The Forgotten Son! Part 2

Good day. Today we are posting the second newsletter in the series The Forgotten Son; there was originally 7 parts to this series but over time Part 4 went missing. We pray that you will allow the Lord to fill in the missing part in your hearts as He ministers unto you as you partake of these newsletters. The Forgotten Son newsletters were written in 1996 by our dear brother, fellow steward and ambassador of the mystery of Christ, Larry Gazelka. Our prayer is that you will be blessed and encouraged by this newsletter series. Have a very blessed and prosperous day in Christ Jesus our Lord. ***You can download a copy of the writings for personal use only by clicking on the Built Anew Ministries Archive page link above and scroll down to the year 1996.

The Forgotten Son!           Vol.18 No.27
    Part II
  
Do you know the name of the only begotten Son of God? Do you know how to approach the throne of grace in a time of need? It says that we are to come boldly! How can you come boldly if you do not know your rights and authority?
 
In the last series that we did in the newsletters on the armor of God, we should have noticed that one of the first things that Father told us through Paul, was that we are to stand. We have to know our rights, and by whose authority we act upon.
 
Luke 2:25-33 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. 26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, 28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. 33 And Joseph and his mother marveled at those things which were spoken of him. (KJV)
 
Have you noticed in this text of Luke, that Simeon was briefed and led by the Holy Spirit? Everyone else there saw the child Jesus, but not Simeon! He saw and beheld the Lord’s Christ! He saw the salvation of Israel, and the Gentiles. The key here, is that Simeon was led by the Holy Spirit! Not by what man or his doctrine had to say; for if that was the case, we would still be waiting for Christ to come, as many are till this very day.
 
We have to quit believing what everyone else tells us, (unless it lines up with the Word of God) and start reading the Word of God for ourselves. Just because everyone else is doing it does not make it right. It is a wide and broad path that leads away from Father’s house; but it is a narrow and straight path unto His kingdom, and it is very lightly traveled.
 
Matthew 16:13-20 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. (KJV)
 
Who do you say that He is? Are you sure enough of your answer, to bet eternity on it? This could be exactly what you are doing! As long as Peter was moving according to the flesh, he could only acknowledge Jesus of Nazareth. But, when directed by the Holy Spirit, then his answer was straight from the throne of Father!
 
It is upon this “Rock”, that He will build His Church. The “Rock” being the revelation of Christ as the only begotten Son of God (vs.16). It is upon the revelation of Jesus Christ, that the gates of hell shall not prevail, since Christ arose with the keys of hell and death.
 
Peter was not yet born-again. What could he do? Nothing, until the Holy Spirit, the Comforter was sent; and then Peter would recall these words, and eventually put them into use. We must see that Christ is the Rock that the builders rejected. We have to take the time to hear what the scriptures are saying to us. For the most part, they are what we hear others say; and this is what we have been basing our salvation upon; someone else's word. It is time for us to wake up and hear what the Spirit of Father is saying unto the “Church”.
 
Romans 9:33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumblingstone and rock of offense, and whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." (NKJ)
 
What is a stumblingstone? You have probably heard a few definitions of it, but what exactly is it? Notice, that the Word says that He is a stumblingstone, and a rock of offence.
 
4348  proskomma- a stumblingblock: a) an obstacle in the way which if one strikes his foot against he stumbles or falls b) that over which a soul stumbles, that is, by which is caused sin.
 
4625  skandalon ("scandal")-offense: the movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick a) a trap, a snare  b) any impediment placed in the way and causing one to stumble or fall, (a stumbling block, occasion of stumbling), that is, a rock which is a cause of stumbling c) figuratively applied to Jesus Christ, whose person and career were so contrary to the expectations of the Jews concerning the Messiah, that they rejected him and by their obstinacy made shipwreck of their salvation 2) any person or thing by which one is (entrapped) drawn into error or sin.
 
Could Jesus of Nazareth been that “rock” that followed the children of Israel in the desert for those forty years? I think not! It was not until around 3 B.C. that Jesus of Nazareth came into being, by the power of the Holy Spirit. You have to find out the mystery of who that was that followed the children of Israel, those forty years in the desert.
 
Isaiah 8:14-16 And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.16 Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. (KJV)
 
1 Corinthians 10:4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. (KJV)
 
Why do you think it was, that Paul wrote to Timothy, and told him; that at his first answer, no man stood with him, but all forsook him? Do you really think that times have changed?
 
1 Peter 2:6-8 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. 7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. (KJV)
 
Mark 14:61-62 Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? 62 And Jesus said, I am: (KJV)
 
Paul preached the message of the mystery of gospel, and none wanted to hear it at first. They all tripped and stumbled at it. They were ensnared with the doctrines of men. To side with what had been revealed to Paul, would mean they would lose all of their friends. They would be ostracized and labeled as fanatics.
 
If you take the time to look at 2 Timothy 4:16-18; you will see that the Lord stood with Paul. He was able to do all things through Christ who was his strength. It is not an easy thing to take a stand for the Lord, but those who do, will find that the benefits, are out of this world.
 
2 John 1:7-11 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds. (KJV)
 
John tells us that there are many deceivers that are in the world. It is those who John says that they do not abide in the doctrine of Christ. If they do not teach and expound the doctrine of Christ, we are not to welcome them, nor bid them God speed. If you do, you become a partaker of their evil deeds.
 
Are you drinking of the living waters? Is your source the same as the one that supplied the waters for the children of Israel?
 
John 14:13-14 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it. (KJV)
 
John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (KJV)
 
You have to know His name, there are no substitutes! Jesus Christ’s instructions to us are quite explicit to us, but we just do not take the time to hear. Faith only comes by hearing, and hearing by Father’s Word.
 
John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (KJV)
 
What we fail to see and hear; is that every time “Jesus said,” is recorded in the Bible, it is the Spirit of Christ that was coming forth out of his mouth! His Words are spirit, and they are life, the new life in Christ. When we get in trouble, is when we listen to man’s word, instead of that which comes straight from the throne of Father. You have to make a choice of who’s words you are going to give heed to; man’s word or that from God Almighty?
 
You have to keep fresh in your heart and mind, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God!
 
2 Peter 1:16-18 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is me beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. 18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount. (KJV)
 
Peter is quite clear here, to tell us that he is not a part of those who would deceive the body of Christ. He is quick to tell us that he heard the voice from heaven, that acknowledged the only begotten Son, full of grace and truth. They were not mere man’s words, but Words of power and authority. Are you able to hear what the Spirit is saying unto the “Church”?
 
1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, (NKJ)
 
Some will depart from the faith! We read the Word of God, but we do not hear what it is saying to us. There are those who will turn their backs on the Son of God. Not because I say so; but because the Word of God warns us of these things!
 
John, in his epistles warns us of the spirit of antichrist which is already among us. It is already present in the world and deceiving those who will listen to it.
 
1 John 2:22-26 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. 24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. (KJV)
 
500 antichristos (an-tee'-khris-tos); from 473 and 5547; an opponent of the Messiah: KJV-- antichrist.
 
Who are the deceiving spirits? What do you think they teach? Or what do you think that they have the people leave out?
 
2 John 1:7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. (KJV)
 
4108 planos- deceivers: 1) wandering, roving 2) misleading, leading into error a) a vagabond, a "tramp", an impostor b) a corrupter, a deceiver.
 
The Son of God came that we might have abundant life. The Words that He speaks to us, they are Spirit, and they are life! We have to keep in our hearts and minds, that Jesus Christ’s words to us are Spirit, and they are life! The thief comes with words also; they too are spirits. They bring about death if we give heed to them.
 
This is why Paul tells us what he did. How do people follow deceiving spirits? By listening to their words; by following their teachings!
 
The deceiving spirits leave out the message of the Son that was given! They want you to miss the mystery of the Gospel; the mystery that has been revealed to those who will hear what the Spirit of Christ is saying unto the “Church”.
  
That you may know Him,
In the service of Jesus Christ
Larry Gazelka
  
Word Corner: 3466  musterion- mystery: 1) hidden thing, secret, mystery a) generally mysteries, religious secrets, confided only to the initiated and not to ordinary mortals b) a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding c) a hidden purpose or counsel; secret will: 1) of men 2) of God: the secret counsels which govern God in dealing with the righteous, which are hidden from ungodly and wicked men but plain to the godly 2) in rabbinic writings, it denotes the mystic or hidden sense: of an Old Testament saying, of an image or form seen in a vision, of a dream.