CHRISTIANITY
IS GOD’S REHABILITATION PROGRAM, FOR
ANGELS (part 1)
06-27-21
This message may be viewed live streaming video at youtube.com and
tabernacleofmoses.org today Sunday at 11:00 am, and repeated 24/7
thereafter.
The video, audio, and study notes are archived.
Commentary:
Luke chapter 15:1-32 contains three
parables (four actually) about
angels and an interesting “summation” that cannot be found
anywhere
else in the Bible. God speaks to us
in symbols.
THE
AUDIENCE IS
THE WORLD
(Luke
15:1,2)
Then drew near unto him [because they were interested in
learning
about Jesus] all the [secular] publicans
[tax
collectors, businessmen; Gormorrah, false works] and sinners
[morally
in error; Sodom, false doctrines] for to hear
[Gk: to
understand] him. And the [religious]
Pharisees
and scribes murmured [Gk: complained: grumbled]
[manifesting
their lack of true understanding by], saying [with
negative implications], This man receiveth
[associates
with, has hospitality towards: accepts, looks for and waits upon] sinners,
and eateth with them [in the ancient world, honoring guests
with table
fellowship, sharing food (a symbol of life), was a display of sincere
friendliness].
THE
PRIMARY
THEME OF THESE THREE PARABLES IS REHABILITATION
rehabilitation
= Dict: 1. To restore to rank, privileges, or property which
one has
lost. 2. To restore the good name or reputation of; reinstate
in
good repute. 3. To put back in good condition; reestablish on a
firm,
sound basis. [by
returning the lost “item” to its original location]
THE
FIRST PARABLE ABOUT FALLING ANGELS
(Luke
15:3-7)
And he spake this parable [Gk: (symbolically) a
ficticious
narrative of common life conveying a moral: a comparison] unto
them,
saying, What man [herein representing us and Jesus Christ] of
you, having an
hundred sheep [sheep are a biblical symbol of saved
people],
if he lose [Gk: to destroy fully: die, lose, perish]
one
of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness
[Gk:
waste: desert] [symbolic of the cosmos (universe)] [1], and
go after
[i.e., preach toward] that which is lost [Gk:
destroyed fully: died, losed, perished] [i.e., “that which is”
spiritually dead to Me], until he find it? And when he hath
found it, he layeth it [elevates it upward, i.e., He
resurrects it]] on his shoulders [“Casting all
your care
(Gk: distractions) upon him; for he careth (Gk: is concerned) for you.”
1 Pet
5:7] [2], rejoicing [Gk: to be
full of
cheer, happy]. And when he cometh home [when he returns
Himself
and concurrently returns the lost sheep to the flock],
he calleth
together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with
me;
for I have found my sheep which was lost [“which was”
spiritually
dead to Me]. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in
heaven
over one sinner [one fallen angel] [3] that
repenteth
[Gk: thinks differently, reconsiders], more than over ninety and
nine just
[Gk: innocent, holy: righteous] persons
[i.e., angels
that did not fall], which need no repentance [Gk:
reformation]
[syn: renovation, restructuring, overhaul, restoration].
1.
Commentary:
“leave the ninety
and nine in the wilderness” = leave in a sheepfold (syn: pen), a type and shadow of the Garden
(Heb: a garden (as fenced) /// to
hedge about, protect: defend) of Eden (Heb:
delight),
which Garden initself is a type and shadow of Heaven.
2.
(1 Pet
5:6-8) Humble
[Gk: bring low /// cast down] [submit] yourselves
therefore under
[Gk: beneath] the mighty hand of God, that he may
exalt [Gk:
elevate: lift up] [ultimately, resurrect] you in due
time: Casting
[Gk: throwing] all your care [Gk:
(worldly) distractions]
upon him; for he careth [Gk: is concerned]
for
you. Be sober [Gk: abstain from (excessive) wine]
[drugs],
be vigilant [Gk: keep awake: (be) watchful];
because your
adversary [Gk: opponent; specif. Satan (as the arch enemy)]
the
devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking
whom he
may devour:
3.
Commentary:
Who was the first
sinner? Answer: the angel Lucifer-Satan, the
great red
dragon. Please note that “his tail drew the third part of the
stars
[angels, fallen angels (sinners)] of heaven, and did
cast them
to the earth:” (Rev 12:4a).
THE
SECOND
PARABLE ABOUT FALLEN ANGELS
(Luke
15:8-10) Either what woman [herein representing us
and the
Holy Spirit] having ten pieces of silver [1],
if
she lose one piece [Gk: (one) coin] [Please note that at one
time,
the lost piece was saved (i.e., innocent), and thereafter became
one of the fallen angels “unclean spirits” that followed Lucifer-Satan],
doth not light a candle [2], and sweep
[3] the
house [Gk: abode, residence] [habitation, i.e., rehabilitate
her
mental residence], and seek diligently [Gk:
carefully]
till she find it? And when she hath found it, she
calleth her
friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me;
for I have
found the piece which I had lost [that was
spiritually
dead to Me]. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy
[Gk:
cheerfulness; delight: gladness] in the presence of [Gk:
in the face of: the sight of] the [innocent] angels
of
God over one sinner [4] that repenteth
[Gk:
to think differently, reconsiders].
1.
Commentary:
“silver” = is
the metal that symbolizes salvation in the Bible;
“having ten
pieces of silver,” in the present context, is a representation of the
woman’s complete
(and saved) collection
of silver, exactly paralleling “having an hundred sheep” is a
representation
of the man’s complete (and
saved) sheepfold. However, both suffered the lost of an
“item” of
great value from their assemblies.
2.
(Psa
18:28) For thou wilt light
[Heb: set on fire] my candle [Heb: lamp]
[my
(inner) body]: the LORD my God will enlighten [Heb:
glitter; illuminate: (cause to) shine] my darkness [Heb:
the dark; fig. miserey, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow,
wickedness]
[i.e., He will change, transform my darkness into light].
a.
(Prov
20:27) The spirit [Heb:
soul] of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all
the inward
parts of the belly [of the mind, the thoughts].
3.
sweep
= Dict: 1. to clear or clean (a
surface, room, etc.) as
by brushing. 2. to remove or clear away (dirt,
debris, etc.) with or as a brush or broom or with a brushing
movement.
4.
sinner
= Gk:
sinful, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), fig. to err,
espec.
(morally) to sin: offend [God], trespass [against God].
Amen
Ps. It
is the final verses of Luke chapter 15:24,32 that
unite the entire chapter:
1.
(Luke
15:32) It was meet that we should make
merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is
alive again;
and was lost, and is found.
2.
Commentary:
If you think this message was… unusual,
wait until next week for part 2 (God willing) when we plan to examine the
third parable in this chapter that speaks directly to
and about
you. God bless you. J