Introduction...
Is the identity of the 24 Elders ... spoken of in Revelation, Chapter 4 ... really a Mystery?
... Not at all.
"Elders"... are the same ones ... they have always been (in character) ... just not identical in application.
This can easily be determined by a quick Word study ... which provides a "double witness" in both the Hebrew and Greek.
This can easily be determined by a quick Word study ... which provides a "double witness" in both the Hebrew and Greek.
"elders"
[#H2205]
= old
(ref. "in wisdom")
= men and women
= those having authority
(via God's Word)
= (rule and reign w/Jesus)
[#G4245]
= (identical to #H2205)
= celestial counsel (wise)
= ("wise virgins")
Let's move away from the confusing symbolism depicted in pictures of 24 elderly ... white-haired gentlemen ... to the reality of what the Word of God actually tells us about the 24 Elders.
= (identical to #H2205)
= celestial counsel (wise)
= ("wise virgins")
Let's move away from the confusing symbolism depicted in pictures of 24 elderly ... white-haired gentlemen ... to the reality of what the Word of God actually tells us about the 24 Elders.
It also helps to be engaged in true fellowship with other genuine believers ... for ... if this is not taking place ... we will be missing out on valuable validation regarding our conclusions
... by making the serious mistake of transforming true ... productive ... fellowship ... in and of the Spirit ... into non-productive socialization.
... by making the serious mistake of transforming true ... productive ... fellowship ... in and of the Spirit ... into non-productive socialization.
"Not forsaking
the assembling
the assembling
of ourselves together,
as the manner
of some is;
of some is;
but exhorting one another:
and
so much the more,
as ye see
the day
approaching."
approaching."
-Heb.10:25
"It is the spirit
that quickeneth;
that quickeneth;
the flesh
profiteth nothing:
profiteth nothing:
the words
that I speak unto you,
they are spirit,
and they are life."
-John 6:63
To understand how fellowship is utilized by the Holy Spirit in end times ... we need to begin with verses that especially draw our attention to the type of fellowship we are to strive to cultivate ... such as:
"But this is that
which was spoken
by
the prophet Joel [2:28];
the prophet Joel [2:28];
v.16
"And it shall
come to pass
in the last days,
saith God,
I will pour out
of my Spirit
upon all flesh:
and your sons
and your daughters
shall prophesy,
and your young men
shall see visions,
and your old men
shall dream dreams:
v.17
"And on my
servants
and on my
handmaidens
handmaidens
I will pour out
in those days
of my Spirit;
and
they shall
prophesy:
prophesy:
v.18
"And I will shew
wonders
wonders
in heaven
above,
above,
and signs
in the earth
beneath;
beneath;
blood, and fire,
and
vapour of smoke:
v.19
"The sun
shall be turned
into darkness,
and the moon
into blood,
into blood,
before
that great
and notable
and notable
day of the Lord come:
v.20
"And it shall
come to pass,
that whosoever
shall call on
the name
of the Lord
of the Lord
[living and written Name]
shall be saved."
(Acts 2:17-21)
Verse 17 emphasizes that "all"..."everyone" is going to be affected by the Spirit of God ... making it known that something ... out of the ordinary ... is going to happen.
While everyone is not going to wake to the spiritual reality of current events ... no one will be able to say that they weren't warned.
On the other hand ... those who serve God ... genuine "average" believers ... both men and women will be "prophesying"
... bringing forth the Scriptures ... written Word of God ... with a deeper ... "generational interpretation."
... which is not a new interpretation ... but a new recognition of descriptions of modern inventions and end time circumstances that were not able to be completely identified until they appeared in modern times.
... bringing forth the Scriptures ... written Word of God ... with a deeper ... "generational interpretation."
... which is not a new interpretation ... but a new recognition of descriptions of modern inventions and end time circumstances that were not able to be completely identified until they appeared in modern times.
[For more regarding "generational interpretation" see link below ... for previous post at this blog: "When the Seals are Opened"... which refers to the information Daniel was told to seal up until end times ... when knowledge would be increased.]
Because this "generational interpretation" is something very different and unique to previously held interpretations ... we should take care regarding how much we draw from writers of previous generations
... but instead seek after ... what the Spirit of God is teaching us at the moment
... directly from the written Word of God ... as applied to our current life experiences and events taking place in the world around us
... as Scriptures specifically pertain to them ... today.
... but instead seek after ... what the Spirit of God is teaching us at the moment
... directly from the written Word of God ... as applied to our current life experiences and events taking place in the world around us
... as Scriptures specifically pertain to them ... today.
The verses above ... tell us that the Holy Spirit will be addressing everything that is currently taking place ... in a very unique way
... as God ... at the same time ... brings about mutual conclusions
... within the fellowship of genuine believers
... through the specific Scriptures provided by differing personal experiences ... independent Biblical studies ... as well as scientific ... and technological research ... that heretofore was not available.
... in this way ... end time saints will be blessed ... with inspiration for a greater mutual understanding regarding end time application.
... as God ... at the same time ... brings about mutual conclusions
... within the fellowship of genuine believers
... through the specific Scriptures provided by differing personal experiences ... independent Biblical studies ... as well as scientific ... and technological research ... that heretofore was not available.
... in this way ... end time saints will be blessed ... with inspiration for a greater mutual understanding regarding end time application.
In other words ... though our personal leading and study of the Word of God may have taken us on individually unique routes
... our conclusions will all ultimately harmonize as we are led by the Holy Spirit into studies regarding advances in technology etc. now apply to what God established in His Word from the very beginning.
... our conclusions will all ultimately harmonize as we are led by the Holy Spirit into studies regarding advances in technology etc. now apply to what God established in His Word from the very beginning.
My personal journey ... as a Christian ... took a significant turn in 2000 ... when I began to see the principles of physical healing ... synching with the principles of spiritual healing
... which can be read about in:
"Mystery of the First Love Lost"..."Physical Dimension"
... and ...
"Foot Spa...Key to the Book of Revelation"
... also at this blog.
[See links below].
... which can be read about in:
"Mystery of the First Love Lost"..."Physical Dimension"
... and ...
"Foot Spa...Key to the Book of Revelation"
... also at this blog.
[See links below].
* * * * * * * *
Studies in 2000 involved essential oils and their biblical connections.
First this discovery linked directly to Jesus ... through His Name, "Messiah"
... which according to the Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Young's Analytic Concordance, and Harper's Bible Dictionary
... translated from Hebrew and Greek as "anoint"... meaning "to cover, rub, or smear with oil" ... or "to pour over the head or body.
In the Greek ... "Christ" means ... "the anointed one."
In the Hebrew ..."anoint" ... means "masach"
"mishcah"
... or ...
"moshchah"
... which can also mean "to massage"
... which rang some bells at that time ... as instruction was being taught regarding the use of plant oils in therapeutic massage.
"mishcah"
... or ...
"moshchah"
... which can also mean "to massage"
... which rang some bells at that time ... as instruction was being taught regarding the use of plant oils in therapeutic massage.
These connections brought me to the topic of the "Elders"... first in the Church ... in James 5:13-15 ... and then later to the "24 Elders" in the Book of Revelation 4:4+:10-11.
"Is any among you afflicted?
let him pray.
Is any merry?
let him sing psalms.
v.13
This verse reminds us that while some in the body of believers will be suffering ... others will be rejoicing.
Not everyone is going to be rejoicing all of the time. This means that some will be called to minister to the "afflicted."
Not everyone is going to be rejoicing all of the time. This means that some will be called to minister to the "afflicted."
"Is any sick
among you?
let him call for
the elders
the elders
of the church;
and
let them pray
over him,
let them pray
over him,
anointing him
with oil
with oil
in the name
of the Lord:
of the Lord:
v.14
Therefore ... when any sick are found within the body of believers ... we are instructed to call for the "elders" to anoint with oil.
In order to apply this command to our current circumstances today ... some questions definitely need to be asked ... like:
1..Who are the real qualified "elders?" ... "Where are the Doctor Lukes of today in the Church?"
2..What oil are we supposed to use? ... Is it okay to just use olive oil if we pray over it ... and expect a miracle?
3..Where did modern healing rituals involving olive oil really begin?
4..What was the purpose of maintaining the practice of physical healing in the Church? ... Could it have been intended to direct us away from the sorcery of the world mentioned in Revelation 18:23?
5..Was all healing meant to be a spontaneous miracle or was there something more valuable to be gained through the process of a healing ministry?
6..Are the world's healing techniques really superior to original biblical methods?
Biblical history ... reveals that anointing with oil was not something exclusively being done in the Church.
Using plant oils was ... in fact ... the method physicians ... such as Luke ... (the physician in the early Church) ... were using on a daily basis to bring about genuine physical ... as well as spiritual ... healing.
This was actually ... mankind's first "medicine."
This was actually ... mankind's first "medicine."
There is nothing mystical about the use of oil in healing.
Plant oils for healing ... as well as olive oil used for spiritual anointing ... were very effective ... every day practical remedies referenced throughout the Bible
... and olive oil was ... and still is ... used today to dilute "hotter" oils before application.
Plant oils for healing ... as well as olive oil used for spiritual anointing ... were very effective ... every day practical remedies referenced throughout the Bible
... and olive oil was ... and still is ... used today to dilute "hotter" oils before application.
and let them
pray over him,
pray over him,
anointing him
with oil
with oil
in the name
of the Lord:
of the Lord:
v.14b
Could it be possible that there is something different about this specific "anointing" "in the name" of the Lord? ... the name ... masach" ... "mishcah" ... "moshchah" ... which can also mean "to massage"
... a form of hands on health care
... administered by the "elders?"
... a form of hands on health care
... administered by the "elders?"
Let us also consider the possibility that calling on the name of Jesus may involve more than just an attempt to use His Name as a key ... of itself ... that will supernaturally open every door for us to provide the desires of our heart.
Since His Name IS "the Word of God"... and wisdom of the Word is the personification of Christ revealed in Proverbs 1 ... as the "Voice that cries out"... there may also be some wisdom ... Word of instruction to be imparted in this case ... as well ... in order to facilitate healing.
..Wisdom
...the Principal
...Thing
v.5
"Get wisdom,
get understanding:
forget it not;
neither decline
from the words
of my mouth.
v.6
"Forsake her not,
and she shall
preserve thee:
preserve thee:
love her,
and
she shall keep thee.
she shall keep thee.
v.7
"Wisdom is
the principal thing;
therefore get wisdom:
and
with all thy getting
with all thy getting
get understanding.
v.8
"Exalt her,
and
she shall
promote thee:
she shall
promote thee:
she shall
bring thee
to honour,
bring thee
to honour,
when thou
dost embrace her.
dost embrace her.
v.9
"She shall give
to thine head
an ornament
of grace:
of grace:
a crown of glory
shall she
deliver to thee."
deliver to thee."
-Prov.4:5-9
While healing in the Church is an extremely interesting topic
... the details that surrounded my search for the true identity of the 24 Elders ... are being presented here only for the purpose of attempting to describe the characteristics ... of the 24 Elders
... which ... interestingly ... also ... at the same time ... describe the 5 wise virgins in Matthew 25.
... the details that surrounded my search for the true identity of the 24 Elders ... are being presented here only for the purpose of attempting to describe the characteristics ... of the 24 Elders
... which ... interestingly ... also ... at the same time ... describe the 5 wise virgins in Matthew 25.
While it is true that "elders" in the Church were men who were required to meet certain qualifications
... it is the predominantly ... underlying qualification ... of wisdom ... that serves as the common denominator
... conspicuously present every time the Word, "Elder" is used in the Book of Revelation ... that points us to the end time application of this title of "Elder"
... where we begin to see ... that the 24 Elders represent a group that does not consist exclusively of men
... for that aspect of the character of the 24 Elders in Heaven ... at that point in time and place ... (in the Book of Revelation) ... has no bearing on gender ... since in the Heavenly realm ... gender does not exist.
... it is the predominantly ... underlying qualification ... of wisdom ... that serves as the common denominator
... conspicuously present every time the Word, "Elder" is used in the Book of Revelation ... that points us to the end time application of this title of "Elder"
... where we begin to see ... that the 24 Elders represent a group that does not consist exclusively of men
... for that aspect of the character of the 24 Elders in Heaven ... at that point in time and place ... (in the Book of Revelation) ... has no bearing on gender ... since in the Heavenly realm ... gender does not exist.
Therefore ... when we observe the 24 Elders in heaven ... wisdom stands out as the primary qualification.
Even the images of old white-haired gentlemen are also ... really symbolically picturing "wisdom"
... if we can overlook the idea that ... in that sort of picture ... they are only men and only old
... because that assumption really contradicts both Hebrew and Greek definitions in (end time) application.
Even the images of old white-haired gentlemen are also ... really symbolically picturing "wisdom"
... if we can overlook the idea that ... in that sort of picture ... they are only men and only old
... because that assumption really contradicts both Hebrew and Greek definitions in (end time) application.
"She shall give
[Wisdom=Jesus]
[Jesus=Word]
[shall give]
[Wisdom=Jesus]
[Jesus=Word]
[shall give]
to thine head
an ornament
of grace:
of grace:
a crown of glory
shall she
deliver to thee."
deliver to thee."
-Prov.4:9
"And
round about
the throne
were
four and twenty
seats:
"And
round about
the throne
were
four and twenty
seats:
and
upon the seats
I saw
upon the seats
I saw
four and twenty
elders
sitting, clothed
in
elders
sitting, clothed
in
white raiment;
and
they had
they had
on their heads
crowns of gold."
-Rev.4:4
Because the 5 virgins and the 24 Elders share the common denominator of wisdom ... it becomes evident that they also represent the wise Raptured Bride of Christ ... dressed in white and possessing their crowns of gold ... because they loved Jesus enough to follow the Wisdom of His Word.
"The four and twenty elders
fall down before him
that sat on the throne,
and
worship him
worship him
that liveth
for ever and ever,
for ever and ever,
and
cast their crowns
cast their crowns
before the throne,
saying,
'Thou art worthy,
O Lord,
O Lord,
to receive glory
and
honour and power:
honour and power:
for thou hast
created all things,
and
for thy pleasure
for thy pleasure
they are
and
were created.'"
and
were created.'"
Rev.4:10-11
...After
...the Bride Escapes
...Then...
...and...Then...
To read more about...
☆"generational interpretation"
. . .when knowledge is increased:
. . ."When the Seals are Opened". . .
. . ."When the Seals are Opened". . .
☆ Parable of the 10 Virgins
. . ."Ten Virgins". . .
☆ "Foot Spa...
. . .Key to the Book of Revelation". . .
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