Exodus 12:13

. . . and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.

1. Blood. Warned. Their god, the Nile.

2. Frogs. Warned. Frogs worshiped.

3. Lice. No warning. Made from dust.

4. Flies. Warned. The god, Beelzebub.

5. Murrain. Warned. Animals worshiped.

6. Boils. No warning. Made from ashes.

7. Hail. Warned. Gods, Isis and Osiris.

8. Locusts. Warned. Serapis impotent.

9. Darkness. No warning. Sand?

10. Death of firstborn. Warned. No hope left.

The above outline is condensed and embellished, based on that in the Companion Bible. The nine are aimed at the gods of Egypt and to show their inability to help. Nine is the number meaning Judgment.

The third plague is interesting. Lice (or maybe small mosquitoes) were made from dust, the same material as man.

The sixth is also interesting, for it is quite likely that Moses took the ashes from the furnace where human sacrifices were made. And the ashes were the cause of the boils.

The ninth plague was darkness, and it could be felt. It may be that it was a terrific sandstorm. If so, we have dust, ashes, and sand, the causes of the three unannounced plagues.

But all of the nine plagues were to show that the gods of Egypt were powerless and amounted to nothing. For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt will I execute Judgment: I am Jehovah (Exo. 12:12).

There was a belief in Egypt that if at any time the gods would fail them, there was one supreme sacrifice they could make that would bring them out of any calamity. That was the sacrifice of the firstborn. So we see that after nine plagues were directed against the gods and they were powerless to prevent, the one and only hope that Egypt had left was taken away from them. The firstborn of every family died, from palace to hovel. Not only was any hope of a human sacrifice taken away, but the firstborn of all their animals died, too.

This helps us to see the awful despair there was in Egypt and their desire to get the Israelites out as soon as possible. Moses and Aaron had made their point. Their God was greater than all others.

The name Jehovah was made known with a special meaning to Moses at the burning bush. This knowledge was to be transmitted to Israel. Also, God determined to make His Name known among the Egyptians who had sunk into the grossest of idolatries, worshipping creeping things (Romans 1:23).

And further than this, God determined to make His Name (Jehovah) known among all the nations of that time. And this was accomplished, for when the spies (scouts) went to Jericho, the people were greatly afraid because of what had happened to Egypt. It is reported that even Tyre and Sidon sought help against the Habiru (Hebrews), who had left Egypt in ruins. A time is coming and maybe very near when the nations will again have to learn this lesson.

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.

In The Gospel of John chapter 3, we have the record of Nicodemus coming to the Lord by night to ask a question. We are not told directly what his question might have been, but based on the answer given, we can surmise that his question was about The Kingdom and how one enters therein. Every Jew looking forward to Messiah no doubt asked questions along the same lines as The Apostles asked in Acts 1:6. The question was when it would be set up.

The reply is clear and concise. A man (Nicodemus) or thee (Israel, Nicodemus being a representative) must be born again (from above) to see or to enter into The Kingdom. This answers the time as it is when they are resurrected in their new bodies.

So far, up till now, the Lord is the only One who has been born again. Even He could not enter into His Kingdom without being born again or resurrected. When He was Resurrected, He became the firstborn from among the dead and the new head of the human race.

Since He is counted as the firstborn from the dead, then it must follow that all who had been brought to life in the OT and such as The Lord raised in the NT, including Lazarus, the saints raised in Jerusalem at the time of the Lord's Resurrection, and even the various times that Paul died and was made alive; all of these did not have a true resurrection or a rebirth. As late as Col. 1:18, The Lord is still the firstborn from among the dead. And when John wrote his Gospel, The Lord was the only One who had ever ascended to Heaven. See John 3:13. So none other has been born again yet.

Our Lord's first begetting was of The Father, and He was God only begotten. So the Lord was not born of blood, not of the will of the flesh, not of the will of a husband, but of God. He was given to have life in Himself and can give life to as many as it pleases Him.

But what about others? How are they begotten so that they may come to the second birth? We find the answer in 1 Peter 1:3 and 1 Peter 1:23. Peter and other believers of that time had been begotten unto a Living Hope. The Lord's Resurrection accomplished it. In 1 Peter 1:23, it is further explained that they are begotten (not the word for born), by incorruptible seed, by (faith in) The Word of God. So every believer receives this begetting and is thus given everlasting life which comes through faith, and faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).

This begetting is better known as everlasting life, the new nature, the new man, the spirit of God, and other names given. We suggest you read Two Natures in the Child of God by E. W. Bullinger, available for free, and make a list of these names.

Note that this begetting is by incorruptible seed. If that is true, there can be no miscarriage, abortion, or stillbirth, but all must come to a living birth or Resurrection. So, to be born again, one must be a believer, begotten of God of incorruptible seed by The Word.

Nicodemus confessed that he believed, therefore, he was begotten of God. But his question was when the time of The Kingdom would be, and he was told it would be at his rebirth or Resurrection from the dead. The reader is invited to search and see as this Truth will eliminate many difficulties and answer many questions they may have along these lines.

Matthew 16:15

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God" was Peter's answer to that question (Matt 16:16). The Christ is the Anointed One, the Messiah of Israel. And how did Peter know? The Lord said to Peter in the next verse, "Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven." Although the Lord had partaken of flesh and His blood was from above (Heb 2:14), He had not revealed this to Peter. Actually, no teacher can teach the I AM of Jesus Christ; neither can any teach The Mystery. Hidden wisdom is not taught in schools and seminaries but is revealed by The Holy Spirit.

"This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." This was the Roman's estimate (Matt 27:37). Pilate found no fault in Him, so He asked Him if He were the King of the Jews. To which The Lord Jesus answered him, "Thou sayest." Pilate was undoubtedly convinced of this truth, but his political life found it expedient to turn the King of the Jews over to the executioners.

"Rabbi, Thou art the Son of God; Thou art the King of Israel" (John 1:49). This was the verdict of Nathaniel in whom there was no guile, or in other words, he was not a politician. He did not say one thing and act another for selfish reasons.

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). This was the witness of John the Baptist. This was a broader view than the others because it was made by one who was looking into the future, even beyond Jewry. John the Baptist preached primarily about The Kingdom, but no doubt saw something of the impact The Kingdom would have on the world. This taking away the sin of the world is explained in 2 Cor 5:19.

"This is My beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased" (Matt 3:17). This is the witness of The Father. It is repeated in Matt 17:5.

"Where is He That is born King of the Jews?" This is the object of the search of the wise men in Matt 2:2 . Wise men still seek Him.

"If Thou be the Son of God" (Matt 4:3). This is Satan's way of addressing Him. Satan and his agents are still putting out the propaganda, either questioning or denying the Sonship of Christ.

"Jesus, Thou Son of God." This was the estimate of the devils (Matt 8:29).

"We have found the Messiah" (John 1:41). This was Andrew's testimony to his brother Simon.

"This is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world." After the woman's testimony and hearing the Lord Himself, this was the conclusion of the men of Sychar (John 4:42).

"I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of God." This was the testimony of Martha, even though her brother lay dead in the tomb (John 11:27).

"My Lord and My God" (John 20:28). These are the words of Thomas when he saw the wounded hands and feet and the side where the spear had pierced.

"He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be My son" (Rev 21:7). These are the words of the Lord Himself.

And what is our answer today to this question asked by The Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ over 1900 years ago?

Ephesians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:

There has been some controversy about what these words mean. Some think that there are two classes: the saints and the faithful. And some think that there is only one, the faithful saints. If the latter were true, there would be little need for the warnings and exhortations of the last three chapters of Ephesians.

In the first place, saints are made. Upon believing, they are saved by Grace through faith, nothing of themselves (lest they should boast), but it is a Gift from God.

A saint is one who is sanctified or cleansed. This happens at the time of believing, not some time afterward. God does not put believers on probation for life but gives it to them at the moment of their belief.

But a faithful one is something different. Faithful means full of faith. One is not counted faithful till he has walked in the good works which were before ordained for him. In The Kingdom age, a faithful servant was one who made use of the talents or pounds that were entrusted to his care.

So here in Eph. 1:1, we have those who have accepted The Truth of The Mystery and have believed it. And we have also those who not only believed it but worked according to it. Hence the two classes, saints and faithful.

These two groups are mentioned in 2 Tim. 2:11-12. Those who have died with Him shall live with Him; those who suffer or endure shall reign with Him. Those who have died with Him are the saints; those who endure or suffer are the faithful.

Again, in Phil. 3:18-19 we find some saints falling into error, making their god their belly and minding earthly things. They will suffer loss for it. But in Phil. 3:14, in the same chapter, you find a faithful one seeking the prize of the high calling.

The last three chapters of Ephesians are taken up with instructions on how to be faithful. The very first exhortation covers all the rest: Walk worthy. This includes such things as keeping The Unity, putting off the old man with his deeds, putting on the new man, and putting away lying (the lie). Also, the three-fold walk, in love, in light, and circumspectly. Being faithful involves the relationship of husbands and wives, parents and children, and servants and masters. Being faithful also involves being able to stand, to withstand, and, when salvation has been worked out, to stand still, all this while fully armed with the whole armor of God. This is how saints become faithful.

Remember this: a believer can do anything an unbeliever can do. He still has the old nature in him. That is why chapter 2 of Colossians warns us with "BEWARE." Even the apostle Paul was very concerned lest he should be unapproved (1 Cor. 9:27).

We must recognize that, in general, there are three classes of believers in the world today. We cannot realize the force of the words above, saints and faithful unless we know this.

1. Those who have life according to John 3:16. These are children (John 1:12, margin). They have not attained the adoption spoken of in Ephesians. No works are ordained that they should walk in them. No such responsibilities are given to little children. So far as we know, these will be in the new earth, paradise, with Adam and others who have not been members of some family of God, either on earth or in heaven. John's Gospel was written after Israel was set aside at the time of Acts 28:28, after their complete fall. So, these believers can have no part with Israel and her Kingdom, which has been closed to membership for almost 2000 years.

2. A second class is those who imagine that The Kingdom is still open and that they are to carry out the great commission of Israel in relation to the world and the nations (Matt. 28:19-20). They practice the rituals and ordinances of Israel and pretend that they are Jews (Rev. 2:9; Rev. 3:9). And the sad part is that they imagine that their Kingdom is to be in heaven, whereas Israel was never told that they would go to heaven, but that their Kingdom would be here on earth. Now, these folks are mostly believers, as they have the gift of life. But their works are built of the wrong materials. They will not stand the fires of testing, for they know not, and do not, the will of God for this age. And since The Kingdom is not open to them, they must have their part with the first group, paradise, or the new earth.

3. This third class comprises those who have heard The Gospel of The Dispensation of The Mystery and have believed it. We have shown how these are divided into two groups: the saints and the faithful. Having a sonship, they have a responsibility and are created unto good works which were before ordained that they should walk in them. Those who believe but walk according to their own will are saints. Those who believe and walk worthy of the calling are faithful. It is not that some may reject the truth, but they have neglected it. That is the prevailing condition in Christendom today. People who believe are all too satisfied to stay in the wilderness.

Manna did sustain life, which was what it was for, but it was not to be compared with the milk and honey in the promised land. In fact, some of Israel would have preferred the fare in Egypt to that manna, so they grumbled about it.

As a nation, Israel had a great commission. The Church of The One Body has a great commission. Those who learn the mysteries of their calling and do the good works associated with that calling are not only saints but faithful saints.