Today's bible study is very special and Brother Bob was inspired to write this blessed bible study after reading the anointed writings of Oliver Heywood from around 1670. Because of Oliver Heywood's christian beliefs, Oliver Heywood was placed in prison for his beliefs in Jesus and most of the following writings came from letters written by Oliver Heywood while he was in his prison cell. For today's first hidden secret from Jesus, as you look at the above pictures of the black dark tents of Kedar and the beautiful curtains around King Solomon's bed, let's all read Song of Solomon 1:5. Song of Solomon 1:5 says I am black, but comely (defined as beautiful), O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Kedar (defined as dark), as the curtains (hangings) of Solomon (note that the curtains around Solomon's bed were beautiful and glorious).
Take time to read this wonderful commentary from Oliver Heywood about the above bible verse at Song of Solomon 1:5. Oliver Heywood stated that true saints dwell in Kedar tents through afflictions, persecutions, and many corruptions in this howling wilderness and weary pilgrimage, and are black and unlovely to look upon, but if you could open the tent door, and see into the secret cabinet of a believer's heart, you would discover a treasure of the rarest graces, truths, experiences, and comforts that ever mortal eyes beheld. You should behold them as glorious as the beautiful hangings about Solomon's bed, as comely and beautiful as the curtains of Solomon.
I encourage all my friends everywhere to look beyond the outer appearance of true christians that suffer for Jesus and see the glorious treasures that these blessed saints present from their hearts. True saints like the Apostle Paul, Oliver Heywood, and my good friend David Berkowitz who all wrote for Jesus from prison cells might not be beautiful to the outward eye, but their inward beauty of Jesus reflected by their writings is truly glorious and spectacular to behold. The world also viewed our Lord Jesus when He walked on this earth as having no beauty, form, or comeliness. But, the inward beauty of our Lord Jesus was glorious and magnificent to behold. This was proven by Isaiah 53:2 that says For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground; He hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him.
To further prove that true saints should let everyone see their inner beauty of Jesus and not their own outward unsightly works, take time to look at the above picture of how the ancient tabernacle was built. The ancient tabernacle's covering was coarse and unsightly on the outside to behold but beautiful on the inside. Oliver Heywood wrote that true saints are like unto the tabernacle under the law, whose outside is like unto badgers' skins, rams' skins dyed red, and goats' hair that is coarse and unsightly to look upon; but the inside beautiful consisting of gold, silver, precious stones, and curious workmanship.
The above picture of the outer coverings of the tabernacle can be found at Exodus 26:7 that says And thou shalt make curtains of goats' hair to be a covering upon the tabernacle, eleven curtains shalt thou make. Exodus 26:14 says And thou shalt make a covering for the tent of rams' skins dyed red, and a covering above of badgers' skins. Exodus 26:20 says And for the second side of the tabernacle on the north side there shall be twenty boards. And their forty sockets of silver; two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. Exodus 26:29 says And thou shalt overlay the boards with gold, and make their rings of gold for places for the bars; and thou shalt overlay the bars with gold.
You see saint reading this in any nation, as a christian you have the excellent treasure of Jesus in your ordinary earthen vessel that you should display to the lost world. At present, the full glorious life of Jesus is hidden in all true saints that currently is not seen but exists and shines brightly now, but when Christ who is our life appears, we shall also fully appear with Jesus in glory. This is proven by Colossians 3:3 that says For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Also, 2 Corinthians 4:7 says But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. Lord Jesus, I pray in Jesus name all people who forevermore read this bible study, will deny themselves and let Jesus shine in every area of their lives for Luke 9:23 says If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
OK, time for another hidden secret revealed to Brother Bob from Jesus to be shared with all my friends in the many nations. As you all look at the above pictures of an earthen vessel and much fine gold, lets all read Lamentations 4:2 that says The precious sons of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how are they esteemed as earthen pitchers, the work of the hands of the potter. Jesus showed Brother Bob that lost sinners in the world mistakenly view saints that are fine gold as just earthen pitchers. Unfortunately, what the world esteems as great is an abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15 says And He said unto them, ye are they which justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth your hearts; for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
Take time to read this anointed commentary from Oliver Heywood about Lamentations 4:2 where Oliver Heywood said Suppose you see an earthen pot full of gold, let him that only sees the outside and knows not what is within, be asked the price thereof, possibly he will answer, not many pence, but the pot with the treasure in it may be worth many thousand pounds; a sorry canvas purse may contain a vast sum of money, nor must the whole be rated according to the poor facing, but the rich lining. Friend reading this anywhere, don't be discouraged if the world around you overlooks you as just an earthen vessel for as a believer in our Lord Jesus you are fine gold and I pray in Jesus name that the Lord Jesus encourage you to live and be strengthened with peace daily. The prophet Daniel stated at Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries; but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.
You might say friend reading this, Brother Bob even though I am considered to be fine gold, the world makes me feel poor. Be encouraged and read this story from Oliver Heywood about a miser named Stigandus who was very wealthy in the world but lacked the true treasures of Jesus. Saint reading this if you believe in the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that Jesus died for you and rose again you have greater riches with Jesus than all the money or wealth of this world. Oliver Heywood stated that it is recorded that the miser Stigandus, archbishop of Canterbury, that he lived very poorly, saying and swearing that he had nothing, no, not a penny, yet by a key fastened about his neck, there were found great treasures after his death, which he had hid under the ground; but alas, that key would not open heaven's gates, nor would that treasure purchase glory. But, the believing soul hath his treasure above, and by faith he hath interest in the Lord Jesus, who hath indeed the Key of David, and is already entered into the holiest of all, and hath set heaven's gates wide open to His purchased and prepared ones, and who is gone to prepare a place for them.
Now to end up this present discussion about how saints are inwardly beautiful with Jesus, lets look at the opposite example of how the unsaved in the world are ugly within and appear beautiful on the outside. King Solomon stated in the proverbs at Proverbs 26:23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross (dross is defined as trash or refuse). This proves that the sin on the inside of an unsaved person will be exposed and seen as trash on the top of his sinful potshered vessel. Proverbs 26:26 goes on to say whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.
Also, King Solomon stated at Ecclesiastes 10:1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour; so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. You see one little sin or one little dead fly can ruin a person's reputation and testimony. But, hallelujah, as we believe in Jesus, the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from our past sins and like Jesus, Brother Bob says to you friend reading this anywhere lift up your heads as pure in Jesus and go and sin no more.
OK, time for another hidden secret revealed to Brother Bob from Jesus about not being lazy but diligent for Jesus to make your life blessed and precious. Take time to read about the secret of Proverbs 12:27 that says The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting; but the substance of a diligent man is precious. You see the slothful man was so lazy that after he successfully hunted food, he did not cook the food but let it sit and spoil. Oliver Heywood stated that the slothful man's meat was best when it was fresh, new, and quickly used and it is a folly to keep it till it be old and good for nothing. You see the father and little boy pictured above are not lazy and promptly roast a turkey they received to avoid the food from spoiling as they made the turkey precious and a blessing. Proverbs 20:13 also warns us Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty, open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
We should all learn a lesson from Solomon's proverb above and not be lazy about telling the nations about our Lord Jesus. Ephesians 5:14 says Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly (defined as diligently constantly looking to Jesus daily), not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Let us all be like King David and make haste to serve Jesus and give a place to Jesus in our lives as we share the goodness of Jesus with all nations. Psalm 119:59-60 says I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments.
All I have to say for today's last hidden secret from Jesus revealed to Brother Bob as we all look at the above picture is apples of gold in pictures of silver. Take time to meditate on a glorious proverb from King Solomon at Proverbs 25:11 that says A word fitly spoken (defined as the word is sent by wheels to quickly bless a person), is like apples of gold (causing a sweet blessing) in pictures of silver. Friend reading this anywhere say a kind word to someone today about Jesus and give that person life. John 6:63 tells us It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. Note that your kind words to people from Jesus give life, joy, and goodness. This is proven by Proverbs 15:23 that says A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth; and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
One final revelation to share with all my friends everywhere where Jesus revealed to Brother Bob a truth that appears in both the old and new testament of how nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This truth is found in the new testament at Romans 8:38 that says For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. This blessed truth is also found in the old testament at Isaiah 54:10 and says For the mountains shall depart, and the hills shall be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Oliver Heywood stated when the world burns up, let the saints say I have nothing of all this huge heap to lose. Let the brutish worldlings weep and wail over their fair houses, large domains and full bags, numerous cattle, and gorgeous attire; But, all the saints will be exceedingly rich with Jesus and their hope and expectations will become full enjoyment forever in the kingdom.
It has truly been a great joy for Brother Bob to write this blessed bible study today which I pray in Jesus name will bless my many friends all over this earth with great peace and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 604-7133. Until we meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus Christ, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.
No comments:
Post a Comment