A New Thing
Words of Christ
in Red Emphasis in Blue Comments in Italics
Isaiah 43:19, "Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
(Italicized words are my own)
Solomon said that there is nothing new under the sun. I am sure he was not implying television and space travel wouldn’t take place. What he was referring to was the state of mankind. His weaknesses and his strengths, his fears and his courage. The same old mistakes and the same good intentions. I also believe he was referring the same old temptations by the same old tempter, the devil.
It is clear by the weight of scripture however, that the way these things were delt with has changed. Probably one of the most significant changes ever to take place was the way the spiritual realm was to be overseen.
In the Old Testament God Officiated the Spiritual Realm
Judges 9:23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
1 Samuel 16:14-16, "But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
1 Samuel 16:23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
1 Samuel 18:10 And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.
1 Samuel 19:9, "And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand."
1 Kings 22:23, "Now therefore, behold, the LORD hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets, and the LORD hath spoken evil concerning thee."
Job 1:12, "And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD."
Job 2:6-7, "And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown."
Exodus 12:23 For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite [you].
All through the Old Testament we see God as the one and only sovereign overseer of the spirit realm. It is not that the Old Testament fails to mention the spiritual realm for it surely does over and over again. It even mentions that the angelic forces fought and opposed each other. Still, only God had authority to over these beings.
In the Garden of Eden, God gave Adam (man) dominion over all the Earth and all living creatures (bios). God does not give him dominion over the spirit realm. No where in the Old Testament does man have any authority over the spiritual realm. The Old Testament prophets healed, preformed miracles (parted the waters, called fire down from heaven, etc.) yet not one of them ever cast out a single demon. What changed, and when did this change happen?
NT Man Receives That Authority
Luke 1:15-17, "For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
It is clear that John the Baptist was of the old order and had no more authority than any other Old Testament prophet. Luke 1:17 says that John operated "in the spirit and power of Elias" and Elijah never cast out demons.
All through the New Testament we see as a significant part of Christ’s ministry the casting out of demons. Most explain this as a function of him being the "son of God" or "God incarnate". What seems to be overlooked is the fact that Christ was not alone in the ability to cast demons out.
Luke 10:1, "After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come."
Luke 10:17, "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."
Luke 10:19-24, "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that 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 to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him. And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.."
The mystery to "when" this change became effective is revealed in the following few passages. I stumbled across this first one a couple of years ago and at first it puzzled me.
Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
At the time, I studied on this a little, but it wasn’t until I found the "second witness" passage that it started to become clear what was being referred to.
Lu 16:16 The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
It is the beginning of the gospel of the kingdom, which Christ preached and demonstrated.
Luke 11:20, "But if I with the finger of God cast out devils, no doubt the kingdom of God is come upon you."
The authority that was of the Father is now in your hands.
Luke 12:32, …for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
John the Baptist never received the authority of this "new thing". That is why Christ said:
Matthew 11:11, "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." As great as John was he had no authority in the invisible kingdom because his authority was that of Elijah.
Lets take a closer look at our key scripture.( Strong’s numbers added)
Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence <971> , and the violent <973> take <726> (0) it by force <726> (5719).{suffereth...: or, is gotten by force}
971 biazo {bee-ad'-zo} from 979;
AV - suffer violence 1, press 1; 2
1) to use force, to apply force
2) to force, inflict violence on
In this usage – present tense "Is now subject to the pressing" In a greater aspect as that of a pressing emanating from a bios – a living being."
979 bios {bee'-os} a primary word; AV - life 5, living
5, good 1; 11
1) life
1a) life extensively
1a1) the period or course of life
1b) that by which life is sustained, resources, wealth,
goods
Synonym of bios is 2222 zoe {dzo-ay'} from 2198;
AV - life 133, lifetime 1; 134
1) life
1a) the state of one who is possessed of vitality or is
animate
1b) every living soul
"and the violent" 973 biastes {bee-as-tace'} from 971;
AV - violent 1; 1
1) strong, forceful
2) using force, violent
In this second scripture we see the same word that is translated "suffereth violence" in the first scripture now used in the same context: "kingdom preached", "subject to the forceful acquisition by man" and while John was still alive
Lu 16:16 The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth <971> (5731) into it.
"presseth into it" is the same word as "suffereth violence" in the Mt 11:12 scripture.
The time frame of this "new thing" is now narrowed down to the period of time while John was still alive and the beginning of the kingdom being preached. Out of John’s own mouth it is narrowed down even more.
Matthew 3:1-3, "In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight."
Matthew 3:16-17, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."..Matthew 4:1, "Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil."………………..-17, "Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; …………… From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand <1448>, "(Strong’s #1448- To join one thing to another) or the invisible kingdom is now joined to the visible kingdom.
There is still one more word in this scripture I would like us to look at. It appears twice in this one verse and is part of the "mystery". It is the word "harpazo" Strong’s # 726
Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence <971> (5731) (5743), and the violent <973> take <726> (0) it<846> by force <726> (5719).
726 harpazo {har-pad'-zo} from a
derivative of 138; AV - catch up 4, take by force 3, catch
away 2, pluck 2, catch 1, pull 1; 13
1) to seize, carry off by force
2) to seize on,
claim for one's self eagerly
3) to snatch out or away
Because the word is used twice with only one word between it requires us to use two different definitions of that word that fit the intention of the verse. The first "harpazo" is "to seize". The word in between is the word "autos" where we get the word automatic and autonomic, and gives the second word the meaning "claim for one's self eagerly"
Some other uses of that word "harpazo". In these first two examples the use these words are identical to our key scripture.
Here the people want to make him king, not hurt him. To seize him and claim him as their own king.
John 6:15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take <726> (0) him by force <726>, to make him a king , he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
To seize Paul and claim him as their own, a roman citizen and subject to the rights and privilege of a Roman citizen under their protection.
Ac 23:10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take <726> (0) him by force <726> (5658) from among them, and to bring [him] into the castle.
The Mystery of when the authority over the spirit realm (the invisible kingdom), especially to cast out demons, appears to have happened is at the approximate time of Christ’s anointing and the beginning of his ministry just prior to his temptation by Satan in the wilderness.
The authority over demons had to pass to man or else Christ would not have been able to accomplish his purpose as the "son of man". And it had to happen before the cross.
The religious leaders that watched his
ministry knew that something "new"
had happened.
Some followed him because of it, but most were confused and
threatened.
Mark 1:26-27, "And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him."
Luke 4:35-37, "And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out."
The ones that didn’t get it accused him of sorcery because they had no documentation to convince them that man would have such authority.
Matthew 12:24, "But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils."
Matthew 12:27, "And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges."
Mark 3:22, "And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils."
If we correctly translate our key scriptures they might read as follows:
Mt 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.
Mt 11:12 And from the days when John the Baptist was still alive, continuing even until today, the Kingdom of Heaven (Invisible Kingdom), has been subject to forceful acquisition (available for the taking)(the taking by force), and those that desire to possess it strongly enough, seize upon it and claim it as their own (possession, right or inheritance).
Lu 16:16 The law and the prophets [were] until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth <971> (5731) into it.
Lu 16:16 The controlling authorities that the law and the prophets operated in and under continued up until John the Baptist and ended with him. Since that time a new authority which extended even into the Invisible Kingdom of God was revealed to man by those preaching the Gospel. When their words were heard, those who desired to enter into this "new authority", claimed it for themselves eagerly.
Matthew 16:19, "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."
Matthew 16:19, I will now give you the keys to the Kingdom; whatever you allow in the visible (kingdom) is allowed in the invisible (kingdom), whatever you don’t allow in the visible (kingdom) is not allowed in the invisible (kingdom). You now have dominion not only over all the earth but also in the spirit realm.
Matthew 24:13-14, "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come."
This Gospel of the Kingdom included the understanding that authority alone was not the way this "New Doctrine" worked. It was only the authority "energized" with "power", that would govern this "Invisible Kingdom".
1 Corinthians 4:18-20, "Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power<1411>. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."
1 Thessalonians 1:5, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power<1411>, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake."
Here are some other scriptures using synonyms of these same words we have just studied.
Philippians 3:12-14Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
1 Peter 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Heb 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
This concept of pressing in and taking by an act of will the things of God isn't new. It is basicly the way we reach into God's storehouse and aquire the those things God has prepared for us. The "new thing" is that authority to bring demonic activity into submission to our will is now also available for those who have the faith to exercise it.
Luke 5:1 And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,
Luke 5:17-19, "And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought <2212> means to bring him in, and to lay him before him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus."
1411 dunamis {doo'-nam-is} miracle performing power now belonges to all believers
Mark 5:27-31, "When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue <1411> had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?"
Acts 1:8, "But ye shall receive power<1411>, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."
Acts 2:22, "Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles<1411> and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:"
Acts 6:8, "And Stephen, full of faith and power<1411>, did great wonders and miracles among the people."
Acts 10:38, "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power<1411>: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him."
Acts 19:11, "And God wrought special miracles<1411> by the hands of Paul:"
Romans 1:4, "And declared to be the Son of God with power<1411>, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:"
Romans 1:20, "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power<1411> and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"
Romans 15:13, "Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power<1411> of the Holy Ghost."
Romans 15:19, "Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power<1411> of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ."
1 Corinthians 1:24, "But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power<1411> of God, and the wisdom of God."
1 Corinthians 2:4, "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power<1411>:"
1 Corinthians 15:56, " The sting of death is sin; and the strength <1411> of sin is the law."
2 Corinthians 4:7, "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power<1411> may be of God, and not of us."
Galatians 3:5, "He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?"
Ephesians 1:19, "And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,"
Ephesians 3:7, "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power."
Ephesians 3:16, "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;"
Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,"
Colossians 1:11, "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;"
2 Thessalonians 1:11, "Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:"
2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 3:1-7, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
2 Peter 1:3, "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"
2 Peter 1:16, "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."
2212 zeteo {dzay-teh'-o} of uncertain
affinity; AV - seek 100, seek for 5, go about 4, desire 3, misc 7;
119
1) to seek in order to find
1a) to seek a thing
1b) to seek [in order to find out] by thinking, meditating,
reasoning, to enquire into
1c) to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after
2) to seek i.e. require, demand
2a) to crave, demand something from someone
1849 exousia {ex-oo-see'-ah} from 1832 (in the sense of
ability); AV - power 69, authority 29, right 2, liberty 1,
jurisdiction 1, strength 1; 103
1) power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases
a) leave or permission
2) physical and mental power
2a) the ability or strength with which one is endued,
which he either possesses or exercises
3) the power of authority (influence) and of right (privilege)
4) the power of rule or government (the power of him whose
will and commands must be submitted to by others and obeyed)
970 - force, effective, often oppressive
power exhibiting itself in single deeds of violence
1411 – miraculous power, ability, general and inherent
1753 - working, power in exercise, operative power
1849 - primarily liberty of action; then authority -- either
as
delegated power, or as unrestrained, arbitrary power
2479 - strength, power, (especially physical) as an endowment
2904 - might, relative and manifested power -- in the NT
chiefly of God