Ancient paths

The ancient paths

“Nothing is more wonderful than the art of being free, but nothing is harder to learn how to use than freedom.” Democracy in America, Alexis de Tocqueville.

Being a free soul under God the Father rather than being in bondage as human resources or mere merchandise under the rulers of the world or fathers of the earth is a major theme throughout the whole Bible.

The men

From Nimrod, Abimelech, and Terah to Melchisedec, Abraham, and Jacob, who became Israel, the Bible tells the stories of the two different ways for the governance of society to proceed and their alternate but inevitable outcomes.

The means

Both had altars and tables said to be for the welfare of the people but one was a snare and a trap and the other set the captive free.

One provided benefits and dainties of the rulers and benefactors who exercise authority resorting to the use of force, fear, and fealty, while the other provided the care and the blessings of the way through a daily ministration of humble servants through faith, hope, and charity.

The method

The latter is more ancient while the former takes dominion by consent accompanied by neglect and default. But a more primordial jurisdiction born with creation predates the legal systems of men.

While, protection draw subjection, subjection protection, all things converted can be reconverted in merging of things in time and space.

Learning lessons

The sons of Jacob went into the Bondage of Egypt for 400 years until they were ready to learn from Moses what the failed to learn from Israel. What we will not learn from th word of God we will experience through trials, tribulations, and testing from the wrath of God untill we will hear the wisdom of the way of God and His righteousness.

Of death

prophets and historians warned the masses about the error of Balaam, which is the covetous practices of the Nicolaitan, the Corban of the Pharisees and leaven of Herod and which made the word of God to None effect.

If we do not understanding the means and methods of these ways we may not understand the prophets about the snares and traps baited with dainties and promices.

Of life

Jesus taught the way of the perfect law of liberty and the sacrifice of charity.

Understanding these two tables of social welfare, one by charity and love and the other by rulers who an exercise authority determines the level of liberty and righteousness in society.

Jesus was the Highest son of David and the anointed king of Judea which is why they called Him Christ. He was also to take the place of John the Baptist as both High priest and King. But again His kingdom of God was not of or like the world of Rome but if sincerely sought would set the captive free.

Jesus as the Christ was not like the Fathers of the earth who called themselves Benefactors and made the people live by force, fear, and fealty.

Whose name

If we are to come in the name of Christ we must think differently, becoming doers of the word and learn to live by faith, hope, and charity by sitting down in a network of tens.

Writing of truth

"Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge," Proverbs 22:20

This writing of the truth is not in letters and words upon paper or stone but must be upon the heart and mind^[1] of living souls. It is God who gives us His identity through His Holy Spirit as we are willing to repent and seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

The Stumbling block

The problem is not so much the system of the world but us, and the tempering of our knowledge with sophistry and imagination rather than wisdom which we often lack or neglect.^[2] We have forgotten the ancient^[3] ways of God^[4] which was the Way of Christ and while many are called few have the heart to see the truth of The Way and follow it in fellowship and not follow those who think they see but are blind to the whole truth because they believe a lie.

"Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;" Jeremiah 18:15

Many will say the way of salvation or what is referred to as redemption is here or there^[5] but Christ told us the answer and gave us the keys of the kingdom^[6] and to "liberty under God" rather than the "Bondage of Egypt" or "Mystery Babylon" where the people are the merchandise or human resources of rulers or the "Fathers of the earth."

Christ had His plan, called The Way which was The Blessed Strategy that would set the captive free from the Corban of the Pharisees and Herod which oppressed the people. Jesus warned us of this oppression when he metaphorically warned us of the leaven^[7] of the Pharisees and Herod.^[8]

Entangled again

We were told we would be entangled again in the elements of the world, become merchandise, curse children and become surety for debt. This would be because of covetous practices and abandoning the way, not because of the conspiracies and subterfuge of the world.

We should not think that we can just claim fraud and set ourselves free any more than Adam could exonerate his own failing by blaming the God and the woman He gave Adam.

We cannot save ourselves with the strategies of men nor our own cleverness. We are to repent and turn that repentance into action. To repent is to think differently. We can forgive so that we may be forgiven. We can gather together in patterns of ten to save others as Christ commanded so that we might be saved.^[9]

While we do these things Christ told us to do, and walk in His way we may have to pay our "tale of bricks"^[10] and even be friends with the unrighteous mammon^[11] Christ came to teach us "the art of being free" if we will have ears to hear and eyes to see and become doers of the will of the father.^[12]

I sympathize with those who see the present bondage of the world. I empathize with their struggle and pain but salvation is not by endless repetition ^[13] of words and phrases of the law but by the whole truth of the perfect law of liberty^[14] and seeking the righteousness of God which we have neglected.

Are your assemblies^[15] rooted in the way of Christ or have you forsaken the gathering together?^[16]

The term perfected^[17] is associated with the adoption of Moses and redemption.^[18]

Moses was adopted into the family of the Pharaoh and Israel was set free by that adoption but they had to follow the leadership of Moses who redeemed them through that adoption. Moses' repentance from the exercising authority as the Pharaoh and his obedience to God opened a door to freedom and redemption from the bondage of Egypt. Jesus as high priest and King laid down his life so that we may also be redeemed if we are willing to repent and seek His kingdom of God and the righteousness of God.

You may not look to those benefactors who exercise authority but have you gathered to become the benefactors who exercise love?

Are your ministers of the Church/ekklesia gathered in the spirits of just men or those that Covet the wages of unrighteousness?

"To the general assembly^[15] and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect^[14]," Hebrews 12:23

Is the ekklesia in one accord doing what Christ commanded and providing a daily ministration based in faith, hope, and charity of the general assembly^[15]?

"Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was <5048> faith made perfect ^[14]?" James 2:22

Are the general assembly^[15] of the people and the Church keeping the word of Christ according to the law of love?^[19]

"But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is <5048> the love of God perfected^[14]: hereby know we that we are in him." 1 John 2:5

If we will not live by that love, even love our enemies^[20] that they might be saved^[9], how can we hope for the miracles of God?

If we will not gather as Christ commanded how can we love one another in the meaningful ways of the early Church?

"No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected^[14] in us... 17 Herein is our love made perfect^[14], that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect^[14] in love." 1 John 4:12

"I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect^[14] in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. 24

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. 26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them." John 17:23-26

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Footnotes

↑ Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
↑ Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."
↑
Remember the ancient ways
- Job 12:12 "With the ancient [is] wisdom; and in length of days understanding."
- Psalms 77:5 "I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search."
- Proverbs 22:28 "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."
- Isaiah 3:5 "And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable."
- Isaiah 51:9 "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?"
- Jeremiah 18:15 "Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;"
↑
The Stumblingblock
- Leviticus 19:14 "Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I [am] the LORD."
- Isaiah 57:14 "And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people."
- Jeremiah 6:21 "Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish."
- Jeremiah 18:15-17 "Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.
- Ezekiel 3:20 "Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand."
- Ezekiel 7:19 "They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity."
- Ezekiel 14:3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? 4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; ... 7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:"
- Zephaniah 1:3 "I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD."
- Romans 9:32 "Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone <4348>; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone <4348> and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."
- Romans 14:13 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock <4348> or an occasion to fall in [his] brother s way."
- Romans 14:20 "For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed [are] pure; but [it is] evil for that man who eateth with offence <4348>."
- 1 Corinthians 8:9 "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock <4348> to them that are weak."
- 1 Peter 2:8 "And a stone of stumbling <4348>, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."
↑
False Christs
- Matthew 24:5 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."
- Matthew 24:11 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."
- Matthew 24:23-24 "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
- Mark 13:21-22 "And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect."
- 1 Corinthians 15: 15. "Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not."
2 Corinthians 11: 13. "For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."
- Galatians 2:4 "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5. To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."
2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."
- 2 Peter 2:2 "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."
- 2 Peter 3: 16. "Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 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."
↑ Matthew 18:18 "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
↑ Bread of oppression
Matthew 16:6 "Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees... 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning daily bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade [them] not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mark 8:15 "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and [of] the leaven of Herod."

Matthew 16:11 "How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?"

Mark 8:15 "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."

Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."

Jesus and John the Baptist opposed the leaven of Herod, the Pharisees and of the Sadducees because they misinterpreted the way of Moses and the LORD. They collected the resources for their tables of welfare, their social safety net of free bread and care for the needy of society through forced offerings. Peter, Paul, David, and the prophets have been warned us that such covetous practices were setting a snare and a trap. Herod and the Pharisees had set up a system of legal charity rather than fervent charity which always makes the word of God to none effect so that Christ would say the kingdom of God shall be taken from them and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits. We should know that their system "degenerates" the "masses" until they become "perfect savages". Legal charity and its benefits and dainties provided through men who exercise authority are the wages of unrighteousness and the covetous practices that makes men merchandise and will curse children.
↑ Beware of that leaven
Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees... 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mark 8:15 "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."

Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known."
↑ ^9.0 ^9.1 John 3:17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
John 5:34 "But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved."

Romans 10:1 "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."

2 Thessalonians 2:10 "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."
↑ Exodus 5:8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.... 18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.
↑ Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
↑ Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

John 14:12 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
↑ Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
↑ ^14.0 ^14.1 ^14.2 ^14.3 ^14.4 ^14.5 ^14.6 ^14.7
5048 ~τελειόω~ teleioo \@tel-i-o’-o\@ from 5046; TDNT-8:79,1161; {See TDNT 785} v AV-make perfect 12, perfect 4, finish 4, fulfil 2, be perfect 1, consecrate 1; 24
1) to make perfect, complete
1a) to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end

2) to complete (perfect)
2a) add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full

2b) to be found perfect

3) to bring to the end (goal) proposed

4) to accomplish
4a) bring to a close or fulfilment by event
4a1) of the prophecies of the scriptures
- oikos teleios is the perfect marriage in Rome. “perfect community” (koinonia teleios) ,
- teleio ,a can be a complete adoption and has been asociated with redeemed.
  - Philo writes (Mos. 1.19). "And the princess, seeing him so advanced beyond his age, conceived for him an even greater fondness than before, and took [adopted] him for her son, having at an earlier time artificially enlarged the figure of her womb to make him pass as her real and not a supposititious child” (LCL, trans. F. H. Colson)."
Even Josephus writes,“Such was the child whom Thermuthis adopted as her son” (LCL, trans. Henry St. John Thackeray).
↑ ^15.0 ^15.1 ^15.2 ^15.3 3831 ~πανήγυρις~ paneguris \@pan-ay’-goo-ris\@ from 3956 and a derivative of 58; n f AV-general assembly 1; 1
1) a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities

2) a public festal assembly
↑ Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
2 Peter 2:15 "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;"

Isaiah 54:7 "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee."
↑ 5047 ~τελειότης~ teleiotes \@tel-i-ot’-ace\@ from 5046; associated with 5048; TDNT-8:78,1161; {See TDNT 785} n f AV-perfectness 1, perfection 1; 2
1) perfection
1a) the state of the more intelligent

1b) moral and spiritual perfection
↑ Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness <5047>. Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection <5047>; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
↑ Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
↑ Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

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Primary author: Brother Gregory

[1] Hebrews 8:10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;

[2] Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

[ancientN-3] Remember the ancient ways

Job 12:12 "With the ancient [is] wisdom; and in length of days understanding."

Psalms 77:5 "I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search."

Proverbs 22:28 "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."

Isaiah 3:5 "And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable."

Isaiah 51:9 "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?"

Jeremiah 18:15 "Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;"

[4] Job 12:12 "With the ancient [is] wisdom; and in length of days understanding."

[5] Psalms 77:5 "I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times. 6 I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search."

[6] Proverbs 22:28 "Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set."

[7] Isaiah 3:5 "And the people shall be oppressed, every one by another, and every one by his neighbour: the child shall behave himself proudly against the ancient, and the base against the honourable."

[8] Isaiah 51:9 "Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. [Art] thou not it that hath cut Rahab, [and] wounded the dragon?"

[9] Jeremiah 18:15 "Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;"

[Stumbleblock-4] The Stumblingblock
Leviticus 19:14 "Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I [am] the LORD."

Isaiah 57:14 "And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people."

Jeremiah 6:21 "Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish."

Jeremiah 18:15-17 "Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

Ezekiel 3:20 "Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand."

Ezekiel 7:19 "They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity."

Ezekiel 14:3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? 4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; ... 7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:"

Zephaniah 1:3 "I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD."

Romans 9:32 "Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone <4348>; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone <4348> and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

Romans 14:13 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock <4348> or an occasion to fall in [his] brother s way."

Romans 14:20 "For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed [are] pure; but [it is] evil for that man who eateth with offence <4348>."

1 Corinthians 8:9 "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock <4348> to them that are weak."

1 Peter 2:8 "And a stone of stumbling <4348>, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."

[11] Leviticus 19:14 "Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I [am] the LORD."

[12] Isaiah 57:14 "And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people."

[13] Jeremiah 6:21 "Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish."

[14] Jeremiah 18:15-17 "Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up; To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will shew them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.

[15] Ezekiel 3:20 "Again, When a righteous [man] doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand."

[16] Ezekiel 7:19 "They shall cast their silver in the streets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver and their gold shall not be able to deliver them in the day of the wrath of the LORD: they shall not satisfy their souls, neither fill their bowels: because it is the stumblingblock of their iniquity."

[17] Ezekiel 14:3 "Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? 4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; ... 7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:"

[18] Zephaniah 1:3 "I will consume man and beast; I will consume the fowls of the heaven, and the fishes of the sea, and the stumblingblocks with the wicked; and I will cut off man from off the land, saith the LORD."

[19] Romans 9:32 "Wherefore? Because [they sought it] not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone <4348>; 33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone <4348> and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

[20] Romans 14:13 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock <4348> or an occasion to fall in [his] brother s way."

[21] Romans 14:20 "For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed [are] pure; but [it is] evil for that man who eateth with offence <4348>."

[22] 1 Corinthians 8:9 "But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock <4348> to them that are weak."

[23] 1 Peter 2:8 "And a stone of stumbling <4348>, and a rock of offence, [even to them] which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed."

[falsechrist-5] False Christs
Matthew 24:5 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

Matthew 24:11 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."

Matthew 24:23-24 "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

Mark 13:21-22 "And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect."

1 Corinthians 15: 15. "Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not."

2 Corinthians 11: 13. "For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

Galatians 2:4 "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5. To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."

2 Peter 2:1 "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

2 Peter 2:2 "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

2 Peter 3: 16. "Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 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."

[25] Matthew 24:5 "For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many."

[26] Matthew 24:11 "And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many."

[27] Matthew 24:23-24 "Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect."

[28] Mark 13:21-22 "And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: 22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if [it were] possible, even the elect."

[29] 1 Corinthians 15: 15. "Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not."

[30] Galatians 2:4 "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5. To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you."

[31] 2 Peter 2:2 "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not."

[32] 2 Peter 3: 16. "Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17 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."

[6] Matthew 18:18 "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

[leavenp-7] Bread of oppression
Matthew 16:6 "Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees... 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning daily bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade [them] not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mark 8:15 "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and [of] the leaven of Herod."

Matthew 16:11 "How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?"

Mark 8:15 "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."

Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."

Jesus and John the Baptist opposed the leaven of Herod, the Pharisees and of the Sadducees because they misinterpreted the way of Moses and the LORD. They collected the resources for their tables of welfare, their social safety net of free bread and care for the needy of society through forced offerings. Peter, Paul, David, and the prophets have been warned us that such covetous practices were setting a snare and a trap. Herod and the Pharisees had set up a system of legal charity rather than fervent charity which always makes the word of God to none effect so that Christ would say the kingdom of God shall be taken from them and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits. We should know that their system "degenerates" the "masses" until they become "perfect savages". Legal charity and its benefits and dainties provided through men who exercise authority are the wages of unrighteousness and the covetous practices that makes men merchandise and will curse children.

[bewarelev-8] Beware of that leaven
Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees... 11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Mark 8:15 "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."

Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known."

[might-9] 9.0 ^9.1 John 3:17 "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved."
John 5:34 "But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved."

Romans 10:1 "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved."

2 Thessalonians 2:10 "And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved."

[10] Exodus 5:8 And the tale of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall lay upon them; ye shall not diminish ought thereof: for they be idle; therefore they cry, saying, Let us go and sacrifice to our God.... 18 Go therefore now, and work; for there shall no straw be given you, yet shall ye deliver the tale of bricks.

[11] Luke 16:9 And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations. 10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?

[12] Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.

John 14:12 ¶ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

[13] Matthew 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen [do]: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

[perfect-14] 14.0 ^14.1 ^14.2 ^14.3 ^14.4 ^14.5 ^14.6 ^14.7 5048 ~τελειόω~ teleioo \@tel-i-o’-o\@ from 5046; TDNT-8:79,1161; {See TDNT 785} v AV-make perfect 12, perfect 4, finish 4, fulfil 2, be perfect 1, consecrate 1; 24
1) to make perfect, complete
1a) to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end

2) to complete (perfect)
2a) add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full

2b) to be found perfect

3) to bring to the end (goal) proposed

4) to accomplish
4a) bring to a close or fulfilment by event
4a1) of the prophecies of the scriptures

oikos teleios is the perfect marriage in Rome. “perfect community” (koinonia teleios) ,

teleio ,a can be a complete adoption and has been asociated with redeemed.
Philo writes (Mos. 1.19). "And the princess, seeing him so advanced beyond his age, conceived for him an even greater fondness than before, and took [adopted] him for her son, having at an earlier time artificially enlarged the figure of her womb to make him pass as her real and not a supposititious child” (LCL, trans. F. H. Colson)."
Even Josephus writes,“Such was the child whom Thermuthis adopted as her son” (LCL, trans. Henry St. John Thackeray).

[42] s teleios is the perfect marriage in Rome. “perfect community” (koinonia teleios) ,

[43] teleio ,a can be a complete adoption and has been asociated with redeemed.
Philo writes (Mos. 1.19). "And the princess, seeing him so advanced beyond his age, conceived for him an even greater fondness than before, and took [adopted] him for her son, having at an earlier time artificially enlarged the figure of her womb to make him pass as her real and not a supposititious child” (LCL, trans. F. H. Colson)."

[44] Philo writes (Mos. 1.19). "And the princess, seeing him so advanced beyond his age, conceived for him an even greater fondness than before, and took [adopted] him for her son, having at an earlier time artificially enlarged the figure of her womb to make him pass as her real and not a supposititious child” (LCL, trans. F. H. Colson)."

[GA-15] 15.0 ^15.1 ^15.2 ^15.3 3831 ~πανήγυρις~ paneguris \@pan-ay’-goo-ris\@ from 3956 and a derivative of 58; n f AV-general assembly 1; 1
1) a festal gathering of the whole people to celebrate public games or other solemnities

2) a public festal assembly

[16] Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
2 Peter 2:15 "Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam [the son] of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;"

Isaiah 54:7 "For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee."

[17] 5047 ~τελειότης~ teleiotes \@tel-i-ot’-ace\@ from 5046; associated with 5048; TDNT-8:78,1161; {See TDNT 785} n f AV-perfectness 1, perfection 1; 2
1) perfection
1a) the state of the more intelligent

1b) moral and spiritual perfection

[18] Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness <5047>. Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection <5047>; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

[19] Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Galatians 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

[20] Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

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Ancient paths

Contents

The ancient paths

The men

The means

The method

Learning lessons

Of death

Of life

Whose name

Writing of truth

The Stumbling block

Entangled again

Footnotes

Navigation menu

Ancient paths

The ancient paths

The men

The means

The method

Learning lessons

Of death

Of life

Whose name

Writing of truth

The Stumbling block

Entangled again

Footnotes

Navigation menu

Search