“And if the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed . . . !” John 8:36
He came “to heal the broken hearted, to proclaim deliverance to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty them that are bruised and beaten down repeatedly . . . !” Luke 4:18-19 Being raised in a 7th day Adventist Christian home, and growing up hearing about the law of Jehovah, the message of the three angels, and the importance of the Sabbath, I took little notice of statements such as these which I found in the Scriptures. The freedom here spoken of was thought to be needed more by the drunkard, the thief, the murderer and adulterers, and even more by those who knew not the knowledge which I had of the mark of the beast, and coming great time of trouble.
As I look back now, I realize that I knew a great deal “about God;” I could argue almost any debate on Scripture doctrines, but had never really known by experience His great love and desire to literally dwell within my heart and mind, and make me free indeed!” That is until the LORD in His mercy, allowed my wife and I to know the reality of the battle in which each of us are found. A battle in which none of my will, my strength or head-knowledge was of any avail.
In 2003, after months of fighting with the unseen whispers in my head, I yielded to the voice of SELF, and filed for a divorce; a decision which would change for ever, not only my life, but that of my wife and two young children as well . . . This was the beginning of the greatest miracle we had ever seen. For what the devil thought to use for evil, and our family’s destruction, the LORD God Almighty (Yehuwah El’Shaddai) wrought mightily for our good ! And it is this miracle, the miracle of the Glad Tidings of Christ, which begat within us the Life which God has promised, the Life which Jesus both lived, died, and rose again to freely give us. And the ministry which the LORD has called each of us to do, saying . . .
“All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore . . . into all the world (begin in your own neighborhood), and proclaim the Glad Tidings to every creature. And he that believeth and is baptized (with the Spirit) shall be saved . . . !” Matthew 28:18-19, Mark 16:15-16& ref: Titus 3:4-6
And it is here that I first saw the Light of the gospel of Christ. As I was reading my Bible aloud one day, these words jumped off the page, “he that believeth shall be saved.”As a young Christian, those words had a very concrete meaning to me; “saved” and Salvation was something that I could only hope for when Jesus returned; something for which I was workout myself with great “fear and trembling,” but of which I had no assurance of here and now. It was then that our Saviour spoke to me, and told me to read aloud again His Promise, and look up each Word in it’s original and true meaning. Why, I had never before even considered that there was more to Salvation than what I had been taught as a child? But I trusted the LORD and obeyed, looking up every reference to Saved, and Salvation throughout the old and new testaments. And that which the LORD revealed has truly been “a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path . . . !” Psalm 119:105
Saved and Salvation literally mean = to deliver, to rescue, to set free, to heal and to make whole !
Now, for the first time in my life, the Words of our Lord and Saviour in Luke chapter 4, began to come to Life. There was Light, glorious Light shining from the pages of my Bible, such as I had never seen before. So I then asked the Lord out loud, which definition is correct? how can I know for sure which one applies? And the LORD spoke to me, so gently and yet with so much power, and said . . . All of them apply !
For My Word is Bread to them that hunger, and springs of Living Water to them that are athirst! So I opened my Bible and began to read again the gospels (The Glad Tidings); searching now as for buried treasure and that pearl of great price. For the LORD had assured me that all of His Promises are both Yea, and Amen in Christ Jesus; and He is faithful Who hath promised. If we “ask, we shall receive; if we seek, we shall find, and if we knock, it shall be opened unto us freely !” Matthew 7:7-11, II Corinthians 1:20 & 2:12
And as I searched, the Light which the LORD has caused to shine from His Word has forever changed our family’s lives. And this is the Light which He so greatly desires each of us to share, “that all the earth may be filled with the glory of the LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah) ! . . . .
“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us . . . And we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father full of grace* and Truth ! . . .”
John 1:14
“In Whom ye also trusted, after that you heard the Word of Truth (Verity, verily so), the Glad Tidings of your Salvation (deliverance, freedom, rescue, healing and restoration): in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise . . . !” Ephesians 1:13
“The period of Christ’s personal ministry among men was the time of greatest activity for the forces of the kingdom of darkness. For ages Satan with his evil angels had been seeking to control the bodies and the souls of men, to bring upon them sin and suffering; then he had charged all this misery upon God . . . But Jesus was revealing to men the character of God. He was breaking Satan’s power, and setting his captives free. New Life and love (self-sacrifice) and power from heaven were moving upon the hearts of men, and the prince of evil was aroused to contend for the supremacy of his kingdom. Satan summoned all his forces, and at every step contested the work of Christ . . . .
In the days of Christ the leaders and teachers of Israel were powerless to resist the work of Satan. They were neglecting the only means by which they could have withstood evil spirits. It was by the Word of God that Christ overcame the wicked one.
The leaders of Israel professed to be the expositors of God’s Word, but they had studied it only to sustain their traditions, and enforce their man-made observances. By their interpretation they made It express sentiments that God had never given. Their mystical construction made indistinct that which He had made plain ! They disputed over insignificant technicalities, and practically denied the most essential Truths. Thus infidelity was sown broadcast. God’s Word was robbed of its power, and evil spirits worked their will . . . .
History is repeating. With the open Bible before them, and professing to reverence It’s teachings, many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in It as the Word of God (Deity). They busy themselves with dissecting the Word, and set their own opinions above its plainest statements. In their hands God’s Word loses its regenerating power. This is why infidelity runs riot, and iniquity is rife (so widespread).” – Desire of Ages p.258-259
“The Saviour overcame to show man how he may overcome. All the temptations of Satan, Christ met with the Word of God. By trusting in God’s Promises, He received power to obey God’s commandments, and the tempter could gain no advantage. To every temptation His answer was, “It is written”. . . “not with ink, but with the Spirit of the Living God; nor on tables of stone, but in the fleshy (softened) tables of the heart ! . . . ref: II Corinthians 3:3
So God has given us His Word wherewith to resist evil. Exceeding great and precious Promises are ours, that by these we “might be partakers of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption (sin and death) that is in the world through lust (carnal desire).” II Peter 1:4
“Being born (begotten) again, not of corruptible seed, but of Incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever . . . . And this is the Word which by the Gospel (Glad Tidings) is proclaimed unto you . . . !” I Peter 1:23-25
Bid the tempted one look not to circumstances, to the weakness of self, or to the power of temptation, but to the power of God’s Word. All its strength is ours. “For by the Word of the LORD were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the Breath (Spirit) of His mouth . . . . For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stands fast . . . !” Psalm 33:6-9 – The Ministry of Healing, pages 179-182.
“The means by which we can overcome the wicked one is that by which Christ overcame,– by the power of the Word. “Thy Word,” says the psalmist, “have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” And “by the Word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” For “I delight to do Thy Will, O my God (Elohim), Yea, Thy law is written within my heart !” Psalm 119:11 & 17:4 & 40:8
God does not control our minds without our consent; but if we desire to know and to do His Will, His Promises are ours: “Forye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free !” “Sanctify them through Thy Truth . . . Thy Word is Truth (Verity, verily so) !” John 8:32 & 17:17
Through faith in these Promises, every man may be delivered from the snares of error and the control of sin . . .” – Desire of Ages p.257-259
“For the Word of God is the Promised Seed (ref: Luke 8:10-11 & Galatians 3:16). Every seed has in itself a germinating principle. In it the life of the plant is enfolded. So there is Life in God’s Word. Christ says, “The Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life (living, Life-giving) !” John 6:63.
And “he that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting Life !” John 5:24. In every command and in every Promise of the Word of God is the power, the very Life of God, by which the Command may be fulfilled and the Promise realized. He who by faith receives the Word appropriating It as his own, is receiving the very Life and character of God . . . !” – Christ Object Lessons p.38-39
“The Creative Energy that called the worlds into existence is in the Word of God. This Word imparts power; it begets Life. Every command is a Promise; accepted by the will, received into the soul, it brings with it the Life of the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and re-creates the soul in the image of God . . . And the Life thus imparted is in like manner sustained . . . by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God !” – Education p.126-127
“The Scriptures are to be received as God’s Word to us, not written merely, but spoken. When the afflicted ones came to Christ, He beheld not only those who asked for help, but all who throughout the ages should come to Him in like need and with like faith saying . . . “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life ! No man cometh to The Father, but by Me . . . and he that cometh to Me, I will in no wise cast out !” John 14:6 & 6:37
When He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee;” when He said to the woman of Capernaum, “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace,” He spoke to other afflicted, sin-burdened ones who should seek His help. Matthew 9:2; Luke 8:48.
So with all the Promises of God’s Word. In them He is speaking to us individually, speaking as directly as if we could listen to His Voice. It is in these Promises that Christ communicates to us His grace* (G5485) and power. They are leaves from that Tree which is “for the healing of the nations.” Revelation 22:2. Received, assimilated, they are to be the strength of the character, the inspiration and sustenance of the life.
Nothing else can have such healing power. Nothing besides can impart the courage and faith which give vital energy to the whole being. To one who stands trembling with fear on the brink of the grave, to the soul weary of the burden of suffering and sin, let the physician as he has opportunity repeat the Words of the Saviour –for all the Words of Holy Writ are His . . .“Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine !” ‑ Ministry of Healing p.122-123
“Wherefore as the Holy Spirit saith, Today, if ye will hear His Voice . . . harden not your hearts, in unbelief . . . for we are made partakers of Christ (The Anointed One, the Anointing), if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end ! ” Hebrews 3:7-19
“Every man is now free to choose what power he will have to rule over him. For none have fallen so low, none are so vile, but that they can find deliverance in Christ . . . “For Christ (the Anointing) is the end (purpose) of the law for righteousness, to every one that believeth . . . !” Romans 10:4
. . . No cry from a soul in need, though it fail of utterance in words, will be unheeded. Those who will con-sent to enter into Covenant relation (marriage and union) with the God of heaven are not left to the power of Satan or to the infirmity (weakness) of their own nature. They are invited by the Saviour, “Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make Peace with Me.” “For My peace (Shalom) give I unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid !” “For God hath not given unto us the spirit (demon) of fear, but of power, of love, and of a sound mind !”
Isaiah 27:5, John 14:27-28 & II Timothy 1:7
The spirits of darkness will battle for the soul once under their dominion, but angels of God will contend for that soul with prevailing power. “For the Angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah) is good . . . for Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him !” Psalm 34:7-8 – The Desire of Ages, p. 258-259. (1898)
“For I Am that Living (Life-giving) Bread which came down from heaven . . . . if any man eat of this Bread (My Words, which are Spirit and Life), he shall live forever . . . . !” John 6:27-51, 6:66-69 & John 15:1-7
“For thus saith the LORD . . . In an acceptable time* have I heard thee, and in the day of Salvation (H3444 – Yesh-oo-aw) have I helped thee . . . that thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are yet in darkness, Shew yourselves ! They shall feed in the paths of righteousness, and their pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst any more (ref: John 6:27-58 & 4:7-24); neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for He that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the Springs of Water . . . !”
Isaiah 49:8-10
“And in that day thou shalt say, O LORD, I will Praise Thee: though Thou wast angry with me,
Thine anger is turned away, and Thou Comfortedst me. Behold, God (Elohim– The Mighty One) is my Salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid. For the LORD JEHOVAH is my Strength and my Song; He also is become my Salvation (H3444- Yesh-oo-aw). Therefore with Joy . . . . shall ye draw Water out of the Wells of Salvation. And in that day shall ye say,
Praise the LORD (Halleluyah)! call upon His name, declare His doings (wondrous works) among the people, make mention that His name is exalted . . . that at the name of Jesus (Yehushua) every knee should bow, and every tongue confess ! . . . Sing unto the LORD; for He hath done excellent things, and this is known in all the earth.” Isaiah 12:1-6 & 45:23
Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion . . . My city and My people which are called by My name . . . for great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst (heart) of thee ! Sing, O daughter of Zion; Shout, O Israel . . . be glad and rejoice with all thy heart, O daughter of Jerusalem. For the LORD hath taken away thy judgments, He hath cast out thine enemy ! Zephaniah 3:14-17 & Daniel 9:19
Yea, the King of Israel, even the LORD is in the midst (heart) of thee; and thou shalt not see (behold) evil any more . . . . For thus saith the LORD, Shall the prey be taken from the mighty (H1368 – ghibore, giant, strong man tyrant), or shall the lawful captive (ref: Romans 6:16) be delivered? But thus saith (speaks aloud) the LORD, Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible shall be delivered: for I will contend with him that contended with thee, and I will save thy children . . . And all flesh shall know that I the LORD Am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob !” Isaiah 49:24-26
It is of great importance as we read aloud these promises of the Bible, both in old as well as the new test-ament Scriptures, to take note of the tenses of the verbs with which the LORD has inspired them to be written. For He is the great I AM, THAT I AM. He is both the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the Alef and the Tav of Genesis 1:1, He is the Word which was spoken from the very beginning, “ere ever the earth was,” . . . the Author and the Finisher of our faith !
In Him, every Promise is both Yea, and Amen. For He is present tense. And the moment His Word has gone forth, the Promise is verily there; and it is ours if we will but take hold of His Word in simple child-like faith claiming the Promise, not because of any righteousness of our own, but because He is worthy, and He cannot lie !”
To be continued . . . .
May the LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah) Bless you abundantly today,
in Spirit and in Truth . . . !
your brother and sister in Christ,
Eric & Sarah Wilson and family