LIVING IT OUT · THE WALK WITH GOD — CRAWL, WALK, RUN, FINISH
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King James Version
Who Is Jesus? — Living It Out — KJV Bible Study
LIVING IT OUT · THE WALK WITH GOD — CRAWL, WALK, RUN, FINISH
Who Is Jesus — A Walk Through the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation
OPENING WORD
The first study asked one question. The question was, who is Jesus? The Bible answered that question from the first book of the Bible to the last book of the Bible. This study asks the next question. The next question is, what does a person do with that answer? Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Jesus. A person can hold every fact about a man. That same person can still fail to walk with that man. The Bible describes the life with God as a walk. A child shows the same pattern. It crawls first. Then a father takes the child by the arms. The father teaches the child to walk. Then the child walks. Then it grows. Then it runs. A person who runs well runs a race. A race has a finish line. This study carries the answer of the first study through those four stages. Stage one shows how a person first comes to know Jesus. Stage two shows the daily walk with Jesus. Stage three shows the race. In the race, a person confesses the name of Jesus before other people. Stage four shows the finish line. Jesus is coming back. The Bible commands every runner to watch. At the finish line, the runner will see the face of Jesus.
THREE QUESTIONS THIS STUDY ANSWERS:
1. How does a person first come to know who Jesus is?
2. How does a person walk with Jesus day by day?
3. What waits at the end of the race for the person who watches for Jesus?
1. CRAWLING — HOW A PERSON FIRST COMES TO KNOW HIM
(My personal thoughts: Every walk begins low, for a baby crawls before it walks. Facts about Jesus come from reading and hearing, but the knowing itself comes as a gift from the Father. The verses below show both things.)
2. A. THE QUESTION EVERY PERSON MUST ANSWER — WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM?
Matthew 16:13Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? (14) And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. (15) He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? (16) And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
WHOM SAY YE THAT I AM? → THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.
Matthew 16:17Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
FLESH AND BLOOD HATH NOT REVEALED IT UNTO THEE → MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.
(My personal thoughts: The second question of Jesus was personal, "whom say ye that I am?" The Greek word behind "revealed" is apokalupto (G601, to take off the cover), and God himself took the cover off for Peter. A person can learn facts from other people, but the knowing itself comes from God.)
3. B. NO MAN CAN COME, EXCEPT THE FATHER DRAW HIM
John 6:44Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (45) It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
NO MAN CAN COME TO ME, EXCEPT THE FATHER DRAW HIM → EVERY MAN THAT HATH HEARD, AND HATH LEARNED OF THE FATHER, COMETH UNTO ME.
FAITH COMETH BY HEARING + HEARING BY THE WORD OF GOD.
(My personal thoughts: The drawing is the work of God, and the hearing is the part the person can do (John 6:44-45). Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). God draws people through the Bible, so he does not skip the Bible.)
4. COME AND SEE — WE HAVE HEARD HIM OURSELVES
John 1:45Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. (46) And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see.
WE HAVE FOUND HIM, OF WHOM MOSES IN THE LAW, AND THE PROPHETS, DID WRITE → COME AND SEE.
John 4:41Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And many more believed because of his own word; (42) And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
WE HAVE HEARD HIM OURSELVES + KNOW THAT THIS IS INDEED THE CHRIST, THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.
(My personal thoughts: Philip did not argue with Nathanael, for the whole invitation was "come and see." The people of Samaria first heard about Jesus from a woman, but then they heard Jesus for themselves. Hearing a report about Jesus is only a start, for every person must come and hear for himself.)
5. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES — THEY TESTIFY OF ME
John 5:39Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES → THEY ARE THEY WHICH TESTIFY OF ME.
John 20:30Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: (31) But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
THESE ARE WRITTEN, THAT YE MIGHT BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST → THAT BELIEVING YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE THROUGH HIS NAME.
1 Peter 2:2Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
AS NEWBORN BABES + DESIRE THE SINCERE MILK OF THE WORD → THAT YE MAY GROW THEREBY.
(My personal thoughts: Jesus told men to look for him in the scriptures. John wrote his Gospel so that the reader might believe, and might have life through the name of Jesus. A newborn baby drinks milk every day, and a new believer should want the word the same way.)
6. E. THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL — THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE
John 17:3Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
THIS IS LIFE ETERNAL → THAT THEY MIGHT KNOW THEE + JESUS CHRIST, WHOM THOU HAST SENT.
Jeremiah 24:7Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart.
I WILL GIVE THEM AN HEART TO KNOW ME → THEY SHALL RETURN UNTO ME WITH THEIR WHOLE HEART.
Matthew 11:27Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗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.
NO MAN KNOWETH THE SON, BUT THE FATHER + HE TO WHOMSOEVER THE SON WILL REVEAL HIM.
(My personal thoughts: Jesus defines eternal life as knowing, not as a place (John 17:3). The Greek word is ginosko (G1097, to know), the knowing of a person, not the memorizing of a list. God promised the same knowing in the Old Testament, "an heart to know me," so ask him for that heart (Jeremiah 24:7).)
7. WALKING — WALKING WITH HIM DAY BY DAY
(My personal thoughts: The baby is on his feet, so now comes the walk. Watch one word all through this stage, the word "with." A walk is not one long step but many small steps, taken day after day in company with Jesus.)
8. A. AS YE HAVE RECEIVED HIM, SO WALK IN HIM
Colossians 2:6Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
AS YE HAVE RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS THE LORD → SO WALK YE IN HIM.
(My personal thoughts: Paul joins the receiving and the walking in one sentence. Amos asks the oldest walking question in the Bible, whether two can walk together without agreement. Walking with Jesus means agreeing with him every day, one step at a time.)
9. B. THAT THEY SHOULD BE WITH HIM
Mark 3:14Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
HE ORDAINED TWELVE + THAT THEY SHOULD BE WITH HIM → THAT HE MIGHT SEND THEM FORTH TO PREACH.
Acts 4:13Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
UNLEARNED AND IGNORANT MEN → THEY TOOK KNOWLEDGE OF THEM, THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS.
(My personal thoughts: Read the order inside this verse, for being with Jesus comes before working for Jesus (Mark 3:14). Years later, the only explanation the council could find for the boldness of two unschooled men was that the men had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). Time with Jesus leaves a mark that other people can see.)
10. TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU, AND LEARN OF ME
Matthew 11:28Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
COME UNTO ME + TAKE MY YOKE UPON YOU, AND LEARN OF ME → YE SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS.
Luke 10:38Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. (39) And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
MARY SAT AT JESUS' FEET + HEARD HIS WORD.
Luke 10:41Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: (42) But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
MARTHA, THOU ART CAREFUL AND TROUBLED ABOUT MANY THINGS → ONE THING IS NEEDFUL + MARY HATH CHOSEN THAT GOOD PART.
(My personal thoughts: In ancient times, a yoke was a wooden bar that joined two animals at the neck to pull one load together, side by side, at one pace. Jesus offers a shared load, not a list of rules to carry alone. Martha worked and worried, but Mary chose the one needful thing, sitting at the feet of Jesus.)
11. MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE — AND THEY FOLLOW ME
John 10:27Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (28) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE + THEY FOLLOW ME → I GIVE UNTO THEM ETERNAL LIFE.
John 14:21Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
HE THAT HATH MY COMMANDMENTS, AND KEEPETH THEM, HE IT IS THAT LOVETH ME → I WILL MANIFEST MYSELF TO HIM.
(My personal thoughts: The knowing runs both ways, for the sheep hear the voice of Jesus, and Jesus knows the sheep (John 10:27). He promises "I will manifest myself to him," and to manifest means to show plainly (John 14:21). Obey what you already know, and Jesus will show you more.)
12. E. THE WORD OF CHRIST IN YOU — AND CHRIST IN YOU
Colossians 3:16Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
LET THE WORD OF CHRIST DWELL IN YOU RICHLY → DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS.
Colossians 1:27Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
THIS MYSTERY = CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY.
(My personal thoughts: The word "dwell" is enoikeo (G1774, to live in a house), the word for a resident, not a guest. The word of Christ should live in you like a resident, because a visit is not enough. Colossians 3:17 then covers the whole day, so no hour stands outside the walk.)
13. RUNNING THE RACE — CONFESSING HIS NAME, YIELDING LIKE A SOLDIER
(My personal thoughts: Now the walk becomes a race, and a private answer becomes a public answer. The Bible uses two pictures for this stage, a runner who presses toward the prize, and a soldier who gives his whole body to his captain. Both pictures cost something, and both end well.)
14. A. CONFESSING HIM BEFORE MEN
Matthew 10:32Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
WHOSOEVER SHALL CONFESS ME BEFORE MEN → HIM WILL I CONFESS ALSO BEFORE MY FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN.
15. DIFFERENT VIEW, SAME SCENE — one promise, spoken in two Gospels
Luke 12:8Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God:
WHOSOEVER SHALL CONFESS ME BEFORE MEN → HIM SHALL THE SON OF MAN ALSO CONFESS BEFORE THE ANGELS OF GOD.
(My personal thoughts: To confess Jesus, homologeo (G3670, to say the same thing), means to say openly about him what the Bible says about him. Matthew shows the confession answered "before my Father which is in heaven," and Luke shows the same confession answered "before the angels of God." Say the name of Jesus in front of people on earth, and he will say your name in front of heaven.)
16. B. WE CANNOT BUT SPEAK
Acts 4:19Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. (20) For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.
WE CANNOT BUT SPEAK THE THINGS WHICH WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD.
Acts 5:41Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (42) And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
REJOICING THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER SHAME FOR HIS NAME → THEY CEASED NOT TO TEACH AND PREACH JESUS CHRIST.
1 Peter 4:16Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
IF ANY MAN SUFFER AS A CHRISTIAN, LET HIM NOT BE ASHAMED → LET HIM GLORIFY GOD.
(My personal thoughts: The apostles could not stop speaking about Jesus, because a person cannot stay quiet about someone that person actually knows. The knowing produces the speaking, so stage one produces this stage. The name "Christian" carries the name of Christ, a reason to glorify God, not a burden to hide.)
17. YIELDING LIKE A SOLDIER — PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF LIGHT
Romans 12:1Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
PRESENT YOUR BODIES A LIVING SACRIFICE + HOLY, ACCEPTABLE UNTO GOD.
Romans 13:12Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. (13) Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. (14) But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
CAST OFF THE WORKS OF DARKNESS + PUT ON THE ARMOUR OF LIGHT → PUT YE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
(My personal thoughts: The word "present" is paristemi (G3936, to stand beside, to yield), the word for a soldier who gives his whole body to his captain. Verse 12 says put on the armour of light, and verse 14 says put on the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 13:12, Romans 13:14). The armour is not a thing but a Person, so the soldier does not only fight for Jesus but wears him.)
18. PRESS TOWARD THE MARK — MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM
Philippians 3:13Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗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, (14) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
FORGETTING THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE BEHIND → I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.
Romans 8:35Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (36) As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (37) Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST? → IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US.
Revelation 12:10Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (11) And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
THEY OVERCAME HIM BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB + BY THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY.
(My personal thoughts: Paul forgets what is behind and presses toward one mark, "the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). The race of this study is a race toward a Person, not a place. The overcomers won by the blood of Jesus, who is called the Lamb of God, and by the word of their testimony, so confessing his name is how the runner wins (Revelation 12:11).)
19. THE FINISH LINE — WATCHING FOR HIM, AND SEEING HIS FACE
(My personal thoughts: The end of this race is not a wall but a face. The Bible states the certainty of the return of Jesus, and it refuses to give the schedule. Nobody knows the date, so the command to watch is the whole assignment.)
20. A. HE SHALL APPEAR THE SECOND TIME
Hebrews 9:27Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (28) So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
CHRIST WAS ONCE OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY → UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR THE SECOND TIME.
1 Thessalonians 5:1Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. (2) For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
THE DAY OF THE LORD SO COMETH AS A THIEF IN THE NIGHT.
(My personal thoughts: The Greek word behind "look" is apekdechomai (G553, to expect fully), a person leaning forward every day, not glancing up one time. Paul then tells a whole church that the day comes as a thief in the night, so the church needs no calendar. The suddenness is not a reason for fear but the reason for watching.)
(My personal thoughts: Matthew records gregoreo (G1127, to keep awake), and Mark records agrupneo (G69, to be sleepless), with the added words "and pray." The two words together describe one servant who keeps his eyes open and keeps talking to his master. Jesus says the command belongs to all, so watching is the standing posture of every believer (Mark 13:37).)
1 Thessalonians 5:5Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (6) Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
YE ARE ALL THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT → LET US NOT SLEEP + LET US WATCH AND BE SOBER.
23. BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, FOUND WATCHING
Luke 12:35Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; (36) And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. (37) Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.
LET YOUR LOINS BE GIRDED ABOUT, AND YOUR LIGHTS BURNING → BLESSED ARE THOSE SERVANTS, WHOM THE LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND WATCHING.
Revelation 3:11Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
BEHOLD, I COME QUICKLY → HOLD THAT FAST WHICH THOU HAST, THAT NO MAN TAKE THY CROWN.
(My personal thoughts: In ancient times, a person tied up a long robe with a belt before hard work, so a tied robe and a burning lamp meant a house ready and awake. Then Jesus adds an ending nobody would dare to invent, for the returning lord ties up his own robe, seats the watching servants at the table, and serves them with his own hands. The watching servant waits for a supper, not in fear.)
24. JESUS CHRIST THE SAME — YESTERDAY, AND TO DAY, AND FOR EVER
JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TO DAY, AND FOR EVER.
Revelation 1:8Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA + WHICH IS, AND WHICH WAS, AND WHICH IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY.
(My personal thoughts: The finish line does not move, for Jesus Christ is the same in all three directions of time (Hebrews 13:8). Alpha and Omega are the first letter and the last letter of the Greek alphabet, so Jesus stands at both ends of the whole story. The face at the finish line will not be the face of a stranger.)
25. E. FACE TO FACE — KNOWN EVEN AS I AM KNOWN
Psalm 17:15Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
I WILL BEHOLD THY FACE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS → I SHALL BE SATISFIED, WHEN I AWAKE, WITH THY LIKENESS.
1 John 3:2Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (3) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM + WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS → EVERY MAN THAT HATH THIS HOPE IN HIM PURIFIETH HIMSELF.
1 Corinthians 13:12Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
NOW WE SEE THROUGH A GLASS, DARKLY + THEN FACE TO FACE → THEN SHALL I KNOW EVEN AS ALSO I AM KNOWN.
Revelation 22:3Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: (4) And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
HIS SERVANTS SHALL SERVE HIM → THEY SHALL SEE HIS FACE + HIS NAME SHALL BE IN THEIR FOREHEADS.
(My personal thoughts: This is where the whole walk has been going, for we shall be like Jesus when we see him as he is (1 John 3:2). The person who carries this hope purifies himself now, because he expects to meet Jesus. The knowing that began as a crawl ends face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12).)
MOUTH OF TWO
Job 19:25Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: (26) And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: (27) Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH → IN MY FLESH SHALL I SEE GOD + MINE EYES SHALL BEHOLD, AND NOT ANOTHER.
Psalm 17:15Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
I WILL BEHOLD THY FACE + I SHALL BE SATISFIED, WHEN I AWAKE.
1 John 3:2Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR → WE SHALL SEE HIM AS HE IS.
2 Corinthians 13:1Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.
IN THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES SHALL EVERY WORD BE ESTABLISHED.
(My personal thoughts: Three witnesses stand at the end of this walk, for Job, David, and John all say that they will see God. The three men lived in three different ages of the world, yet they give one testimony. The Bible says "in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established," so the walk with God ends in seeing God (2 Corinthians 13:1).)
THE SHADOW AND THE FULFILLMENT
Think of a shadow lying on the ground. You can see the shape of the shadow. The shape alone will not tell you what casts the shadow. The shadow stays a mystery until the true light shows you the object itself. Then you look back at the shadow. You see that the shadow carried the shape of that object all along. The Old Testament pictures are shadows like that. They are real shadows, truly shaped by a real body. The Bible calls the pictures "a shadow of things to come" (Colossians 2:17). The same verse says "the body is of Christ." A shadow is "not the very image" (Hebrews 10:1). No one could read the whole truth from the shadow alone. We never build a teaching on a shadow by itself. We only call something a shadow when the New Testament light has shown us the body the shadow belongs to. In this section, the New Testament light names the body outright.
1.Exodus 13:21Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night: (22) He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.
THE LORD WENT BEFORE THEM BY DAY IN A PILLAR OF A CLOUD → HE TOOK NOT AWAY THE PILLAR FROM BEFORE THE PEOPLE.
2.John 8:12Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD → HE THAT FOLLOWETH ME SHALL NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, BUT SHALL HAVE THE LIGHT OF LIFE.
3.1 Corinthians 10:1Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; (2) And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3) And did all eat the same spiritual meat; (4) And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
ALL OUR FATHERS WERE UNDER THE CLOUD → THEY DRANK OF THAT SPIRITUAL ROCK THAT FOLLOWED THEM + THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST.
(My personal thoughts: Israel walked for forty years behind the pillar of cloud and fire, and that whole walk was a shadow on the ground. The New Testament turns on the light, for Jesus says "I am the light of the world," and Paul writes "and that Rock was Christ" (John 8:12, 1 Corinthians 10:4). Walking with Jesus day by day is the oldest walk in the Bible.)
CLOSING
John 14:2Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. (3) And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
I GO TO PREPARE A PLACE FOR YOU → I WILL COME AGAIN, AND RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF + WHERE I AM, THERE YE MAY BE ALSO.
Revelation 22:20Modern Bible↗Share↗Strong's↗He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
SURELY I COME QUICKLY → EVEN SO, COME, LORD JESUS.
(My personal thoughts: Now gather the whole way home, for the Father draws the crawler, the walker stays with Jesus day by day, the runner confesses his name, and the watcher keeps his lamp burning. Jesus did not only promise a place, for he promised himself, saying "I will come again, and receive you unto myself" (John 14:3). Walk on, for you are walking toward Jesus, and he is already coming toward you.)
PRACTICE QUIZ
1. Matthew 16:16 — And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ:
a) the King of Israel
b) the Son of the living God
c) the Son of David
2. John 10:27 — My sheep hear my voice, and I know them:
a) and they follow me
b) and I lay down my life for the sheep
c) and they shall never perish
3. Matthew 11:29 — Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
a) and I will give you rest
b) for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light
c) and ye shall find rest unto your souls
4. Revelation 12:11 — And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb:
a) by the word of his power
b) and by the word of their testimony
c) through the blood of his cross
5. 1 John 3:2 — but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him:
a) and every eye shall see him
b) for they shall see God
c) for we shall see him as he is
6. Hebrews 13:8 — Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day:
a) and for ever
b) and thy years shall not fail
c) world without end
7. Matthew 24:42 — Watch therefore: for ye know not:
a) neither the day nor the hour
b) what hour your Lord doth come
c) when the time is
ANSWER KEY: 1-b, 2-a, 3-c, 4-b, 5-c, 6-a, 7-b
HOW THIS STUDY BRANCHES
→ How the shadow brings light: the LORD went before Israel in a pillar of cloud and fire, and the pillar never left the people (Exodus 13:21-22). Jesus says "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). Paul says the fathers drank of a spiritual Rock, "and that Rock was Christ" (1 Corinthians 10:4).
→ How the new covenant expounds it: Amos asks, "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). The New Testament answers with a command and a promise. "So walk ye in him" (Colossians 2:6). "Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
→ How the words matter: one English word "watch" stands over two Greek words. Matthew 24:42 uses gregoreo (G1127, to keep awake). Mark 13:33 uses agrupneo (G69, to be sleepless), and Mark adds "and pray." The one command covers the eyes and the prayers together.
→ How this applies to you: the council knew that Peter and John "had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). Time with Jesus leaves a mark. The people around you can see that mark.
→ What this means for eternity: "now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). The knowing that begins in this life is not lost at death. It comes to its finish at the face of Jesus (Revelation 22:4).
→ Rabbit trail: Luke 12:37 shows the returning lord seating the watching servants at the table, and the lord serves the servants himself. Jesus says "I am among you as he that serveth" (Luke 22:27). Jesus promises "I will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20). The Master who serves his own servants deserves its own full study.
→ Possible revelation: the first invitation in this study is "come and see" (John 1:46). The last promise in this study is "they shall see his face" (Revelation 22:4). The walk with Jesus begins with seeing and ends with seeing. Every stage between the two is a clearer look at the same face. No one verse says this alone. Set the verses side by side and consider them.
GREEK KEYWORDS
These are the keywords for this study. Tap any dotted word in the verses above to see its meaning here.
“know” — G1097 ginosko — to know, to be aware, to perceive, to be sure
Eternal life is defined by this word. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee" (John 17:3). The word means knowing a person, not memorizing facts.
“revealed” — G601 apokalupto — to take off the cover, to disclose, to reveal
Flesh and blood did not show Peter who Jesus is. The Father took the cover off (Matthew 16:17).
“learn” — G3129 manthano — to learn, to understand
Jesus says "learn of me" (Matthew 11:29). The learning happens under his yoke, close to the teacher.
“follow” — G190 akoloutheo — to accompany, to go along the same road, to follow
The sheep go along the same road as the shepherd, one day at a time (John 10:27).
“dwell” — G1774 enoikeo — to inhabit, to dwell in
The word of Christ is meant to live in a person like a resident, not visit like a guest (Colossians 3:16).
“confess” — G3670 homologeo — to assent, to acknowledge, to say the same thing, to profess
To confess Jesus is to say openly the same thing about Jesus that the Bible says (Matthew 10:32).
The overcomers won by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11).
“present” — G3936 paristemi — to stand beside, to present, to yield
The believer yields his own body to God, whole and alive, like a soldier before a captain (Romans 12:1).
“armour” — G3696 hoplon — an implement, armour, an instrument, a weapon
Verse 12 says put on the armour of light. Verse 14 says put on the Lord Jesus Christ. The armour is a Person (Romans 13:12-14).
“look” — G553 apekdechomai — to expect fully, to look and wait for
Jesus promises the second appearing to "them that look for him" (Hebrews 9:28). The word means leaning forward with full expectation.
“watch” — G1127 gregoreo — to keep awake, to be vigilant, to watch
This is the watch word in the Gospel of Matthew. The servant keeps his eyes open (Matthew 24:42).
“watch” — G69 agrupneo — to be sleepless, to keep awake, to watch
This is the watch word in the Gospel of Mark. Mark joins the word with prayer. The servant stays sleepless. The servant keeps praying (Mark 13:33).
“quickly” — G5035 tachu — shortly, without delay, suddenly, quickly
"Behold, I come quickly" (Revelation 3:11). The word carries suddenness, never a schedule.
“see” — G3700 optanomai — to gaze with wide-open eyes, to see, to appear
"We shall see him as he is" (1 John 3:2). The word describes looking at something remarkable.
HEBREW KEYWORDS
“know” — H3045 yada — to know, to acknowledge, to be acquainted with
God promised "an heart to know me" (Jeremiah 24:7). The Old Testament knowing is the knowing of a person, the same as ginosko in the New Testament.
“heart” — H3820 leb — the heart, the feelings, the will, the understanding
God gives the heart that knows him. The knowing was never meant to stay in the head alone (Jeremiah 24:7).
“walk” — H3212 yalak — to walk, to go, to come, to depart
Amos asks whether two can walk together without agreement (Amos 3:3). The whole second stage of this study lives inside this word.
“pillar” — H5982 ammud — a column, a stand, a pillar
The pillar of cloud and fire went before Israel. The pillar never left the people (Exodus 13:21-22). The pillar is the shadow. Christ is the body (1 Corinthians 10:4).
“redeemer” — H1350 gaal — to redeem, to act as kinsman, to buy back
In ancient times, the nearest relative bought back a family member from debt or slavery. Job calls the living God "my redeemer." Job expects to see God in his own flesh (Job 19:25-26).
“behold” — H2372 chazah — to gaze at, to perceive, to behold
David uses this word for the last morning. "I will behold thy face in righteousness" (Psalm 17:15).
“likeness” — H8544 temunah — a shape, an image, a likeness, a similitude
David wakes satisfied with the likeness of God (Psalm 17:15). John says the seeing will make us like Jesus (1 John 3:2).
