Mental (κάμνω) and Physical (ἐκλύω) Weariness
Mental weariness (κάμνω) is an exhaustion of the soul that impacts the mind. It can result from continual struggles, long, arduous journeys, or the accusing of the conscience for wronging another person.
James writes of the vow of faith by those who are mentally weary. In the early Church, the Elders (Pastors) would assist those who were physically sick (ἀσθενέω), praying over them and anointing them with oil, which was used for relief from sickness. However, for those who are having a mental issue, it is the vow of faith that will provide calmness. This vow is to correct a wrong done, which is causing a negative impact on the mind because of the weariness of the soul.
And the vow of faith will save the mentally ill and the Lord will raise him up and if he has done a sin, it will be forgiven him – James 5:15.
A physical weariness (ἐκλύω) can cause a person to lose heart. During His earthly ministry, Jesus fed a large crowd that had come out to hear Him speak on the Kingdom of the Heavens. He has compassion on them because they were exhausted from their journey, Matthew 9:36. A person who sows should not exhaust their strength, for in due time, he will reap from his work, Galatians 6:9. Sowing righteousness will take more time to reap than sowing to the flesh, which seeks instant gratification. Patience in doing good and taking time to rest is essential so we do not grow weary in overcoming what is wrong with good. As sons of God, He corrects us when we do wrong. We are not to become physically exhausted by this child-training, for the Lord rebukes those He loves, Hebrews 12:5. One who resists His correction will become weary of their struggle because they are not accepting His guidance. The Lord will not allow His own to be condemned with the world; therefore, when we are judged, we are child-trained, 1 Corinthians 11:32.
When it comes to facing troubles for our faith, instead of growing mentally weary of the soul and becoming physically exhausted by the struggles we face, we are to remember Christ, Who suffered such hostility from sinners towards Him, for He is the author and finisher of our faith.
For consider this One who endured such hostility from the sinners against Himself in order that you all do not become mentally weary of the soul, being physically exhausted. Hebrews 12:7.
Let us remember that we do not walk alone and take time to fellowship with other saints so that we encourage each other as we rest together from the struggles we face in this life. Time spent with other saints, especially during the week, can be very restorative for the soul and mind.
Happy are those who die by a lord, Revelation 14:13
In Revelation 14:13, we come across the phrase “by a lord” when John is instructed to write, “Happy are the dead, the ones who die from now on by a lord (ἐν κυρίῳ).” The word “lord” is capitalized in some English translations, indicating it is in the Lord Jesus. However, the context does not support this interpretation. The timing of Revelation chapter fourteen, starting in verse six, is in the last half of the Tribulation Period, just before the return of Christ. Three angels are seen giving distinctly different messages. The first angel has good news related to eternity, the gospel for those in the Great Tribulation. This is not the gospel message presented today, which has the inherent ability to save a person, Romans 1:16, and relates to the death for sin and resurrection of Christ three days later according to the Scriptures, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4. This messenger is bringing a message to the Nations, telling them to worship the God, Who is the Creator of heaven and earth, for the hour of His judgment has come, Revelation 14:7. The second angel cries out with the message that Babylon, the great religious harlot, has fallen, Revelation 14:8. Her fall is just before the return of Christ to claim the earth and set up His kingdom. A third angel is then heard shouting that anyone who worships the beast and his image, having received his mark, will now face the wrath of God, Revelation 14:9-11. At this point, John is instructed to write, “Happy are the dead, the ones dying by a lord from now.” They are happy because they are able to rest from their hard labor, Revelation 14:13.
The tribulation period will be a very difficult time upon this earth. Such a time of trouble that has not ever been before, Daniel 12:1. Those who accept the message of the Kingdom of the Heavens will face dangerous times, especially during the last part of the Tribulation Period when the man of lawlessness declares himself to be a god and all those who do not receive his mark cannot participate in commerce. During this time, even having a bit of cold drinking water, much less food, will take a lot of hard work. The saints will be killed, enslaved, and persecuted. Therefore, death for those who believe in the coming Messiah will bring them rest from their labor, resulting in happiness.
En (ἐν) is a Greek preposition meaning “in, among, or by.” Grammar and context are important in determining the case being clarified by the preposition. The specific phrase “in lord” is used ninety-six times in forty-seven verses, using both the locative and instrumental cases. In 1 Corinthians 16:19, Paul writes that the assembly in Asia greets them, along with Aquila and Priscilla in [the] Lord. In Greek, there is no need to place an article before Lord because the context indicates it is a title. When a noun is used as a title, the article is unnecessary; however, it should be supplied in English for clarity. In Romans chapter fourteen, Paul writes concerning the weaker brothers. The one who is stronger in the faith is to accept the weaker one without causing doubt. Paul has been persuaded by [the] Lord Jesus that nothing is common because of itself, Romans 14:14. When Paul went to Troas to bring the good news of the Christ, a door was opened to him by the Lord, 2 Corinthians 2:12. In these verses, the preposition (ἐν) is used in an instrumental sense for the Lord was the means by Whom Paul came to this knowledge, and the One who opened a door for him to present the gospel in Troas. Within these few passages we can already see that “en (ἐν)” is used in an instrumental sense with the noun “lord”. Although the primary meaning of this preposition is “in”, the context dictates how the preposition relates to the noun; therefore, it can express both location and means.
If we imply that Revelation 14:13 is referring to Christians, all who die in their position in the Lord from the time of John’s writing, we violate the context of Revelation. The tribulation time is not for the Church. She has been removed from the earth, cleansed, glorified, and presented to the Father; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:17. The patience of the saints, in the context, refers to those who did not get the mark of the beast, or worship his image, Revelation 20:4. They face total financial ruin and even death. Many will be sold into slavery and killed, Revelation 13:10. All who are saved during the tribulation period do not have a position in the Lord Jesus. Therefore, in order to make this apply to saints in our dispensation, this passage has to be ripped from its context and set aside as though it is a comment from John about what he is writing, implying that those who do not have to face this troubled time will be happy. However, John is instructed to write this. He is not giving a response to the information he just received. In addition, nowhere in the letters to the Church does Paul, or another Apostle, write that death today brings happiness. Peter writes of persecution for refusing to be involved with the way of the Gentiles. This should not discourage a saint; instead, they should be happy because the Spirit of glory rests upon them, 1 Peter 4:14. James writes about happiness regarding enduring a temptation and not being a forgetful hearer, James 1:12, 25. Paul writes of our happy hope, the appearance of our great God, even Savior, Jesus Christ, Titus 2:13. He also addresses the issue of having a good conscience. One who does not violate his conscience is happy, Romans 14:22. Since those of the Church are not part of the Tribulation Period, we cannot impose their presence upon the text to indicate John is writing to the Church concerning happiness and death.
The term “Lord” is not restricted to a title for God or Jesus. Within the Greek language, it is used for one who is a master, within a position of authority, and a polite response. The woman at the well does not refer to Jesus as Lord, meaning God, when He asks her for water. Instead, her response is of respect, knowing that He is a Jew, John 4:11. It is always the context that determines how the word “lord” is used. In Revelation 14:13, the noun lord is not specific as to who is the master. Nor does the context in Revelation 14 indicate lord is a title. Therefore, it implies someone with the character or quality of a master. Following the original language and context, the verse is properly translated with a lowercase “lord” since it does not refer to Jesus. And I heard a voice out from the heaven saying, “Write, ‘Happy are the dead, the ones by a lord dying from now on.’” “Yes”, says the Spirit, “In order that to rest out from their labor, for their works follow with them.”
Therefore, Revelation 14:13 refers to the Tribulation Period saints who are put to death by a lord, not Christians who have or will die in their position in the Lord. These are those who believe the message of the Kingdom of the Heavens during the Tribulation Period, rejecting the lies of the man of lawlessness and his false prophet.
The Greatest Week in Human History
Why do you seek the living among the dead?
He is not here, but He is risen!
Without Form and Void (תֹ֨הוּ֙ וָבֹ֔הוּ)
The insistence among some Christian teachers that the universe was created in six days raises a few issues when examining Scripture. It is Scripturally accurate that the earth we currently know was made in six days; however, made and created are two different concepts.
In a beginning God created the heavens and the earth, Genesis 1:1. Although in verse one many English translations add a definite article (the) before “Beginning”, implying that it is the first act or start of creation, in the original Hebrew, “Beginning” is not definite. Therefore, Genesis 1:1 is not referring to the beginning of God’s acts of creation. God’s first step in creation was creating the spirit beings, who witnessed the creation of the universe, Job 38:7. In verse Two of Genesis chapter One, the Hebrew verse starts with a conjunction vav (ו). Vav is used to indicate the progression of the story; however, it is not connected to time, only to order. Many events could have happened between the two episodes, but the first event occurs before the second one. Therefore, God created the heavens and the earth, and then something happened that caused the earth to be in a state of ruin. What occurred between the creation of the universe and the earth being found as a wasteland, void of life, in Genesis 1:2 is not discussed in Genesis, for the focus is on the renovation of the earth and the creation of humans, not the creation of the universe. Before we look at what happened between the creation of the universe and the condition of the earth in Genesis chapter One verse Two, let us examine the words “without form” and “void” to ensure we are not imposing an English meaning onto them that does not convey what the Hebrew language is stating.
To-hu (תֹּהוּ) means a wasteland – a place void of life. It does not carry the meaning of “without a clear or definite shape or structure”, in the same way the English concept of formless is used. Instead, “wasteland” or “void of life” properly express the Hebrew concept. To-hu (תֹּהוּ) is used to describe the path of the chiefs and princes of the people who reject God. He makes the chiefs of the people on the earth wander in wastefulness, Job 12:24. He pours contempt on the princes and causes them to wander in squander, Psalm 107:40. In these two verses, to-hu (תֹּהוּ) is incorrectly translated as wilderness, which is mid-bar (מִדְבָּר) in Hebrew. Those who are wicked and lay a snare for man, turning aside the just by wasteful (to-hu) words will be cut off, Isaiah 29:21. To-hu conveys the meaning of a wasteland, not a place that has no form such as a primordial ooze, which was pushed upon Scripture by the theory of evolution.
Bo-hu (בֹּהוּ) expresses emptiness. Bo-hu is used to describe Edom after the wrath of God comes upon it. It will be a place of emptiness, void of life. The pelican and porcupine will possess it, with the owl and the raven; however, a line of confusion will be stretched out over it, and its nobles and princes will be nothing, Isaiah 34:11-12. This describes a place that has no intelligent life. In Genesis chapter one verse two, bo-hu carries the same meaning. The earth is found in a state of having no intelligent life upon it.
The Hebrew phrase, to-hu vav bo-hu (תֹ֖הוּ וָבֹ֑הוּ) is also used in Jeremiah 4:23, describing the desolation of the earth at the anger of God. This shows us that in Genesis, without form and void (to-hu vav bo-hu) does not describe an earth that is in a state of being formless before its formation; instead, it is a wasteland that is empty. The land being a wasteland and empty because of God’s judgment is the same condition of the earth in Genesis chapter One verse Two, which was a direct result of Lucifer’s sin. Just as in Jeremiah chapter four, the earth has been caused to become in this state by judgment; it was not originally in this condition. God did not create the earth in a chaotic state; instead, it was formed to be inhabited, Isaiah 45:18. However, it was not initially inhabited by humans or biological life. Earth, or Eden, was Lucifer’s throne before his fall, Ezekiel 28:13. The earth is found a wasteland and empty in Genesis chapter one verse two because Lucifer attempted to set his throne in the third heaven with God, causing the earth to be flooded and no light to shine upon the deep.
When it comes to understanding Scripture, the original words are essential to comprehend what is conveyed by the Holy Spirit through the writings of the authors of Scripture, for they express the truth revealed, not the derived meaning of words by translations. We should be very cautious not to impose the meaning of an English word onto Scripture. “Without form and void” originally carried the meaning of a wasteland that was empty; however, through the generations, these English words have changed their meaning, and teachers have used this difference to force an interpretation upon Scripture to justify an incorrect belief that Genesis Chapter One is the creation of the universe. This requires redefining the meaning of words and ignoring other passages of Scripture that clearly show the earth was inhabited before humans were created. Genesis chapter one is the story of the renovation of the earth for the creation of biological life and humans. It is not the story of the creation of the universe.
Antichrist (ἀντίχριστος)
The Apostle John writes of the antichrist (ἀντίχριστος) in his first and second letters to the Church. Antichrist is a word created by combining a preposition (ἀντί) expressing opposition and Christ (Χριστός); therefore, it defines one who is against Christ.
We are first introduced to the concept of the antichrist in 1 John 2:18, where John writes about how we know it is the last hour. My little children, it is the last hour, and just as you heard that an antichrist is coming, now also many antichrists have come, by which we experientially know it is the last hour. The antichrist is the liar who denies that Jesus is the Messiah, 1 John 2:22. Who is the liar, except the one denying that Jesus is the Messiah? This one is the antichrist, the one denying the Father and the Son. Although these antichrists may claim to be from the Father, the ones that oppose Christ also reject the Father, 1 John 2:23. Everyone who denies the Son does not have the Father, the one verbally agreeing, has the Son and the Father. Every spirit that does not verbally agree that Jesus has come in the flesh is the antichrist, 1 John 4:3. and every spirit which does not confess (verbally agree) the Jesus is not out from God, and this is the [spirit] of the antichrist, which you have heard that is coming and now already is in the world. They are the deceivers who have gone out into the world, some even out from the assemblies, from the beginning of the Church, denying that Jesus has come in the flesh, 2 John 7. The antichrist is one who causes others to wander away from the truth. Because many deceivers have gone out into the world, the ones not confessing Jesus Christ has come in flesh. This is the deceiver (wanderer) and antichrist. In these latter times, many depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and the teachings of demons, hypocrites who have seared their conscience in rejection of the truth, 1 Timothy 4:1-3. Now the Spirit explicitly said that in [the] last times certain ones would depart from the faith giving heed to deceiving spirits and teachings of demons, in hypocrisy speaking lies, having seared their own conscience, forbidding marriage, to refrain from foods which the God has created for partaking after thanksgiving to the ones believing and fully experientially knowing the truth. Therefore, the antichrist describes anyone who speaks in opposition to Christ, denying Who He is.
When John speaks of the antichrist that we have heard is coming in 1 John 2:18, he is not referring to the man of lawlessness, also known as the first beast of Revelation who has seven heads and ten crowns. Let no one deceive you according to any means, because except the leaving comes first and [then] the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 2 Thessalonians 2:3. And I was standing upon the sand of the sea and behold out from the sea a rising beast having ten horns and seven heads and upon his horns ten diadems and upon his heads blasphemous names (names that are falsely attributing something to him), Revelation 13:1. 1 John was written in 90 A.D. from Ephesus, and Revelation was written in 96 A.D. from the island of Patmos. Therefore, if John were referring to the antichrist in the book of Revelation when writing about the beast, he would have used this term to tie him back to his first and second letters to the Church. However, the antichrist is not used outside John’s first two letters, and within the letters, John specifically describes who the antichrist is. When it comes to the man of lawlessness, using the term antichrist as a synonym does the saints a disservice. We, of the Church, will never know who the man of lawlessness is and should be thankful, for he will be malignantly evil incarnate. The snatching of the Church by Christ will happen before the man of lawlessness is revealed and the wrath of God is poured out upon the earth, 2 Thessalonians 2:3. This one will set himself up in the Jewish temple in Jerusalem, declaring himself to be a god, 2 Thessalonians 2:4. The one opposing and exalting over every thing called god or worshipped, so that he sits in the holy of holies of the God displaying himself that he is a god.
The antichrist is among us now. In fact, there are many antichrists who walk among us denying the death for sins and resurrection of Christ three days later, opposing His physical resurrection, contesting that He is the Jewish Messiah, disagreeing that He is God in the flesh. Therefore, the Church would do well to heed the advice of the Apostle John to let the truth abide in us while rejecting the heresy these false teachers try to sneak in, 1 John 2:24. Let that which you have heard from a beginning abide in you, If that which you heard from a beginning abides in you, also the Son and the Father abide in you.