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Letter of Apostle Matthew – The Gospel
An Intimate Review
Pt 14
By Lawrence DeMetrius
Matthew 11:1
Jesus Christ the Master Teacher and Perfect Example
Apostle Matthew writes that after His commands to the twelve apostles, Christ went into various cities to teach and preach, demonstrating how they were also to do it.
Matthew 11:2-19
The Witness of Jesus Christ
In this passage, belief in Christ as the scriptures speak of Him is necessary. In fact, Apostle John expressed that it was perquisite to one receiving the Holy Ghost, Who is a primary Witness of Who Christ really is. [I Jn 5:6-13] It is by the Holy Ghost that Yahweh imparts revelation of divine truths, beginning with the reality of Christ being HIS Son. [Jn 7:37-39; I Cor 12:3; Rm 8:9, 11, 14-17; Eph 1:13, 14; Rm 14:17] This was so even for John the Baptist who of Yahweh, received revelation of Christ by manifestation of the Holy Ghost. After affirming John for who he was per the scriptures, Christ then affirmed to John Who He was according to those same scriptures. Christ later instructs His disciples to inform John the Baptist of the things Yahweh was accomplished through Him. These occurrences served as more proof to John that Christ was indeed the true Messiah. As John was himself a true believer of the holy writs, he was fully convicted that Jesus was the Christ. From the most ancient of days, belief in Yahweh’s inspired Word has always been perquisite to receiving revelation of divine truths, especially about Jesus the Christ. [St Jn 12:32; 8:31, 32, 36] No mortal can covenant with Yahweh except they do so by genuine faith in HIS Word, later personified in the Person of Jesus Christ. All gospels that promogulated soul salvation by any means are to be deemed anathema or accursed. [I Cor 16:22; 8:6; Gal 1:6-9]
Matthew 11:12, 13
The Darkest of Days Have Passed
Jesus Christ said that from the days of John the Baptist until His arrival and public ministry, the KINGDOM of heaven SUFFERED VIOLENCE. He also noted that the VIOLENT TAKES the KINGDOM BY FORCE. This gives credence to the idea that there was a specific timeframe wherein spiritual warfare was at its most volatile. Thus, John the Baptist was the last major prophet to hail Jesus of Nazareth as the prophesied Christ. This intel is most important for genuine Christian teachers because although satanic influence is still strong over the world, it is not as strong as it was prior to Christ’s completed work at Calvary. [Col 2:14, 15; Mt 12:29; I Jn 3:8b] Those who abide in Christ, are covered by His Blood, clothed in His righteousness and stand having on the armor of GOD, are more invincible against satanic forces then Yahweh worshipers have ever been. [Eph 6:10-18; Lk 10:19, 20; II Cor 4:3-7; 10:4, 5] Only those who choose to stand without Christ remain enslaved to the influence evil. [St Jn 3:19, 36] All who effectively proclaim the Testimony of Jesus Christ do so upon a foundation that was firmly laid by divine prophets and scribes who came before them…from Enoch to Jesus Christ and His Original Apostles. [I Cor 3:10-12]
*kingdom Gk #932 basileia (bas-il-i-ah) it is royalty, rule and realm [Rev. 1:5, 6; I Pet 2:9; Lk 17:21; Rm 14:17]
• royalty is royal persons collectively, royal status, dignity and power
• rule is…
o a principle governing conduct, action, procedure and arrangement
o the code of regulations observed by a religious order or congregation
o the customary circumstance, manner, practice and quality
o control, government and dominion
o tenure and conduct of reign or office
• realm is…
o a royal domain and special province or field of something or someone
o the region, sphere or domain within which anything occurs, prevails and dominates
*heaven Gk #3772 ouranos (oo-ran-os) it is the sky, heaven of GOD’S abode, happiness, power, eternity and the Gospel of Jesus Christ
*suffereth violence Gk #971 biazo (bee-ad-zo) it means to force, crowd oneself into and be seized
• force is…
o physical power possessed by a living being
o strength exerted upon an object
o energy and intensity
o power to influence, affect or control and efficacious power
• crowd as a verb is to…
o gather in large numbers, throng or swarm
o press forward or advance by pushing
o press closely together to force into a confined space
o cram or shove
o fill to excess and by pressing into
o place under pressure or stress by constant solicitation
• seize is to…
o grasp and take hold of suddenly or forcibly
o grasp mentally or understand clearly and completely
o take possession of by force, at will or control of as if by suddenly laying hold and by legal authority
o resort to a method or plan in desperation
o have moving parts bound and to stop movement using excessive pressure, temperature or friction
*violent Gk #973 biastes (bee-as-tace) it means energetic and one who forces
*take/force Gk #726 harpozo (har-pad-zo) it means to seize
These definitions describe the power of Christ’s Church over satanic powers. Because Jesus Christ completed His work at Calvary, satanic forces are powerless against His true Church. [Mt 16:18; Lk 10:19; Acts 1:8]
Matthew 11:19
Divine Influence
The Roman Empire was not a monarchy wherein leadership was inherited by blood line. It was a Republic wherein power could drastically shift per public opinion. Thus, one’s ability to effectively influence public opinion was vital in First Century Rome. This was so in both the religious and political arenas. Jesus Christ gained a great deal of favorable influence per public opinion because of His character, acts and speech. Thousands of people were receptive to His Person and philosophy. In fact, many wanted to Him to become an official leader, which created concern for many who were in power. So much so, that some resorted to accusing Him of treason against the ruling emperor, per His claim of being Israel’s true King. Israel was in a province then ruled and governed Rome. Thus, proclaiming Himself King of Israel implied treason against the ruling emperor. This also gives credence to how misinterpretation of Christ’s work was instrumental in solidifying His Crucifixion. Christ was indeed accused of high treason and attempting to usurp unwarranted authority. Genuine Christian teachers must know that great and favorable influence in their communities can invoke challenges from evil, due to the positive effect their ministries are having therein. They must remember that Wisdom is justified of her children, whose character, conduct and speech prove their innocence. [I Cor 2:4; Phil 2:16a; Jn 17:14; Rev 19:10]
Matthew 11:20-26
Yahweh’s Mighty Works
Yahweh does whatever HE wants to do and no one forces HIM to do anything. When HE decides to do a mighty work, it is always purposed for HIS glory and to inspire those who wholeheartedly worship HIM. [II Chr 16:9] As HE only desires the best for HIS children, HE will only grant what is best for them per HIS perspective. [Rm 8:28] While nothing is impossible for THE LORD, it does not mean HE will always grant mighty works or miracles. The wonder of Yahweh is not measured by HIS ability alone but by HIM simply being WHO HE IS. In this passage, Apostle Matthew notes that even manifestation of mighty works and miracles will not invoke some to repentance, as with Tyre and Sodom and Gomorrah.
*repent Gk #3340 metanoeo (met-an-o-eh-o) it means to think differently or afterwards, reconsider or morally feel compunction for one’s wicked actions
Those who REPENT and restore themselves to divine worship through Christ, will experience how real Yahweh is during their mortal and immortal lifetimes. [Isa 1:18-20; II Tim 2:24-26] Apostle Matthew writes of Christ praising Yahweh for revealing His relationship to HIM to His brethren saying,
I thank Thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because Thou hast HID these things from the WISE and PRUDENT; and hast REVEALED them unto BABES. Even so Father: for so it seemed good in Thy SIGHT.
[Mt 11:25, 26; Jn 6:37-40, 44, 45, 65; I Cor 1:26-28]
*hid Gk #613 apokrupto (ap-ok-roop-to) it means to fully conceal away and keep secret
*wise Gk #4680 sophos (sof-os) it is a person who is wise
*prudent Gk #4908 sunetos (soon-et-os) it means to mentally put or a putting together
*revealed Gk #601 apokalupto (ap-ok-al-oop-to) it means to take off the cover and disclose
*sight Gk #1715 emprosthen (em-pros-then) it means in front of
*good Gk#2107 eudokia (yoo-dok-ee-ah) it is satisfaction, delight, kindness, wish and purpose
*babes Gk #3516 nepios (nay-pee-os) it means not speaking, an infant or minor, and is figurative of a simple-minded person or immature Christian
There is insight that Yahweh only imparts to the brethren of Christ, which begins with revelation of Who Jesus Christ is to HIM. [I Cor 2]
In regard to the authority given Him of Yahweh Christ said,
All things are delivered unto me of My Father: and no man KNOWETH the Son but the Father; neither KNOWETH any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever THE SON will REVEAL HIM.
[Mt 11:27]
Jesus Christ specifically states that He alone is the Means by which one can KNOW Yahweh, the TRUE GOD. Therefore, all teachings that declare that Yahweh can be KNOWN by any other means is false per the decree of Christ. [Jn 14:6; I Jn 5:20]
*knoweth Gk #1921 epiginosko (ep-ig-in-noce-ko) it means to…
1. know or recognize upon some mark, which is an affixed device, symbol or inscription serving to give information, identify, indicate origin or ownership and attest genuine character or comparative merit
2. acknowledge and become fully acquainted with
In that Christ is Yahweh’s Word incarnate, no other Source is more suitable to REVEAL HIS reality than He. [St Jn 1:1-4, 14; I Jn 5:6-10, 20; Rev 19:13] One must be careful to not mishandle divine words as did Lucifer. [Gen 3:1-6] This is one reason why the Elect of GOD are to be continually given to and apply effective scriptural study. [Jn 8:31, 32, 36; Lk 24:44, 45; II Tim 2:15; 3:14-17]
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