Audio Download

The Book of Joel – Chapter 3:17-21

[Study Aired October 19^th 24]

In last week’s study, we reasserted that God’s word is the foundation and conclusion of all things. In our past lives in Babylon, we engaged in every conceivable Epicurean pleasure, both physically and doctrinally, with the wealth represented as mammon, meaning money, that our self-righteousness always lavishly afforded.

The concept of Mammon, which signifies money and wealth, represents our work, both good and evil. If I am unable to recognise that the Creator of all things is responsible for my bad work, then I will not be trusted with good work. If I fail to give God credit for my evil works, then He will not entrust me with greater responsibilities. If I cannot attribute my unrighteous mammon (evil works) to God as their creator, then I will not receive the righteous mammon (good works). We cannot serve two masters – God must give us the ability, by His will, to choose between righteous mammon and unrighteous mammon. We will either love one or despise the other.

Luk 16:9  And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.

By juxtaposing good with evil, we can discern the truth. As a former friend of Epicurean delights in Babylon, an Elect of God is given the unique ability to see both the dark and light of a subject, filtered through the immutable truth of Christ’s word. This contrast enlightens us and helps us discern the truth.

Judah, the Priests of God, effectively robbed Israel of her representative ‘spiritual’ wealth by not righteously and, in season, preaching the word of God.

What compensation can we possibly give our Creator in return for him choosing us? Plumb nothing! He requires our espousal dues quite the opposite of what Old Israel gave her mouldy best. The fruit Christ requires is the spiritual fruit from the womb of his Wife, her single-eyed heartfelt focus on Him!

1Co 9:18 What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel. (NKJV)

However, Paul was also clearly teaching the Corinthians that other Churches were paying his wages.

2Co 11:7 Did I commit sin in humbling myself that you might be exalted because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? 

2Co 11:8  I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you (NKJV)

The word that Paul uses in 2 Cor 11:8 for “wages” is the same Greek word used in Luk 3:14 .

Luk 3:14 Likewise the soldiers asked him, saying, “And what shall we do?” So he said to them, “Do not intimidate anyone or accuse falsely, and be content with your wages.” [G3800] (NKJV)

G3800

– Original: ὀψώνιον

– Transliteration: Opsonion

– Phonetic: op-so’-nee-on

– Definition:

1. a soldier’s pay, allowance 

a. that part of the soldier’s support given in place of pay [i.e. rations our food, particularly spiritual food] and the money in which he is paid 

2. metaph. wages: hire or pay of sin

Wages are what we earn for doing work for others. It is wrong and sinful not to pay someone who works for us. We all know this from our physical lives. We all go to work and expect to get paid for what we do. God’s ministers are no different. However, as Paul explains, he preaches the gospel free of charge so as not to abuse this authority and hinder babes in Christ from coming to the truth. James is quite bold towards the rich in his admonition and doles out some harsh words to those who conscionably pay wages and don’t do it.

Jas 5:1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you!

Jas 5:2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.

Jas 5:3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days.

Jas 5:4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.

Jas 5:5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. (NKJV). (Abridged from other Elders all speaking the same thing who likewise think it not stealing ~ how can a Christ steal from himself?).

In light of this, God asks: What will be our answer to him, our “recompense,” our compensation to him unwittingly to us, spiritually seen in one of the two resurrections? Well, the following verses in Matthew 22, and particularly verse 12, prophecy us as dumbstruck to Christ for our requital, our payment to him. We, the created at the hands of the supreme creator, have nothing personally or by our works that can ever “recompense” Him!

Jer 2:23   How canst thou say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim? see thy way in the valley [for our cause, the Vally of Jehoshaphat], know what thou hast done: thou art a swift dromedary traversing her ways; 

Jer 2:24   A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind [of every Grecian/Epecurean] at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month [equal to the men of Sodom-like unrestrained passion to know the Angels of the Lord’s new doctrines] they shall find her.

Mat 22:11   And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man [you and I – hopefully not] which had not on a wedding garment: 

Mat 22:12   And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 

Mat 22:13   Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 22:14   For many are called, but few are chosen.

Mat 13:39   The enemy that sowed them [the tares] is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world [at your preordained timely death]; and the reapers are the angels [Christ’s Christs {plural}].

Mat 13:40   As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world.

Mat 13:41   The Son of man shall send forth his angels [His Christs], and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Mat 13:42   And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Mat 13:43   Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

It is the only “few [who] are chosen” who are to be the Elect, the Bride of Christ, who will be first to “shine forth as the sun.” So, we had better “hear” while it is yet called “today” and know who was addressing us. We, like our good friend, Job, ostentatiously have many Epicurean words and doctrines in this life to express, but to listen closely to that ‘still small voice’ of God is often far from us.

Job 32:17   I said, I will answer also my part, I also will shew mine opinion.

Job 32:18   For I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth me. [scarcely]

Job 32:19   Behold, my belly is as wine which hath no vent; it is ready to burst like new bottles.

Job 32:20   I will speak, that I may be refreshed: I will open my lips and answer.

Job 32:21   Let me not, I pray you, accept any man’s person, neither let me give flattering titles unto man.

Job 32:22   For I know not to give flattering titles; in so doing my maker would soon take me away.

Significations of Joel 3:17 – 21:

Consequently,

Joe 3:17   So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.