Not Matthew, Mark, or Luke; nor Peter, James, or John, but Paul alone wrote Romans 11:13 by divine inspiration:

“FOR I SPEAK TO YOU GENTILES [or OF THE NATIONS] INASMUCH AS I AM THE APOSTLE OF THE GENTILES [NATIONS]: I MAGNIFY MINE OFFICE” (Rom.11:13).

Note well that Paul did not magnify himself, but his office, to which he had been appointed by the glorified Lord Himself. In defending his apostleship before the Galatians he wrote:

“But I certify you, brethren, THAT THE GOSPEL WHICH WAS PREACHED OF ME is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, BUT BY THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST” (Gal. 1:11,12).

In many other passages the apostle claims to speak as a direct representative of Christ (See I Corinthians 11:23; 15:3; Ephesians 3:2,3; I Thessalonians 4:15; etc.).

To Timothy, Paul wrote concerning his own writings: “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing…” (ITim. 6:3,4). This could not indicate more emphatically Paul’s claim that HIS WORDS WERE “THE WORDS OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST”, RECEIVED FROM HIM BY DIRECT REVELATION.

To the Corinthians, who questioned this, the Apostle wrote:

“…IF I COME AGAIN I WILL NOT SPARE, SINCE YE SEEK A PROOF OF CHRIST SPEAKING IN ME” (IICor.13:2,3).

The proof of this claim? This was overwhelming indeed, for Paul was used more than any other apostle to found churches and lead men into the knowledge and joy of salvation. To the believers at Corinth he wrote what he could have written to many thousands of others: “THE SEAL OF MINE APOSTLESHIP ARE YE IN THE LORD” (ICor.9:2). C. S.

Ken Blue

Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.

kenblueministries.com

2. THE STANDING OF THE BELIEVER
3. The Believer’s Abundant Possessions v.3. The blessings of the believer are spiritual and eternal, thus they stand in contrast to the blessings of Israel, which are earthly and temporal. It is true, God has blessed us with the daily blessings of food, clothing, comfort and friends. For these, we must praise Him.  Note David’s thanksgiving to God for His benefits. Psalm 68:19 “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psalm 103:2 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:” Psalm 116:12 “What shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits toward me?” Thank God for His many blessings. However, we must be very careful in how we obtain and view these material blessings. There is the danger of assuming that we are spiritual or favored by God because of our abundance. Paul speaks of this in 1 Tim. 6:5 where he says some men suppose “that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” The church of the Laodiceans were blinded by their riches and possessions and failed to see they were spiritually destitute. May God help us not to make the same mistake.

Our blessings are spiritual and are secure. They never fade away.  All others, we may lose. We are blessed with “all spiritual blessings.” They are too numerous to mention. Many are recorded in these three chapters. Some are:

1. Spiritual birth– This is the new birth from above.
2. The Holy Spirit– God is a Spirit and dwells in all believers.
3. Peace with God– Peace is intangible, but it is very real. Spurgeon said, “When I look at Jesus, the dove of peace lights on my shoulder. When I look at the dove, she     flies away.” Thank God for His wonderful peace.
4. Prayer– Oh, the privilege of prayer! This is sweet communion with the Heavenly Father. Is there a greater spiritual exercise? I know of none.
5. Justification-Every believer stands before the bar of God completely justified. There is no sin that can be brought against him. Jesus Christ has paid for ALL sin.
6. Sealed by the Holy Spirit– This seal is spiritual and is God’s proof of ownership of each believer.
7. Citizenship in Heaven– We are now citizens of two countries.
8. Home in Heaven– Our home in heaven is as real as the one we possess here on earth. It is spiritual yet, it is real.
9. Abundant Grace– There is no limit to God’s vast supply of Grace. All is of grace!
10. Sanctified in Christ– Our position in Christ is as secure as Christ Himself and it is spiritual.
11. Access into His presence– We may come into the throne room of God anytime, day or night.
12. Fellowship with Christ– The Believer may have a fellowship with Christ the world knows nothing of. This too, is spiritual and real.

All are spiritual and all are found in the Lord Jesus  Christ who is seated at the right hand of the Father in heavenly places. If we are to experience these blessings, we must set our affection on Him who sits at the right hand of the Father. All our blessings are in Him and are ours as we set our affections on things above.

1.            The Believer’s Above Position- “who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places”

1            In Heaven- The location of the believer’s citizenship is in heaven. There are three heavens listed same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.” This is the “above” heavens. It is there, the Head of the Church sits. We know there are at least three heavens, for Paul speaks of being caught up to it. 2 Cor. 12:2 “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.” It is above these, the believer now sits with him. It is there we are to “set our affections.” (Phil. 3:20; Eph. 1:22; Col. 3:1). The Christian is to be so “heavenly minded” that he is no earthly good. Heaven is our home. Are you homesick yet? In the Word of God. (2 Cor. 12:2). Christ is above all heavens. Ephes. 4:10 “He that descended is the

2. In Christ- Our blessings are in heaven and they are all “in Christ.” Christ is our ‘all in all’ He is everything for us. 1 Corinthians 1:30 “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:” Ephesians is the “in” book. In 1:1,3,4,6,7,10,11,13. 2:6,10,13,21,22. 3:6,12. The reader will note that all the references to us being in Christ are in the doctrinal section of this epistle. Not once does Paul speak of Christ in the believer in the practical section. II Corinthians 12:2 says, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.” Not only are our blessings in heaven, in Christ, we are also in Him! Eph. 2:6 “And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” This is the “above position” of the believer.

Heaven is not a state of mind. It is a place. Jesus said it was a place. He said He came from heaven and was returning there. He assured those who followed Him that they too would be welcome there. Paul was caught up to the third heaven and saw things that he could not utter.  John, the writer of Revelation, was caught up to heaven and shown things to come. Jesus Christ is now seated in heaven and the believer is seated there in Him. Take it by faith and rejoice!

Ken Blue

Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.

kenblueministries.com

THE CURE OF THE PARALYTIC, THE CALL OF MATTHEW, HIS COMPASSION ON SINNERS, AND THE CORRECT TIME FOR FASTING.

“And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For weather is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him. 10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

 14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? 15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. 16   No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. 17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.” Matthew 9:1-17

Lest we lose sight of where we are, and the purpose of Matthew, we need to do a quick review. Matthew is about the offer of the King, and the Kingdom of Heaven, and the rejection of the King, and the Kingdom of Heaven. First, we have the genealogy, and worship of the King. Then we have the King made known at His baptism. Next, we have the testing of the King as The Son of Man, followed by the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven. In chapters 8-9 we have the miracles of the Kings, and their prophecy in Scripture.

Jesus manifests His power when he healed the paralytic man. There are other men in the Bible who did miracles as great as those of Jesus. However, one power He had that none other had was the authority to forgive sins. When called into question about this by the Scribes, He ask them, which is easier to say, thy sins be forgiven, or rise up and walk? One was as easy as the other, but the proof was confirmed by His miracle. Only God can forgive sins. Thus, Jesus is God.

Matthew was of the tribe of Levi, and was also a tax collector for the Roman Government. He would have been despised by the Jews, most likely. One preacher asks, when were the apostles saved? There is no answer to that question, because they lived and labored under the dispensation of the Law. Neither do we know if Matthew was already baptized, or if he did it later. My belief is that he had been baptized, and was expecting the Messiah. This may explain why he would so readily follow Him.

Matthew took Jesus into his home, and had a feast for Him. We discover from Luke 5:27-30, that a great multitude was there. So were the Pharisees. Their criticism was why Jesus would eat and drink with Publicans and sinners. The apostate nation of Israel had contempt on these people, and they were considered sinners. They would not touch or eat with them. They knew nothing of God and His love for all the lost.

Jesus rebukes them by saying that it was sinners who needed Him, and to whom He was sent. Then He quoted a verse from Hosea 6:6 which they should understood. Sacrifice is not as important as mercy.

In verse 14-17 we have the question about fasting by the disciples of John the Baptist, and the Pharisees. These could not understand why Jesus and His disciples ate and drank with sinners, while John and his disciples were more separated and withdrawn.

The Lord answers them with three illustrations. Each would be improper, and unwise. The first, is that of a bride and the bridegroom on their wedding day. Jewish wedding were a long, and drawn out event. Those at the wedding feast would show disrespect to appear at the table, and refuse to eat, because they were on a fast. It was a time to eat and drink while the bridegroom was present. Thus, now was not the time to fast or mourn. That would be proper, only after the bridegroom departed. I doubt anyone at the table understood His meaning.

Secondly, the meaning is the same, only the illustrations differ. The King was there, and the New Covenant would be introduced, if the nation repented. Thus, His ministry was not a patching of the Old Covenant, nor new wine in the old skins. His ministry was the offer of the New Covenant, and the Kingdom of Heaven. It was time for feasting, and rejoicing. Neither did they understand these examples. Regardless, He would be leaving them for a time, and then they will fast and mourn.

Ken Blue

Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.

kenblueministries.com

Antichrist  is permitted to continue his reign for three and one-half years, after which, the Lord Jesus Christ will come and take the kingdoms of this earth to Himself. This fact is repeated throughout the book of Revelation. (See also Daniel 12:7; 11:12:6, 14; 17:10.)

 “And it was given unto him(Antichrist) to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.  If any man have an ear, let him hear.  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.”  (Revelation 13:7-10).

        The events here are at the three and one-half year point in the Tribulation. The Antichrist has been at war with the surrounding nations for the first three and one-half years and has ruled from Babylon (Isaiah. 14:4-17).  After he conquers the ten nations within the old Roman Empire and establishes his own kingdom, the eighth, (“And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition” (Revelation 17:11), He moves his capital from Babylon to Jerusalem. There he desecrates the temple, defies the God of heaven, and seeks to destroy all who serve God and Jesus Christ. (It is within his kingdom he attempts to force his mark on all)

        He turns his hatred on the Jewish saints within his kingdom, especially those in Jerusalem. He is permitted to overcome them and all others within his kingdom. (See verses 15, 16; Daniel 7:21; 8:24; 11:35-45; 12:1, 7; Matthew 24:15-22.) These passages confirm that the Jews are the objects of the Antichrist’s wrath, and that his activities will be confined to the area of the old Roman Empire.

        Those “…that dwell upon the earth…” are those dwelling within the conquered territory previously ruled by the Ten Kings. Statements like those in verses 7, 8, 16, and 17 lead many to believe that the Antichrist will rule every person on the planet, and that every person except believers will receive the mark of the beast, and those who do not will be killed. However, that is not, and could not be the case. If everyone on earth is killed, who refuses the mark, no one will be living at the Second Advent except those with the mark. These would all be destroyed with Antichrist.

 Although I do not agree with all Dake teaches, his answer to the subject at hand, seams the most accurate.  

        “All” and “every” does not always mean all without exception. It is a figure of speech called a synecdoche, where a whole is used for a part. We do the same when we say, “you always” or “you never” or “everybody is doing it…” Words like the above are used throughout Scripture. See Genesis 6:17 where it is said that God would destroy every living thing on the earth. However, we know that not everything with life was destroyed. In Joshua 6:21, we read that Joshua destroyed every person in the city, but we know that Rehab and all her family were spared. Again, in 2 Samuel 6:5 we are told “all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments…” You can be sure that not every person in Israel participated in this activity. (See also Matthew 3:5-6; Luke 2:1-4; Romans 1:8; 10:18; Colossians 1:23.)

        The critics of the Bible will see these as contradictions. They are not. They are simply figures of speech to emphasize a point. This is done throughout the Book of Revelation. A whole is given to stress a part.

• “Fifteen proofs Antichrist will not reign over America or be a worldwide dictator:
• Four statements in Rev. 13 have led some to believe that Antichrist will literally rule the whole world and cause every man on earth to take a mark or be killed. They are:
  • Power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations (Rev. 13:7)
  • All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (except Christians, Rev. 13:8)
  • He causeth all, both small and great … to receive a mark (Rev. 13:16)
  • No man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, name, or number (Rev. 13:17). On the surface it might seem that these statements prove Antichrist will be a world ruler, killing all on earth who do not take his mark, name, or number. But, the contrary is true because “all” in these passages is simply a figure of speech — synecdoche — in which a whole is put for a part, as we would say, “Everyone in town,” or “the whole country.” If the United States would make a law that “all men” of all nations, and tongues must register on a certain day or be killed, we would naturally understand the law to apply only to all people of all nations and tongues who are under the government of the United States, not to the people of these nations and tongues who are under other governments. The word “all” is used in a limited sense hundreds of times in Scriptures (Gen. 6:17; Josh. 6:21-25; 2Sam. 6:5,15; 1Ki. 11:16-17; Mt. 3:5-6; Lk. 2:1-3; Rom. 1:8; 10:18; Col. 1:23; etc.).
  • Such terms as in Rev. 13 have been used of other rulers and kingdoms who did not literally rule the whole world. It was said of Nebuchadnezzar — Wheresoever the children of men dwell … hath made thee ruler over them ALL (Dan. 2:38). Of Greece — Which shall bear rule over ALL the earth (Dan. 2:39). Of Rome — Shall devour the WHOLE earth (Dan. 7:23-24). None of these kingdoms ruled the whole world.
  • Rev. 13 itself limits the kingdom of Antichrist to the 10 kingdoms that are yet to be formed inside the old Roman Empire territory (Dan. 7:23-24). The beast has only 10 horns, not 65, plainly teaching that a limited part of the earth will be under Antichrist (Rev. 13:1; 17:12-17).
  • Rev. 17:8-17 also limits the kingdom of Antichrist to the 10 kingdoms — the 10 horns … are 10 kings, which have received no kingdom as yet, but received power as kings with the beast … these shall give their kingdom unto the beast.
  • In Dan. 7:7-8,23-24 we have the definite location of the future 10 kingdoms. They are to be inside (out of), not outside the old Roman Empire territory. America and many other lands were never a part of the old Roman Empire, so they will not be a part of the 10 kingdoms to be formed in the last days inside that empire. No country outside the 10 kingdoms will be ruled by Antichrist and no mark of the beast will be forced upon any man outside the kingdom of Antichrist.
  • In Dan. 9:27; 11:40-45 Antichrist breaks his 7-year covenant with Israel and takes over Palestine and many other countries, “but these shall escape out of his hand, even Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon,” which would be modern Jordan and Arabia. If these countries escape Antichrist, these on the border of Palestine which does not escape him, then it is surely conceivable that many countries across the vast oceans will also escape him.
  • The nation of Israel escapes the Antichrist arriving safe in the wilderness of Edom and Moab where they are protected of God for 3 1/2 years, or during the time the whole world is supposed to be taking the mark of the beast (see pt. 10, The Sun-Clothed Woman)
  • In Dan. 11:44-45 it is stated that the countries north and east of the 10 kingdoms under Antichrist will make war on him. These countries too, then, are not ruled by him and are and are not therefore forced to take the mark.
  • In Rev. 16:13-16 we have 3 unclean spirits like frogs going forth working miracles through ambassadors thus seeking the cooperation of many nations to help Antichrist against Jesus Christ at Armageddon. These will not have been conquered by him or be under him or they would not have to be persuaded to help him at Armageddon. If he ruled them and they loved him enough to worship him and take his mark, such demonic ministries would be unnecessary.
  • In Rev. 13:4 we have proof that there are nations whom the Antichrist has not conquered. If there were no nations who were not under him it would be foolish to raise the question about who can conquer him.
  • In Rev. 14:9-11 it is stated that every man who does take the mark of the beast, or his name, or the number of his name, will be sent to eternal hell without exception. If, as some teach today, Antichrist will kill every man who does not take the mark of the beast, and if, as stated here, every man who does take it will be sent to eternal hell, there will not be one person left on earth to populate it in the Millennium and the New Earth. Thus, such a doctrine as Antichrist killing all on earth who do not take his mark and worship him is literally untrue.
  • The truth is that Antichrist will make a law that all in his 10 kingdoms must worship him and take his mark, but the law will not and cannot be literally enforced in such a vast territory in as short a time as 3 1/2 years. It would be impossible for one human Antichrist to contact every man in the whole world and to see that every man is killed who does not take his mark. To say that, he could be virtually teaching that one man can do more in 3 1/2 years than what God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, angels, and all the redeemed people of over 1,900 years have been able to do. The gospel has been preached that long and still multiplied millions of people on earth have never heard the name of Jesus Christ. How could a new doctrine and a new religion of the beast be made known to all the world in 3 1/2 years? One reason why Antichrist cannot enforce such a law even inside the Roman Empire territory in 3 1/2 years is because of the wars between his 10 kingdoms and the many nations north and east of his empire (Dan. 11:44). These wars will keep him so occupied that he will not be able to pay full attention to the enforcement of his religious laws. Then, too, there will no doubt be ways of avoiding such laws in certain localities as there are concerning any other manmade law. Local officials, money, bribery, and many other things will enable some in his kingdom to escape literal compliance to such a law. Guerrilla warfare against Antichrist can be carried on in all parts of his kingdom, making it impossible to enforce such a law literally. Antichrist will come and go without millions of people in various parts of the earth knowing that he ever existed. This is true of Jesus Christ, and it will be true of Antichrist. Many peoples in the interior of certain lands do not yet know that there have been two world wars in a generation. Many do not know we have automobiles, airplanes, etc. The Bible teaches that in the Millennium Christ will be reigning in Jerusalem for some time before His agents contact certain peoples on earth and seek to bring them under His government (Isa. 2:2-4; 40:9; 52:7; 61:6; 66:18-21; Zech. 8:23; 14:16-21). So it will be in the days of Antichrist.
  • In Zech. 14:16-21 it is clear that many from every nation, even those that are under Antichrist, will be left alive on the earth in the Millennium. These will not take the mark of the beast. If so, they would be sent to eternal hell by Christ at His second coming. Since they are left to enter the Millennium, it is proof that every man on earth will not take the mark or be killed. For example, Egypt is spoken of in Dan. 11:40-45 as not escaping the Antichrist, but we find Egyptians left to enter the Milennium in Zech. 14:16-21. So it will be with many people of all the nations under Antichrist. Some will not take the mark or obey his law and yet escape death by him. Multitudes will be killed, but not all (Rev. 7:9-11; 14:13; 15:2-4; 16:2; 20:4-6).
  • In Mt. 25:31-46 we read of many of all nations that are called blessed of My Father who will inherit the millennial and eternal kingdom. These people will not take the mark of the beast or they would be sent to eternal hell, as stated in Rev. 14:9-11. The basis of the judgment of the nations here is their treatment of Israel. Such kind treatment of Israel could not be possible on the part of any nation if all were directly controlled by Antichrist.
  • The remnant of the woman in Rev. 12:17 escape the mark of the beast and the worship of Antichrist. This is made possible by new wars in the north and east of his kingdom, forcing him to let them alone for the time being so as to conquer these new enemies. The ministry of the two witnesses helps protect them the last 3 1/2 years. Then when Antichrist conquers his enemies after nearly 3 1/2 years of war he gathers his forces against the Jews to destroy them. He is defeated by Jesus Christ at Armageddon before he even takes all of Jerusalem, which by some means has been suddenly delivered from Antichrist and is back in Jewish hands (Zech. 14:14-15).” Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments of the Authorized or King James Version Text.

        In verse 9 the readers are warned to hear. This is the same warning given to the seven churches to which the Revelation is sent. The seven churches are still present at this point in the Tribulation.

Ken Blue

Pastor Ken Blue was born in Boswell, Ark. In 1955 he accepted Christ as his Savior. He and his wife Joyce were married in 1955. They have 5 children. He graduated from Midwestern Baptist Bible College in 1969 and started the Open Door Baptist Church in Lynnwood, Wa. where he pastored for 39 years. Because of health issues (ALS) he was forced to resign as pastor. It is his desire to continue to be used of God to help pastors and believers through this ministry.

kenblueministries.com