The Sword or the Spirit, the Word of God- Part 2

Bill Woody

The Armor of God • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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Text: Text: Ephesians 6:10–17

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with Truth,

and having on the breastplate of Righteousness;

15 And your feet shod with The preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 Above all, taking The shield of faith,

wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take

The helmet of salvation,

And

The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication

in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Introduction:

The Sword of the Spirit

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:17b)

* The sword to which Paul refers here is the machaira, which varied in length from six to eighteen inches.

* This was the common sword carried by Roman foot soldiers and was the principal weapon in hand–to–hand combat.

* The apostle Paul explicitly states that the sword of the Spirit is Scripture, the word of God.

* The Bible teaches many truths about itself. First, and most importantly, it claims God as its author.

* Paul declared (2 Tim. 3:16) “All Scripture is inspired by God,”

* (2 Pet. 1:20–21) says “Know this first of all,” Peter said, “that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God”

* The Bible also claims that it is inerrant and infallible, containing no errors or mistakes.

* The Word of God the Bible is flawless, faultless, and without blemish.

* Reason with me- If the Bible God’s own Word, then how could it even be possible that it might be flawed?

* In (Ps. 19:7–8) David tells us that “the law of the Lord is perfect … the testimony of the Lord is sure … the precepts of the Lord are right … the commandment of the Lord is pure”.

* There are some things that the Bible claims about itself:

* The Bible claims that it is complete.

* Echoing the words of Proverbs I just quoted, as well as those of Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32, John said at the close of the last book of the Bible,

“I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book” (Rev. 22:18–19).

* The Bible claims to be authoritative. Isaiah declared, “Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth; for the Lord speaks” (Isa. 1:2).

* The Bible claims to be sufficient for all our needs.

* “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16–17).

* The Bible claims to be effective and powerful.

* When the truths of the Bible are proclaimed and applied, things happen.

* In (Isa. 55:11) God says “So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it”

* The Bible also claims to be determinative or deciding in nature.

* What a person does with God’s Word declares his relationship to God- “He who is of God,” Jesus said, “hears the words of God” (John 8:47).

John 8:31–32 (KJV 1900)

31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 15:14 (KJV 1900)

14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

John 14:21 (KJV 1900)

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

* Those who listen to God’s Word and heed it give evidence that they belong to God, and those who deny and contradict His Word give evidence that they do not belong to Him.

John 5:38 (KJV 1900)

38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

* If all of the claims that the Bible makes about its self are true:

- The Bible it is complete.

- The Bible is sufficient for all our needs.

- The Bible is effective and powerful.

- The Bible is determinative, or deciding, in nature.

* Then we need to read the Bible! We need to study the Bible! We need to obey the Bible!

* We need to understand this morning why the Bible is so important to us!

I. The importance of the Word of God in spiritual warfare.

II. The importance of the Word of God to those held by the power of addictions.

IV. The importance of the Word of God to make simple, (stupid) people wise.

V. The importance of the Word of God to the person who has never been saved.

V. The importance of the Word of God in the Church.

I. The importance of the Word of God in spiritual warfare.

* The Bible, the word of God, is the source of victory over our great spiritual enemy, our most powerful weapon against Satan.

* The sword of the Spirit is first of all a defensive weapon, capable of deflecting the blows of an opponent.

* The sword of the Spirit of the Word of God is the believer’s supreme weapon of defense against the onslaughts of Satan.

* Unlike the shield, which gives broad and general protection, the sword can deflect an attack only if it is handled precisely and skillfully.

* It must block the enemy weapon exactly where the thrust is made.

* When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, His defense for each temptation was a passage of Scripture that precisely contradicted the devil’s word (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10).

* The Christian who does not know God’s Word well cannot use it well.

* Satan will invariably find out where we are ignorant or confused and attack us there.

* Scripture is not a broadsword (rhomphaia) to be waved indiscriminately, but a dagger to be used with great precision.

* Christians who rely simply on their experience of salvation and their feelings to get them through this life of spiritual warfare are vulnerable to every sort of spiritual danger.

* They get into countless compromising situations and they fall prey to the Devil’s countless false ideas and practices, simply because they are ignorant of the specific teachings of Scripture.

* I want you to realize now, that when Jesus quoted the Bible to the Devil, the Devil quoted the Bible right back to Jesus.

* The Devil did the same thing in the Garden of Eden with eve- don’t be deceived, not everyone that comes to you quoting the Bible is using the Bible correctly.

* Just because someone’s Facebook page is filled with “spiritual sounding” sayings and Scripture verses, doesn’t mean that person knows and understands the truths of the Word of God.

* You can prove any false teaching you want to by taking some Bible verse out of context and misquoting it.

* That’s why every Christian should know and understand the entire Bible.

* Jesus, speaking of the Word of God, the Bible, told the Devil that the Word of God was more important to a man than food.

Matthew 4:2–4 (KJV 1900)

2 And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. 3 And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. 4 But he answered and said

It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

* The term Paul uses for the Word of God in out text is not logos, which refers to general statements or messages, but is rhēma, which refers to individual words or particular statements of the Word of God.

* The apostle is not talking here about general knowledge of Scripture, but is emphasizing again the precision that comes by knowledge and understanding of specific truths.

* Like Jesus did in the wilderness, we need to use specific scriptural truths to counter specific satanic falsehoods.

* That is why Paul counseled Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

* It is not from just any part of Scripture that men come to faith, but from those parts that declare the gospel.

* Saving faith does not come from believing just any truth of Scripture, but from believing that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world and trusting in His death to cleanse our own sins.

* You can agree with God that He created the entire universe in 6 days, but still doe in your sins and go to hell.

* You can believe that Jesus was the Son of God, and still go to Hell.

James 2:18–19 (KJV 1900)

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

* The Christian who misquotes and is confused about scriptural truths will not be a successful witness.

* The effective teacher, preacher, and witness must “be ready in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2).

* The more we know and understand Scripture, the more we will be able to march through Satan’s strongholds and lead people from the Devil’s kingdom to the Kingdom of God.

* No believer has excuse for not knowing and understanding God’s Word!

* Every believer has God’s own Holy Spirit within Him as his own divine teacher of God’s divine Word.

* Our only task is to submit to His instruction by studying the Word with sincerity and commitment.

* When we all stand before God on Judgment day, we cannot plead ignorance or inability, - we have to confess before God that we did not know this Bible because we were not interested.

* On judgment day you will have to stand before God and explain why we neglected His Word.

* Jesus said that “every word of the Bible” is important.

* Why is the Bible so important that we should live by ever single word?

* The Bible is important because it is a Holy God’s revelation of Himself to all of mankind.

* You need to know and understand both the Old and the New Testaments.

* You need to know and understand every single one of the 66 books of the Bible and why they are in the Bible.

* If God does not expect this of you then why else did God give us the Bible the eternal, Word of God?

II. The importance of the Word of God to those held by the power of addictions.

* There is more power in one copy of the Bible than in all the nuclear weapons of the earth combined! In every copy of the Bible, the Word of God is the power to change a man.

* Between the covers of this book is the power to raise a sinner, who is spiritually dead in trespasses and sins from the dead! And cause him to live forever in Heaven!

John 1:10–14 (KJV 1900)

. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,

* When the sinner comes to the Bible with a believing heart, he changes his mind about some things. His mind is transformed by the Word of God.

Romans 12:1–2 (KJV 1900)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,

- Before we obeyed the Word of God we used to love the pleasures of sin, now we hate even the appearance of sin!

- Before we obeyed the World of God we used to hate church, but now we love to go to the house of God!

- Before we obeyed the World of God we loved to run with the wrong crowd, but we love the brethren!

Ephesians 2:1–3 (KJV 1900)

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;

and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

* The is the way we used to be before the Word of God entered our hearts, but now, we have be washed from these things by the Word of God.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (KJV 1900)

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

Ephesians 5:25–27 (KJV 1900)

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

* I have been preaching to you for close to 10 weeks not on the subject of spiritual warfare.

* We have looked together at several scriptures that show that the battle ground where spiritual warfare takes place is in the mind.

* Each time we lose a battle to the Devil he lays claim on a piece of our mind and it becomes his territory.

* The Bible refers to these areas as spiritual strongholds. We must battle these strongholds with the World of God in order to win them back.

* Listen to the wording II Corinthians 10 3-5:

2 Corinthians 10:3–5 (KJV 1900)

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing

that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God,

and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

* Just as Jesus delivered the man who was filled with demons and out of control, the Word of God has the power to transform you this morning.

Luke 8:26–35 (KJV 1900)

26 And they arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against Galilee. 27 And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. 29 (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.

* This man’s mind was controlled by the Devil:

For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the wilderness.)

30 And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. 31 And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep. 32 And there was there an herd of many swine feeding on the mountain: and they besought him that he would suffer them to enter into them. And he suffered them. 33 Then went the devils out of the man, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the lake, and were choked. 34 When they that fed them saw what was done, they fled, and went and told it in the city and in the country.

* This man was now no longer controlled by the Devil, but he was sitting at the feet of Jesus, in his right mind, listening and obeying the World of God.

35 Then they went out to see what was done; and came to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

* In our fleshly, or carnal, reality we do not see the spiritual strongholds, but we see the symptoms. These symptoms manifest themselves in the body by what we call addictions.

* When the people came and found this man he had been transformed! He was changed! He was a new man!

* This man had been transformed by the renewing of his mind!

He was a new creation- and you can be too!

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV 1900)

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

* The Word of God has the power to destroy the spiritual strongholds that exist in the mind that cause our addictions.

* Are you being controlled by an addiction to alcohol this morning? The Word of God has the power to free you from the desire for alcohol!

* Are you being controlled by an addiction to meth this morning? The Word of God has the power to deliver you from meth!

* Are you addicted to pornography this morning? The World of God has the power to deliver you from an addiction to pornography!

* The Word of God hast the power to deliver you from any addiction this morning!

* Are you a habitual liar? Are you controlled by a desire to steal? Are you controlled by anger, discouragement, a critical spirit of others?

* Do you have a problem with more highly of yourself that you should? This can be an addiction too.

Romans 12:3 (KJV 1900)

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

* Many people are addicted to attention. They always need to have people looking at them.

* Do you know someone who, in their own eyes, their opinion is better than anyone else’s?

* Do you know someone who always has to have the last word? There is a cure for that in the Word of God as well.

Proverbs 26:12 (KJV 1900)

12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.

* The Word of God has the power to cure you from all these personality disorders and more this morning:

James 1:19–25 (KJV 1900)

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

IV. The importance of the Word of God to make simple, (stupid) people wise.

* This Bible, the Word of God, has the power within in its pages to make foolish people, stupid people, ignorant people, wise.

Psalm 19:–7 (KJV 1900)

7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.

Proverbs 1:–7 (KJV 1900)

7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: But fools despise wisdom and instruction.

* All those who refuse to listen to and obey the truths found in the Bible will suffer the consequences of their own foolish choices in life:

Proverbs 1:24–33 (KJV 1900)

24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, And would none of my reproof:

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, And your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; When distress and anguish cometh upon you.

28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; They shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated knowledge, And did not choose the fear of the Lord: 30 They would none of my counsel: They despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, And be filled with their own devices.

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, And the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, And shall be quiet from fear of evil.

* All those who take heed to the Word of God, and listen to the wisdom found in this Bible, will prosper by its wisdom, and be blessed by God:

Proverbs 1:31–2:8 (KJV 1900)

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, And the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, And shall be quiet from fear of evil.

2 My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And hide my commandments with thee; 2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thine heart to understanding; 3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding; 4 If thou seekest her as silver, And searchest for her as for hid treasures; 5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: Out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

7 He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: He is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. 8 He keepeth the paths of judgment, And preserveth the way of his saints.

Psalm 1:1–6 (KJV 1900)

1 Blessed is the man That walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. 4 The ungodly are not so: But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. 5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

Psalm 37:29–31 (KJV 1900)

29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell therein for ever. 30 The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, And his tongue talketh of judgment.

31 The law of his God is in his heart; None of his steps shall slide.

* Parents, if you want your children to be blessed and to prosper, make every opportunity to teach your children the wisdom that is contained in this Bible.

* If your children do not see you treat the Bible with respect, and see you model the wisdom from God’s Word, then don’t be surprised when they make stupid and foolish choices that ruin their lives.

* Parents, if you do not teach your children to seek the Wisdom of God found in this Bible, and model its wisdom with your own life, then you will condemn your own children to a life filled with all kinds of trouble and anguish, (Drama) because of bad choices.

Galatians 6:7–8 (KJV 1900)

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

V. The Importance of the Word of God to the person who has never been saved.

Luke 16:27–31 (KJV 1900)

27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.

* I want you to see how important the Word of God is this morning. Abraham looked from the bosom of Paradise down into the pit of Hell and told this man, who was burning with torments, that the Bible, Moses and the Prophets, the Bible, is the only way to Heaven!

* The Bible, the Word of God is the only way to heaven!

- The Koran is not the way to heaven.

- The book of Mormon is not the way to heaven.

- The writings and dictates of the Catholic Church is not the way to heaven!

- The demon inspired writings of the false prophets Oprah Winfrey and Eckhart Tolle, and the New Age movement, that masquerades as spirituality, teaching the devil’s doctrines of re-incarnation, and the enlightened consciousness is not the way to Heaven!

* The only way to heaven is the Bible, God’s Holy, Perfect infallible, without error, inspired by the Holy Spirit, BIBLE, The Word of God.

* I stand here before you today, honoring, proclaiming, preaching, teaching, and defending from all the enemies of God- the Bible!

* God’s powerful, Holy Word that contains the only way to Heaven!

V. The importance of the Word of God in the Church.

* I want you to see how important the Word of God was to the early church.

Acts 6:1–4 (KJV 1900)

And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said,

It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

* The Apostles said that the ministry of the Word was too important to stop and server tables. The Apostles declared that they were not going to allow anything to come between them and the Word of God.

Conclusion:

* You have seen the exalted place that the Word of God has in Heaven.

* You have seen the exalted place the World of God has in the life and personality of the believer.

* You have seen the exalted placed the Word of God has in the church.

* In the same manner, God intends for the Word of God to have the highest and most exalted place in the hearts and minds of every believer.

* You have seen that God will hold you accountable for what you do the Bible this morning,

* A sermon that does not change you is not worth listening to this morning. It’s a waste of time.

* A sermon that does not cause you to be different that you were before you head it is an utter failure.

* I you now as your pastor and by the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, to come forward with me and make the decision that you will now give the World of God the most exalted place in your mind.

-That you will give the World of God the most exalted place in your family’s schedule.

And that you will give the Word of God the most exalted place in your church this morning.

Appended for a longer Bible Study of the Word of God:

II. The importance of the relationship of the Word of God to the Holy Spirit.

* The two olive trees, Moses and Elijah, Moses represents the Word of God through the Law, and Elijah, who represents the Word of God through the Prophets.

* These two olive trees, represent the Law and the Prophets, the Old Testament of the Bible, constantly pour out the Spirit of God that flows to the sons and daughters of men.

Zechariah 4:1–6 (KJV 1900)

And the angel that talked with me came again, and waked me, as a man that is wakened out of his sleep, 2 And said unto me, What seest thou? And I said, I have looked, and

behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top of it, and his seven lamps thereon, and seven pipes to the seven lamps, which are upon the top thereof: 3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof. 4 So I answered and spake to the angel that talked with me, saying, What are these, my lord?

5 Then the angel that talked with me answered and said unto me, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying,

Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit… Saith the Lord of hosts.

Zechariah 4:11–5:2 (KJV 1900)

11 Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof? 12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves? 13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord. 14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

5 Then I turned, and lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a flying roll. 2 And he said unto me, What seest thou? And I answered, I see a flying roll; …

* Those two lamps that stand before the throne of God represent the Word of God through the law and the prophets, by which the golden oil of the Holy Spirit is poured out to the sons of men on the earth.

* Listen to the Word of the Prophet Joel concerning the outpouring of the oil of the Holy Spirit by the Word of God in the last days:

Joel 2:28–31 (KJV 1900)

28 And it shall come to pass afterward,

That I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions:

29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids In those days will I pour out my spirit.

30 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, Blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, Before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come.

Acts 2:14–21 (KJV 1900)

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.

16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:

19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come:

21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

* The book of Revelation also opens with Jesus standing in the midst of seven lamps, seven candle sticks, that represent the Holy Spirit working through the church of Jesus Christ as His witnesses proclaiming the Word of God in the last days.

* Then once again we see God’s two witnesses representing the Law and the Prophets during the Last half of the great tribulation Just before Jesus Judges the world.

Revelation 11:4–6 (KJV 1900)

4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy:

* Elijah…

and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

* Moses.

* Now notice the function of the Holy Spirit concerning the Word of God in the Bible:

A. The Spirit of God opens the eyes of those who have been blinded by the lies of the Devil.

2 Corinthians 4:3–6 (KJV 1900)

3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

John 14:25–26 (KJV 1900)

25 These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

1 Corinthians 2:9–14 (KJV 1900)

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth,

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

B. The spirit of God breathes life into men and women who respond to the Word of God.

John 3:4–8 (KJV 1900)

4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit,

* Notice the connection of the Word of God and the Spirit of God here.

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

John 5:24–25 (KJV 1900)

24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.

Ephesians 2 (KJV 1900)

2 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ,

(by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus

I. The Progression of the Word of God.

* The Word of God first came to the world through the Jewish nation by Moses and the Law.

* The Jews were given the responsibility to share God’s Word with all the nations of the earth by the temple, the Old Testament was given to the Jews as the first witness of God’s Word.

Romans 3:1–2 (KJV 1900)

What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly,

because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.

* Instead being the witness of God’s Word, the Jews rebelled against the Word of God themselves.

* As a result of the Jews rebellion against the Word of God, God sent his Word once again by the Prophets of the Old Testament.

* The old Testament prophets warned the Jews that God would turn from them and give His Word to the gentile nations.

* The two olive trees, Moses and Elijah, Moses represents the Word of God through the Law, and Elijah, who represents the Word of God through the Prophets. These two constantly pour out the Spirit of God that flows to the sons and daughters of men.

* The Jews refused to hear the Word of God by prophets.

Matthew 23:29–39 (KJV 1900)

29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. 31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. 32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. 33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

34 Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. 36 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation.

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! 38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. 39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

* In the book of Deuteronomy, we find the first mention of a principle that we see continued throughout the Bible. That every should be established by two or three witnesses.

Deuteronomy 19:15 (KJV 1900)

15 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

* In the Bible we have record of the three witnesses of the Word of God.

- The Law revealed to us the Holiness of God,

* Moses, the lawgiver, through the Law and Commandments revealed to us that God was a Holy God that could not be approached without a sacrifice for sin.

- The Prophets revealed the need for repentance over our sin,

* The last and greatest prophet, John the Baptist, came and preached repentance.

Matthew 3:1–6 (KJV 1900)

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

- Jesus, the living Word of God revealed God’s mercy to us.

John 8:3–11 (KJV 1900)

3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

6 This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord.

And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

* When the Jews refused to hear the Word of God by the Moses and the Law, then refused to hear the Word of God by the Prophets, then God sent a third witness of the Word of God, the Living Word of God, Jesus.

* John the Apostle introduced Jesus with these words found in the Gospel of John chapter 1.

John 1:1–5 (KJV 1900)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

* And Jesus himself testified of the three witnesses of God’s Word to mankind in Luke 16:15 when He said:

Luke 16:15–17 (KJV 1900)

16 The law and the prophets were until John:

since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.

* When Jesus walked and spoke with the men on the road to emaus, He of word of the three witnesses of the Word of God- the Law, the Prophets, and of Himself, the Living Word of God.

Luke 24:27 (KJV 1900)

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

* Then Jesus, the Living Word of God, Moses who represented the Law of God, and Elijah, who represented the Word of God through the prophets, are all three, The three witness of the Word of God, that represent the Old and the New Testaments, are seen together on the mount of Transfiguration:

Mark 9:2–8 (KJV 1900)

2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. 3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.

4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.

5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. 7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

* I personally believe that we see all three witnesses of the World of God again at the resurrection of Jesus when two men appeared to the apostles and disciples of Jesus.

Luke 24:1–6 (KJV 1900)

Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

* Then once again, Jesus, the Living witness of the Word of God appears in the beginning of the book of Revelation, the letters to the seven churches and identifies himself as the “faithful witness” of the Word of God:

Revelation 1:4–8 (KJV 1900)

4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;

5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead,

* Jesus will then use the Word of God, represented by the terrible two edged sword that proceeds from his mouth, to carry out the final judgment upon the unsaved:

Revelation 1:16–17 (KJV 1900)

16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Revelation 2:15–16 (KJV 1900)

15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

Revelation 19:11–16 (KJV 1900)

11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True,

and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood:

and his name is called The Word of God.

14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations:

and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 19:17–21 (KJV 1900)

19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

21 And the remnant were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of his mouth:

and all the fowls were filled with their flesh.

* Finally, God’s two witnesses in the book of Revelation will be Moses and Elijah, the representatives of the Word of God found in the Old Testament of the Bible, Moses and the Prophets.

* They will warn of Jesus the Living Word of God, who represents the New Testament of the Bible, who will smite the enemies of God with the word of His mouth- a two edged sword.

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