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SHOULD THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH ANOINT WITH OIL?

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SHOULD THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH ANOINT THE SICK WITH OIL?

By Ken Blue
anoint with oil“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:  And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.  Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:14-16.

Several years ago one of the best-known pastors in fundamentalism preached at our church. I have no memory what the title or purpose of the sermon was. However, in the sermon, he mentioned the above text and stated that many women, who seemed barren, wanted to be anointed with oil in order to heal their bareness. He said he did so, and many of the women later conceived. Several of our ladies lined up and he proceeded to anoint them with oil.

At that time I had little understanding of right divisions of Scripture or the book of James. However, the right division of the Scriptures makes it clear that Hebrews through Revelation are Jewish epistles. Therefore, it must be understood and interpreted accordingly.  The first verse of James makes it clear to whom it is written and for the twelve tribes of Israel. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.” James 1:1. It is written to the twelve tribes of Israel and falls under the ministry to them.

   The book of James was written about A.D. 45 at Jerusalem before the first Christian council in A.D. 51, and is, no doubt, the first epistle written under the Kingdom of Heaven offer to Israel. James, the half-brother of Jesus Christ is the author of the book. James is more Jewish in content than Matthew, the gospel for the Jews; than Jude and Revelation, and even Hebrews. “The book of James could take a place with the Old Testament canon as far as doctrine is concerned.  There is no mention of the gospel, the incarnation, life, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.  There is no suggestion as to the Messiah has come or of redemption through Him.  There is no trace of early Christian controversies.  However, James adheres to the teachings of Christ…” Dake’s notes. The book of James parallels much of the Sermon on the Mount as found in Matthew 5-7.

We conclude that the anointing with oil is a Jewish practice under the Kingdom of Heaven ministry, and it has no place or application to the church of this grace dispensation. I have witnessed several Baptist preachers attempt to practice the anointing in order to appease a request, but I have never seen anyone follow the scriptural mandate. Nothing is as silly as a Baptist pastor with a dab of oil on his finger dabbing it on some naive Christian. However, I too was once foolish and blind to the understanding of the book of James because I had not learned to rightly divide the Word of God. The internal evidence is overwhelming that James is not to or for the church, the Body of Christ. We must study all Scripture, but we must know to whom and for what purpose they are written. Anointing oil has no place in this age of grace.

 

HEALING BY HIS STRIPES, BUT NOT YET.

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HEALING BY HIS STRIPES, BUT NOT YET.

healing

“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” Isaiah 53:4-9

The Lord’s healing ministry validated the Old Testament claims that Israel’s Messiah would, be among other things, the healer. Much of His earthly ministry consisted of healings. As noted, the purpose was to verify that He was their Messiah and King. However, instead of accepting Him, the religious leaders attributed His healings to the devil. “Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.  And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?  But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.” Matthew 12:22-24.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]…there is healing in His strips, but not yet.[/perfectpullquote]

When Israel rejected their king and the Kingdom of Heaven, the kingdom miracles and ministry began to disappear and did so during the Acts period. God revealed the mystery and ministry of grace to the Apostle Paul. It is evident that apostolic miracles were disappearing. The following will show that trend. “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” 1 Timothy 5:23. It is evident that this was real wine, and it had medicinal qualities. Timothy is also told to drink “a little.” That would not be necessary for grape juice.  One wonders why Paul did not use his healing ministry to heal Erastus. “Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.” 2 Timothy 4:20. We see the same in the following.” Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants.  For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick.  For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” Philippians 2:25-27. We don’t know what Paul’s thorn was, but his prayers and faith could not rid him of it. God said, “For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9. You are not yet healed by His stripes.

If we rightly divide the Word of God, we must acknowledge that Isaiah is addressed to the nation of Israel, and chapter fifty-three is a realization by the nation of Israel that they did not know or acknowledge their King at His first advent. The truth of the passage will be understood by Israel after the rapture of the church, and they are converted. Although the text was written seven hundred years before the birth of Christ, it still is not acknowledged or understood by Israel. The passage will be comprehended by the remnant during the Tribulation or the Millennium. Perhaps the following text will shed more light on the subject. “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him.  But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Hebrews 2:8-9.  Yes, there is healing in His strips, but not yet.

TO LOVE OR HATE THE SINNER?

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TO LOVE OR HATE THE SINNER?

HAVE YOU HEARD THIS NEW AND NOVEL TEACHING?…THE TEXT

Having lived 80 years and studied the Scriptures over 60 years, I never cease to be amazed at the new and novel teachings that come out every month. One such teaching is that God hates the sinner. The teaching is that the only place God loved the sinner was at the cross. Thus, God hated sinners before the cross and He hates them now. The Scripture cited to prove the hate doctrine is “The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.” Psalm 5:5. “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19. However, the teaching that God hates sinners is not only false; it leads to greater mischief and division within the body of Christ.

IF GOD HATES SINNERS, DOES IT JUSTIFY OUR HATRED TO BE GOD-LIKE?

I have witnessed several who have fallen for the hate doctrine. Their attitude reflects their false teaching. Their preaching and teaching shows their contempt and disdain toward the lost. However, if God hates sinners, it only stands to reason that to be God-like, we too must hate the sinner. That is the conclusion many who embrace the hate doctrine have come to and do manifest. 

HOW IT IS RESOLVED…? THE USE OF THE WORD “HATE.”

The word “hate” is used many times throughout scripture. Perhaps a look at some of them will help us understand its use.

See the example of Jacob hating Leah. “And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren.” Genesis 29:31. Dake says, “To hate” is an idiom of preference, not hatred as we understand it. See note, Lk. 14:26. “Hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:26 [An idiom of preference].

 

The example of Jacob and Esau and the nation of Israel long before the cross. “The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi.  I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? Saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, and I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness.” (Malachi 1:1-3). Dake notes. Lk. 14:25-27, not a term expressing personal malice or jealousy in the sense we’re familiar with. This is the sixth of twelve cases in Scripture where God made the choice of the younger over the older brother. Here it was because of the disposition and attitude toward Him. Esau was a fornicator and destitute of hunger for God in his life (Heb. 12:16-17), while Jacob was the type that loved the Lord and hungered to do his will.” (Not a term expressing personal malice or jealousy in the sense we’re familiar with.

The example of the rich young ruler. “And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.  Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (Mark 10:20-21.) We can safely assume that if Jesus loved this sinner, so did God the Father.  

The example of direct statement that God loved us while we were yet sinners. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8.)

The example of hating father and mother. “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:2. a [hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple] An idiom of preference (Mt. 6:24; 10:37; Rom. 9:13; Mal. 1:2-3; Gen. 29:30-31; Dt. 21:15-17). One must prefer God or love Him more than all else to be saved (Mt. 22:37). “God first” is the motto of the Bible.”

 

DO THESE EXAMPLE DESTROY THE FALSE TEACHING TO HATE THE SINNER?

Anyone who will not hear the Word of God and rightly divide it will never be persuaded no matter the proof. We have quoted both Hebrew and Greek scholars. We have shown passages of Scripture that flatly destroy the hate doctrine. Will the argument convince those who embrace that false teaching? Perhaps not. However, we are witnessing the damage this false teaching is doing to the body of Christ. It causes those who teach it to display anger and hatred toward the lost. It fosters a spirit of superiority and pride, and it is a false doctrine no Bible believer should embrace or teach. It should be rejected by all willing to rightly divide the Word of God. Why would God tell us to love enemies and pray for then, if hates them? “ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.  For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?  And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43-48)

 

 

ISRAEL, MY SERVANT IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION

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ISRAEL, MY SERVANT IN THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Abraham, Moses, David, Solomon, others are called the servants of God. The context is the key.

The first few verses of Revelation are the key to the book. However, the book of Revelation is Hebrew and Jewish to the end.

“ The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:  Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:1-3.

There are several factors that need to be noticed in the above verses.

  1. It is written to His SERVANTS. (God’s servants today are Christians, the Body of Christ. After the Rapture, The Jews will be His servants during the span of the book of   Revelation)
  2. The things in the letter were SHORTLY come to pass. (Over 2000 years have passed)
  3. John HAD SEEN the entire Revelation before he put a pen to the scroll.
  4. Blessings are promised to those that read and KEEP the things written to the servants.
  5. John repeats his warning FOR THE TIME IS AT HAND. (Over 2000 years have passed)  

 

THE GREAT FALLACY IS THAT THE FIRST THREE CHAPTERS ARE WRITTEN TO THE BODY OF CHRIST, THAT THE RAPTURE TAKES PLACE IN CHAPTER FOUR. HOWEVER, VERSE ONE TO CHAPTER 22 IS TO ISRAEL. FALSE TEACHERS MUST CREATE A FALSE RAPTURE TO GET RID OF THE FALSE CHURCHES IN CHAPTER 1-3. THERE IS NO RAPTURE OF ANYONE BUT JOHN, AND HE IS CAUGHT AWAY INTO THE DAY OF THE LORD. AS EZEKIEL WAS CAUGHT UP AND TRANSFERRED TO JERUSALEM.  (And it came to pass in the sixth year, in the sixth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I sat in mine house, and the elders of Judah sat before me, that the hand of the Lord GOD fell there upon me.  Then I beheld, and lo a likeness as the appearance of fire: from the appearance of his loins even downward, fire; and from his loins even upward, as the appearance of brightness, as the colour of amber.  And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, Ezekiel 8:1-3)

Since the book is to Jews the SERVANTS would Jews, as declared in the Old Testament.

 “But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Isaiah.” 41:8

Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen: Isaiah 44:1

 Remember these, O Jacob and Israel; for thou art my servant: I have formed thee; thou art my servant: O Israel, thou shalt not be forgotten of me. Isaiah 44:21

 

 And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. Isaiah 49:3

 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. Isaiah 49:5

 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:6

 

 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Revelation 1:1

 

 

 

THE DISPENSATION OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM –#7

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THE DISPENSATION OF THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM –#7

The dispensation of the millennial kingdom is described in Revelation and includes a 1,000-year reign of Jesus Christ on earth (Revelation 20:1–10). The main subject of the Old Testament and the four Gospels is the subject of the millennial kingdom.

The millennial kingdom is preceded by the rapture of the church and the seven-year tribulation.

The Resurrected Old Testament saints, the glorified Church, and survivors of the Tribulation and their descendants will be the managers of the Kingdom.

Time Period: From the second coming of Christ until the final rebellion, is 1,000 years.

Human Responsibility: Obedience, remain undefiled, worship Jesus  (“ And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” Isaiah 11:3-5.” And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.” Zechariah 14:9).
The order of the government will be Jesus, King David, The Twelve and appointed Judges. (“ And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:13-16. “But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.” Jeremiah 30:9. “And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.  And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.”  Ezekiel 37:24-25. “ And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28.)

 Rebellion of sinful man following Satan’s release from the Abyss, sinful man rebels one more time “  And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,  And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.  And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.” Revelation 20:7-9

Judgment: Fire from God; the Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:9–15)

Grace: Jesus Christ restores creation and rules righteously in Israel, with all saints assisting (Isaiah 11:1–5; Matthew 25:31–46; Revelation 20)

The millennial kingdom is what is referred to in the Lord’s Prayer. (Matthew 6:9–10).