result in one's placement there, as being cast into OUTER darkness (no candlestick there) is what's coming to those that are not of the few that find the "narrow way" as firstfruits, because whatever judgment you mete out is what is meted out to you.
We were not given an OT ministry of condemnation, but a ministry of reconciliation of all. Blessings....