The Bible is more than
words. It is God's Word.
What will be the next attack of the enemy upon God's Church?
The next attack will be upon the Word of God.
If the Bible can be redefined as literature, then man can be God and rule themselves.
What will be the next attack of the enemy upon God's Church?
The next attack will be upon the Word of God.
If the Bible can be redefined as literature, then man can be God and rule themselves.
How should the Bible be interpreted? The Bible is of no private interpretation.
We draw out the meaning of the Scripture.
We don't read a meaning into the Scripture.
That's what a lot of people are doing today.
We have a tendency to believe that we are humans having a spiritual experience, but we are spirits having a human experience.
The Bible is a Spiritual Book.
Written by a Spirit.
Written to us who are spiritual beings in human bodies.
Written by a Spirit.
Written to us who are spiritual beings in human bodies.
The physical man cannot understand the Bible.
The natural man cannot understand it.
1. The Bible is full of Spiritual Symbols.
Psalm 105:40-41 (NIRV)
40 They asked for meat, and he brought them quail.
He fed them well with manna, the bread of heaven.
41 He broke open a rock, and streams of water poured out.
They flowed like a river in the desert.
He fed them well with manna, the bread of heaven.
41 He broke open a rock, and streams of water poured out.
They flowed like a river in the desert.
What tools should we use to
interpret the Bible?
The Bible interprets itself.
You don't interpret it.
The Bible interprets you.
The Bible interprets itself.
You don't interpret it.
The Bible interprets you.
Compare the Bible's
interpretation of the passage above by the passage below.
1 Corinthians 10:1-4 (NIRV)
10 Brothers and sisters, I
want you to know something about our people who lived long ago.
They were all led by the cloud. They all walked through the Red Sea.
2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
3 They all ate the same spiritual food (represented Jesus).
4 They all drank the same spiritual water (represented Jesus).
They drank from the spiritual rock (represented Jesus)that went with them.
That rock was Christ.
They were all led by the cloud. They all walked through the Red Sea.
2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.
3 They all ate the same spiritual food (represented Jesus).
4 They all drank the same spiritual water (represented Jesus).
They drank from the spiritual rock (represented Jesus)that went with them.
That rock was Christ.
Here is another example of the Bible interpreting itself.
Luke 10:17-21 (NIRV)
17 The 72 returned with joy.
They said, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we speak in your name.”
They said, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we speak in your name.”
18 Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like
lightning from heaven.
19 I have given you authority to walk all over snakes and scorpions.
You will be able to destroy all the power of the enemy.
Nothing will harm you.
20 But do not be glad when the evil spirits obey you.
Instead, be glad that your names are written in heaven.”
21 At that time Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit.
He said, “I praise you, Father.
You are Lord of heaven and earth.
You have hidden these things from wise and educated people.
But you have shown them to little children.
Yes, Father. This is what you wanted to do.
Jesus is using snakes and scorpions as symbols to represent demons.
The same God wrote all 66 books of the Bible.
He uses the same symbols throughout.
How can we use these symbols in our personal Bible Study?
Jesus has just given us the key to understand what they mean throughout the whole Bible when snakes and scorpions are used in other passages of the Bible.
That's what makes me excited to read the entire Bible.
19 I have given you authority to walk all over snakes and scorpions.
You will be able to destroy all the power of the enemy.
Nothing will harm you.
20 But do not be glad when the evil spirits obey you.
Instead, be glad that your names are written in heaven.”
21 At that time Jesus was full of joy through the Holy Spirit.
He said, “I praise you, Father.
You are Lord of heaven and earth.
You have hidden these things from wise and educated people.
But you have shown them to little children.
Yes, Father. This is what you wanted to do.
Jesus is using snakes and scorpions as symbols to represent demons.
The same God wrote all 66 books of the Bible.
He uses the same symbols throughout.
How can we use these symbols in our personal Bible Study?
Jesus has just given us the key to understand what they mean throughout the whole Bible when snakes and scorpions are used in other passages of the Bible.
That's what makes me excited to read the entire Bible.
Are there demonic spirits in the world?
When you start talking about demonic spirits, the smart people say there are no demons.
Those who are like little children understand that there are.
Jesus says that there are demonic spirits.
Who are you doing to believe?
When you start talking about demonic spirits, the smart people say there are no demons.
Those who are like little children understand that there are.
Jesus says that there are demonic spirits.
Who are you doing to believe?
Revelation 9:3-4 (NIRV)
3 Out of the smoke came locusts.
They came down on the earth.
They were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth.
4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree.
They were supposed to harm only the people without God’s official seal on their foreheads.
They came down on the earth.
They were given power like the power of scorpions of the earth.
4 They were told not to harm the grass of the earth or any plant or tree.
They were supposed to harm only the people without God’s official seal on their foreheads.
If you don't understand symbols, the passage
above is hard to understand.
This passage in Psalm 1 and Luke 10:17-21 helps us to understand Revelation 9:3-4.
This passage in Psalm 1 and Luke 10:17-21 helps us to understand Revelation 9:3-4.
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the person who obeys the law of the Lord.
They don’t follow the advice of evil people.
They don’t make a habit of doing what sinners do.
They don’t join those who make fun of the Lord and his law.
2 Instead, the law of the Lord gives them joy.
They think about his law day and night.
3 That kind of person is like a tree that is planted near a stream of water.
It always bears its fruit at the right time.
They don’t follow the advice of evil people.
They don’t make a habit of doing what sinners do.
They don’t join those who make fun of the Lord and his law.
2 Instead, the law of the Lord gives them joy.
They think about his law day and night.
3 That kind of person is like a tree that is planted near a stream of water.
It always bears its fruit at the right time.
Its leaves don’t dry up.
We already know that the
locusts and scorpions are demonic spirits from our previous
discussions.
What does Psalm one say that the plants are
like?
The green plants are believers who've been meditating on the word of God.
These demonic spirits cannot harm them because those who have be meditating on the word of God can identify them.
The green plants are believers who've been meditating on the word of God.
These demonic spirits cannot harm them because those who have be meditating on the word of God can identify them.
2. The sheep have an enemy.
Psalm 100:3 (NIRV)
3 Know that the Lord is God.
He made us, and we belong to him.
We are his people.
He made us, and we belong to him.
We are his people.
We are the sheep belonging to
his flock.
Ezekiel 34 (NIRV)
34 A message from the Lord came to me.
The Lord said,
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel.
Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “How terrible it will be for you shepherds of Israel!
You only take care of yourselves. You should take good care of your flocks.
5 So they were scattered because they did not have a shepherd.
They became food for all of the wild animals.
2 “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel.
Tell them, ‘The Lord and King says, “How terrible it will be for you shepherds of Israel!
You only take care of yourselves. You should take good care of your flocks.
5 So they were scattered because they did not have a shepherd.
They became food for all of the wild animals.
Who are the flock of sheep,
the shepherds, and the wild animals in the passages above?
God's people are the flocks of sheep, and the shepherds are their spiritual leaders.
Wild animals are the demonic spirits.
God's people are the flocks of sheep, and the shepherds are their spiritual leaders.
Wild animals are the demonic spirits.
Genesis 3:1 (NIRV)
3 The serpent was more
clever than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.
The serpent said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden’?”
The serpent said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden’?”
How do you know that the
serpent represents Satan in Genesis?
You have to have a book, chapter, and verse in the Bible to identify a symbol.
Otherwise, I'm not going to believe you.
This passage in Revelation 12:9 identifies for us that the serpent is symbol for the devil.
You have to have a book, chapter, and verse in the Bible to identify a symbol.
Otherwise, I'm not going to believe you.
This passage in Revelation 12:9 identifies for us that the serpent is symbol for the devil.
Revelation 12:9 (NIRV)
9 The great dragon was thrown down to the earth, and
his angels with him.
The dragon is that old serpent called the devil, or Satan.
He leads the whole world astray.
The dragon is that old serpent called the devil, or Satan.
He leads the whole world astray.
Genesis 3:1 (NIRV)
3 The serpent (Satan) was
more clever than any of the wild animals (demons) the Lord God
had made.
The serpent said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden’?”
The serpent said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat fruit from any tree in the garden’?”
What characteristic of Satan
is magnified in Genesis 3:1?
Satan is the most cunning of all the fallen angels (wild animals) commonly referred to as demons.
Satan is the smartest demon of them all.
Satan is the most cunning of all the fallen angels (wild animals) commonly referred to as demons.
Satan is the smartest demon of them all.
How do God's people fall prey
to demonic activity?
We just read in Ezekiel 34 when the people of God are not feeding on the word of God that they become food to the beast (demons) of the field.
If you understand symbols, the Bible is more exciting than you think it is.
We just read in Ezekiel 34 when the people of God are not feeding on the word of God that they become food to the beast (demons) of the field.
If you understand symbols, the Bible is more exciting than you think it is.
Mark 1:13 (NIRV)
13 He was in the desert 40 days.
There Satan tempted him.
The wild animals (demons) didn’t harm Jesus.
Angels took care of him.
There Satan tempted him.
The wild animals (demons) didn’t harm Jesus.
Angels took care of him.
Who tempted Jesus while He
was 40 days fasting in the desert?
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, the wild animals (demons) were there to.
The wild animals represent all of Satan's demonic kingdom of hell were present to tempt Jesus.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, the wild animals (demons) were there to.
The wild animals represent all of Satan's demonic kingdom of hell were present to tempt Jesus.
John 5:19 (NIRV)
19 Jesus answered, “What I’m about to tell you is
true. The Son can do nothing by himself.
He can do only what he sees his Father doing.
What the Father does, the Son also does.
He can do only what he sees his Father doing.
What the Father does, the Son also does.
Mark 4:2 (ESV)
2 And he was teaching them many
things in parables, and in his teaching he said to them:
Why did Jesus teach in parables or symbols?
Jesus taught in parables or symbols like His Father (God) taught (see the two passages above).
Jesus taught in parables or symbols like His Father (God) taught (see the two passages above).
When did Jesus first see His Father speak in
parables?
In the Old Testament (read the passage below which support this answer) .
In the Old Testament (read the passage below which support this answer) .
Psalm 78:2 (ESV)
2 I will open my mouth in a
parable;
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
I will utter dark sayings from of old,
(Here is an example of
Jesus using parables or symbols in his teaching).
Mark 4:2-4, 13 (NIRV)
2 He taught them many things using
stories.
In his teaching he said, 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant his seed.
4 He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path.
Birds came and ate it up.
13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this story?
Then how will you understand any stories of this kind?
14 The seed the farmer plants is God’s message.
15 What is seed scattered on a path like? The message is planted.
The people hear the message.
Then Satan (Birds) comes.
He takes away the message that was planted in them.
In his teaching he said, 3 “Listen! A farmer went out to plant his seed.
4 He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path.
Birds came and ate it up.
13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you understand this story?
Then how will you understand any stories of this kind?
14 The seed the farmer plants is God’s message.
15 What is seed scattered on a path like? The message is planted.
The people hear the message.
Then Satan (Birds) comes.
He takes away the message that was planted in them.
What symbol did Jesus use to identify Satan?
Jesus called Satan and his demonic kingdom birds.
Sometimes the Bible is talking about the person of Satan.
Sometimes it is talking about the work of Satan.
You probably don't merit Satan's personal attention.
Jesus called Satan and his demonic kingdom birds.
Sometimes the Bible is talking about the person of Satan.
Sometimes it is talking about the work of Satan.
You probably don't merit Satan's personal attention.
In the below passage, Moses is discussing birds and
wild animals which are the symbols of demonic activity throughout the
Bible.
Deuteronomy 28:25-26 (NIRV)
25 The Lord will help your
enemies win the battle over you.
You will come at them from one direction.
But you will run away from them in every direction.
All the kingdoms on earth will be completely shocked when they see you.
26 Birds and wild animals will eat up your dead bodies (demonic spirits).
There won’t be anyone left to scare them away.
You will come at them from one direction.
But you will run away from them in every direction.
All the kingdoms on earth will be completely shocked when they see you.
26 Birds and wild animals will eat up your dead bodies (demonic spirits).
There won’t be anyone left to scare them away.
3. God has a plan.
In the Bible, Babylon represents a mixture of the
world and the Church.
When God set them free, only 10% of God's people went back from bondage in Babylon to their home country in Israel.
When God set them free, only 10% of God's people went back from bondage in Babylon to their home country in Israel.
Daniel 4:10-12 (NIRV)
10 Here are the visions I saw while I
was lying in bed.
I looked up and saw a tree standing in the middle of the land.
It was very tall.
11 It had grown to be large and strong. Its top touched the sky.
It could be seen anywhere on earth.
12 Its leaves were beautiful.
It had a lot of fruit on it.
It provided enough food for people (God's people) and animals.
Under the tree, the wild animals (demons)found safety.
The birds (demons) lived in its branches.
Every creature (actual animals not spirits) was fed from that tree.
13 “While I was still lying in bed, I looked up.
In my visions, I saw a holy one.
He was a messenger.
He was coming down from heaven.
14 He called out in a loud voice.
He said, ‘Cut down the tree.
Break off its branches. Strip off its leaves. Scatter its fruit.
Let the animals under it run away.
Let the birds in its branches fly off.
15 But leave the stump with its roots in the ground. Let it stay in the field.
Put a band of iron and bronze around it.
I looked up and saw a tree standing in the middle of the land.
It was very tall.
11 It had grown to be large and strong. Its top touched the sky.
It could be seen anywhere on earth.
12 Its leaves were beautiful.
It had a lot of fruit on it.
It provided enough food for people (God's people) and animals.
Under the tree, the wild animals (demons)found safety.
The birds (demons) lived in its branches.
Every creature (actual animals not spirits) was fed from that tree.
13 “While I was still lying in bed, I looked up.
In my visions, I saw a holy one.
He was a messenger.
He was coming down from heaven.
14 He called out in a loud voice.
He said, ‘Cut down the tree.
Break off its branches. Strip off its leaves. Scatter its fruit.
Let the animals under it run away.
Let the birds in its branches fly off.
15 But leave the stump with its roots in the ground. Let it stay in the field.
Put a band of iron and bronze around it.
Isaiah 6:13 (NIRV)
13 Suppose only a tenth of the people remain
there.
Even then the land will be completely destroyed again.
But when oak trees and terebinth trees
are cut down, stumps are left.
And my holy people will be like stumps
Even then the land will be completely destroyed again.
But when oak trees and terebinth trees
are cut down, stumps are left.
And my holy people will be like stumps
that begin to grow again.”
The passages above utilize two new symbols.
The branches and the stump.
What do you suppose that they mean?
People of demonic influence will intermix with the Church is the meaning of the birds in the branches.
The true believers will be left like a stump when God brings judgement on this worldly Church.
The branches and the stump.
What do you suppose that they mean?
People of demonic influence will intermix with the Church is the meaning of the birds in the branches.
The true believers will be left like a stump when God brings judgement on this worldly Church.
Ezekiel 31:6 (NIRV)
6 All the birds (demons) in
the sky
made their nests in its limbs.
All the wild animals (demons)
had their babies under its branches.
All the great nations
lived in its shade.
made their nests in its limbs.
All the wild animals (demons)
had their babies under its branches.
All the great nations
lived in its shade.
John 15:5 (NIRV)
5 “I am the vine.
You are the branches.
If you remain joined to me, and I to you, you will bear a lot of fruit.
You can’t do anything without me.
You are the branches.
If you remain joined to me, and I to you, you will bear a lot of fruit.
You can’t do anything without me.
Birds (Demons) love to nest (infiltrate) in the lives
of believers with worldly influences.
Revelation 18:1-2 (NIRV)
18 After these things I saw another angel coming down from
heaven.
He had great authority.
His glory filled the earth with light.
2 With a mighty voice he shouted,
He had great authority.
His glory filled the earth with light.
2 With a mighty voice he shouted,
“ ‘Fallen! Babylon (the worldly church)
the Great has fallen!’ (Isaiah 21:9)
She has become a place where demons live.
She has become a den for every evil spirit.
She has become a place where every ‘unclean’ bird is found.
She has become a place where every ‘unclean’ and hated animal is found.
She has become a place where demons live.
She has become a den for every evil spirit.
She has become a place where every ‘unclean’ bird is found.
She has become a place where every ‘unclean’ and hated animal is found.
Matthew 12:43-44 (NIRV)
43 “What happens when an evil
spirit comes out of a person?
It goes through dry areas looking for a place to rest.
But it doesn’t find it.
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house (a human body) I left.’
When it arrives there, it finds the house empty.
The house has been swept clean and put in order.
45 Then the evil spirit goes and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and live there.
That person is worse off than before. That is how it will be with the evil people of today.”
It goes through dry areas looking for a place to rest.
But it doesn’t find it.
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house (a human body) I left.’
When it arrives there, it finds the house empty.
The house has been swept clean and put in order.
45 Then the evil spirit goes and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and live there.
That person is worse off than before. That is how it will be with the evil people of today.”
When a person gets his life cleaned up and
doesn't fill his life with God's Spirit and with Scripture, he becomes worse
off than before.
Deuteronomy 7:22 (NIRV)
22 The Lord your God will
drive out those nations to make room for you.
But he will do it little by little.
You won’t be allowed to get rid of them all at once.
If you did, wild animals (demons) would multiply all around you.
But he will do it little by little.
You won’t be allowed to get rid of them all at once.
If you did, wild animals (demons) would multiply all around you.
The point of this message is to teach that the whole
Bible is written by a Spiritual being.
Written to Spiritual people in human bodies with Spiritual symbols.
Written to Spiritual people in human bodies with Spiritual symbols.
Lord Jesus take my life, and help me live it.
I surrender to you as my Lord and Savior.
Thank you Lord.
Amen.
Robert Morris, Gateway Church http://gatewaypeople.com/ministries/life/events/more-than-words-a-gateway-series/session/2018/09/08/symbols
Bible passages in red letters.
Bible questions in blue highlights.
Bible questions in blue highlights.
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