The Word: Life to the Few, Death to the Many.

The book we call the Bible is physically made up of paper with writing in ink upon its pages. It makes no difference who is holding the book; all Bibles are materially identical. Why are such disparaging differences found among those who stake a claim to being a Christian, let alone between those who make no such claim? Enter the supernatural. To those who echo Philippians 2:16 know that it has become the Word of life to them. Yet on the other side of the aisle, it is much closer to being in the Twilight Zone where nothing is truly understandable, so let us make up our own meanings. In speaking of life versus death; there is only one way to life and that is through the Word of Life, Jesus Christ. Remember, a mantra of this age is that there are many paths to God; in actuality there are only two as I will demonstrate.

This verse is so often quoted by teachers and writers who ignore verse 11 and the context of the passage; oftentimes stopping at the word ‘two-edged sword’ to emphasize another point they want to get across. The main issue of this passage in context is ‘unbelief’. First, let us look at ...

• The sword - two edged and as concerning the Word it has two purposes, both involve, as we would call it; slicing and dicing. In John’s Revelation 1:16, the glorified Jesus is described as having a two-edged sword coming out of His mouth. In chapter 2:12, is the application of this sword; to cut and remove heresy from within His Church, in this case at Pergamos. Every believer has felt this sword as the Word cut our hearts to the quick, to remove that which was ungodly. The other use is to kill and destroy the wicked unbelievers (Revelation 19:15,21). In Luke 2:35, Simeon blessed the eight day old baby Jesus and prophesied of this very same sword. This word for sword (4501) is only used in reference to Jesus. He is the wielder, for it belongs to Him alone. Now to the context of the equation:

• Soul and spirit - for the believer, our spirits were once dead, but His Word joined our living souls with a new spirit as His sword has cut out our dead hearts or as Ezekiel wrote; removed our hearts of stone and replaced them with one of living flesh. In the context of ‘unbelief’, this sword will sever any possible relationship to a living spirit within those as John 3:18 puts it, ‘he that believeth not is condemned already’. That very same Word will keep them in unbelief. How can anyone believe they had anything to do with their own salvation, when it requires a miraculous new spiritual creation within us?

• Joint and marrow - the physical part of man, which can only be seen by a physical dividing of the flesh. This part is a mystery to me, but speaks of our Lord knowing the believer’s every physical limitation and need; including Paul’s thorn in the flesh to keep him reliant upon God. Many have heard of great healing or deliverance accompanying one’s day of salvation. This is not the case in the majority, but however He chooses to use us may be the direct result of His sword upon our innermost physical well being. To the unbeliever, their days will be filled with emotional and physical angst without inner peace in the here and now.

• Discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart - nothing is hidden from God. Again, every believer can feel His Word probing our hearts and minds; thankfully, always to keep us on the path He has chosen for us individually. We will never be judged for our thoughts and intents, for the ungodly variety of these were forgiven upon the cross. We will be judged (1 Peter 4:17) for our works, or lack of works per 1 Corinthians 3:12-15. However, the unbeliever will be judged according to their works along with the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Romans 2:15-16

Summary: to the child of the King, the Word is life, liberty and the assurance of heaven. To the unbeliever, the Word places a wall between the soul and spirit, bringing upon them an unfulfilled life and the absolute fear of death. All men truly know, there will be a day of reckoning. They may harden themselves to this inborn Truth for a season, but it will always linger in the back of their minds until death makes it a reality.

Path of the FEW

We who love God and long for His appearing have several important factors in common with one another.

• We were drawn by the Father (called) to the Savior (chosen) who will keep us (faithful), as Revelation 17:14 states, those who accompany the Lord of Lords and King of Kings are the called, chosen and faithful. His faithfulness is our Lord’s gift to His own. 2 Timothy 2:13.
• The Word is alive to our new spiritual nature (1 Corinthians 2:13-16) and is reflected within our physical nature as well. We find comfort, encouragement and strength within His Word. Conversely, we grow weak and wanting when the Word is absent in our lives.
• We experience full joy when we have been faithful and experience sadness when we know of our personal failures. Both are a blessing, for it demonstrates not only to ourselves that we are alive in Christ, but also to those who know and love us.
• Our souls are vexed as was Lot’s over the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah (2 Peter 2:7-8), with the sins of our age.
• In the darkest of days, we can have a peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). If our faith should cost us our lives, our God will be with us and keep a testimony in our hearts and our mouths per Matthew 10:18-20.
• We long for the return of our Lord for His bride, for heaven's treasures await us. 2 Timothy 4:8
• We shall all (John 10:27-30) be called to the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9) and ‘... we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is’ (1 John 3:2).

The path of the FEW leads directly to Jesus Christ and forever to abide in His presence.

Path of the MANY is Divided into Two Camps.

The camp of the called but not of the chosen.

• Matthew 20:16 - in the context of those laboring for the Master. Plenty of workers in the fields for many were called, BUT few were to be found among the chosen.
• Matthew 22:14 - in the context of the wedding banquet with the Master. People seeking to join but did not have the proper wedding garment, the righteousness of Christ (Revelation 19:8).
• MANY labor within today’s churches, denominations, missions and ministries thinking they are serving God as one of His own. Sadly, they are counting upon their works to maintain their empty belief that Jesus will be waiting for them with open arms. These are those who will hear those terrifying words from our Lord, ‘I NEVER KNEW YOU’ Matthew 7:23.
• They are those to whom God will send the delusion of 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12, because in actuality they have NO love of the Word of Truth. To them it is just a manual for a system of works to keep them going under their own power; but alas, without His peace in their souls.

The camp of the darkness.

• Romans 1:22-32 - the worldly professing themselves to be wise but have become fools. They have invented every form of anti-God religions; as Marx stated, they have succumbed to the opiate of the masses. They plead, please tell me a lie or give me a god that suits me and I will follow my own path.
• They are growing worse, deceiving and being deceived as prophesied in 2 Timothy 3:12. This is also the hand of God as He allows the wicked to openly display their hatred of Him to the world.
• The consistent trait within the camp of darkness is to mock, condemn and destroy any vestige of the so-called Christian religion. The camp of the called are in double jeopardy; the camp of the darkness desires to see them dead and Jesus will not accept them should they die. The proverbial - ‘between a rock and a hard place’.

The path of the MANY also leads to God. Unfortunately, it takes a detour through hell until they stand before the Great White Throne in judgment (Revelation 19:11-15). As Philippians states, they will bow the knee and glorify God just prior to being cast, thrown with violence, into the Lake of Fire, forever.

The Word is life to the FEW and death to the MANY.