Our paragraph topic is: (Opposition foretold) Part 3.
Christ continues to give instructions to his disciples about the enemy. He has given them instructions on who they will face, ravenous wolves. He has told them how they should conduct themselves, with the wisdom of serpents and guileless as doves. Now he gives them a forwarning. He tells them to, "Beware of men." Men are not who they appear to be. He tells them, "They will deliver you up to councils, and scourge you in their synagogues." Christ is telling his disciples that men will betray you. The disciples are going to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They are going amongst their own people. They are proclaiming the good news to the lost sheep. And yet they are to beware of the men they meet.
Christ gives these instructions because he wants his disciples to be prepared for what they are going to meet. They do not know the hearts and minds of men. They do not know what is said behind closed doors. They do not see the evil that men do. So he is providing them with instructions that are vital to their survival on their solo journey. For we are spiritual creatures in a physical body and are influenced by the evil one who wants to maintain power over the lost sheep. So he inhabits the minds and bodies of men influencing them to do evil. Through his control, men will betray their mothers. Through his control, men will kill their brothers. Through his control, men will lust after their sisters. And they will do anything to maintain the power that they have acquired.
So Christ wants his disciples to beware. He wants them to be wise as serpents and guileless as doves. He wants them to know that they are going into the midst of wolves. He wants them to be prepared. The battle is a spiritual battle fought in the physical realm. The spoils are the souls of men. And the disciples will have a taste of their future calling. They will become generals fighting the battle after Christ has returned to the kingdom with his father. They will train the future solders, and captains, and lieutenants of tomorrow. So they must lead the way. They must learn from the master all that is necessary to be successful in this war. It is through their learnings and teachings from the master, written in this training manual that we survive today.
The war continues. The enemy has taken over the world and exerted his influence over the lives of men of power, the captains of industry, the rulers of advertisement. Their payment to participate in the battle with the evil one is paper money whose value provides them with the passions of their heart. And the children of God live in a sea of passion, a sea selfishness, a sea of lust, and all manner of evil. We must not take in the fumes of darkness. The temptations are present all around in our everyday lives.
Put on your gas masks that you may not die. Put on your protective suits that you may not be contaminated with the toxins of evil. Guard your eyes and put on your eye gargles that they may not be filled with the lusts of this world. Cover your ears with the muffles of spiritual soundness that you may not hear the blasphemy of the dead. But above all remember Christ's words and carry them with you daily. For they are your protection. They are your shield. They are your weapons of war to do battle with the enemy. Beware of the council of men for they will deliver you up to be scourged. Are you ready for battle? Are you ready for the war? Prepare yourself!!!
Christ continues to give instructions to his disciples about the enemy. He has given them instructions on who they will face, ravenous wolves. He has told them how they should conduct themselves, with the wisdom of serpents and guileless as doves. Now he gives them a forwarning. He tells them to, "Beware of men." Men are not who they appear to be. He tells them, "They will deliver you up to councils, and scourge you in their synagogues." Christ is telling his disciples that men will betray you. The disciples are going to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They are going amongst their own people. They are proclaiming the good news to the lost sheep. And yet they are to beware of the men they meet.
Christ gives these instructions because he wants his disciples to be prepared for what they are going to meet. They do not know the hearts and minds of men. They do not know what is said behind closed doors. They do not see the evil that men do. So he is providing them with instructions that are vital to their survival on their solo journey. For we are spiritual creatures in a physical body and are influenced by the evil one who wants to maintain power over the lost sheep. So he inhabits the minds and bodies of men influencing them to do evil. Through his control, men will betray their mothers. Through his control, men will kill their brothers. Through his control, men will lust after their sisters. And they will do anything to maintain the power that they have acquired.
So Christ wants his disciples to beware. He wants them to be wise as serpents and guileless as doves. He wants them to know that they are going into the midst of wolves. He wants them to be prepared. The battle is a spiritual battle fought in the physical realm. The spoils are the souls of men. And the disciples will have a taste of their future calling. They will become generals fighting the battle after Christ has returned to the kingdom with his father. They will train the future solders, and captains, and lieutenants of tomorrow. So they must lead the way. They must learn from the master all that is necessary to be successful in this war. It is through their learnings and teachings from the master, written in this training manual that we survive today.
The war continues. The enemy has taken over the world and exerted his influence over the lives of men of power, the captains of industry, the rulers of advertisement. Their payment to participate in the battle with the evil one is paper money whose value provides them with the passions of their heart. And the children of God live in a sea of passion, a sea selfishness, a sea of lust, and all manner of evil. We must not take in the fumes of darkness. The temptations are present all around in our everyday lives.
Put on your gas masks that you may not die. Put on your protective suits that you may not be contaminated with the toxins of evil. Guard your eyes and put on your eye gargles that they may not be filled with the lusts of this world. Cover your ears with the muffles of spiritual soundness that you may not hear the blasphemy of the dead. But above all remember Christ's words and carry them with you daily. For they are your protection. They are your shield. They are your weapons of war to do battle with the enemy. Beware of the council of men for they will deliver you up to be scourged. Are you ready for battle? Are you ready for the war? Prepare yourself!!!
