Lawrence DeMetrius

Lyrics

Letter of Apostle Mark
An Intimate Review
Pt 3
By Lawrence DeMetrius

The Sickle of GOD

In [Mk 4:26-29] Jesus Christ likens The Kingdom of GOD to one who sows divine seed without knowing when or where the seed will produce fruit. But when the ground does bring forth fruit the Sower and kingdom of GOD is set to immediately harvest it with his SICKLE.

*sickle Gk #1407 drepanon (drep-an-on) it is a gathering hook for harvesting which is to…
• gather a crop
• reap which is to…
o cut wheat, rye, etc. with a sickle or other implement or machine as in harvest
o gather or take a crop or harvest
o get as a return, recompense or result
• gain, win, acquire and use
• catch, take and remove for use

The SICKLE of Yahweh on earth is HIS Church that is commissioned to make people of every nation a disciple of Jesus Christ with the pure Gospel of Jesus Christ. [Mt 9:37, 38; 28:18-20]

The Tiny but Mighty Seed

In [Mk 4:30-34] Jesus Christ likens divine word to the tiniest seed on earth, which is the mustard seed. It is the only source that can empower mortals to properly re-focus on their spiritual nature and whole duty, which is to worship THE LORD with a renewed intellect and in reality. [Eccl 12:13; St Jn 4:23, 24] This passage gives credence to the idea that regardless all other words sown or spoken throughout all generations, none can penetrate the mortal heart like Christ the Word. [St Jn 1:1-14; 6:63]

Divine Word Controls All

In [Mk 4:35-41] Apostle Mark notes that Yahweh’s Word controls all things and the mobility thereof. When one permits HIS Word to speak through them, they will experience the power thereof in their day, just as HIS worshipers did in times past. [Isa 55:11; Num 23:19] Not only should Yahweh’s Elect desire HIS Word to be active within themselves, but they should desire HIM to speak through them for the benefit of others. [Pro 18:21; Mt 12:35-37; Mk 11:21-23; Jn 10:10b; Rm 10:9, 10]

Faith Invokes the Power of Divine Word

In [Mk 5; 6:1-6] Apostle Mark notes a person who was healed of demonic possession. Only when the victim recognized and came to Christ by faith, did he receive this healing. Apostle Mark then notes a person who was healed of a sickness that plagued her physical body. Here again, it was faith that invoked the healing power of Jesus Christ. Apostle Mark also notes one who was sick unto death. Their experience exemplified how one can benefit from the faith of another who supplicates on their behalf. Finally, Apostle Mark notes how THE DIVINE will in some cases require those who are weak in faith to be removed so the genuine faith of those who have it, can generate desired manifestations. In short, the Elect of GOD are to be ready, willing and able do what is necessary to remain in a place where their faith can be effective enough to invoke the power of the divine Word in and through them. [Heb 11:1, 6; 12:1-3] In [Mk 6:1-6] Jesus Christ reveals that true prophets lack proper respect amongst their own kindred and countryman. Therefore, their effectiveness to serve among them is often challenged. In [Mk 6:7-16; Lk 10:19, 20] Jesus Christ sends His new students into the ministry field to exercise their witnessing skills. He also imparted unto them POWER over UNCLEAN spirits. This gives credence to the idea that POWER over UNCLEAN SPIRITS is a necessary element when publicly administering divine Gospel. [Mt 5:19; I Cor 2:1-5; II Cor 4:3, 7; 10:4, 5]

*power Gk #1849 exousia (ex-oo-see-ah) it is…
• privilege, force, capacity and competency
• freedom, mastery and delegated influence
• a magistrate, superhuman, potentate and token of control

*unclean Gk #169 akathartos (ak-ath-ar-tos) it means demonic, lewd and impure both ceremonially and morally

*spirits Gk #4151 pneuma (pnyoo-mah) it is…
• the rational human soul
• vital principle and mental disposition
• an angelic being good or bad, Yahweh, Christ or the Holy Ghost

Per this passage UNCLEAN SPIRITS can be supernatural or mortal beings who are subjects of Lucifer. These agents of evil can be dealt with effectively when communicating the divine Gospel. [Mt 12:29] The only other tool Christ permitted His trainees to take on their journey was a STAFF, which is much like that of Moses’s, which was actually the STAFF of Adam. Per Jasher, it was an ancient relic that enabled those who rightly carried it to perform amazing feats. [Mk 6:8a; Jasher 77]

*staff Gk #4464 rhabdos (hrab-dos) it is a stick or wand such as a cudgel, cane or baton of royalty
• cudgel is a club or short, thick stick used as a weapon
• cane is a stick or short staff used to assist one in walking
• baton of royalty is a…
o staff, club or truncheon serving as a mark of office and authority
o short stick carried for use as a weapon as by a policeman
• scepter which is…
o a ceremonial staff held by a monarch as the symbol of authority
o imperial authority and sovereignty

In short, the brethren of Jesus Christ are sent into the Ministry of Divine Iconoclasm and equipped with a STAFF representing the divine ROYALTY they are of and which SUPPORTS and PROTECTS them. In this passage, Christ instructs His trainees to take nothing with them but this STAFF and POWER over EVIL SPIRITS. In teaching them to serve in faith, He restricts them from taking SCRIPS, BREAD, extra COATS and MONEY for their PURSES. By this they would learn that Yahweh would provide their personal needs through the freewill offerings of those they minister to on HIS behalf. [Mk 6: 8b, 9]

*scrip Gk #4082 pera (pay-rah) it is a wallet or leather pouch for food
*bread Gk #740 artos (ar-tos) it is raised loaf of bread

*money Gk #5475 chalkos (khal-kos) it is copper as the compose of that used as payment in exchange for goods and services

*purse Gk #2223 zone (dzo-nay) it is a belt or pocket

*coats Gk #5509 chiton (khee-tone) it is a shirt or tunic which is any of various hip-length or knee-length garments, such as the loose sleeveless garb worn in ancient Greece or Rome, the jacket of some soldiers or a woman's hip-length garment, worn with a skirt or trousers

In [Mk 6:10, 11] the disciples of Christ were given instruction to abide in the place or house wherein they were welcomed. Wherever they were not received, they were to leave and shake the dust from their feet. This act would serve as a testimony against those who rejected their witness. Hospitality has always been a high regard of Yahweh. Sodom and Gomorrah are prime examples of what can happen to those who fail to practice it, especially with people who come of good will. [Gen 18; 19; Eze 16:47-50; TC#4437] This gives credence to the idea that people who welcome true messengers of Christ are the people by whom Yahweh provides necessary sustenance for HIS servants. These people are also instructed to show no hospitality or grant God-Speed to agents of the anti-Christ. [II Jn vs 7-11] In [Mk 6: 12, 13] Apostle Mark notes that these trainees did not go out teaching their own words or to distribute tracks. They were only to verbally communicate the word of repentance. [Isa 50:4] Those who received their counsel received of Yahweh both supernatural and physical healing. Those who rejected it forfeited divine gratuities offered to them of THE LORD through HIS servants, and thereby sealed their own doom. [St Jn 3:19, 20, 36]

The Death of John the Baptist

In [Mk 6:14-29] Apostle Mark writes of the death of John the Baptist. This passage discloses the degree at which nonbelievers will go to retain worldly favor and status. Herod knew John the Baptist was a righteous man, who was not at all worthy of the injustice he received. Yet, he permitted John the Baptist to be beheaded to save his political reputation. This was only permitted by Yahweh and likely because John had successfully completed his earthly mission.
Five Loaves and Two Fish

In [Mk 6:30-46] Apostle Mark writes of an occurrence that was likely intended as a lesson for the disciples of Christ. The experience expresses that trust in THE LORD is all that is required in certain circumstances. Servants of GOD are to never feel like they lack the ability to provide what is required in certain circumstances. Trusting THE LORD will always be enough to make what HE gives them sufficient to invoke manifestation of what is needed.

The Miraculous Power of Christ the Word

In [Mk 6:47-56] Apostle Mark writes of Christ walking on the sea. However, in this account he does not mention Apostle Peter’s request to walk on the waters. What is expressed in this rendition is the idea of Christ revealing His power to His students. In this account, the waters of the sea were turbulently stirred by high winds, which would be frightening to most people. Also noted is that the waters did not calm until Christ entered the boat. This gives credence to the idea that the Lord is not frightened by that which is generally terrifying to mortals, as He controls all creation and mobility thereof. This and like experiences were purposed to impress within the minds of His students, the reality of His authority over all creation and its mobility. [Mt 28:18; St Jn 1:3; Col 1:12-17] Apostle Mark notes per [Mk 6:52], that a disciple’s heart can become hardened when they fail to recall just how powerful Jesus Christ is. Wherever He is received, one can expect to experience the manifestation of His abilities working through His brethren according Yahweh’s will. [Mt 6:10; I Jn 5:14, 15]

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