Disclaimer: When reviewing these videos, it is only to prepare an audible subject for studies. It is not to confirm or deny today’s topic.
Age is a crown of glory, when it is found in the way of righteousness.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov.16.31&version=GNV
It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the glory honour of kings is to search out a matter.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Prov.25.2&version=KJV
There are controversial topics discussed among many followers of Christ. We can discuss a few here regarding today’s study.
In reference to Daniel: chapter 4 via paraphrase of Nebuchadnezzar:
But at the last Daniel came in before me, whose name was Belteshazzar, according to the name of my God, and in whom is the spirit of the holy gods: and before him I told the dream, saying, I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was astonied for one hour, and his thoughts troubled him. The king spake, and said, Belteshazzar, let not the dream, or the interpretation thereof, trouble thee. Belteshazzar answered and said, My lord, the dream be to them that hate thee, and the interpretation thereof to thine enemies.
And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will. While the word was in the king’s mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken;
The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Dan.4.8,Dan.4.13,Dan.4.17,Dan.4.19,Dan.4.23,Dan.4.24,Dan.4.25,Dan.4.31,Dan.4.32,Dan.4.35,Dan.4.37&version=KJV
There is another witness:
On an appointed day Herod dressed himself in his royal robes, sat on his throne (tribunal, rostrum) and began delivering a speech to the people. The assembled people kept shouting, “It is the voice of a god and not of a man!”
And at once an angel of the Lord struck him down because he did not give God the glory [and instead permitted himself to be worshiped], and he was eaten by worms and died [five days later].
But the word of the Lord [the good news about salvation through Christ] continued to grow and spread [increasing in effectiveness].
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts.12.21,Acts.12.22,Acts.12.23,Acts.12.24&version=AMP
We see elements of supernatural beings and other lower case “god” titles referenced throughout as well. It’s important that we remember many people will speak of serving a god or the true God, our father. We must understand which one they are actually serving before a covenant is established with them
Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the Lord.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods;
For the Lord our God, he it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Josh.24.14,Josh.24.15,Josh.24.16,Josh.24.17&version=KJV
There will be many exercises of discernment regarding Christ’s kingdom message regarding Sons of God and their call to ministry.
So he (John) began saying to the crowds who were coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath [of God that is] to come?
Now the people were in a state of expectation, and all were wondering in their hearts about John, as to whether he was the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).
John answered them all by saying, “As for me, I baptize you [only] with water; but One who is mightier [more powerful, more noble] than I is coming, and I am not fit to untie the strap of His sandals [even as His slave].
He will baptize you [who truly repent] with the Holy Spirit and [you who remain unrepentant] with fire. His winnowing fork is in His hand to thoroughly clear His threshing floor, and to gather the wheat (believers) into His barn (kingdom); but He will burn up the chaff (the unrepentant) with unquenchable fire.”
So with many other appeals and various admonitions John preached the good news (gospel) to the people.
Now when all the people were baptized, Jesus was also baptized, and while He was praying, the [visible] heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are My Son, My Beloved, in You I am well-pleased and delighted!”
When He began His ministry, Jesus Himself was about thirty years of age, being, as was supposed, the son of Joseph, the son [by marriage] of Eli, the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke.3.7,Luke.3.15,Luke.3.16,Luke.3.17,Luke.3.18,Luke.3.21,Luke.3.22,Luke.3.23,Luke.3.31,Luke.3.32,Luke.3.37,Luke.3.38&version=AMP
Notice more specifically the ministry:
For by this means an entering shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Wherefore, I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though that ye have knowledge, and be established in the present truth.
For we followed not deceivable fables, when we opened unto you the power, and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but with our eyes we saw his majesty:
For he received of God the Father honor and glory, when there came such a voice to him from that excellent Glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And this voice we heard when it came from heaven being with him in the holy mount. We have also a most sure word of the Prophets, to the which ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawns, and the day star arise in your hearts.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Pet.1.11,2Pet.1.12,2Pet.1.16,2Pet.1.17,2Pet.1.18,2Pet.1.19&version=GNV
Our understanding is to always be clear with biblical references.
Now regarding those in Christ’s kingdom and joining with those who will not have his inheritance, some are not equal as it is stated:
1 So we therefore as workers together beseech you, that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. We give no occasion of offence in anything, that our ministry should not be reprehended.
But in all things we approve ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. Now for the same recompense, I speak as to my children, Be you also enlarged.
Be not unequally yoked with the infidels: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath the believer with the infidel?
And what agreement hath the Temple of God with idols? for ye are the Temple of the living God: as God hath said, I will dwell among them, and walk there: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Wherefore come out from among them, and separate yourselves, saith the Lord, and touch none unclean thing, and I will receive you. And I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Cor.6.1,2Cor.6.3,2Cor.6.4,2Cor.6.13,2Cor.6.14,2Cor.6.15,2Cor.6.16,2Cor.6.17,2Cor.6.18&version=GNV
Again we now understand the Sons of God will continually have a ministry.
Hebrews 1:5
” For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? ”
” But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”
http://olivetree.com/b2/Heb.1.8.KJV
Looking into the various ministries in the Old Testament, let’s recognize some Cause and Effect of the ministry.
King Solomon gives several examples of the position of being unequally yoked with the infidels, as indicated here:
But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day.
But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen. And these were the chief of king Solomon’s officers, even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2Chr.8.8,2Chr.8.9,2Chr.8.10&version=KJV
Here is also examples in Hannah’s ministry:
And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.
Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.
He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the world upon them.
He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.
Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial; they knew not the Lord.
But Samuel ministered before the Lord, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1Sam.2.1,1Sam.2.3,1Sam.2.8,1Sam.2.9,1Sam.2.10,1Sam.2.12,1Sam.2.18&version=KJV