THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION
By John C. Carpenter
The apostle Paul wrote the church in Ephesus, Therefore I also,
after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints, Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you
in my prayers; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in
the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what
the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe,
according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own
right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not
only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all
things to the church, Which is his body, the fulness of hhat filleth all in all (Ephesians 1:15-23).
PNEUMA, SOPHIA, AND APOKALUPSIS
In
verse 17, the word spirit is translated from the Greek word pneuma, which means a current of air, breath, blast, breeze, or figuratively
a spirit or human rational soul, mental disposition, life, or mind. This use of the word spirit is a reference to the spirit of man,
and not to the Holy Spirit of God. The word wisdom is translated from the Greek word sophia, which means to make clear, higher or
lower wisdom, or worldly or spiritual. The word revelation is tranlated from the Greek word apokalupsis, disclosed, appearing, coming,
enlightened as that which is revealed, manifestation, or revelation.
In our subject verses, we see that Paul not only gave thanks
for the Ephesian church, but that he specifically prayed that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ would give the Ephesians a clear disclosure
and mental disposition of God the Father so that they might more fully understand the hope of His calling, the magnificence and glory
of God's eternal inheritance of and in them, and, lastly, that they would see and experience the exceeding greatness of his power
toward those who believe, which power He also wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead.
THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM
The
first aspect of Paul's prayer for the church in Ephesus was that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto
them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge [Greek, epignosis, be acquainted with, have recognition of, have discernment
of, or acknowledgment of] of him (Ephesians 1:17). The apostle wanted the believers in Ephesus to know Christ, that is, to recognize
Him, have discernment of Him, and to acknowledge Him with their minds and hearts.
But, why should we come to know and acknowledge
Jesus Christ? Why is knowing Him so important? One reason we can and should come to know God is that it is built into the design of
His new covemant: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will
put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall
teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least
of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more (Jeremiah
31:33-34). Knowing Christ and God is an integral part of the Father's new covenant with those who believe.
In his first letter
to the church in Corinth, Paul connected knowledge of God with increasing spiritual abundance when he wrote, I thank my God always
on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched [to be made rich, spiritually
abundant] by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you (1 Corinthians 1:4-6).
In
writing to gentile Christians in the regions of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, the apostle Peter explained that
the knowledge of God also multiplies God's grace and peace: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and
of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge
of him that hath called us to glory and virtue (2 Peter 1:2-3). Peter also encouraged these believers to remain steadfast, and even
grow, in their faith. Peter added, Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away
with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever (2 Peter 3:17-8). Jeremiah adds, Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in
his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory
in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the
earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Man is to glory in the fact that he understand and knows
God the Father, and knows and understands specifically that God the Father exercises lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in
the earth.
Writing to the church in Philippi, the apostle Paul referred to his need of knowing God when he wrote, Yea doubtless,
and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of
all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of
the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power
of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (Philippians 3:8-10). The scriptures
teach us that the true believers who know God and who have the Spirit of God will know, hear, and understand true ministers of the
gospel. As John said, We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit
of truth, and the spirit of error (1 John 4:6).
When we know Jesus Christ, the Son, we also automatically know God the Father.Philip saith unto him [Jesus], Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with
you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen [and known] me hath seen [and known] the Father; and how sayest thou
then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:8-9). When we know Christ and God the Father, there is evidence that we do - that evidence is obedience.
The apostle wrote, he [Christ] is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him (1 John 2:2-4).
Knowing God should also involve glory, but not the glory of self or man.
Jeremiah wrote, ...Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory
in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness,
judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Man is not to glory in
himself, but glory only in the fact that God is the Lord. Those who know God shall trust, honor, and magnify Him. God spoke through
David: the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he
shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. Sing praises to the
LORD, which dwelleth in Zion: declare among the people his doings (Psalms 9:7-11). Those who know the Lord will logically trust Him,
sing praises unto the Lord, and declare His doings among the people.
The scriptures also teach us that knowing God the Father
and His Son, Jesus, is not a responsibility that falls primarily upon the shoulders of the unbeliever.. The scriptures teach that
the heavenly Father plays a significant role, as well in our knowing Him. Although referring to apostate Israel, these words of the
prophet Jeremiah can also equally apply to unbelievers in Christ. Through Jeremiah, God said, ...the God of Israel; Like these good
figs, so will I acknowledge them that are carried away captive of Judah, whom I have sent out of this place into the land of the Chaldeans
for their good. For I will set mine eyes upon them for good, and I will bring them again to this land: and I will build them, and
not pull them down; and I will plant them, and not pluck them up. And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: andthey shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart (Jeremiah 24:5-7). In the words
of Jeremiah, the God of Israel will acknowledge the unfaithful, He will set His eyes upon them, as well as give them a heart to know
Him as Lord. In summary, they shall be His people, and He their God. Writing to the church in Ephesus, Paul prayed that the Ephesians
would grow in their knowledge of God. He wrote, For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the
whole family in heaven and earth is named, That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with
might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May
be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, And to know the love of Christ, which
passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above
all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all
ages, world without end (Ephesians 3:14-21).
Last, the scriptures offer additional evidence that we can and should know God.
John wrote, and we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and
hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This
is the true God, and eternal life (1 John 5:19-20). When we know God the Father, we know that we are of God, that the Son, Jesus Christ,
has come in the flesh, we know Him that is true, and we are in Him.
THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING
The second aspect of Paul's
prayer for the church in Ephesus was that the believers in Ephesus would have the wisdom and revelation to know the hope [Greek, elpis,
to anticipate usually with pleasure, or to have confidence in] of his calling [Greek, klesis, to bid, to call forth, or an invitation] (Ephesians
1:18). Paul wanted the church in Ephesus to anticipate with pleasure and confidence God the Father's calling or invitation to those
who would inherit eternal life in God's presence.
Elsewhere in his letter to the Ephesian church, Paul again reminded the Ephesians
of their invitation: ye are called in one hope of your calling (Ephesians 4:4). Paul mentioned this calling to the church in Philippi,
as well. Paul wrote them, Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which
are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). Paul explained this calling of God in some detail: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before
the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption
of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, whereinhe hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches
of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according
to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together
in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance,
being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will (Ephesians 1:3-11). Paul
also taught the church in Ephesus that all believers, because they are saved, are called by God to perform good works: For we are
his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).
Paul
continued with more characteristics of God's calling: One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on
high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the
lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints,
for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children,
tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie
in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom
the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:6-16).
Also Jude, the servant
of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, [wrote] to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied (Jude 1:2). Elsewhere, the apostle Peter details the calling of the believer when
he wrote to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, ye are a chosen generation, a royal
priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into
his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have
obtained mercy (1 Peter 2:9-10). The believer is called out of darkness or hidden things into God's revelation. Later, Peter adds,But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you
perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever (1 Peter 5:10-11).
Writing to Timothy,
the apostle Paul wrote about God's call: Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be
thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling,
not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality
to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:8-10). The believer in Christ is also called unto eeternal life and immortality through the
gospel message.
Jesus specifically taught that believers are called to Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every
creature (Mark 16:15), while Paul taught believers to Preach the word [a reference to Christ and the word of truth, the gospel, and
not the bible; see Gal 2:5, Eph 1:13, and Col 1:5]; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering
and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2).
Paul also taught the church in Corinth, God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship
of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9). One essential part of the believer's calling is that he or she shall have fellowship
with Jesus Christ. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, the aposte Paul adds these instructions about their calling; I therefore,
the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness,
with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:1-3).
Believers are to walk worthy of the life wherewith they have been called, in lowliness and meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love, and strive to keep the unity of the Holy Spirit in the bond of peace. Paul adds that the believer is also called...to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:14), and that, Moreover whom he [God the Father] did
predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified (Romans
8:30).
Lastly, the book of Hebrews, likely written by the mighty apostle Paul, encourages the believer with these words: Wherein
God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two
immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold
upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within
the veil (Hebrews 6:17-19). This hope for the believer in Christ must, and does, include believing and hoping in the calling of our
heavenly Father to eternal life with Him.
THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER
The third aspect of Paul's prayer for the
church in Ephesus was that the Ephesian believers would know the spirit of wisdom and revelation of the exceeding greatness of his
power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power (Ephesians 1:19). The scriptures clearly teach that God
is all powerful, and can do anything. Paul wanted the Ephesian church to know and experience God's power.
The psalmist announces
the magnificence and power of God when he writes, Sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. Say unto God, How terrible [to
fear, or have reverence for] art thou in thy works [action, activities, or operation]! through the greatness [Hebrew, rob, abundance,
excellence, increase, more in number, multitude, or plentiful] of thy power [Hebrew, oz, stout, force, security, majesty, praise,
boldness, might, power, or strength] shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee. All the earth shall worship thee, and shall
sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name. Come and see the works of God: he is terrible in his doing toward the children of men.
He turned the sea into dry land: they went through the flood on foot: there did we rejoice in him. He ruleth by his power for ever;
his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves (Psalms 66:2-7).
Surely, Great is our Lord, and of great
power: his understanding is infinite (Psalms 147:5). In the psalm of Asaph, we learn about God's powerful miracles: Thou art the God
that doest wonders [Hebrew, pele, perform a miracle, to perform a great or marvellous thing, or wonderful]: thou hast declared thy
strength among the people (Psalms 77:14). In Jeremiah we read about the use of God's power and wisdom in creation: He [God] hath made
the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion (Jeremiah
10:12), while the apostle Paul conveyed to the church in Ephesus that, due to the glory and magnificence of His power, Christ is able
to do [in the believer] exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us (Ephesians
3:20).
Knowing the inestable value and magnificence of God's power, the apostle Paul exhorted the church in Corinth that their
faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power [Greek, dunamis, literal or figurative force, miraculous power which
usually implies a miracle, ability, abundance, strength, violence, or wonderful work] of God (1 Corinthians 2:5), while Isaiah also
exhorts us, Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth
them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power [Hebrew, koach, ability, force, might, powerful, substance,
or strength]; not one faileth (Isaiah 40:26). We even see the power of God operating in our own salvation, Paul explains, For by [God
the Father's power and] grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any
man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
God's supernatural power is also given to the believer, who can then believe and declare,I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth [Greek, endunamoo, to empower, enable, or make strong] me (Philippians 4:13).
God's power allows us to do all things through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Again, referring to the power of Jesus Christ,
Paul wrote, God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last
days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness
of his glory, and the express image of his [God's] person, and upholding [Greek, phero, to bear or carry literally or figuratively,
endure, be driven by, lead, or move] all things by the word [Greek, rhema, an utterance, saying of a matter or topic, or speaking;
specifically, a reference to the operation, movement, and speaking of the Holy Spirit] of his power [Greek, dunamis, force, miraculous
power, strength, or mighty work], when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; Beingmade so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they (Hebrews 1:1-4).
Lastly,
in the book of Job, Moses summarized the glory and incomprehensibility of God's power and authority: But How hast thou helped him
that is without power? How savest thou the arm that hath no strength? How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? And hope hast
thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee? Dead things are formed from
under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering. He stretcheth out the north
over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under
them. He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it. He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the
day and night come to an end. The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof. He divideth the sea with his power,
and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked
serpent. Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand? (Job
26:1-14). Truthfully, most of us have heard and know little of Him.
THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL, THAT THEY MAY KNOW THEE
At this
point in our study, we can ask, why did Paul desire that the church of believers in Christ in Ephesus know the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, know the hope of God's calling, know the riches of the glory of His inheritance, and know the exceeding greatness of His power
to us-ward who believe? Biblically speaking, the answer is clear and simple. Knowing God bears the fruit of temporal and eternal life.
For example, the Lord taught the apostle Peter: Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And
Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother,
or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren,
and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life (Mark 10:28-30). Knowing
God bears the fruit of temporal as well as eternal life through faith in Christ. Paul also explained the connection between knowing
God and life in his instructions to the church in Rome. Paul wrote, if thou [know Jesus Christ and] shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth
unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall
not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon
him. For whosoever [Jew or Greek] shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:9-13).
Paul wrote to Titus,we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful,
and hating one another. But after [after we came to a knowledge of God and Christ] that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward
man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration,
and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace,
we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3-7). It may have also been Paul who wrote, How shall we escape,
if we neglect so great salvation [Greek, soteria, rescue, to be delivered, physical or moral safety, health, or save]; which at the
first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him (Hebrews 2:3).
In one more well-known
verse in the new testament scriptures, we are pointedly taught that God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, thatwhosoever [knoweth and] believeth in him should not perish [Greek, apollumi, to destroy, to perish, to lose, die, or be marred], but
have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through [knowing] him might
be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed
in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16-18).
Finally, Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, Father, the hour is
come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal
life to as many as thou hast given him [and therefore know Him]. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true
God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (John 17:1-3). Knowing God and His Son Jesus Christ is essential for eternal life; and
for this reason, the believer in Christ is to always grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To
him be glory both now and for ever (2 Peter 3:18). AMEN.
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
“I want the presence of God Himself, or I don't want anything at all to do with religion... I want all that God has or I don't want
any.”
A.W. Tozer
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he
will not fail thee, nor
forsake thee”
(Deuteronomy 31:6).
"Draw nigh to God,
and he will draw
nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye
sinners; and purify
your hearts, ye
double minded. Be afflicted,
and
mourn, and weep:
let your laughter be turned to mourning,
and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the
sight of the Lord,
and
he shall
lift you up”
(James 4:8-10).
"I charge THEE therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and
his kingdom; Preach
the word [of truth, the gospel]; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering
and
doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables
(2 Timothy 4:1-4).
