The Church in Need of Repentance

"Works" are aa reflection of the heart. Those with "good" works overcome the law of sin of which I wrote yesterday. Of course, we know from scripture that good works are as filthy rags to God (Isa 64:6). However, the willingness to obey God is honorable and right. The greatest "work" is love, since love is commanded:

1 Peter 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently...

The Church at Pergamos loved well... a little too much loving it seems!  Pergamon was more than a city but earlier was an area of what's now Turkey. It was on the trade route between Europe and Asia. In apostolic times it was forcibly under the governance of Rome.  John knew the works of that Church, and issued to them a warning:

Rev 2:13  I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, 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.

The Church at Pergamos was sort of like Christians who live in sin. Those types believe in Jesus, hold fast to his doctrine but still enjoy the pleasures of sin. In theology, this is called "syncretism" - the act of serving two masters (Mat 6:24).  It seems they were well on their way to serving one - the wrong one!

Pergamos was where "Satan's seat" was. God's "seat" was in the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. It was long gone. God's throne is in heaven, and the earth is His footstool (Isa 61:6). It turns out that the Ark of the Covenant was merely God's footstool (1 Chron 28:2) whereon He rested His feet.

Pergamos was certainly not the seat of God or even His footstool. It was the throne of Satan. As Prince of the Power of the Air (Ephes 2:2), Pergamos was sin city.  At one time the Church at Ephesus had been the same way before, and changed, I might add! Paul described the world of Satan in those days:

Ephes 2:1 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 Church at Pergamos was once what Ephesus was: "Quickened" is God making the Church alive again. Repentance quickens. Ephesus needed to repent, and did, and Pergamos needed to as well. The Church in Pergamos were akin to being psychopathic - without guilt, being dead to trespasses and sin. That is a sorry state, being able to claim God but immune to his conviction.

Pergamos, like Ephesus had before them, "walked according to the course of the world". What is the course? Let's see what Jesus called it:

Mat 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat...

Satan's seat is at the "wide gate". Pergamos was situated there. They chose the wrong path in spite of claiming the straight gate. "Straight" is true to Christ's doctrine. They may actually have thought that since they never apostatized - abandoned God, they fornicated with other gods. Roman culture was full of false gods. Caesar even proclaimed himself "god".  However, there was one particular figure from extra-biblical sources of one who proclaimed himself "savior". He was none other than Simon the Magician who was converted to Christianity but then fornicated with himself. He sought money for spiritual works (Acts 8).

I introduce Simon Magus here because he fits the description of Paul's adversary:

2 Cor 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

It is clear that Paul's problem was not his vision or health! It was "the messenger of Satan". Early church fathers wrote of Simon Magus as an antichrist who claimed to be the Christ.  He counter-preached against Christ as he followed the steps of the apostles. Magus was the father of Gnosticism through his brand of Simonism - seeking payment for the works of the Spirit.

If we look back, Simonism in the New Testament is the sin of Balaam in the Old. Let's look shortly at the sins of Balaam:

Numbers 22:18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, "If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord my God, to do less or more."

The doctrine of Balaam was pay for play. He sought silver and gold to do God's work. His own donkey made an ass out of him as the Word spoke through his own animal. Jesus waylaid Simon, and by grace forgave his three kicks against his own equine servant. Thus, Simonism was/is the doctrine of Balaam. I believe that Simon the Sorcerer had made inroads into the Church at Pergamos. Like Simon, who never denied Christ, he became his own God. Thus, the Church at Pergamos was infested with that sin. However, there was another one along the same vein - Nicolaism.

Nicolas One of the seventy helpers assigned by the Church. As such he was one of the first deacons. Nicolas still adhered to the Church but infiltrated apostolic doctrine with his own. Nicolas was the first who practiced antinomianism - rejection of laws and legalism. In that doctrine, as long as one is a believer in Christ, he or she is at liberty to sin without remorse.

1 Cor 6:9 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. 12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Paul described unlawful things comprehensively. The two groupings of law-breaking are (1)  sexual sins - sins against themselves, and (2) sins against others. These libertarians (animonists; Nicolaitanes) brought all types of sins into the Church. Some church fathers believed that sin to be even prostitution, a combination of usury and fornication.  Validation of this is the combination of the doctrines of Balaam and Nicolas; money and sexual activity all blended into one.

The Church at Pergamos was a model of  the future church, and the Church in different ages. The Roman Catholic practice of indulgences is the doctrine of Balaam, and is Simonism. In later times they have even tolerated child abuse in the church - Nicolaitism. Not to be outdone, the modern church is a den of thieves who market all types of things in what should be the church.

Many modern-day churches have couples who live together, but still claiming Christ. The Church tolerates their sin.  The Church at Pergamos had tolerated Nicolatism, although God hated that doctrine!  Think on that. The modern Church, although proclaiming Christ, tolerates and oftentimes propagates sinful behaviors. Indeed, even Church members practice Nicolatism as they worship Christ.

The Church at Ephesus was pardoned because they changed. God commands that:

Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

What is the two-edged sword for in Jesus mouth? It's to fight against sin, and punish those who sin and condone sin in their lives. Jesus calls on the Church to repent. Indeed, the modern Church has characteristics of the Pergamon Church. We need to repent! However, the Church is the people. Those passages call on us all to repent. The preacher nor pastor can't do that. It must be the body of Christ which does. The Bride needs to repent of her fornication. The Church is the bridge to Jesus's bridegroom. He wants fidelity and has the weapon to enforce it, or the marriage will be put asunder with the blade.

We know what that sword is; it's the Word of God (Ephes 6:17). 

Overcoming

It's Sunday morning August 15th. It's hot inside the church house, even with the air-conditioning running full blast. It's 95 outside but 120 in the building. It's getting hotter by the moment! You don't have a handkerchief. Who would have thought you would have needed one? So you wiped your brow with your arm, only to sweat again. 

The lights above feel like heat lamps. Someone is interrogating you. You look up and the high intensity is pointing right at you. You think, I wish the preacher would get through with the sermon. How dare him! You are guilty of doing those things. Your anger flares but you cannot escape. No one knows it, it is you to whom he is preaching. That is conviction. You don't want to admit it, but you have sinned, and sin often. In fact, what he was preaching about was your stronghold - your favorite and habitual sin, even an addiction. 

You want free from that particular sin. It owns you! Nearly all your actions are a result of thinking on that sin. It's as if you're a slave, and the jail has invisible bars but they're real. You finally came to realize that you can't change on your own. Perhaps, you think, I can with the Lord's help. On the other hand, another thought tells you that you are too weak. Two thoughts against each other in your mind; you want to change but yet you look back at the sin, and still desire it. Your anger is kindled even more as the preacher continues to pound at you just as if he knows your heart!

God doesn't give up. As you wipe another gallon of sweat from your face, your heart begins to change from anger to guilt. I know he knows my sin, you agonize. This time, you're not thinking of the preacher. You worry about God, and guilt sets in. 

God just convinced you that you are a criminal. That is conviction. But as of that moment, you have failed to deal with it. You know that you should but your thoughts keep wrestling. Finally, if and when you can't stand it any more, you relent. Okay God, I'm a sinner. You can't stand the uncomfortable feelings of guilt. You feel so sick inside that you must do something. One thought inside tells you to hang onto the pew in front of you for dear life. After all, that's what those pews must be for, because that's what everyone seems to do!

The other thought says, it's time I deal with this. I can't stand the guilt any more. One voice says, quit feeling guilty. In answer, the other Voice says, you are guilty! "Guilt" comes from God as a result of conviction. You should thank God for it! Satan says, "Quit feeling guilty. Your sin is not that bad, and everyone does it." In your heart you know that this deception will kill you - forever. You will go to Hell unless you turn to God.

Satan gives his thoughts again: You don't need Jesus. You can save yourself. Most people are satisfied with that argument. They are content with doing their own will, and posing as their own god. They will soon leave the church service laughing it off. Not you! The thought occurs to you: I can't save myself but Jesus can! Unknown to you, you have just had the same thoughts the Hebrew people had back in the wilderness - when poisonous vipers were killing them. Moses lifted up the bronze serpent as symbolic of Christ, and rather than looking at the poisonous vipers, they lifted their eyes to Jesus.

You quit depending on your own dance through the den of sins, and finally look up to Jesus for deliverance. You feel relief. There is a way out of burning in Hell. With that enlightenment, you run to the altar and "pray through". It is a long journey forward, because sin is on your back. It's memory weighs you down but somehow, in meekness, you are made strong. You go forward and pray your "sinner's prayer". It's not a particular prayer but goes somewhat like this:

Psalm 51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest... 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Tell God those things. If it's heart-felt, God will honor your prayer. Those words, said with sincerity, is repentance. And guess what? 

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 

We must confess our sins to Jesus. He is the only way to salvation (John 14:6).  You just experienced Christ, now you must know him. He is God who gave His own life in your place. 

Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God...

Hopefully, when you marched forward to meet Jesus, you know his way. Salvation can only be obtained by the shedding of blood (Ephes 1:7). You see, there are many things which we must do in order to be saved. One cannot be saved unless they know Jesus! By the Word of God, this knowledge is revealed. Philip had to explain to the eunuch the Scripture which he read (Acts 8). God calls but you must respond. 

As you "pray through" seeking God's forgiveness, you know of Jesus's death instead of yours, and trust that Jesus's sacrifice can save. After you have repented of all those past sins, then you're safe - Jesus told Nicodemus that is "born-again":

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

When you are called, you are convicted, feel remorseful, repent, seek redemption, trust Jesus for redemption, and are born-again. Are you saved? That is what Satan wants us to believe. However, like Job, we are protected by God from the evil one. (Read Job 1). Those who are made righteous by the second birth are safe. God protects us from Satan. Our past sins are covered under the blood  (Rom 3:23 above). 

Now let's look back at David. Before he was callously sinned, David was a man after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14). God provided safety for David even in his youth. David, later, tempted by Satan, fell into grievous sin. He lusted, fornicated, and murdered in an attempt to cover his own sin. Through Nathan the prophet, David saw his own sin, and was remorseful. Psalm 51 was his sorrow and repentance. It was his plea for mercy: "restore unto me the joy of thy salvation" (Psalm 51:12). "Salvation" is yesha` - safety.

One cannot be "unsaved" because salvation is saved from eternal destruction. When does destruction occur? In the end. Since repentance can't be done in death, we are either saved or doomed at death. As such, the new birth is living under God's protection, within a hedge of safety.

David overcame. He prayed the sinner's prayer because he freely chose not to be unsafe with sin (Psalm 51). We must hang onto that prayer. It is not only the "sinners' prayer but the prayer of the saints as they seek God's help in overcoming Satan. When we're born-again, Satan only tries harder. We must trust God until the end to overcome the evil one! Today's key verse follows:

Rev 2:11 He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death...

What is "the second death"? It is perishing in eternal hell. Those who "overcome" shall not die the second death but live forever. That is salvation!  Overcoming is trusting Jesus for safety. The gift of faith was that first time when you came forward in deference to Jesus (Ephes 2:8). That faith is yours to lose or retain. Those who overcome "keep the faith":

Rev 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

It seems that by keeping the commandments of God that is a demonstration of steadfast faith. Satan tempts to abort command-keeping. Those who are faithful and love God will demonstrate their faith by obedience:

John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. 

The notion of overcoming is quite divisive. I have no hidden agenda. We must all keep the faith until the end. Use Psalm 51 as often as we sin, and trust Jesus that we shall be saved as we "near the day of our salvation" (Rom 12:11), thus having "the hope of salvation" (1 Thes 5:8). 

It's necessary to be transparent. Most people were raised to some degree in Calvinistic doctrine. They would take issue with the necessity for "overcoming" because that seems to give the power to defeat death on the person, and take the power away from Christ. That seems to be reasonable, but is wrong! Obedience is not doing the law, it is the willingness to obey God. Born-again is sacrificing our own will to God. That is a choice we must all make.

Those who went forward as described at the start, are half-way "home". You will be tempted, and you will sin. Overcoming is remaining faithful until the end. Perhaps someday, you will be persecuted to the death. Will you deny Jesus for a few more days of life? If you are willing to die for your faith - trusting Jesus to save you, then you will have overcome death. Obedience is only a mild form of that terrible test which we may face. If we can't obey God willingly, will we trust Him in the face of physical death?

I was born-again out of fear of that "great and terrible day of the Lord" (Joel 2:31). That's when we come to the day of salvation - or not. I feared God. He is both great and terrible. For those who overcome, God is great. For those who don't overcome (the law of sin), it will be terrible. We aren't alone, however, Jesus's "Ghost" - the Comforter, is with us to the end!

Most Baptists, if they read this through, are angry by now. They consider this as non-doctrinal. I am a Baptist but one who laid aside my early learning, and sought truth. My belief is that it is not a perversion of the truth. My desire is to know truth. Someone is wrong, and someone is right. Because of grace, Jesus allows those with both views through the pearly gates. However, not working to overcome may endanger those who differ with overcoming.

The Angel of God

In Hebrew malak is transliterated "angel". The grammatical articles which address "angel" were added by the translators in context to the subject matter. Sometimes the angel's identity is obvious. At other times, the translators helps us to understand who the angel is by punctuation as well as the articles. In general, a messenger of God are referred to as "an angel". "The" Messenger of God is generally referred to as "the angel of God".

Keep in mind that Messiah and Christ both mean "the anointed one" in Hebrew and Greek, respectively. Jews tend to favor Messiah for obvious reasons. It's their original language. We tend to think of the Messiah as coming and Christ as come, but we can just as easily say Jesus the Messiah as Jesus the Christ. There are only three places in the Bible where the title "Messiah" is used. Two are in the Book of Daniel describing the second coming of Christ. The other one follows:

John 4:25 The woman (at the well) saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. (Messias is Greek for Messiah).

This sinful woman knew what the Pharisees did not; that the Messiah would be called Christ, and was the source of all truth. She believed that Christ was coming but did not know that he had... until he came to the well to give her living water.

Jesus came incognito. Then he identified himself as "the one who cometh" (John 4:26). This is typical Jesus. God is without Name but is "called Jesus" (Luke 2:21). His identity is the Word (John 1:1, 14). Man was created without flesh. Whatever covered Adam and Eve at their creation was divine - this being clothed in glory. Flesh was apparently provided for mankind to exist in the environment of the world according to sacred writings. Hence, the flesh is of and for the world. God put on flesh to empathize with his creature. He needed flesh for three reasons: (1) to feel temptation, (2) to suffer, and (3) for a sacrifice by dying. His flesh was the receptor for all the sins of mankind which he took onto his own Spirit when he died in our place. 

Isa 53:5 But he (the Messiah) was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

This was written thousands of years before it happened, as if it had already happened! This makes it clear that God died in our place for our sins - all of them!

How did Isaiah know the Messiah so intimately? Because the Word spoke to him. The Word -  Jesus, spoke to many of the biblical patriarchs. He even wrestled with Jacob (Gen 43:34). He was "the angel of God" who wrestled with God! Why was Jesus "the angel" before he was carnate?

1 Tim 2:5 For there is one God, and one mediator (mesites; go-between) between God and men, the man Christ Jesus...

The mediator between God and man is the ultimate messenger - "the Messenger" or "the Angel of God"!

The subject verses today are about the miraculous birth of Samson:

Jud 13:2 ...there was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren, and bare not. 3 And the angel of the Lord appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son... 6 Then the woman came and told her husband, saying, A man of God came unto me, and his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God, very terrible: but I asked him not whence he was, neither told he me his name... 8 Then Manoah intreated the Lord, and said, O my Lord, let the man of God which thou didst send come again unto us, and teach us what we shall do unto the child that shall be born. 9 And God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman as she sat in the field: but Manoah her husband was not with her. 10 And the woman made haste, and ran, and shewed her husband, and said unto him, Behold, the man hath appeared unto me, that came unto me the other day. 11 And Manoah arose, and went after his wife, and came to the man, and said unto him, Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am. 12 And Manoah said, Now let thy words come to pass. How shall we order the child, and how shall we do unto him? 13 And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah, Of all that I said unto the woman let her beware. 14  She may not eat of any thing that cometh of the vine, neither let her drink wine or strong drink, nor eat any unclean thing: all that I commanded her let her observe. 15 And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord, I pray thee, let us detain thee, until we shall have made ready a kid for thee. 16 And the angel of the Lord said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the Lord. For Manoah knew not that he was an angel of the Lord. 17 And Manoah said unto the angel of the Lord, What is thy name, that when thy sayings come to pass we may do thee honour? 18  And the angel of the Lord said unto him, Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret? 19 So Manoah took a kid with a meat offering, and offered it upon a rock unto the Lord: and the angel did wonderously; and Manoah and his wife looked on. 20  For it came to pass, when the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar. And Manoah and his wife looked on it, and fell on their faces to the ground. 21 But the angel of the Lord did no more appear to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the Lord. 22 And Manoah said unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God ...24 And the woman bare a son, and called his name Samson: and the child grew, and the Lord blessed him. 25 And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him at times in the camp of Dan between Zorah and Eshtaol.

Like Elizabeth who bore the obvious Nazerite (Luke 7:33), John the Baptist, Hazelelponi (not named above), the wife of Manoah, was barren as well. The Holy Spirit was with her, and the Nazerite Samson was born to this barren woman. Nazerites were set apart for service to God (see Num 6). 

God came to Elizabeth in Spirit. God came to Monoah in person! There is only one nature of God. That is as a man (verses 6, 8 and 11) . His other two substances are supernatural. In these verses, "a man" was mentioned several times as "the angel of God".  To make it clear, look how many times "angel" is used for the man's purpose - to bring a message to the couple. That message was how to beget a Nazarite judge!

In a couple of instances, rather than "the angel", it is written "an angel". For consistency, the translators probably should have kept it "the". 

Guess who is the man of God? The Son of Man.

Ezek 33:2 Son of man, speak to the children of thy people...

This was written before the Son of Man was made flesh... long before!

Mat 8:20 And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 

Jesus referred to himself as "the Son of Man". He is "the man" who appeared to Manoah and his wife.

Verse 6 expounds on this further, referring to Him as "the man of God'. We know also from scripture that Jesus is the Son of God (Mat 8:29).  Thus, Jesus as "Son of Man" and "Son of God" was "the Man of God".

Hazelelponi said, "his countenance was like the countenance of an angel of God" (verse 6)." Jesus showed his true self on the Mount of Transfiguration. Since Moses apparently saw Jesus transformed to his Old Testament appearance, it seems that Jesus's transfigured presence was what Hazelelponi saw as well! Also in verse 6 she said "neither told me his name". Why would that be? God is without Name. He just Is! When he was transformed to the Son of Man, he was called Jesus (Luke 2:21).

In verse 11 Manoah asked, "Art thou the man that spakest unto the woman? And he said, I am." Who did "the man" claim to be? God who just Is!

Exod 3:13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.

How clear can scripture be? What is your name? "I am"! - I AM God. This man who appeared to them was God. When God appears, His apparition is always the Word - Jesus Christ. The man who was the angel of God was not flesh but his countenance was glorified; whatever kind of covering that is.

In verse 12 Manoah said, "Now let thy words come to pass." Again as the Mediator between man and God, Jesus was the Words which would come to pass (John 1:1,14).

In verse 14 the Man said, "all that I commanded her let her observe." In scripture, neither men nor angels have the authority to command. Commands belong to God, and God alone. He commands His Will using the Word.

In verse 16 the pair was to offer a burnt offering unto the Lord. He was there, and needed their love. Because of their gratitude to the Lord, they provided a sacrfice to Him. It was symbolic of themselves. If the man was a mere angel, they are not to be revered. That's for God and God alone!

In verse 17 the angel of the Lord said, "Why askest thou thus after my name, seeing it is secret?" His Name had yet to be revealed. That did not come until Jesus birth when he was "called Jesus". Paul referred to the "mystery of God"/ "the mystery of Christ". The mystery or secret is that salvation, and thus the Old Testament, was always about Jesus and His grace.

Rev 10:7 But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

Ephes 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit...

In verse 20 it says, "the flame went up toward heaven from off the altar, that the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame of the altar."  The man ascended. Where did we read that before? 

Acts 1:9 And when he (Jesus) had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

"In the flame of the altar?" That is how Jesus's Holy Ghost descended (Acts 2:3). 

In verse 20, the two fell on their faces to the ground. Why? They were in the presence of God! He disappeared from their view just as he had when he ascended as Jesus.

The clearest passage is verse 22, "We shall surely die, because we have seen God." Scripture says that no man can see God face to face or he would die (Exod 33:20). Jesus came so that mankind could see God face to face. They didn't die because they saw Jesus! 

Verse 25 says, "the Spirit of the Lord began to move him." God in person left by ascending. However, in His absence, His Holy Spirit descended and remained on Samson. This is straight out of Acts 1 and 2! Scripture as well have said, "People, this is Jesus! Worship Him!"

Ego and Superego and the Christian

The "ego" is a psychoanalytical term which fairly accurately identifies the "I" in us - our individuality. Superego fairly well describes the "as god" perception of ourselves. Self-actualization is the accomplishment of the drive to realize one's potential. The peak experience is the enlightenment that one has that is has been reached.

Face it: Sigmund Freud understood the soul, albeit the "soul" he designed was not the way we were created. In the beginning, our soul was filled with God's Holy Spirit; all the way full! With the first sin, the human soul became filled with "us". Adam's was filled with his "I', and Eve's with her "I". Thus, the ego and superego were born. Bad mistake ancient parents!

Let's focus on the superego for a moment. It's our set of moral principles. It governs the rules within which we operate. It's entity, so to speak, is the conscience. That is the part of the mind which directs our desires and impulses.  Originally, mankind's superego wasn't there. The soul was subject to God's will. After the fall of mankind, the superego became our will.

Adam and Eve were born pure. Sin created a dualism in the minds of our antecedents. Our superego is somewhat confused. Jesus identified that dualism and inner conflict:

Mat 26:40 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Within the superego are two governors of two very different laws: one, the law of sin, and the other the Law of God. Our conscious, or superego looks at the choice each and every time, and evaluates the possible outcomes: self-gratification or divine reverence. The superego has a built-in bias. Because of original sin, and Adam's DNA, even infants have a propensity to sin.

The superego is the messenger to the ego. The gloomy part is that there are two types of messengers with opposing messages. The ego is our flesh. It thinks "me" important! The id is the nature put in us which enjoys the flesh. Of course, Freud would say that is our foundation, but it is better considered and add-on from sin.

The superego appeases the flesh, or if righteous, controls the flesh. The "flesh' is much more than skin; it's the receptor of pleasure and consists of all the senses and emotions.

We were created with a soul enclosed with some type of divine covering which scripture merely describes: just as Jesus became glorious, we were created with the same glory. We don't know of its substance, but it is beautiful, pure, and immortal. This glory covered the soul and housed the mind. Thus, we were created in the image of God. There was not originally a need for a superego because there were no opposition to morality in the conscience. That came with eating of the tree of knowledge.The superego didn't exist because man was created totally innocent.

The superego came with the forbidden fruit. A new moral code came into effect. It went from purity and innocence to uncleanness and confusion. Satan tampered with the superego, exchanging God's moral code with his own.

The ego (better called a container for love) was created differently as well. It was all about God in the beginning, mankind being created in the image of God. With sin, mankind esteemed himself rather than God. Psychobabblers call this self-esteem, and it's a layer on the way to the peak experience. As one self-actualizes, they come to think they are gods, thus fulfilling Satan's accusation (Gen 3:5).

It should be obvious that Freud knew about God, but he also knew his subjects. His model for mankind was the juxtaposition of the Designers intent with Satan's scheme. They look the same side-by-side on the outside but the contents are opposites!

There are peak experiences for everyone. That's when everyone is enlightened. One side is duped by deception. They come to believe that they will die, and adjust their mind to the finality of death. Those are they who have no hope for eternal life because of their self-exultation.

On the other hand, the peak experience of those persuaded that there is more is called "the second birth" (the born-again experience). They realize that their ego has no power, and their superego is confused - they are not gods and cannot save themselves but possibly Jesus can! If that realization is strong enough, it is called faith. The superego is no longer super, it becomes servile, and instead of doing our will, the new desire is to do God's will. The enlightened righteous one loses the superego in favor of super-reverence.  The ego is hung on the cross as a living sacrfice, and the soul is filled with Christ's Spiritual Existence. Mankind's nature changes from self-esteem to Christ-esteem ( see my commentary at http://kentuckyherrin.blogspot.com/2013/07/christ-esteem-answer-to-self-esteem.html; "Christ Esteem: The Answer to Self-Esteem")

There is much going on which we can't see, and this is how I see it.

A New Countenance

Daniel was offered the king's (Nebuchadnezzar's) meat (Daniel 1) to restore him that he might stand before the king to be taught wisdom and the Chaldean language. The restoration was after utter defeat, being carried away to a foreign land, and half-starving to death. The Hebrews had been defeated in battle, and lost all God's treasures. Daniel refused the kings' meat because God supplied. 

Daniel 1:8  But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 12 Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.

Daniel requested only "pulse" - some type of vegetable, perhaps grain, to eat and water to drink, after refusing the king's meat. He ate only those things for ten days. After the days had ended, there was a change: 

Dan 1:15  And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. 16 Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. 17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Daniel (and his friends: Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego) ate of God's "bread" and drank of his water (perhaps symbolic of living water) for ten calendar days, and their countenances were restored. "Countenance" is in general, their appearance. However, a deeper meaning is that all aspects of their existence changed. They appeared more healthy and robust, and also God "gave them knowledge and skill in learning and wisdom". With the change in countenance, they were able to understand the unseen through visions and dreams. Just as John the Beloved, Daniel, we find later, saw into the future!
It seems that John spoke of a similar tribulation in which the Hebrew people experienced, being comparable to the Babylonian one. Let's take a look at what John said about the Church at Smyrna:

Rev 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Think of the ten days in which Daniel fasted. Hunger usually weakens. In the case of Daniel, it strengthened him, not only physically but spiritually. He became more healthy and acquired more wisdom, and apparently an ability to know God's thoughts!

Just as Jesus hungered for forty days, and still withstood the temptations of Satan, Daniel fasted ten days, and withstood the temptation of the king's meat, and along with that, resisted comfort and pleasure. Rather than the kings' meat, Daniel ate the bread of life. Sacrifice gave him strength to overcome temptation. 

Afterwards, when Daniel saw visions, it was after he fasted:

Dan 10:1 ...a word was revealed to Daniel... And the word was true, and it was a great conflict.^[a] And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision. 

Then Daniel saw God in the vision. It was Jesus he saw! Daniel's countenance aligned with God's because he saw the vision of Jesus just as John did in Revelation 1. Think of Daniel's ten days of fasting, and the turmoil as he fought the desire to eat the bountiful food of the king, but consumed only the food of the real King! Basically, Daniel chose the king's prison to freedom. Nebuchadnezzer was symbolic of Satan -  both destroy God's people. Daniel's tribulation (temptation) for ten days was his fasting when he could have had meat. 

Daniel challenged the king by his disobedience. The king could have killed him immediately. Daniel was faithful to God in the face of death. His "crown of life" was a new countenance. The weakened and distraught Daniel was rejuvenated, and made even more healthy and wise than before! Daniel's experience in tribulation was symbolic of the Church of Smyrna, and subsequently ours!

The crown of life was an Olympic-type of wreath for those who ran the race. It represents the prize of winning - perseverance until the race is finished! The prize, of course, is life! We find the type of life in Rev 2:11 - "He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death." The prize is eternal life!

Daniel's ten days were ten calender days. However, God's time is not our time:

2 Peter 3:8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Ten calendar days for the Church at Smyrna is a very short time, even to face tribulation. Is it ten-thousand years? Ten Church ages? No one knows the secret to that. Sacred scripture does relate that mankind's existence shall be for "twelve days", or twelve-thousand years. Is that relevant? We just don't know!

Another possibility is the solar cycle of twelve months to which sacred literature often refers. In that case, Smyrna's tribulation might be for ten calendar months.

How does the "ten days" relate to the Church age? The earth's precessional rotation lasts for 2,160 years with twelve signs. Perhaps "ten days" of the "twelve signs" is 1,800 years. Regardless, most theologians apply the "ten days" as at the end of time. After that time elapses we see, that as with Daniel, the Smyrna-type Church will take on a new countenance. That Church will be glorified with the "crown of life". 

Perhaps, the ten days is related to the "Great Awakening" of the western world in the 1730's and 1740's, not exactly 1,800 years but of the same range. I like to think that because the "awakening" was the Church taking on a new countenance. Rather than religious heritage and tradition, the Church at that time returned to a personal God, just as in the beginning!

We can speculate all we want, and the later seems reasonable, but still we just don't know!

I would say, however, that the Church at Smyrna, after a period of testing, was born-again. That should be obvious that that parallels with a change in our own "countenance" - the new person, when we're born-again. The prize for us will also be "the crown of life". We can't go wrong if we compare ourselves to the Church at Smyrna.