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Chapter Six
The last few years of this Age. Rev.4v1 to 20v3
Antichrist and the False Prophet. Rev.13v1-18
In Rev.11, we see God's Two Witnesses, and their conflict with the Beast. In Rev.13, God gives us another look at Antichrist, and his right hand man, the False Prophet. They are the means by which the dragon makes his attack on the woman of Rev.12, and the rest of the Christians within his reach. In Rev.13, we see two beasts, Antichrist and the False Prophet; they are both evil monsters for they are described by the word “thorion,” which describes a wild animal, a beast, a monster.
THE FIRST BEAST, THE ANTICHRIST.
There is a definite connection between this vision and the one in Daniel seven, for the beast of Rev.13 has the characteristics of all four of the beasts of Daniel's vision. Notice that all the beasts here named are destroyers of life, leopards, bears, and lions are all killers. This is a reference to the kingdoms that Satan has used to oppress and conquer the Israelites in the past. The seventh head with ten horns is the kingdom of the final Antichrist.
The power of the Beast.
“The dragon gave him his power, and his throne and great authority.” Dan.8v24. Jn.12v31. 14v30. 16v11. 1Jn.5v9. This power lasts for 42 months in Rev.13v5.; this is the same period of time that is mentioned elsewhere as 1260 days, and “times, time, and half a time.” The wickedness of Antichrist and Satan is the cause of this 42 months of great tribulation.
God says that all the earth will worship Antichrist except true Christians. Some think that the “proskuneo,” here translated as “worship,” should rather be translated “do homage,” however, we read in 2Thes.2v4., that Antichrist claims that he is God, and demands worship. In Rev.13v8., Antichrist is worshipped as a person, “auton,” “him,” is a masculine pronoun. In politics and entertainment, worldlings do homage to and worship their idols, without being under their control or political domination. This could be the sense of Rev.13v7,8., where it states that Antichrist is given “authority (“exousia”) over every tribe, and people and tongue and nation.” We know that Antichrist is fighting with other nations of the world until the last few days of the great tribulation, and even when he defeats these nations, he does not have time to be world ruler before Jesus returns. However, Antichrist's influence and power will reach into every nation before he wins the war, even as communism did in its height of power. Antichrist will have followers in every country, though not every country will follow him, many countries will fight him until the last few days of the great tribulation, when he defeats their armies in the Middle East. Antichrist will have his followers and worshippers in every nation in the world, but in many countries they will be a minority.
Those in the countries under the control of Antichrist will either do homage to Antichrist or die. Rev.13v15. Christ was offered the kingdoms of the world by Satan, but the only way He could have received them, was by worshipping Satan and by following a career as evil as that of Antichrist, this was completely unacceptable to Him. No matter how promising Satan's temptations may seem, they all lead to evil, death and destruction. Satan's plan is to rule the earth by political force, and to have the worship of men because of their fear of death, in this evil plan God has restrained him. 2Thes.2v6-8. Satan's kingdom is based on subservience through force and fear, God's kingdom is based on the rule of love. There will be a genuine affection, fervent love, serene trust, sincere respect, and a beautiful care and concern between all the members of God's kingdom. Pure and perfect love will rule in the kingdom of God, and so happiness will be perfect and complete.
The miracles of the Beast.
We read that one of the heads of the Beast, from the context the seventh head, the Antichrist, is “wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed,” this causes all the world to marvel at the Beast. In Rev.13v3,12,14., states that Antichrist's wound of death” will be healed. It appears that Satan copies the death and resurrection of Christ, and raises Antichrist from the dead, this miracle makes the whole world wonder after the Beast. Fire is brought down from heaven by the False Prophet by the power and at the desire of Antichrist, and many more great wonders are done by Antichrist. No wonder that the Lord Jesus warned us that the manifestations of evil power will be so great that the elect children of God will almost be deceived. The miracles that Antichrist will do will be the very things that Elijah and other men of God did to prove that God was with them. God desires His Church to prepare for these evil days and manifest His power, for if false prophets do more wonders than the Church of God, the world will never take the Church or the Gospel message seriously. The anti-Pentecostal attitude of many Christian leaders today, is leading much of the Church into sure spiritual defeat in the days ahead.
The Image of the Beast.
A statue, or some kind of image, is made of Antichrist, and the False Prophet is given power to bring this image to life. This image, probably made of a precious metal, is set up in the Temple sanctuary at Jerusalem, and is called the abomination of desolation. Mt.24v15. Dan.9v27. 11v31. 12v11. 2Thes.2v3,4. This idol is made to live and speak and all who will not worship it are killed. This is another lying wonder that Antichrist does to prove that he is God. 2Thes.2v3,4,8,9. This worship of Antichrist involves the worship of Satan, this desire for worship brought about Satan's sin and fall. Rev.13v15. Lk.4v7. Is.14v12-19.
The blasphemy of the Beast.
The attitude of Antichrist to God is appalling, He continually, mocks, derides and blasphemes God, and all that He stands for, he insists that all his subjects should ridicule, criticise, and utter blasphemous insults against God and Christianity. Here we see a dreadful preview of the final attitude of all who do not want God. The last judgement will give us a startling revelation of the hatred that the wicked have for God, goodness, love and truth. There will be the most appalling outburst of anger, hatred and blasphemy against the great, good, and beautiful God of love. The wicked bewail their fate, but they are bitterly angry and blaspheme God for it. Dan.8v11,12. 7v25. 9v27. 11v31,36. Jer.13v23. 17v1. N.B. Rev.2v21. 9v20,21. 16v9-11,21. It is a dreadful fact, that people can totally reject God and virtue, and like the evil angels, be gripped by an everlasting love of evil.
The Beast, the Antichrist, blasphemes God and authority is given to him to persecute the children of God and kill them. Rev.13v5-7. This is why the woman flees into the wilderness from the malice of Satan and Antichrist. Persecution is inevitable from a world that hates God, however, it can be a blessing to us, and can drive us into deeper experiences with God. Let us be careful not to receive the grace of God in vain in these trials. Jn.15v18 to 16v3. Rom.8v35-39. Heb.12v15. 2Cor.6v1.
The mark of the Beast.
Those who live in countries dominated by Antichrist will not be able to buy food or conduct business unless they have the mark of the Beast upon their right hand or forehead, they will either worship Antichrist and receive his mark or suffer starvation, imprisonment and death. Rev.13v15-17. Strict economic and political control is already a fact in almost every country of the world, and government permission or supervision effects much our lives. We thank God for the freedom we have in our country, and this freedom should not be sacrificed by careless Christian living, we should continually pray for this state of affairs to continue. 1Tim.2v1-8. This economic control by Antichrist gives light on the sheep of Mt.25v31-46., those who help Christians in the great tribulation, and risk their life or reputation to do so, are allowed into the Millennial Kingdom.
The number of the Beast.
We are told that the person who is wise and understanding is able to count the number of the Beast, for it is the number of a man. Some say that this is the number of man, 666 being the height of human power, which is contrasted with 777, the overwhelming perfection of God. However, the writer believes, with many others, that the name of Antichrist will add up to 666. The way of telling a man by his number is made possible by the fact that both the Hebrew and Greek languages use the letters of the alphabet for numerals, in fact, good authorities inform us that for a long time these were the only numerals in use. People have found an amazing number of names that add up to 666; Nero, the Pope, Mohammed, Napoleon, and Luther are but a few of them. The Protestant Church has applied it to the Roman Catholic Church, and by careful juggling of words the Roman Catholic Church has applied it to the Protestant Church and its leaders. The Lord Jesus has told us that Antichrist's name will adds up to 666 in order to give additional proof that he is the man of sin. Unless a person fulfils such prophecies as Dan.9v27., 2Thes.2v3-12., Mt.24v15-21., and no one has yet done so, it is useless speculation to apply this number test to a person. God gives this number to show that He knows the name and most minute details about this man before he is even born, and so we can be encouraged to believe that the good things that God has promised will also come to pass. It is interesting to note that some tell us that the name of Jesus in the Greek language has the numerical value of 888.
THE FALSE PROPHET, THE SECOND EVIL BEAST. Rev.13v11-18.
We see from Rev.13v11., that the false prophet has two horns like a lamb, perhaps this means that he has a mild and innocent appearance, however, his speech betrays him, he speaks like a dragon. He has the same disposition as his master Satan, and the Antichrist; he is venomous, fiery, cruel, hateful and a devourer of all that is good. He exercises all the power of the first Beast, and does great wonders and miracles in order to deceive people. The reason why God allows some people to be deceived in this manner is given in 2Thes.2v11,12., it is to separate the wicked from the righteous, only those who want to be wicked will finally be deceived by Antichrist. The Two Witnesses and other spirit-filled Christians will expose Antichrist and reveal the source of his power. Nevertheless we are warned by the Lord Jesus that we must watch and pray and take heed to our spiritual life in these days, or we will grow spiritually cold and backslide. It will take real patience, grace, faith and spiritual stamina to come through these times with an overcoming faith. Mt.24v4,5,12,41-51. Lk.18v1-6.
There are several textual variations and problems of exposition in Rev.13v10..
Some texts of Rev.13v10. “If anyone by a sword will kill, etc.” vary greatly in content and meaning.
Hodges and Farstad read, “If anyone by a sword must he be killed.” This lacks meaning and qualification. The Critical Texts and Codex A read, “If anyone by a sword kills, he with a sword be killed.” The manuscripts C, P, read, “If anyone by a sword will kill, he must by a sword be killed.” The A.V., T.R., Mce read, “If anyone by a sword will kill, he must by a sword be killed.” The future active shows this verse is speaking of the persecutor, and not the persecuted, which would be indicated by the future passive. It means that the slayer is slain. These manuscripts are more likely to apply to a persecutor than to the persecuted. The following interpretations of these variations are possible.
God's Judgement on Antichrist for Causing Captivity and Carnage.
Antichrist invades countries and brings vast numbers of people into captivity under his tyrannical domination. The Septuagint uses “aichmalosia,” in this sense of leading into captivity in Numb.21v1. 2Chron.28v5. Is.20v4. Ezek.11v25. and Hab.1v9.. The A.V., T.R., and Mb, state that Rev.13v10. speaks of persecutors and their end; and assures us that God’s judgement will fall on Antichrist for the captivity and carnage he causes. This chapter shows the effect of the Beast on all mankind, not just upon followers of Jesus. Other manuscripts of Rev.13v10., can be interpreted to speak of the judgement of God on Antichrist for his wickedness. God warns all tyrants who engage in captivity and carnage; that they will not escape His judgement.
Antichrist's Tyrannical Domination of His Own Followers.
The abstract term “aichmalosia,” “captivity,” speaks in a very expressive manner of the way that Antichrist gathers his followers into captivity. It is a striking fact that Stalin imprisoned and killed many millions of the members of his own party and supporters, as well as those who opposed him; here God tells us that Antichrist will imitate him. Those who the beast gathers together as his followers, are gathered into captivity, and tyrannical domination. They will be promised freedom, but will become the captives of sin and Satan. Antichrist will come in as a peace-maker, and will be the most plausible and evil man the world has ever known. Many will fall under the charms and “lying wonders” of “the man of sin,” “the son of perdition,” and will be destroyed by him, including many Jews. 2Thes.2v3-12. Dan.8v24,25. 11v23-28. 12v7. Many people out of all the nations of the world gather together to follow Antichrist, but they are gathered to captivity, death and eternal destruction.
The Captivity and Murder of Christians by Antichrist.
Some expositors have interpreted some texts of Rev.13v10. to say Christians must accept captivity and death and not resist Antichrist. However, this cannot be true, for the Two Witnesses do resist captivity, and kill many of Antichrist’s soldiers with God’s power gifts, so this Scripture can hardly be contradicting their experience. Jesus commends the steadfast endurance, “hupomone,” and faith of the saints who are murdered by Antichrist in this darkest hour of the world. God’s saints stand out in sharp contrast to the fear, distress and anxiety, that is the reaction of the worldlings in this time of devastation. Lk.21v21-26.
The Scriptures warn us that Antichrist and his followers will carry into captivity, and murder many of God’s children in the countries under his control. Jesus promises us that these murderers will be slain by the sword proceeding from His mouth, and will suffer the captivity and imprisonment of Hell. 2Thes.2v8. Rev.19v15. Zech.14v12. Compare Jer.15v2. Jesus promised us, nearly 2,000 years before these events, that He would surely avenge His own elect. Rev.6v9-11. 16v4-7. 18v5-8,20,24. 19v2. Lk.18v1-8. Even now God judges evil people and evil angels, and confines them in chains of darkness in Hades, and they, with great fear and terror, dread the coming of the great day of judgement of God Almighty. 1Tim.5v24,25. Heb.10v27.
Some Textual Evidence of Rev.13v10, "He that leads into captivity," lack sense and qualifying statements.
Hodges and Farstad, 051, and Mac (about 130 manuscripts) read,” “Ei tis echei aichmalosian hupagei.” “If anyone goes captivity has. “The manuscripts Md, part Me, p47, Aleph, C, P, 046, read, “Ei tis eis aichmalosian hupagei;” “If anyone goes into captivity.” It is very difficult to make any sense of these readings, for they lack any qualifying statement. The Critical Texts, A, read, “Ei tis eis aichmalosian eis aichmalosian hupagei;” “If anyone into captivity, into captivity he goes.” This does make some sense, and is capable of being interpreted as speaking of either the persecutors or the persecuted. The A.V. and T.R., read, “If anyone gathers into captivity, into captivity he goes,” “Ei tis aichmalosian sunagei eis aichmalosian hupagei.” Some say that “sunagei,” “gathers,” is a gloss by Elzevir, but part of the Me manuscripts have this reading, and it clarifes the thought of this verse, and probably gives its true meaning, that Antichrist will pay for his evil deeds. The Mb manuscripts read, “Ei tis eis aichmalosian apagei eis aichmalosian hupagei.” If anyone leads into captivity, into captivity he goes.” This makes sense, and states that Antichrist will pay for his evil deeds. The following thoughts are suggested by the textual evidence.
The contrast between Satan’s evil captivity, and Christ’s freedom and deliverance from captivity.
We are informed that in Rev.13v10., the abstract noun “aichmalosia,” 161, is used for “captivity,” it is only used here and in Eph.4v8., where Paul quotes Ps.68v18., and writes about Jesus, that, “He led captivity captive,” “echmaloteusen 162 aichmalosian,” 161. “Echmaloteusen,” 162, is the aorist active indicative of the verb “aichmaloteuo,” 161, “to lead captive,” (from “aichmalotos” 164, a captive at spear point in war, from “aichme,” spear). So in Eph.4v8., Paul uses “aichmalotos” 164, with the abstract noun “aichmalosia,” “captivity,” 161. Paul reveals that the immediate result of Christ's atonement and His glorious resurrection and victory over death; was His setting free of a multitude of Old Testament saints, who were held captive in Hades, and on His ascension Jesus gave spiritual gifts and ministries to His Church. Heb.2v14,15. Eph.4v8-11.
When Israel sinned they suffered captivities in Assyria and Babylon. When the Jews rejected their Messiah, Jesus, they again suffered at the hands of a cruel Devil. In Lk.21v24., Jesus prophesied about the Jewish-Roman war of A.D. 66-70, He said the Jews, “shall be led captive at spear point, (“aichmalotisthesontai,” the future passive of “aichmalotizo,” 163) to all nations.” This actually happened to the Jews, and is the only place where it is used to speak of literal spears in the New Testament.
We have to resist Satan and bring every thought into captivity to Christ. 2Cor.10v5. James.4v7. 1Pet.5v9.
The concrete noun "aichmalotos" is not used in Rev.13v10.; it only occurs in Lk.4v18., where Jesus states that He has come to set free those who are held captive by Satan at spear point. In 2Cor.10v5., we see the fortresses which Satan imprisons mankind with, being torn down, and his lies being brought captive to Jesus by the truth and spiritual gifts that God gives to His Church. In 2Cor.10v5., “captivity,” is “aichmalotizontes,” the present active participle of “aichmalotizo,” 163, from “aichmalotos,” 164, a captive in war. We must not be passive when Satan attacks us, but must actively and steadfastly resist him, and take captive Satan’s lies and attacks upon our mind, and bring them at spear point “to the obedience of Christ.” In 1Pet.1v5. Peter states, we “are guarded by God’s power,” “are guarded,” is phrouroumenous” the present (continuous process) passive participle of “phroureo” 5432, to garrison, from “phrouros,” sentinel, it is a military term. 2Cor.11v32. In Phil.4v7 it is used of God’s love. God can inform us of, and delivers us from, Satan’s underhand plots, trickery, and schemes. 2Cor.2v11.
We read in James.4v7., “Be subject therefore unto God; and resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” “Be subject,” is “hupotagete,” the aorist passive imperative of “hupotasso,” 5293, a military term meaning, to set in array under. We can always victoriously resist Satan, and make him flee from us, when we draw near to God, and submit, humble and range ourselves under Him. In 1Pet.5v5., Peter uses “hupotagete,” to tell young Christians to be subject to the elder, “presbuterois” 4245). “Resist,” in James.4v7., and “withstand” in 1Pet.5v9., are both “antistete,” the aorist active imperative of “anthistemi” 436, "to take a stand against." We are to imitate Jesus and steadfastly resist and take a stand against Satan in our daily lives, and do our utmost to set people free from sickness and Satan’s oppression. Acts.10v38. 2Tim.1v6-8. Satan roams about like a roaring lion seeking to devour and destroy us, but when we cast all our care on God, and resist the Devil, he flees from us. Mary’s son James, grew up with Jesus at Nazareth, but he did not feel that it was right to say Jesus was his brother, he said Jesus was, “the Lord Jesus Christ.” Mk.6v1-6. James 1v1. Jude, the brother of James, clearly felt the same. Jude.v1. The recollection of Christ’s beautiful life at Nazareth filled James with awe. Jesus was his perfect holy Lord, who amid great rejection and opposition, had completely controlled His tongue, and lived a life of perfect “agape” love at Nazareth. James.3v2. When, after his initial unbelief, James trusted in Jesus, his memories of the holy life and active faith of Jesus at Nazareth, filled James with awe, and birthed in him a prayerful holy life, and a positive active faith in Jesus. Mk.3v21. Jn.7v5. 1Cor.15v7. Jn.6v50-58. This is demonstrated by the imperatives that James uses. Robertson writes, “Note the ten aorist imperatives in James.4v7-10., “hupotagete” 5293; “antistete. 436; “engisate,” 1448; “katharisate” 2511; “hagnisate” 48; “talaiporesate” 5003; “penthesate” 3996;; “klausate” 2799;, “metatrapeto” 5726; “tapeinothete” 5013.”
We have to resist the unlawful demands of the flesh and not allow them to bring us into captivity.
In Rom.7v23., Paul tells us how the flesh had brought him into captivity before he met Jesus. “But I see a different law at work in my body, warring against “ [”antistrateuomenon,” 497, to carry on a campaign against] the law which my mind (“noos” 3563) approves of, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is at work in my body.” “Bringing me into captivity,” is “aichmalotizonta” 163, the present active participle of “aichmalotizo,” literally, "making me prisoner of war.” It is the very verb that Jesus used in Lk.21v24., to describe of the final ruin, dispersion, and captivity of the Jews. In Rom.7v14,23., Paul said that his “inward self” acknowledged that God’s Law was holy, righteous, spiritual (“pneumatikos” 4152), and good, (1Tim.1v8.) but confessed, that he was “carnal (“sarkinos” 4560), and sold under sin,” and in captivity to the demands of the body. “Sold,” is “pepramenos,” the perfect passive participle of “piprasko,” 4097, the perfect shows a state of completion and ownership by sin. In Rom.7v7-25., Paul is considering his experience and all human kind before Jesus saves and delivers us. Paul is certainly not saying that the body is sinful in itself, he is stating that the desires of the body are a battlefield, where the conflict between sinful base desire, and a righteous godly mind are fought out. Paul confesses, that before he met Jesus, he had, like everyone else, become a prisoner to the law of sin which was at work in his body. Some say that this was Paul’s experience after he became a Christian. This teaching is totally untrue and erroneous. Paul states that Jesus is the perfect deliverer and complete answer to his heart rendering cry for help, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” In Rom.7v24,25., Paul rejoices that Jesus delivers him this wretched captivity to the sinful demands of the body.
In Rom.7v7-23., Paul describes someone who is dominated by the flesh, and who is the captive of Satan and the slave of sin. Who, in their right mind, can apply this appalling iniquity to the holy soul of the apostle Paul? This totally contradicts Paul’s statement in Rom.8v2., “The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made free from the law of sin and death.” The forgiveness and grace of God in Jesus, and God’s law of the Spirit and life in Jesus, totally eradicates guilt, and breaks the power of cancelled sin. God removes the pollution of sin from our souls, and writes His laws in our minds and hearts. Heb.8v10. Jesus came not only to forgive us our sins, but to save us from them. Mt.1v21-23. It is ridiculous to suggest that Paul could say that he was "carnal, sold under sin, and brought into captivity to the law of sin and death"; and then, rejoices, a few verses later, that, “the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” In Rom. 7 Paul speaks about his, and everyone’s experience of the domination and captivity of sin before Jesus saved them., whereas, in Rom.8v2, Paul describes the experience of the grace, forgiveness, restoration, and victory over sin that is ours in Jesus.
Paul warns about the sexual sins of the reprobate teachers of the last days in 2Tim.3v1,5-10., who have “a form of godliness without the power.” “Form” is “morphosin” 3446, (as in Rom.2v20.) the pencilled outline of truth without the inner reality, “morphe” 3446. These apostate teachers seduce and take captive (“aichmalotizontes,” the present active participle of “aichmalotizo” 163), silly women, (the diminutive “”gunaikaria” 1133, literally, "little women"). Paul rebuked this carnality, he was certainly not captivated by, and sold to the sins of the flesh, he had victory in Jesus.
Barnes writes about the Authorised Version “cannot do” in Gal5v17., “The expression "cannot do" is stronger by far than the original, and it is doubted whether the original will bear this interpretation. ----The Vulgate and the Syriac give a literal translation of the Greek, "So that you do not what you would." This is undoubtedly the true rendering; and, in the original, there is no declaration about the possibility or the impossibility, the ability or the inability to do these things.” End of quote.
A. T. Robertson translates, “that ye cannot do,” in Gal.5v17., as, “That ye may not do,” hina” 2443, “me” 3361, “poiete” 4160. “poiete,” the present active subjunctive of “poieo” 4160, "That ye may not keep on doing." End of quote.
Vincent also says that the “cannot do,” of the A.V. in Gal.5v17. is “a mistake, growing out of the misinterpretation of “hina” 2443. Rather, each works "to the end that ye may not do," etc.” End of quote.
In Gal.5v15-26., Paul warns us, that even in Christians will experience a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit, but he assures us, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Gal.5v16. Paul, through “the law of the Spirit and life in Christ,” had crucified the bad desires of the body, and tells us to do the same, he states “And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Gal.5v24. Rom.8v2. Crucifixion of the flesh is a painful necessity, and fasting as well as well as prolonged communion with God in prayer, are necessary to nail the flesh to the cross.
In 1Cor.9v27. Paul tells us, But I discipline and buffet my body and make it my slave, (“doulagogo” 1396), lest after preaching (“kerusso” 2784) to others, I myself should be disqualified.” “Rejected,” is “adokimos” 96, an adjective, “dokimos” 1384, which with the negative “a,” means literally, not standing the test. rejected, and so reprobate. See also Rom.1v28. 2Cor.13v5-7. 2Tim.3v8. Titus.1v16. Heb.6v8. It is from “dokimazo,” 1381, a rigorous test of metals etc. and of prophecies. 1Thes.5v21. “Buffet,” is “hupopiazo,” The present active indicative of “hupopiazo” 5299, "to strike under the eye; to give one a black eye, to beat black and blue. Only here and Lk.18v5., where, “she weary me,” is “hupopiazo me” 5299, the present active subjunctive of “hupopiazo” 5299, it appears that the judge is afraid that the widow may come and assault him, literally, "beat him under the eye." Jesus could really tell a story! The boxing gloves of Paul’s day, the "cestus," were made of about five bands of ox-hide covered with metal or nails, and weighted with lead and iron. Paul was determined to discipline and master his body. Paul considers his body an antagonist with which he must wage war. Paul made the body the slave of his soul, and did not allow his soul to be the slave of the body, which is the state of all the unsaved. We too can put to death the bad desires of the body by prayer and fasting, self-denial, abstinence, and absorbing and demanding physical work.
The Law of the Spirit in Christ, can bring total deliverance from captivity to the flesh. 1Cor.13.
When the Holy Spirit directs our lives, we may not and cannot do what the flesh would desire and wish to do. This includes not only sexual sins, it also includes the whole area of all the works of the flesh mentioned in Gal.5v19-21. The fruit of the Spirit are God’s perfect cure for the works of the flesh, they are very positive attributes of character, which are manifested in a very practical love for people. We read in Micah.6v8., “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” James saw the practical care of Jesus for needy people at Nazareth, and so he wrote in James.1v27., “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” Is.58v6-11. The Church at Jerusalem demonstrated the fruit of the Spirit by a remarkable unity and love, and a practical care for the widows and poor.
The Law of the Spirit in Christ, can bring glorious freedom, and total deliverance from captivity to the flesh. Rom.8v1-4,19-21. In 1Cor.6v9,10., Paul gives a list of appalling sins of the flesh and then states, in 1Cor.6v11., “And such were some of you. But you are washed (“apelousasthe,” is not the passive, but the first aorist middle indicative of “apolouo” 628), but you are sanctified (“hegiasthete” 37), but you are justified (“edikaiothete” 1344), in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” Rev.1v5. (A.V. “lousanti” 3068, the aorist active participle of “louo.”) Acts.20v28. Heb.9v14. 1Jn.1v7. No matter how depraved a person is, the blood of Christ, and the exceeding grace of God can cleanse, justify, renew, and sanctify them.
John Newton was a shameless, dissolute, immoral and depraved slave trader, whose life was so bad that even worldly people were disgusted by it. Jesus met with this shameless sinner and transformed him into a godly Christian, and beloved minister of the Church, He became a friend of John Wesley. John Newton wrote the following beautiful and outstanding hymns.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saves a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind, but now I see.
How sweet the Name of Jesus sounds In a believer’s ear!
It soothes his sorrows, heals his wounds, And drives away his fear. Hymn 176. Ancient and Modern.
Come, my soul, thy suit prepare, Jesus loves to answer prayer,
He Himself has bid thee pray, Therefore will not say thee nay. Hymn 527. Ancient and Modern.
Glorious things of thee are spoken, Zion, city of our God;
He whose word cannot be broken Formed thee for His own abode.
On the rock of ages founded, What can shake thy sure repose?
With salvation’s walls surrounded, Thou may’st smile at all thy foes. Hymn 545. Ancient and Modern.
May the grace of Christ our Saviour, And the Father’s boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit’s favour, Rest upon us from above. Hymn 551. Ancient and Modern.
Approach my soul the mercy seat, Where Jesus answers prayer;
There humbly fall before His feet, For none can perish there. Hymn 626. Ancient and Modern.
Great shepherd of Thy people, hear, Thy presence now display;
As Thou hast given a place for prayer, so give us hearts to pray. Hymn 690. Ancient and Modern.
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