Righteous Invasion of Truth

Dr. Abel Damina: Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, praise the Lord. Abel Damina is my name. I want to welcome you to this broadcast, a time of learning, a time of unlearning, and a time of relearning. The essence of this broadcast is to bring to you the revelation of Jesus Christ. The mandate of God on our ministry is the revelation of Jesus, reintroducing Jesus to this generation, equipping the believer to know who you are in Christ, what you have in Christ, and what Christ can do through you.

So, get ready, fasten your seatbelts today. We're going to adventure in the Scriptures. The Scriptures tell us in John 5:39, Jesus, speaking to the Jews, said, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, but they are they which testify of me." The Bible is Christocentric. It's a message centered on the person of Jesus Christ.

So, get ready today as we traverse through the pages of the Scriptures, unveiling Christ so we can reveal your true identity in Christ. Because once you know who you are in Christ, then you will know what you have in Christ, and then you can be able to know what Christ can do through you. It gives you a life of fulfillment, a life that is purpose-driven so you can make the impact you were designed to make in this life through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Call a friend, call a loved one, tell somebody to tell somebody to hook up right now as I take you into that service where the Spirit of our God is already moving. Happy listening.

We've been examining the church of God in service. The church of God in service, and that is walking in the glory of God in the local church. Walking in the glory of God in the local church. Now, when we say I'm going for a church service or I had a church service, we're trying to establish what it really and truly, biblically means to come to church service or to have had a church service.

I know we have a challenge in our season and in our times with what obtains today and what is in God's word that should never change. What obtains in our society, vocabulary, language, culture, a lot has changed from what it was supposed to be when Scripture was communicated back in the days. One of the concepts is a church. Can the church really accept to change its meaning? That's what we're looking at. Matthew, the 28th chapter, the 18th to the 20th verse.

Guest (Female): And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth."

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Dr. Abel Damina: Verse 19, "Go and teach all nations." The word *matheteuo*, it means to bring up people by knowledge. That's the word to make disciples, to bring up people by knowledge, *matheteuo*, to make disciples.

We also looked at Matthew chapter 11, verse 28, which people have actually abused that verse of Scripture using it for deliverance. I've told you before the Bible was not written in chapters and verses. The Bible was never written in chapters and verses. Chapters, verses, punctuations are our own today's innovation.

The original Bible, which is actually the mind of the author and the intent that was communicated, was written in a style called *scriptura continua*. *Scriptura continua*, if you want to write it down, is S-C-R-I-P-T-U-R-A C-O-N-T-I-N-U-A, *scriptura continua*. And what this simply means is they kept writing, no spaces, no punctuations. That's the meaning of *scriptura continua*. They kept writing, no spaces, no punctuation.

So, it shows we must keep reading so that you never quote out of context. Again, like I've told you in church, when you want to read the Bible, if you're reading the book of Ephesians, for example, to really understand what the whole book is talking about, you've got to read the whole book. Because when Paul was writing that letter to the Ephesian church, there were no chapters. He intended for them to read everything from the beginning to the end to be able to get the full message of what he wrote.

For example, if I wrote a letter to you today and it enters three pages, and the letter arrives, will you read one page and wait for another year before you read the next page? You will read everything at once. Each letter was written as a complete context. Each letter. Philippians is a complete letter. It's one letter. It's not letters. All those chapters are innovations by translators. They are not in the original.

So, that's why if you really want to read the Bible well, if you take Ephesians chapter one, read two, three, four, five, six. Read everything together. Otherwise, then you are not serious. You've got to read everything together because the Bible is meant to be read together. It shows that that's the way you don't quote out of context. So, again, the book of Matthew, chapter 11, verse 25 and 26. Matthew 11:25 and 26.

Guest (Female): At that time Jesus answered and said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."

Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Dr. Abel Damina: Take my yoke upon you and learn of me concerning the Father. Learn of me concerning the Father, and you shall find rest unto your souls. So, he's dealing with knowledge here between a student and the teacher. So, he was talking about the rest that comes from learning.

He said, "Take my yoke upon you and learn of me. My yoke is easy, my burden is light." That's the concept of discipleship. That's the concept of discipleship: knowledge by precept and example. Remember, we have said the Bible of Jesus did not have Matthew to John. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The Bible of Jesus never had the book of Acts. The Bible that Jesus used did not have the book of Romans, 1 or 2 Corinthians, Galatians, or Ephesians.

So, it shows you that the letters Paul wrote were because he was absent. He wrote to the churches, not knowing that those letters were going to become Scripture today. They were letters Paul wrote to the churches where he pastored just to remind them of the things he had taught them, not knowing that today those same letters will become Scripture. He taught them from Genesis to Malachi. For example, look at the way he spoke to the church in Rome. Romans chapter 1, verse 1 and 2.

Guest (Female): Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.

Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures.

Dr. Abel Damina: Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scripture. Making reference, taking them back again to the promise of God through the prophets in Genesis to Malachi. That is how he opened the letter that he was writing to the church in Rome. Then it's in that same context he said, "I'm not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; it is the power of God unto salvation." The gospel again will be from the Old Testament where he is still writing to them from. And then as he concludes the book of Romans, as he completes that letter to the church in Romans 16:25. Look at how he completes that letter.

Guest (Female): Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.

But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith.

Dr. Abel Damina: According to the revelation of the mystery, according to the unveiling of Genesis to Malachi, which was kept secret since the world began, but now is made manifest to his saints and by the scriptures of the prophet. He started by taking them back to the Scriptures, he concludes the letter by taking them back to the Scriptures, which means the whole letter is predicated on the teachings of the Old Testament. Which means that he was teaching them from Genesis to Malachi.

And the best way to interpret what someone is teaching is to read what he is reading from. So, we said the context of the New Testament books is the Old Testament. The context of the New Testament books is the Old Testament. And context is everything. Context is everything. And anything you say out of context is in pretext. Anything you say out of context is in pretext. You have not told us the truth.

Because the context of the New Testament letters is the Old Testament books. Why? Because that is where they taught from. All of them taught from the Old Testament. There are people who claim that the Old Testament is no more important because we are New Testament Christians. Well, again, that is because they don't know what is the Old Testament and what is the New Testament. And they don't even know what are Old Testament books and New Testament books. And they don't even know what is the Scriptures. Because if they knew what the Scriptures were, they would not even make such assertions or they would not even think about such conclusions.

But there's nobody in the first century or second century of the church or during the time of Jesus, there's nobody that will call Genesis to Malachi then Old Testament. It was called the Scriptures. It was called the Scriptures. That's all they had: the Scriptures. That's all Jesus had: "You search the Scriptures." He didn't say you search the Old Testament. He said, "You search the Scriptures." That's all they had. That's all that was available to them. It was called the Scriptures, or it was called the word of God. And we must learn to treat it that way.

Now we've established that the word church is an Old Testament explanation, and we must learn to read the Old Testament and the New Testament together. Mark chapter 16, verse 15.

Guest (Female): And he said unto them, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature."

Dr. Abel Damina: Go into all the world and preach the gospel. Today, when we say gospel, we mean good news. And it's good news, no doubt. But it's not always good because gospel is from an Old Testament Hebrew word *basar*. *Basar*. Read for me Isaiah 52:7.

Guest (Female): How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, "Thy God reigneth!"

Dr. Abel Damina: The New Testament apostles got the word gospel from Isaiah and from the Old Testament books. He says, "How beautiful are the feet of those who publish good tidings." Used deliberately in 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, and the book of Kings, then the book of Chronicles. 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, the book of Kings, the book of Chronicles, then the Psalms. And of course, it's used in the prophets, the word *basar*. And then of course Nahum chapter 1, verse 5.

Now the word *basar* in the Hebrew means the news of a kingdom. The news of a kingdom. That includes the exploits of the army. The news of a kingdom, it also includes the exploits of an army. The reign of the king is part of the good news. Then it includes the defeat of the enemy. And sometimes it includes how they cut off the neck of a soldier in that battle. *Basar*. That word *basar* sometimes means to tell the news of the death of soldiers.

So, in the gospel, we have the defeat and the victory. So, it's the news of a king and his kingdom. That's why when Luke tells us 40 days of Jesus' teaching, look at the way Luke concluded all that Jesus taught in 40 days. Acts of the Apostles chapter 1, verse 3.

Guest (Female): To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Dr. Abel Damina: And speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. All right. So, look at that kingdom. Mark 16:16. That kingdom.

Guest (Female): He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Dr. Abel Damina: He that believeth not shall be damned means condemned. Now look at verse 17 to 20 of Mark chapter 16.

Guest (Female): And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues.

They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following.

Dr. Abel Damina: So, it's the news of a kingdom and the reign of the king. So, in Luke 24:25-27, Jesus met those disciples on the way to Emmaus, and he said to them, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded." The word expounded there, "unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself."

Now the word expounded is the word *diemeneuo*. *Diemeneuo*. You are to use that word now. It means to give meaning to something. *Diemeneuo*, to give meaning to something. It also means to interpret, which includes in interpretation the grammar, the language, and the context. When you are interpreting Scripture, it will include the grammar, the language, and the context.

Like we said earlier, that when I am giving an oral submission, just like the preaching of the word, the words that I use to preach can sometimes be too much. That is why when you write a book, your book is edited because they will take your spoken English and turn it into written English. They are not the same. And sometimes, when they take your spoken English and turn it into written English, written English is fewer than spoken English. Because in spoken English, there are a lot of words you are using to describe just a little item, which in written language, you may not need much of those words. All right.

So, now the apostles, that's how they did. The letters that they wrote, Brother Paul, for example, would go to Ephesus and preach for three years, every day, every day, every day, three years of preaching. In fact, one of the meetings in Acts chapter 20, he taught from evening until the following morning. But if you look at the letters to the church, by the time you read for three hours, you will have covered a lot of his letters. You will have covered a lot of it.

So, the writing, when something is put into writing, it uses a lot of codes and shorthand. When something is put into writing, it uses a lot of codes and shorthand. Mama is an expert in those things. I remember sometimes when I give her my stuff to edit, my goodness, you don't want Mama to edit your stuff. You will end up with nothing. I will write and write and be happy that I have finished the book. Then I'll give Mama. Mama will start reading. You know Mama is my English teacher. She'll go *fia fia*. Then she will use one sentence to summarize an entire page.

And when I read that one sentence, everything I said is inside that sentence. I'll be looking for how to wrong her; I can't find. Then I'll say, "Ah, but at least even if you're putting it like this, you should have allowed these ones to join it." She said, "If I allow it to join it, it would be repetition." Then she will look at this one, *fia fia*. She'll say, "Okay, this word makes up for this whole paragraph." I say, "What is that?" I kid you not. By the time she's finished with your work, you know that you have not finished chapter one. You have to go back and continue writing.

But that's the way it works with written English, because codes are used, shorthand is also employed. Now, it won't narrate because it's being spoken from another book. Now, when you're writing from another book, the people he is teaching have already heard it orally. So, every time he's writing to them a letter, what he's writing to them, he is writing with the mind that you guys were in the detailed teaching. So, I'm giving you a summary just to put you in remembrance.

That's why Paul would say to them, "It is not grievous for me to say the same things to you again. In fact, for you it is needful, and to me it is not grievous." Which means I may not be detailed because you already have the details, but in this letter, I'm just putting you by way of remembrance. So, the letters look like a summary of the things he explained to them before. So, oftentimes, for example, Paul stands before the church in Ephesus, he's teaching. He takes his time from Genesis to Exodus. He pieces Genesis in details. He moves to Exodus and stays in Exodus one month, two months, three months in Exodus. Then he moves to Leviticus for days, weeks, and months.

Then after all of that, he now travels, and he's going to make references to the things he has taught. But you know that it is not likely that what he writes will be exhaustive as what he taught. Which means for us to have a brief between what he taught and what he wrote, we need to go where he taught it from. We need to find out, okay, these things Brother Paul taught the church in Ephesus, what was his textbooks for teaching that? Then we now look at what he taught in Ephesus and go to the material from where he taught to get the details.

I don't know if I'm communicating at all. All right. So, that's what was happening with Brother Paul and the rest of the apostles in their writings. So, the Old Testament books, therefore, help us to explain the New Testament writings. The Old Testament books help us to explain the New Testament writings. So, you have Luke 24: he expounded or he interpreted. And as we said, one of the ways to interpret is the use of the codified language.

Don't forget codified, where you have codes in computer, codified. C-O-D-E-F-I-E-D, codified language. And one of the tools we use in interpreting Scripture is called identification unifiers. So, we have what we call identification unifiers as part of the tools, just like we have codified language. Now, when you look at two different worlds, when we're talking about identification unifiers, two different worlds, one world, another world, then you unite them by similar incidences and characters.

So, those incidences that are similar and characters are called identification unifiers. It's one of the tools in Bible interpretation so that we can understand the theology behind those words. Now, that's for another time. We'll get into that in the future. Now, but let's focus on the codified language, because we're going to use it exhaustively in this particular series. It is such that it is a single phrase or word that carries in it a history, a narrative, an event that happened in a sequence, or otherwise that shortens in a statement or a word.

Again, codified language is such that it is a single phrase or word that carries in it a history, a narrative, an event that happened in a sequence, or otherwise that shortens in a statement or a word. I explain to you, for example, when we say "Son of God." That word "Son of God," son in Bible language does not mean male child. In Bible language, the word son does not mean male child. Because you read son in your today's grammar as male child.

So, when you say, for example, "Behold what manner of love the Father has given unto us, that we should be called the sons of God." Then you hear some people say, "that we should be called the daughters of God," because they don't want daughters to be left out because in their mind son is male child. Now, that's some form of feminism there trying to revolt. But in Bible language, son is not male child. You need to get to the Old Testament to understand what son means.

And that misunderstanding is why they think son is a biological term. So, when you get to the New Testament, some translations like the King James Version corrected it. They said "the only begotten Son." Then you begin to assume he's the only biological Son of God, but that's not what it means. You need the Old Testament to know the meaning of Son of God. So, we use what we call codified language. So, we go back to the world of the background where that word "Son" originally came from in Bible writings.

Then when we go to that world, we see the way that word was used in that world, the narrative behind it, the culture behind it, the history of the formation of that word. Then we are able to understand what was communicated in that world, which means, therefore, that that word "Son of God" is a codified language. A codified language. We go back to the word of their background and reread the explanations there. In Luke chapter 24, verse 44 and 45.

Guest (Female): And he said unto them, "These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me."

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures.

Dr. Abel Damina: That word understand is the word *suneimi*. *Suneimi*. S-U-N-E-I-M-I. *Suneimi* in the Greek, which means to read it together, to reason together. When the facts were put together, *diagignosko* took place. Their mind split open for the first time to understand the singular revelation of the Scriptures. Now, you must not be scared of any position, and you must not have favorite portions in the Bible. We teach everything. You must read it all together.

The truth may not be comfortable, but it doesn't change the fact that it is the truth. Let me repeat: the truth may not be comfortable, but it doesn't change the fact that it is the truth. Teach what the Bible says. First, ensure you understand what it is saying. So, we must reason the Scriptures together. We must reason the Scriptures together. How many of you understand that we've been examining John chapter 20? Right? John chapter 20. We must learn to read the Scriptures together. Don't use today's mindset to explain the Bible. Let me repeat: don't use today's mindset to explain the Bible.

That is why, for example, in a church, the leader of praise and worship is the pastor of the church. The pastor of the church is the leader of praise and worship. He doesn't appoint somebody to just run the show. No, it's the pastor that is in charge of praise, worship, and any form of song in the church. So, that means even if you appoint somebody to coordinate on your behalf, the person will have to be fully in touch and fully committed to what the pastor's mind and teachings are concerning worship in that church.

A worship song is a reflection of our belief system. A worship song is a reflection of our belief system. And the belief system of a church is determined by the teaching of its pastor. So, the pastor is actually the worship leader. The pastor is actually the worship leader. That's why the Psalmist will give songs to the song leader. The pastor is supposed to be responsible for the lyrics of songs that are sung in the assembly. And that's why we need to allow Scripture interpret itself. Then when Scripture interprets itself, we can now bring it to our world.

You don't start with your world. You start with the world in which the Scriptures were written; then the endpoint is when you now bring it to your world. But of course, it starts with the Scriptures. Just like the word church, we need to know what the church is, the word church is. And we need to know the background, because that's what we are working hard to establish in this course of teachings. John 20:21 to 22.

Guest (Female): Then said Jesus to them again, "Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you."

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, "Receive ye the Holy Ghost."

Dr. Abel Damina: Now when you say the word Christ, Christ in Luke 24. When Jesus saw those two folks on the way to Emmaus, you noticed the way he explained to them. He didn't appear like he was talking about himself because they all had an expectation of a Christ. Now, please listen carefully. Christ is not the surname of anybody. Christ is not the name nor the surname of anybody. The word Christ is not a proper name. You don't name a child Christ.

In their Bible world, in their Bible world, Christ is a description of anyone that is anointed. Christ is a description of anyone that is anointed. So, in the Old Testament, those who were anointed were prophets, kings, and priests. In the Old Testament, the people that were anointed were prophets, kings, and priests. They were called anointed or *mashak*. *Mashak*. Or what is called Messiah. Prophets, priests, and kings. So, everyone came and died. All the prophets came. Moses came. Moses was also a Messiah, anointed.

It means God's chosen person. Anointed is not a proper name. It's not like Abel, Chris, Victor. It's not like Salem. No, anointed is not like bearing a name, Anna, Musa, Tabitha, Ikite, Uloma, Ifiok, Abadi. All right. So, names, proper names. Moses is talking about the nation of Israel from Abraham. Let's study now. Psalm 105, verse 9 to 15.

Guest (Female): Saying, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."

Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac.

And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant.

Saying, "Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance."

When they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.

When they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people.

He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes.

Saying, "Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."

Dr. Abel Damina: So, he calls the prophet his anointed. And that's a people. A people that he chose. "Touch not my anointed." Now, prophets also means a spokesperson. Your spokesperson, your speaker. Abraham was like that. In Genesis 20:7, Abraham was a *nabi*, a prophet, a spokesperson for God. Abraham is a prophet. Now when God chose Aaron to be a spokesperson to Moses, he called Aaron Moses' prophet. Look at it in Exodus, the seventh chapter, the first verse.

Guest (Female): And the Lord said unto Moses, "See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet."

Dr. Abel Damina: And Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet. He said, "I will put my words with his mouth. I will be with his mouth. He shall be your spokesperson. You will be a god; Aaron will be your spokesperson." Usually, in their day, prophets were not created. The word prophet was not created by God. It's a man-made word. Just like evangelism or an evangelist. You know, apostle. Okay, and in our world today, we have innovated those words and made them glorified.

But those words are ordinary words in normal language of communication. Because, for example, apostle means errand boy. So, anybody who says "I am an apostle," you now know what he is saying: "I'm an errand boy." It's not a VIP title. Apostle means errand boy. Prophet means spokesperson. Evangelist means town crier. You know town criers, who wake up early in the morning with megaphone to announce what the king wants the people in the town to hear? Those town criers are called evangelists in Bible days.

Okay, and pastor means herdsman. You know herdsmen. If you call me herdsman... But actually, a pastor is a herdsman. He's a shepherd, a shepherd of sheep or a cowherder. A herdsman. No glamour in those titles. It's just today we have put glamour to it. So, when you say prophet, what you're talking about is a spokesperson in Bible days. So, then because it was an idol-worshiping world, deities will have them who speak to mortal men for you. If you're a deity, you will have somebody who will speak to lesser mortal men.

So, deity will not speak to mortal men. There will be somebody who can speak to you at your level. Deity is too high to talk to you by himself. And that's what is obtainable in the native doctor's world. How many of you know? You go to see the native doctors, they will now tell you, "Okay, wait." They say, "Okay, the gods have spoken. They say go and bring red fowl, lizard without fingers, and rat without eyes." They know you cannot get it, so it will soon translate to monetization. You understand?

So, that is the way these materialistic gospel preachers also operate. They will talk to God for you. You cannot talk to God; you are a lesser mortal. Then they will bring the word from the Lord. Jesus has abolished all of that. "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom all of us have access into this grace where we all stand and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." I thought somebody would shout hallelujah.

So, Moses was God's man, God's anointed. Aaron was Moses' spokesman. So, when God said, "Abraham is my prophet," he was talking in contrast to the gods of their day. "This is one of my own spokesperson." For example, when Moses went back to Egypt to deliver Israel and God chose Aaron, you know, Pharaoh was known as a god in Egypt. Pharaoh was a god in Egypt. Okay. So, by using Aaron as Moses' prophet, God is treating Pharaoh as a mere mortal.

So, every time you have Pharaoh on the throne and you have Moses and Aaron like this, Moses will tell Aaron, "Tell him. Tell him. Tell him." I can't; he's too small for me. But Pharaoh is a god. But Moses is much more a god than Pharaoh. That's what God was establishing. Which means, I can't be speaking directly with him. Tell him. That's supremacy. To Pharaoh, you are god, and because you are above him, you can't talk to him directly. That's how to know believers' authority, that what Jesus has done is he has set us far above principalities and powers. I thought somebody would shout hallelujah.

So, Moses also warned Israel in Deuteronomy chapter 13, from verse 1 to 3. Read for me Deuteronomy 13:1-3.

Guest (Female): If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder.

Dr. Abel Damina: Pay attention, church.

Guest (Female): And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, "Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them."

Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

Dr. Abel Damina: So, that you know that a prophet is not necessarily a godly term. Which means you don't know a prophet by signs and wonders. Because the prophet dreamed, performed miracles, signs, and wonders, and yet God says, "If he tell you anything contrary to what his word is, disregard him." So, a true prophet is not known by miracles, signs, wonders, and performance. A true prophet is known by the word of the Lord, which is the knowledge of Scripture in his mouth.

He said even if the man makes miracles happen but he teaches contrary to the word of God, don't take him serious. Now Deuteronomy 18:15. Deuteronomy chapter 18, verse number 15.

Guest (Female): The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.

Dr. Abel Damina: Unto him, the Lord your God shall raise up a prophet like unto me of your brethren. Unto him shall you hearken. This is Moses. He had known from Numbers that he was not going to lead Israel to the land of promise. He had chosen Joshua already. But he now says, "Mark my word: the Lord your God shall raise up a prophet like unto me; him shall you hear." Why did Moses say like unto myself?

Now Moses is a Messiah. Moses is also a deliverer. One of his offices is that he was going to deliver the children of Israel out of the land of Pharaoh, or out of the hand of Pharaoh. He was meant to also take them to the land of promise. Look at Acts of the Apostles, the seventh chapter, the 24th verse.

Guest (Female): And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended them, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian.

Dr. Abel Damina: Because he's a deliverer. Now look at verse 34 now. 34.

Guest (Female): "I have seen, I have seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send thee into Egypt."

This Moses whom they refused, saying, "Who made thee a ruler and a judge?" the same did God send to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.

Dr. Abel Damina: God sent him to be a ruler and a deliverer. Next verse.

Guest (Female): He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

Dr. Abel Damina: He brought them out, deliverer, after he has demonstrated signs and wonders. So, his work was to take them out to the land of promise. Give me verse 37. Acts 7:37.

Guest (Female): This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, "A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear."

Dr. Abel Damina: Like unto me. Now, who is Moses again? A deliverer. Can we call him a redeemer? Yes. Him will you hear. So, Moses is saying God will raise up a redeemer, a prophet. Somebody who is going to occupy both the office of the redeemer and prophet. Moses himself, was he a redeemer? Was he a deliverer? Yes, he was. Remember the word Christ is not a proper name. It's a description.

Now, let me show you something else. Deuteronomy chapter 30. Now, before we read, in Deuteronomy chapter 30, Moses had known he was not the one taking Israel to the promised land. The generation that was going to the land, the generation born within the time in the wilderness, of those who were not matured enough. So, in talking about them crossing to the land, listen to what Moses will say. Deuteronomy chapter 30, from verse number 5 to 7.

Guest (Female): And the Lord thy God will bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt possess it; and he will do thee good, and multiply thee above thy fathers.

And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

And the Lord thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.

Dr. Abel Damina: Give me verse 11.

Guest (Female): For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

Dr. Abel Damina: Now, remember he will not be part of them. Moses will not be part of them to the promised land, right? So, verse 11 and 12. Deuteronomy 30:11 and 12.

Guest (Female): For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.

It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, "Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?"

Dr. Abel Damina: That we may hear it and do it. Now, question: who went to heaven to bring the law? Uh? Uh? Who went to heaven to bring the law? Moses. Heaven is the mountain now. Is the mountain not up? Who went to heaven to bring the law? Some of you wanted to say Jesus. Did Jesus bring any law to you? Moses. So, he said he doesn't have to go to heaven to bring the law again. Look at verse 13 and 14. Same Deuteronomy.

Guest (Female): Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, "Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?"

Dr. Abel Damina: Again, who took them across the sea? Moses. Who went to heaven to bring the law? Moses. Who went across the sea to bring them? Moses. Remember, I told you Christ is not a proper name. Look at Romans the 10th chapter, the fifth verse. Pay attention. Romans chapter 10, verse 5.

Guest (Female): For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, "That the man which doeth those things shall live by them."

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, "Say not in thine heart, 'Who shall ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)"

"Or, 'Who shall descend into the deep?' (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)"

But what saith it? "The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;"

Dr. Abel Damina: Look at how Paul interpreted what Moses said in Deuteronomy. He's referring to "who shall go up to heaven to bring Christ down." The Christ Paul was referring to there was who? Moses. He was making reference to what Moses said to go up again and bring the law. Okay. Moses was a type of the Christ, the anointed. "Who shall go up again and bring the law the second time?" And then he says, "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee in your heart," which means you don't have to see the event again; all you have to do now is to believe.

So, the same thing Paul now applied that to Jesus: that you just believe in your heart, confess with your mouth, you are saved. Same way the children of Israel did not need anyone again to bring the law from the mountain or from heaven or to take them across the sea the second time. So, which means Moses was the Messiah in Deuteronomy chapter 30. Moses was the Messiah. But he is not the redeemer-prophet whose words they would heed. Please don't miss that. He's not the redeemer-prophet whose words they must heed. Because he says, "A prophet like unto me shall the Lord God of your fathers raise up unto you among your brethren; him shall you hear."

So, even though Moses was the redeemer for them, but he is not the redeemer-prophet whose words they will heed. So, Israel was waiting for that Messiah that Moses pointed to, that Messiah that is greater than Moses, that Messiah that is the one to listen to. Moses had already pointed them that "another prophet like me—I'm a Messiah, I'm a prophet, but there's another Messiah-prophet—but the difference between me and him is that his own is his word you will hear. You will hear his word."

He calls himself a prophet. Moses calls himself a prophet. Okay. Now, Jesus is also called a prophet. Jesus is that prophet. Look at what David says about Jesus in Psalm 110, verse 1. Pay attention. Psalm 110, verse 1.

Guest (Female): The Lord said unto my Lord, "Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool."

Dr. Abel Damina: Psalm 24, he is called the King of Glory. Jesus is the King of Glory. So, Jesus is a prophet like unto Moses, and he is a king in one. He is a prophet and a king. In Psalms chapter 2, verse 7, read for me Psalms chapter 2, verse number 7.

Guest (Female): I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, "Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee."

Dr. Abel Damina: So, Jesus is that king that will decree the decree. Remember in 1 Samuel chapter 8, when Israel asked for a king to be like other nations, God was meant to be their king. Moses had told Israel in Deuteronomy that "I know after you guys, after a while, you guys will ask for a king. You will reject God." He told them ahead of time. He said, "But look, when you reject God, when you're going to ask for a king, make sure he is your brother. Make sure he is a servant king. Make sure he doesn't multiply wives. Make sure he doesn't lead you to war." He gave them certain guidelines. Because that's exactly what those kings were doing. So, they knew that the king was God.

In Isaiah chapter 40, you will hear "the kingdom of God." Kingdom. So, the king is called. The king's office is anointed. The priest is also anointed, and the prophet is also anointed. So, the king is anointed, the priest is anointed, the prophet is anointed. Now, in Psalm 110, verse 4. Psalm 110, verse number 4.

Guest (Female): The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, "Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek."

Dr. Abel Damina: Melchizedek was also a king and a priest. The king of Salem. A priest whom Abraham gave a tenth of all to in Genesis chapter 14. Now, that's a very serious combination: to be a king and a priest. A priest is a servant, a waiter, a mediator. A king is someone who is supposed to have authority. So, it means he is a servant king or a priestly king. A priestly king. So, they had all those people anointed. Priest, anointed; prophet, anointed; king, anointed. But then they knew that there is this one person who embodies the fullness of that office as priest, prophet, and king in one person.

They had the offices like one person would be a priest, another person would be a king. The highest is a priest and a king. The only person that was close to Jesus is David, who was a priest, a prophet, and a king. And I'm going to explain that in a few minutes. So, they knew that there was an embodiment of the fullness of this office, and somebody almost looked like that, and that is David. That is why towards the last days of Jesus, Jesus taught from the book of Psalms than any other book. For example, Matthew 22:42. Matthew chapter 22, verse 42. Pay attention.

Guest (Female): Saying, "What think ye of Christ? whose son is he?" They say unto him, "The son of David."

He saith unto them, "How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,"

"The Lord said unto my Lord, 'Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool'?"

"If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?"

Dr. Abel Damina: Jesus is trying to make them to look. I'm the one David called Lord. I'm the one David deferred to. That means David's office was a reflection or it was a type of my office, which is the real. So, Jesus quoted David towards the end of his ministry. He quoted the Psalms more than anything else. For example, on the cross, Jesus quoted the Psalms: "I thirst." "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" On the cross, "It is finished" from the book of Psalms. On the cross, he said they will betray me. All from the book of Psalms.

On the cross, he quoted the book of Psalms. When he went to the grave, he quoted the book of Psalms: "You will not allow your holy one see corruption." When he rose from the dead, he quoted the book of Psalms. Are you also aware that in the book of Acts chapter 1, when they wanted to pick someone to replace Judas Iscariot, they also taught from the book of Psalms? That when Peter was going to teach us what happened to Jesus on the cross and in the grave, he taught from Psalm 15. Again, the Psalms. Why? Because David was a priest, a prophet, and a king, and was the exact typology that could replicate the office of Christ. So, that's why Jesus's climax of his mission on earth, it was David he was quoting all the time. Am I communicating? Stay with me.

So, both the prophet who will speak like he is not talking about himself—Jesus. He is the king who is the content of the prophecy, and the priest who is the servant of the prophecy. All will be embodied in one person, just one person. He is called the shepherd. He is called the shepherd. Look at Genesis, the 48th chapter, the 15th and the 16th verse. Genesis 48:15-16.

Guest (Female): And he blessed Joseph, and said, "God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day."

"The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth."

Dr. Abel Damina: The shepherd and the angel, the *malakh*, the messenger. Because Jesus occupied these offices. Was Jesus the only anointed? Uh? Uh? No, of course he wasn't. But is Jesus anointed? Uh? But was he the only anointed? But is he anointed? Yes. That particular anointed who carries all those offices in one person is Jesus. Now listen carefully. He is also called the Son. Jesus is also called the Son.

Now how many of you know we have Abel, son? We have Isaac, son. We have Jacob, son. We have Joseph, son. We have David, son. We have Solomon, son. But Jesus is now the Son. The Son, who will embody all that they represented. Jesus is the Son that will embody all that they represented. So, because of that, since they knew that one person was going to be the fullness of all those offices, he now said, "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken. All that the prophets have spoken."

If you read well, you should have known that this is that which the prophets from Abel spoke about. Hold on. Matthew 23:33.

Guest (Female): Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

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.

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.

Dr. Abel Damina: Question: from Abel to Zacharias, were they God's anointed? Yes. Then imagine on the way to Emmaus if they only knew that. How many of you remember they call Jesus a prophet? You remember that? Okay. They also called him redeemer. Uh? He was going to redeem Israel. He's a prophet-redeemer. So, they thought that if this is the prophet that they were talking about... also remember the name of Jesus is Joshua. Uh? Moses brought them out of Egypt; Joshua took them to the promised land. So, if Jesus is Joshua, he's a prophet, he's a redeemer. But they couldn't put the facts together, but they had the facts scattered.

So, they couldn't get the message. They couldn't get the message. So, they thought that if this was the prophet they were talking about... Joshua is the fellow who led them to the promised land. So, which means Jesus to them is a new Moses. Jesus to them is a new Joshua. That prophet. So, when he died on the cross, they were disappointed because this doesn't look like Joshua. Joshua didn't die. He took the people to the promised land. You're Joshua? Okay, you're the prophet. And you are the king, the emperor who came to conquer. And in their mind, what the emperor will conquer will be Herod. Now, instead of conquering Herod, Herod kills him. They are disappointed. "This doesn't look like the kind of king we're looking for. This doesn't look like the kind of kingdom we're expecting. This doesn't look like the kind of prophet Moses told us about." Pay attention.

So, in their mind the kind of prophet we're looking for won't die. Nothing can kill him. So, Jesus now, beginning at Moses, from Abel, beginning at Moses and all the truth, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures. So, when he began from Moses, they saw that there was a number of anointed ones from Abel. Those anointed ones were persecuted. From Abel, all those that were anointed were rejected. From Abel to Zacharias, all those that were anointed were shamed. From Abel to Zacharias, all those that were anointed were killed.

So, taking them through to show them that this kingdom we're talking about is not a kingdom without persecution. Because look at Abel, killed. Look at all those that were anointed. So, beginning at Moses, he began to show them. Then it became clear, "Ought not Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into his glory?" So, if he is the Christ, the anointed, that prophet that the Lord your God shall raise up unto you like unto me, he had to bear all of this shame, persecution, and ultimately has to die.

Ought not Christ? That's why Paul said, "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures." The moment Abel was killed, Christ has to be killed. It was already obvious. The moment Abel was killed for his faith in Christ, there's no way Christ will not be killed. It was already obvious in that storyline. It was already obvious.

So, everything they suffered, he bore it because he is the Christ. They suffered as Christs, but he is the Christ. See, that's why when Peter said, "Thou art the Christ." Uh? You are not Christ. We have seen Christs whose stories are narratives, were pointers. So, now you are the Christ that all those Christs exemplify. You are the Christ. Jesus said, "Blessed are thou, flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father which is in heaven."

So, the way the world was not worthy of them, the resistance they gave them, Jesus' own was double. He was the embodiment of all the Christ. So, we read his story in their stories. We read the story of Christ in their stories. So, he's the redeeming prophet, and he is the Joshua-Moses. Jesus is the Joshua-Moses. He is the Melchizedek, the king and the priest. He is the shepherd-king. He is the shepherd-servant. He is the shepherd-king, he is the shepherd-servant. So, in the codified language, when you say Christ, it opens up a lot of narratives. It's not a proper name. In the codified language, when you say Christ, it opens up a lot of narratives. It's not a proper name. Because there are different Christs in Scripture. But then there is now the Christ.

Question: why is he the Christ? He is the one they were all hoping on. So, he is the Christ according to the Scriptures. So, we will read his story in their stories. So, when he says he bore our sins, go and read the Scriptures. Go and check, beginning at Moses and all the truth. He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things of Abel concerning himself. You didn't get that. He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things of Abel concerning himself. The things of Noah concerning himself. The things of Abraham concerning himself. So, we read those things in their stories. Now, he is the Christ. He is the promise given to the anointed ones. So, in Matthew 17:5, there is a singular statement there that is codified. Give me Matthew 17:5.

Guest (Female): While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

Dr. Abel Damina: That singular statement is codified. "My beloved Son." That is Abraham. The moment you heard, "This is my beloved Son," you go back to Genesis to Malachi. Where do we find my beloved Son? Abraham. So, the codified language here will find full details in Abraham. That is Abraham when he took Isaac to Mount Moriah. Give me Genesis 22:2. Pay attention. Genesis 22:2.

Guest (Female): And he said, "Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac."

Dr. Abel Damina: "Thine only son." "This is my beloved Son." "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son." "Thine only son whom thou lovest." This is not Isaac in any way, because Isaac was not the only son of Abraham. So, using "only son" here is a narrative that is not Isaac. Isaiah 42:1 calls him "my servant in whom I am well pleased," talking of Christ. So, when you hear "hear ye him," who is he talking about? That prophet whom the Lord God shall raise up of your fathers like unto me; him shall you hear. Are we together? Are we on the same page? Just think, it will open up.

So, he's the servant prophet. What are his words? The words of this servant prophet: he will speak to the dry bones. He will speak to the dry bones and breathe into the bones. What's the breath? Uh? Uh? The Spirit. And the Spirit is what? Life. So, he will breathe into the bones. What will he breathe into the bones? Life. What is life? Spirit. The Spirit will now come into them. The word *nephash*, which means to blow into. And we took time to deal with that yesterday. It's the Hebrew word of the word *emphasao* in John 20:22. So, by teaching, he is that prophet. He is different from all other prophets. Why is he different from all other prophets? Because he is the one to hear. Why is he the one to hear? Because "thou hast the words of eternal life."

"To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." His words are the words of eternal life. "You search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; they are they which testify of me. But you will not come to me that you may have life." Christ is found in their stories and he is found in their promises, the promises that were made. So, when Ezekiel was told to prophesy, it means speak my words to the dry bones and they will live. Just like Genesis 2:7: "And he breathed into them and they became another speaking spirit." So, what do we have? Ezekiel 36:25.

Guest (Female): Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.

And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Dr. Abel Damina: So, Ezekiel says, "I will put a new spirit, I will take away the stony heart, I will cause you to walk in my statutes, I will give you my spirit." How is God going to do that? How is God going to take away the stony heart? How is God going to put a new spirit within you? How is God going to cause you to walk? How is God going to wash you with clean water? Ezekiel 36. Then he gives you the answer in Ezekiel 37. Ezekiel 37:3. Read for me.

Guest (Female): And he said unto me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord God, thou knowest."

Again he said unto me, "Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, 'O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord.'"

Dr. Abel Damina: Prophesy! So, how is God going to put his spirit within men? By prophecy. What is prophecy? The preaching of the gospel. The preaching of the gospel. Was it Ezekiel that was the preacher? No. Who was the preacher? Jesus Christ. So, Jesus is now that prophet who will prophesy and life will enter. Is life the Spirit? Yes.

So, on the way to Emmaus and the 40 days of teaching, he gave them the word of eternal life. How do we know that he gave them the word of eternal life? Because he rose from the dead. And the moment a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it now brings forth fruit. So, both he that sanctified and they that are sanctified are all of one, for which cause he is not ashamed to call us brethren. Glory to God. Do I have Jesus's brothers in this house? Glory to God. Tell your neighbor, "Neighbor, I can see clearly the kind of codified language that was used to bring them to a place where their understanding was now opened and they understood the scriptures." Amen.

Father, we thank you for your word. Revelation knowledge is growing big in our hearts. Scriptures are coming alive. Your word is opening up to us. And thank you that an army of men and women are being equipped all over the nations of the earth who will manifest the days of Jesus, who will manifest the kingdom of God and demonstrate the will of God on the earth. I pray for everybody under the sound of my voice. You're kept by the power of God. These signs follow you as you preach the gospel, the Lord working with you, confirming his word with signs and wonders. You heal the sick, you cast out devils, you speak with new tongues. In the name of Jesus. I decree that everyone under the sound of my voice, you're delivered from wicked and unreasonable men. You excel in the pursuit of God's purpose for your life. Destruction is far from your home. Destruction is far from your family. In the name of Jesus. Father, we give you praise for answered prayer. In Jesus' name we pray, and every believer says that amen on a note of finality. Give the Lord the greatest celebration! Glory!

Oh my goodness, the word of God is life. The Bible tells us the entrance of God's word giveth light, and it giveth understanding to the simple. As you keep listening, the light of God's word rises out of the rightly divided word of truth, illuminates your mind, illumines your heart, and brings you face to face with your realities in Christ Jesus.

In Ephesians chapter 3, verse 3, Brother Paul, speaking about the mystery, the Old Testament, said, "Whereby, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ." So, there is a knowledge in the mystery of Christ. The word mystery is the word *mysterion* in the Greek; it means that which is concealed. And then he says how that by revelation... the word revelation is the word *apokalypsis*; it means that which is revealed. So, the revelation of the Scriptures unveils the mysteries. Revelation is the New Testament; mystery is the Old Testament. But it will take reading and learning to come to a place of full understanding, precise and accurate knowledge.

Brother Daniel will say, "I understood by books." So, there's a place of books in equipping you soundly with the message of Christ. Brother Paul will write to Timothy, he says to Timothy, "Till I come, give attendance to reading." Jesus, speaking to those Jews, says, "You do err because you know not the scriptures nor the power of God." Often times Jesus would say to the Jews, "Have you not read?" is the word *anaginosko* in the Greek; it means, "Are you reading and not paying attention?"

I want to quickly recommend for you a plethora of books I have written. They are written with an intent to bring you doctrinal clarity, answer your questions doctrinally, and bring you to a place of accurate understanding, a precise knowledge of Christ and you in Christ. I want you to order for those books today. The number and the list of books available will be read to you right now. And if you call today, we'll be glad to make sure you get a copy or more copies of the books so you can enrich your spiritual life and enrich your walk with God and build a quality relationship with Jesus Christ, where you are also able to teach others the same truths you have learned, to liberate them and bring them to the fullness of God. Glory to God.

Dr. Abel Damina has authored several insightful books that bring clarity to foundational truths of Christianity, including: *Understanding the Spirit, Soul, and Body*, *Winning the War*, *Money with a Mission*, *Understanding Relationships, Marriage, and Family Life*, *Prayer that Works*, *Higher Life*, *Redeemed to Reign in Life*, and *The Priesthood of Jesus*. To order, call 240-367-6201 or email pciusregion@gmail.com. We trust you've been blessed by today's message. For prayers, counseling, or to obtain the complete teachings and books, call 404-789-7207, or 404-670-7685, or 404-453-5562, or 240-367-6201. We look forward to having you with us again tomorrow. Remain in his grace and be blessed.