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<210410> Ecclesiastes To restore to spiritual
LIGHT — This word is used in many ways in the Scripture. Sometimes it refers to man's intellect, as in <235011>Isaiah 50:11. Sometimes it refers to the Word of God, as in
<19B9105> Psalm 119:105. Sometimes it refers to false doctrines, as in
<400623>Matthew 6:23. It is also a type of the Christian who walks with God, as in
<490508>Ephesians 5:8. It refers also to the testimony of the Christian, as in
<400516>Matthew 5:16. It is a figure of the state of the believer after he leaves Satan's kingdom of darkness, and is brought into God's Kingdom ( <442618>Acts 26:18). It refers to the walk of the believer in which he serves the Lord in a godly way, and directs his life according to the Word of God, as in <620107>1 John 1:7. It refers to the defense of the believer who lives above reproach and has a godly testimony before his neighbors, as in <451312>Romans 13:12. Christ Jesus Himself is the light of the world, as He affirms in <430812>John 8:12 (a). In some strange way the entrance of Christ into the life and heart enables the mind to become intelligent and intellectual. Only where Christ Jesus is loved and His Word is preached do we find minds active for the blessing of others, and alert in inventing that which will be a blessing to mankind. The blessings which we enjoy in civilization, such as electronics, transportation, communication, refrigeration, manufacturing, agriculture, chemistry, physics and institutions of learning are all products of protestant countries where Christ Jesus is permitted to rule and reign in the heart of people, and the Word of God is read, preached and taught publicly, and without hindrance. (See also <430104>John 1:4.)
will strike, nor when, nor what damage will be the result.
<421018> Luke 10:18 (a) The disciples thought they had conquered Satan. Our Lord is assuring them that this is not the case. Satan occupies heavenly places. He strikes in people's lives wherever and whenever he pleases. No one can put Satan down nor conquer him. He daily attacks people where and when he pleases. This passage does not refer to Satan's fall from heaven, but rather to his daily attacks on the people on earth.
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plural. The Lord knew we would have many valleys between the cradle and the grave, and would need the Savior in His beauty and sweetness in every one of them. This lily is a type of Christ, first, because it is always pure white. Then, it is always fragrant, with an unusual sweetness of its own. It is also a universal flower, found wherever man lives and vegetation can grow. It always droops with its beautiful little bells hanging toward the ground; one must be low and lowly, and then look up into the beauty of Christ in order to enjoy Him. This lily does not live on public highways, but is found in sheltered nooks. So it is with Christ Jesus. He is not found in the public markets, nor in the busy throng, but in the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty. Some think that this lily is a type of the Bride, the Church of Christ:
1. Because it grows on the earth and though the earth is black, the lily grows up white, thus showing the transforming power of the Lord.
2. Because it brings joy to the heart of its owner by its beauty and fragrance even as the church brings joy to the Lord.
3. Because there are so few of them compared with the number of weeds and worthless plants even as the Christians are few in number compared to the sinners.
<281405> Hosea 14:5 (a) This is a type of Israel in the regeneration when they will be restored to the Lord and shall bring joy to His heart by the beauty and fragrance of their testimony.
<421227> Luke 12:27 (a) Here we see a picture of God's gracious care for each child of God. God beautifies them and supplies their needs. They, in turn, give forth
loveliness and perfume for the blessing and the joy of God.
<052211> Deuteronomy 22:11 (c)By this figure God reveals His displeasure at man's schemes and plans to make a different robe of righteousness from that which He has ordained. Linen is a man-made product. After the Lord Jesus saves us and makes us Christians, then we begin to live a life of righteous acts, deeds and godliness which is compared to a linen robe. Wool is a product of God's power and ingenuity. No man can make wool.
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The Lord is telling us that we must not mix God's provision for a garment with man's provision. The wool represents God's grace. It is altogether "of God." Linen represents man's works. By this picture God condemns the mixture of grace and works in the matter of making the robe to wear for eternity. We are not saved by grace, and then kept by works. We are not saved partly by grace, and partly by works. God expects us to wear all linen as regards living for His glory and honoring His Name. He expects us to be clothed altogether by wool when it is a matter of relationship to Him, and being saved by Him.
<661908> Revelation 19:8 (b) The garment of the bride here is a type of her own righteous acts, accomplished because she was the bride, and not in order to be a bride. The garment mentioned in Psalm 45 is made of gold, and that one was provided by the Lord Himself.
<014909> Genesis 49:9 (b) Emblematic of the power, strength and cunning of Judah for God because he came from God. The "lion" refers to God. Judah as the whelp is the offspring.
<071408> Judges 14:8 (c) This is sometimes taken as a type of Christ. Out of His death comes the sweetness of God's grace, and the blessings of salvation.
<101710> 2 Samuel 17:10 (b) This is the estimate of David's power and boldness as given by Hushai. He uses this figure to describe the mighty fighting power of David.
<110729> 1 Kings 7:29 (c) These figures represent various aspects of the Lord Jesus
Christ. They are to be seen in connection with the character of Christ, both in Ezekiel and in the Revelation. Over the grave of Bobby Burns in the castle at Dumfernlin in Scotland there is a wooden canopy upheld by four posts. On the top of these posts there appear the four figures which Solomon mentions and which are also mentioned in Ezekiel-- the lion, the ox, the man, the eagle. These indicate the four great attributes and characteristics of the Lord Jesus Christ.
<131122> 1 Chronicles 11:22 (c) This may be used as a type of Satan. Though every condition was favorable to the lion, this bold servant of David took
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his life in his hand and killed the beast. So our Savior with everything against Him overcame Satan at Calvary when it seemed as though He could not possibly come out of the conflict a victor.
<131208> 1 Chronicles 12:8 (a) The face of the lion is under perfect control of the spirit of the lion. No one can tell the feelings of the lion by observing the face. Even when ready to attack, the face remains placid and calm. This figure used in connection with the Gadites indicates that these were men of might as the lion, men of fight as a lion, men of flight as a lion, and always with perfect control of their actions and their feelings.
<192213> Psalm 22:13 (a) The maddening throng around the Cross resembled lions in their hatred, their vociferous shouts and their anger against the Son of God.
<193517> Psalm 35:17 (b)This is a cry of the Lord Jesus for God to preserve Him from the fierce attacks of the enemies around Him.
<210904> Ecclesiastes 9:4 (b) This is a very graphic way of telling us that a great and mighty powerful man is of no value when dead. Nero, Napoleon, Stalin and Hitler have lost their power. The least of all living persons is better than the greatest of dead conquerors.
<241208> Jeremiah 12:8 (a)This represents God's own people who should have been of the sheep of His pasture, but instead turned against Him in hatred and rebellion.
<260110> Ezekiel 1:10 (b)This is one of the types of the Lord Jesus in which His great strength, power, majesty and sovereignty are represented. (See also
<660407> Revelation 4:7; 5:5.)
<261902> Ezekiel 19:2 (a) The nation of Israel was compared to this animal. The leaders represent the parent animals. Their offspring are the cubs, but all of them are fierce and cruel in their attitude toward God and His prophet.
I Peter 5:8 (a) Satan is thus described. This animal cannot be tamed to become a servant of man. Its nature cannot be changed. It is never constructive, but always destructive in all its actions. It is never a friend of man, but always his enemy. He is said to be roaring because he is always hunting up victims. The lion roars only when it is hungry. Satan is never satisfied. He is always in the business of devouring and destroying and is never a blessing to men.
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<660505> Revelation 5:5 (a)Christ Jesus is the King of kings as the lion is the king of beasts. He is unconquerable and unavoidable. He cannot be defeated. He is afraid of no enemy. He cannot be hindered by any circumstances. He is always able to do whatever needs to be done for the glory of God and the blessing of men.
<661302> Revelation 13:2 (b)This animal reveals the terrible power the Antichrist will have to tear, destroy and hurt God's people and all who will not bow to his sovereign sway.
But these wave loaves may also represent Jesus Christ our Lord as the One who was made sin for us. He went through the furnace of God's wrath, and this destroyed all the sin which He had taken upon Him for us. We come before God presenting as our sacrifice the Lord Jesus in His perfect beauty after He came through the furnace and became to us the bread of life.
<091003> 1 Samuel 10:3 (c) The three types in this verse are as follows: a kid for each man represents the individual sacrifice of Christ for each one; the loaf for each man represents the personal appropriation of Christ for each heart; the bottle of wine for all the men represents the joy of the Lord which cannot be measured but which is available for everyone and for all who will come.
<091004> 1 Samuel 10:4 (c) In that Saul was given two loaves of the bread, it may
indicate that he was to have a double portion now, both as a king and as a prophet. He was to guide God's people in temporal things, and also in spiritual. He was to be a double example to all of Israel of a godly and a holy king. It may teach us also that those who have bread should share it with others. One of the men gave nearly all the bread he had. This should characterize each Christian.
<401534> Matthew 15:34 (c) This is a type of God's enriching grace which is sufficient for one's own heart and for supplying the needs of others. The
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Lord would have His own examine themselves to see if they have any good blessings from heaven to give to those whom they meet along the highway of life. Each Christian should have plenty of bread for all whom he meets: biscuits for the children, loaves for the grown folks, soft bread for those who cannot chew, hard rolls for those who wish something upon which to exercise their thoughts.
The Christian should go forth to the day's work with his bread basket filled for the hungry.
<421105> Luke 11:5 (b) This parable is concerning the soul winner. The first friend is the Lord Jesus. The second friend who comes at midnight is the troubled soul who comes to your door selling brooms. He is in the darkness of unbelief and is seeking something for his soul. The Christian may feel that he has nothing to give to this inquiring person. He realizes that he needs bread for this hungry man.
Christ is telling us that we may come to Him to get what we need for the occasion. We may think we just want three loaves, but the Lord may see that we need much more. He will therefore give to the seeking Christian all the living bread that is needed for the seeking sinner. No Christian needs to permit any inquiring soul to depart unsatisfied.
<461017> 1 Corinthians 10:17 (a)
(1) This is a symbol of the whole church of God which is like a loaf of bread. It contains only wheat grains. It has no sticks or stones nor foreign substances but only wheat. Only true, born-again believers are in the church of God. Hypocrites and professing Christians may be in the visible church, but none are in Christ's mystical body, the invisible church.
(2) This loaf is a complete loaf separated from everything else in the house. This is a picture of the church which should be separated from every worldly thing,
every worldly association, and is a separate distinct institution in this world. By looking at it one may see that it is a complete, self contained unit, it is one body in Christ.
(3) As no one knows how many grains are in the loaf, so no one knows how many Christians compose the church.
(4) As the grains in the loaf are combined with one another so the Christians in the church are bound together in sweet and holy communion with one another.
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(5) As the purpose of the loaf is to bring a blessing to those who have it, so the church is to bring joy and honor to Christ and be a blessing in every way to the people of earth who surround it.
<203027> Proverbs 30:27 (c) This is a figure used to illustrate the blessedness of mutual fellowship regardless of leadership. Also that the problems of life require united effort though there be no adequate leadership.
<660903> Revelation 9:3 (c) Here we see a type of some form of curse which God will send upon the earth against His enemies. It may refer to tanks or some similar weapon of war which will be used to destroy God's enemies.
LODGE — (verb) <401332>Matthew 13:32 (b) Here we see a graphic picture of the terrible state of the apostate church. The birds represent evil spirits.
The tree with its many branches represents an unnatural growth in which wicked spirits feel at home in the various divisions of the great apostate religious world. The mustard seed never should produce a tree. This is an unnatural growth. So the
present religious institutions filled with all sorts of evil doctrines, worldly practices and unsaved persons is not according to the will of God. The devil has his throne in the apostate church, as we read in <660213>Revelation 2:13. He and his evil angels are represented by the birds that lodge, make their nests and feel at home in the various branches of this huge, religious institution.
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<111210> 1 Kings 12:10 (a) Here we see a comparison between the oppression with which Rehoboam would afflict the people, as compared with the much lesser affliction which Solomon brought upon the people. (See also
<141010> 2 Chronicles 10:10.)
<196611> Psalm 66:11 (b) The loins are used in the Scripture as a picture of strength, power, vigor and maturity. In this passage God weakened the strength of His people and made them incapacitated as a nation.
<231105> Isaiah 11:5 (b) This picture is given us to describe a godly life, an upright character and an honest heart in business. It is also used to describe the character of God, all of whose power and work would be absolutely righteous in character.
<234501> Isaiah 45:1 (b) The Lord is informing Cyrus that He will weaken the strength of kings and nations who oppose him in order that he may conquer and subdue every enemy.
<243006> Jeremiah 30:6 (b)This represents a condition of despair, weakness, helplessness and hopelessness throughout Israel because of their sins, and because of the wrath of God.
<264704> Ezekiel 47:4 (b) Look under "ANKLES" for a rather full description of this parable. The loins represent vigor and power of a man controlled by the Spirit of God, and therefore brought into useful channels that are profitable in the sight of the Lord.
<271005> Daniel 10:5 (b) In this vision the heavenly messenger had divine strength, power and ability that was pure as the gold, and beautiful in appearance. He was God's messenger with God's message, for God's servant.
<421235> Luke 12:35 (a) Here we find an exhortation to every believer to bring all his powers, talents and gifts into the service of the King, with a ready heart, and a willing mind.
<490614> Ephesians 6:14 (a) If we know God's truth from His Word, we can and will be bold and aggressive in the battle of faith, and in the service of the King.
I Peter 1:13 (a) It is quite evident from this figure that the Lord is referring to our powers to think, analyze and consider by our mental processes the things of time and eternity. The Lord expects us to think through in regard
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LOOK — <191827> Psalm 18:27 (b)The word here is used to indicate pride, egotism and self- sufficiency, all of which are to be brought down in humiliation and shame by our wonderful Lord. (See also <19A105>Psalm 101:5; <200617> Proverbs 6:17; 21:4; <230211>Isaiah 2:11; 10:12.)
<260206> Ezekiel 2:6 (a) The type here indicates a fierce, angry countenance gazing in hatred against God's child. (See also <260309>Ezekiel 3:9.)
<270720> Daniel 7:20 (b) This figure also represents a fierce countenance of severe determination which is intended to frighten and to bring dismay.
LOOSE — <014921> Genesis 49:21 (b) Here we see a picture of freedom of thought, expression and of action on the part of the people in the tribe of Naphtali. (See also <053323>Deuteronomy 33:23.)
<031407> Leviticus 14:7 (c)This probably represents the living Christ now appearing in the presence of God for us. We are saved both by the death of Christ for us, and also by the life of Christ before the Throne. He died to pay the debt of our sins, as in <450506>Romans 5:6, and we are saved by His life, as we read in
<450510>Romans 5:10. This same truth is found in <031615>Leviticus 16:15. One goat died for the sins of the people, and in verse 21, another goat lived for the salvation of the people. Christ at Calvary is represented by the dead bird or the dead goat. Christ on the Throne, as our Advocate with the Father, is represented by the living bird and the living goat.
<181218> Job 12:18 (b) By this we learn that God is able to weaken the strength of oppressing rulers, and to deliver the captives from their power. He is able to
control the powerful actions of great kings and rulers.
<183011> Job 30:11 (b) Job is complaining about his condition. He felt he was forsaken and turned over to wander in the darkness of confusion, with no guide to lead him.
<19A220> Psalm 102:20 (b) Probably this refers to the conversion of the sinner. He has been on his way to the second death, which is the lake of fire. Then he hears the call of God, believes the gospel of God, and is set free by the truth of God. It is probably a fulfillment of <420418>Luke 4:18.
<19E607> Psalm 146:7 (a) This action probably refers to the work of God in delivering those who are bound by Satan and setting them free. It is
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probably a fulfillment of <401229>Matthew 12:29, or <236101>Isaiah 61:1, or
<420418>Luke 4:18.
<211206> Ecclesiastes 12:6 (b) This strange figure is probably a picture of the spinal cord, which ceases to operate properly and does not function as it should. It is one of the marks or evidences of old age.
<230527> Isaiah 5:27 (b) This beautiful picture tells the story of Israel restored to the Lord when the Messiah returns and rebuilds the nation of Israel and Palestine.
Their strength will be renewed and their power will be enhanced.
<233323> Isaiah 33:23 (b) We are being told here that when we are weak, then we are strong, as in <471210>2 Corinthians 12:10. When Israel as a nation, or when any individual, confesses his weak and helpless condition, then he may look to the Lord and find adequate provision for his need.
<235114> Isaiah 51:14 (b) The lost sinner bound by evil habits, wicked ways, and hindered by sinful companions has a deep desire to be delivered from this bondage, so that he may live a life of freedom with God and may enjoy the blessings of God. (See also <196818>Psalm 68:18; <380911>Zechariah 9:11;
<490408> Ephesians 4:8, 9.)
<235202> Isaiah 52:2 (b) Here we find a call to Israel to take advantage of God's grace, power and goodness and to appropriate for themselves the rich provisions God supplied for them.
<235806> Isaiah 58:6 (b) Here is a call to remove those cruel laws that bound burdens on the poor, and to substantiate those blessings which will bring joy and gladness to the oppressed.
<401619> Matthew 16:19 (a)This passage is quite similar and carries the same meaning as <401818>Matthew 18:18 and <432023>John 20:23. We should note that the binding and the loosing are products of the power of God in the heart and soul. God gave the keys of the kingdom of heaven, one key for the Gentiles and one for the Jews. That tells the source of the power. The passage in John tells us of the force that is behind the power, and that force is the Holy Spirit as revealed in the passage. The passage in <401818>Matthew 18:18 reveals the operation of that power; it is because God's people agree together in their prayer life, and in their decisions. That one who has received the Spirit of God as his Lord, and as according to <432022>John 20:22, will find the same result as described in verse
23. The Spirit-filled and the Spirit-led man will take God's emancipating gospel to a husband and will
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leave the wife in the dark. He will lead a brother to Christ and leave the other brother in his sins. He will speak helpfully to one clerk in the store, and have no message for the other clerk. Where the Spirit is Lord in the life, then the individual Christian worker is led to the person with whom God is working, and will be kept away from the disinterested soul. He brings the message of deliverance and salvation to the one who is ready for it, but the Spirit keeps him away from the person who is to remain in his sins.
<402102> Matthew 21:2 (c) Here we find a picture of a lost mother and her son who are in the dark spiritually, and do not know which way to turn. One road leads to heaven, and the other road leads to hell. Tradition and fear hinder their making any progress. At the Master's call and command a messenger came with a sweet message from that wonderful and precious Savior which released them so that they could come to the Lord Jesus and have the great honor of carrying Him wherever He wanted to go. (See also Mark 1 ! :4-5; <421931>Luke 19:31.)
<421312> Luke 13:12-16 (a) This woman was bound physically as well as spiritually. Somewhere in her life Satan had led her into some kind of evil that left its mark on her body. When Jesus came, her body was immediately healed, made whole, and she herself delivered from Satan's bondage to be a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
<431144> John 11:44 (c) It is sometimes the case, and quite often it is true, that a man will find the Savior, be really born again, and yet carry with him in his new life some of the old ways, habits, traditions and customs which hinder him from living a happy, free, Christian life. The grave clothes are a type of those hindrances. God's children have the privilege and the duty of helping that friend to get rid of the old customs and habits and set him free for the service of the King.
<440224> Acts 2:24 (a) Death binds men permanently. Only God can break those bands and bring back to life again. This was done in the case of our Lord Jesus Christ.
<660502> Revelation 5:2 (c) It may be that this big book contains the story of human lives. No man lives such a clean life, free from sin, that he is worthy to open and to read the lives of others. Only Christ Jesus meets these requirements. He was sinless, therefore He was worthy. He can break the seals so that the book may be opened by Him and read by Him.
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LOP — <231033> Isaiah 10:33 (b) God is telling us that He will cut off and destroy the enemies of Israel, the Assyrians. (See also <231024>Isaiah 10:24.)