JOHN 6 66 - Seal of God vs. Seal of Man
JOHN 6:66 – Seal of God vs. Seal of Man
TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
April 4, 2017, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
John 6:66: From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with him.
Subject: From John & Kelly Sielski / Re: EGM - WHAT SHALL WE DO TO WORK THE WORKS OF GOD---8/15/15, the Year of Our Lord (C.Sissom)
“Isn’t it amazing that, once Jesus begins to teach about NT fellowship with Himself… in and through His Corporate Body (eating His flesh and drinking His blood)… that many of His disciples draw back and walk no more with Him, because they realize they can no longer approach Him with a “what’s in it for me?”- Mentality? They realize it is no longer just about “me and the Lord”; but also laying down their lives for one another. And this occurs in John 6:66? 666 ~ the same mark received by the harlot church in the wilderness in Rev. 13, distinguishing them from the Overcomers who stand with the Lamb on Mt. Zion?? The Overcomers are dead-to-self! The works of men glorify men, the works of God glorify the Lamb:-) There is an element of “being under the Law of Moses” which is being missed by the current “Grace Movement”… “Uncircumcision” (Gal. 5:6). It believes that, because we are no longer under the letter of the written word of God, we are simply free to "love God, and do WHATEVER"; which translates into: “Freedom to ‘love God’ and SERVE OURSELVES.” This is a perversion of the true Grace of Christ, just like the Book of Jude describes.” Blessings, Pastor Carolyn. ~John & Kelly Sielski
Rev. 13:18: Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of man. His number is 666.
God was not surprised by the emergence of the Beast and his agent, nor was heaven moved by their presence. Earth, however, found the power of God’s seal was about to be tested. A beast reared up with such authority and power that the unsealed earthlings buckled when he declared war on the saints. All of the remaining men worshipped him, all that is, but the sealed ones.
Rev. 13:8: All that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
Here the Book of Life of the Lamb (written i.e. sealed) is referenced. Just as sealed ones worship the Messiah, unsealed ones worship the Beast, who manifests power and authority. The test was clearly between externally manifested illusion (appearances) and the internal witness of the Spirit. From this point forward, the whole of Revelation has but one question, “Who do you worship?” The Lamb is the only one worthy of worship.
The Lamb was shown to be of the eternal order of God and “slain before the foundation of the world.” The seal of God was made plain through Him. It was God’s Son who was sealed before time was fixed. Also, the call of God’s people into both seal and service clearly occurred, “before the foundation of the world.” History’s undulating empires and economies has little to do with determining the course and destiny of mankind.
During the end-time, “The book of Life of the Lamb” became more important than the “Book of the seven seals.” As Revelation progressed the “sealed of God” took on greater importance. Humans seal themselves either through the Messiah or their choice of the world.
Rev. 13: 15-18: He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, and that no one may buy or sell except one has the mark of the beast or the number of his name. Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of man. His number is 666.
One’s seal is outward evidence of one’s inward choice. Are we sealed with the Father’s name written on our foreheads, or are we sealed with the number of the beast/man? 666.
Surrounding the Lamb are 144,000 with “His Father’s name written on their foreheads.” They have been sealed and their lives evidence it.
Rev. 14:5: For they are without fault before the throne of God.
Again pronouncement about the mark of the beast is made clear to those who have not received the seal of God. The everlasting gospel defines the way to truth. Who is worshipped determines who we are.
Rev. 14:7: The hour of His judgment has come; worship Him (God).
The assignment of the third angel is similar to the one given to those who are sealed by God. However, these carry another mark/seal.
Rev. 14:9-10: The Third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, if any man worship the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.
In John 6: 56-58, Jesus had just declared the seal of His Blood and His Body to the Pharisees. He had previously told them he was the Son of God.
John 6:59: These things said He in the synagogue, as He taught in Capernaum. Many therefore of His disciples, when they had heard this, said this is a hard saying; who can hear it?
The Lord indeed gave Himself for the life of the world. He has done everything on his part to save the world and sanctify human nature, yet there continues to be many who have not accepted their salvation, sanctification and the life in the Holy Spirit. Our new nature has received the power to defeat sin. By one man, Adam, our flesh nature fell into sin, and by one man, our Lord Jesus Christ, sin has been put to flight.
Jesus boldly presents that choice in the synagogue in Capernaum. Do we choose Jesus, or do we choose our Adam nature (beast/man/666).
Once Nicodemus asked in disbelief, how can a man enter the second time into his mother’s womb? (Jn. 3:4) Now when the unbelieving Jews heard that the flesh of the Lord is food, they scoffed, “How can this be?” Jesus repeats, “Except you eat My flesh… you have no life in you.”
The natural man, the number of man (666) understands only what is human, physical, and shares the nature of the world (kosmos). He cannot understand that the Lord’s flesh is indeed spiritual food. Unless he partakes of it he will have no share in eternal life because he rejects Jesus Himself. The number of the beast and the number of man are one and the same number.
Whosoever receives the grace of the Holy Spirit by communing of the divine mysteries shall neither hunger with a spiritual hunger, nor thirst, as do the unbelievers.
This can only be understood by the revelation of the Holy Spirit. This is the separation of the mark of the beast---the number of man (666), and those who are sealed in the Lamb’s book of Life from the foundation of the world.
The disciples who walked away from Jesus made a choice.
6:61: When Jesus knew in Himself that His disciples murmured at it, He said to them, Does this offend you?
The word for offend here is scandalize. When we choose the Spirit over the flesh, it will scandalize the traditions and culture of the world. Only the Holy Spirit draws those to God whose names have been written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. These men who walked away from God were not quickened by the Spirit, or if they were, they chose the kosmos over the King of Glory.
6: 62-63: What if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where He was before? It is the Spirit that quickens; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I speak to you, they are Spirit, and they are life.
The Word of Christ can only be comprehended when faith enters us supernaturally by the Holy Spirit.
The One who ascends into Heaven as man is the same One Who was there as God from the beginning. Jesus is saying the words I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are life. The flesh that profits nothing is part of the Beast system.
6:64: There are some of you that do not believe. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray Him.
In that meeting before the foundation of the earth, your names were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, Jesus knew from the beginning (at that meeting) those who would believe and those who would not. Only our friends or pretended friends can betray us. These men merely followed along after Him and gave the appearance of listening to His teaching. Their belief in Him was short-lived and less than lukewarm.
Again we see a separation of the lukewarm and those who are seeking after the righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. They foolishly judged everything by appearances and then abandoned Christ.
To know what was in the heart and mind of men is a gift given to Jesus Christ. The Lord knows all things from before the foundation of the earth.
The ancient prophet, Micah who foretold the birthplace of Jesus declared that Messiah’s goings forth was “from the days of old, from everlasting.” (Mic. 5:2)
6:65-67: He said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto Me, except it were given unto him of My Father. From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away?
The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, the just shall live by faith. The wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has shown it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
I believe that all mankind has a witness of the existence of God through creation and conscience. God bestows the gift of faith and helps all who, by their own free choice, work together with Him. God gives to all the free gift of eternal life. Some do not accept the gift, and discard it.
The Lord makes the disciples responsible for the decision to follow Him or not. He does not want them to succumb to human weakness and become arrogant thinking they are doing him a favor by continuing to follow Him. He wants them to follow Him not out of shame, but in anticipation of the glorious grace of His Kingdom.
68-71: Then Simon Peter answered Him, Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and we are sure that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered the, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is of the devil? He spoke of Judas Iscariot the son of Simon; for he it was that should betray Him, being one of the twelve.
Peter speaks for the whole company of the twelve. Peter affirms that the Lord has the words of eternal life. The twelve accept the resurrection, and all of Christ’s teaching. The twelve heard the same words, yet were not scandalized and remained with Him. Jesus’ response to Peter, It is I who have chosen you, the twelve.
It is not God’s way to compel us to virtue either by force or by necessity. When he chooses us, He does not restrict our free will. He does not force us to be good, even when we are inclined to do evil.
Our salvation depends on our own free choice either to live in a manner worthy of our calling, or not. John 6: 37, 39: All that the Father gives Me will come to Me…This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day.
Two powerful factors emerge with this scripture: First the Father obviously has already determined who will be sealed with Jesus; second, the seal will not be broken even to the last day.
Judas saw and experienced Jesus’ glory, yet he walked away from him and betrayed him for the beast. By his own choice Judas proved himself unworthy, showing how changeable a creature is man.
By our own will does wickedness spring forth within us, and increase.
C. S. Lovett points out Satan’s methods are unfolded in his man. Jesus calls him “the devil.”
- Closeness: Judas was intimate with Jesus, convinced of His public and private innocence, yet betrayed Him.
- Hideous: In betraying innocence for money, we see the exaltation of “mammon” as the real god of unbelievers.
- Disguised: Satan’s agents are found among the servants of the Lord.
- Immune to truth: Judas was a participator in Jesus’ miracles, a sharer of His Words of life, yet never saved.
- Treacherous: Posing as a friend, Judas schemed to betray Him.
Even after this occurred, Jesus continued to minister in Galilee. He avoided traveling in Judea inasmuch as the Jews were scheming to kill him.
After His proclamation about drinking His Blood and His Body is the bread of life, crowds turned their backs on Jesus, ignoring His remarkable signs and words. One might expect Him to move to greener pastures, but heavenly wisdom guards his steps. His steps, time and ministry was appointed by the Father. He remains in the vicinity, not merely to extend His grace to the thankless Galileans, but as a precaution. They sought to kill him in Judea, but the Jews lacked authority in Galilee. Until the very hour when He is to sacrifice His life, He guards it with divine precaution. It required heavenly wisdom and supernatural intervention for Jesus to survive as long as He did. He was not about to risk His Kingdom assignment with needless boldness. God’s saints may have to exercise similar wisdom to survive in the last days.
But He couldn’t stay in the North indefinitely. Jerusalem is the faith-center of Judaism. And now one of the Jewish feasts, the Feast of Tabernacles, was drawing near.
In line with John’s teachings, John 7-10:42 are details not found in other scripture.
God is speaking in these Last Days, and the masses are incapable of hearing, but there is a group who have His word (sealed; kept, and they are sealed by that Word.)
John 10: 4, 5: He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out. When he brings out His own sheep, He goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know His voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church
I entered into the labors of Sealed Unto His Coming by: C. R. Oliver; John and Kelly Sielski; C. S. Lovett, Lovett’s Lights on John. The Holy Gospel of John by: Blessed Theophylact. Comments and conclusions are my own and not meant to reflect the views of those who I entered into their labors.