Understanding the bible: part 2 – divine order

INTRODUCTION

God is perfect and therefore, his word is perfect. The meaning of the words are perfect. The order of the words are perfect. All aspects of his word are perfect.

Therefore, the bible is the most advanced document ever written.

It is also the most unique book on the planet because it was written by many people over many centuries, in many different places, but still has only one author – God himself.

We can gain very important insights if we simply pay attention to the order of the words.

This divine order of words teaching is divided up into 3 main categories:

• In the verse
  
• In the context
  
• In the chapter
  
• In the book
  
• Order of books
  
• Intertestamental
  
• Chronological
  

Psalm 37:23
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Psalm 119:133
Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

I Corinthians 14:40
Let all things be done decently and in order.

THE DIVINE ORDER OF WORDS IN THE VERSE

Hosea 7:1
When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, and the wickedness of Samaria: for they commit falsehood; and the thief cometh in, and the troop of robbers spoileth without.

Notice the perfect order of the words in this verse: falsehood occurs first, then the word thief comes second because that is exactly how the thief steals: by lying [falsehood].

Here’s an example.

THE DEVIL’S LIE:
You don’t need no Jesus man! Don’t waste your time! We’re all one with the universe. I’m in perfect harmony with all the plants, the animals, the rivers and the stars. Feel the love and forgiveness all around us.

THE CONSEQUENCES:
As long as I believe the devil’s lie, then he has stolen away from me the opportunity to gain eternal life and get a brand new spiritual body at the return of Christ. I remain a natural man of only body and soul. Life is nothing but 85 years and a hole in the ground.

The adversary has also stolen my sonship right of sanctification, which is being separate from the contaminated world that is run by Satan.

But just to be clear, the devil cannot literally steal any of our sonship rights away.

He can only steal them out of our mind and only with our permission through deception, which takes the form of lies.

Maybe that’s what the phrase “you’re out of your mind” is all about – the devil has stolen the word out of their mind with his lies.

GOD’S TRUTH:
Acts 4
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

However, uncle unbeliever can, at any time, choose to see the light because God gives all humans freedom of will.

II Corinthians 4
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

THE BENEFITS OF BELIEVING THE TRUTH:

• Redemption
• Justification
• Righteousness
• Sanctification
• Word & ministry of reconciliation
• Boldness, access and confidence
• the perfect hope of Jesus Christ’s return
• etc, etc etc…too many to list!

So now that we know how the adversary works, we can defeat him confidently for we are not ignorant of his devices [schemes and plans].

THE DIVINE ORDER OF WORDS IN THE CHAPTER

Walk in Love, Light and Circumspectly

Ephesians 5
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

It’s easier to understand the divine order of these verses and concepts if we apply the principles of reverse engineering.

What is reverse engineering?

Reverse engineering, also called back engineering, is the process by which a man-made object is deconstructed to reveal its designs, architecture, or to extract knowledge from the object; similar to scientific research, the only difference being that scientific research is about a natural phenomenon.
This is often done by a manufacturer’s competitor so that they can make a similar product.

So we are going to break down verses 2, 8 & 15 in reverse order to see God’s perfect order in his word.

In verse 15, the word “see” is Strong’s concordance #991 (blépō) which is to be watchful or observant. It implies to see physical things, but with an in-depth spiritual perception and awareness. The purpose is so that a person can take the appropriate action.

The word “walk” is the Greek word peripatéo, which can be further broken down into the prefix peri = around, with a full 360 degree view, and this also makes the Greek word pateo, “walk”, stronger; to walk completely around, coming full circle.

“Circumspectly” is the Greek word akribos which means carefully, exactly, with precision and is used in Greek literature to describe the ascent of a mountain climber to the top of a mountain.

If you are on a boat on the ocean on a clear day, the farthest you can see is only 12 miles, but on top of mount Everest, the highest point on earth, you can see 1,200.

Experience the full 360 degree panoramic view, with no blind spots.

This is where we can be spiritually…

But the standard of the word is even higher!

Ephesians 2:6
And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

We are spiritually seated in the heavenlies, exercising our heavenly citizenship, far above the clouds of darkness, confusion and fear.

Prerequisite?

God’s 100% pure light.

This is the spiritual reason why walking in light in Ephesians 5:8 comes before walking circumspectly in Ephesians 5:15.

Walking is a verb, an action word, in the present tense. In order to take action on the word of God, we must believe, which is another action verb.

James 2
17 Even so faith [from Greek word pistis = believing], if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith [from Greek word pistis = believing] without works is dead?
26 For as the body without the spirit [soul life] is dead, so faith [from Greek word pistis = believing] without works is dead also.

We are told, not once, not twice, but 3 times in only 1 chapter that believing is dead unless there is action with it.

Therefore, if we are walking in light, we are believing.

But what is the prerequisite for believing?

God’s perfect love.

Galatians 5:6
For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

The word “faith” is again, the Greek word pistis, which means believing.

Check out the definition of “worketh”!

HELPS Word-studies
1754 energéō (from 1722 /en, “engaged in,” which intensifies 2041 /érgon, “work”) – properly, energize, working in a situation which brings it from one stage (point) to the next, like an electrical current energizing a wire, bringing it to a shining light bulb.

So the summary and conclusion as to why Ephesians 5 has verses 2, 8 & 15 in that exact order is as follows:

THE DIVINE ORDER OF WORDS IN THE BOOK

One of the first themes and subjects mentioned in the book of James that we need to master is not wavering in believing God’s wisdom.

James 1
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith [believing], nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Look at the great example of Abraham, the father of believing!

Romans 4
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith [believing], giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

But why is wavering and double-mindedness mentioned first before James mentions the 2 kinds of wisdom?

James 3
15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

This is why Eve succumbed to the serpent’s craftiness that resulted in the fall of man.

She wavered in doubt and confusion between the serpent’s wisdom and the wisdom of God.

Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more subtil [crafty, shrewd, cunning, wise] than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Matthew 14
30 But when he [Peter] saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith [believing], wherefore didst thou doubt?

Doubt is one of the 4 signs of weak believing.

But in order to be successful with God, as we saw in James 2 three times, we must take the appropriate action on God’s wisdom, which, by definition, is applying the knowledge of God.

The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed.

The New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.

Matthew 4:4
But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

THE DIVINE ORDER OF BOOKS

The following are quotes from sections of E.W. Bullinger’s number in scripture book online, relative to the biblical meaning of the number 2.

“We now come to the spiritual significance of the number Two. We have seen that one excludes all difference, and denotes that which is sovereign. but two affirms that there is a difference—there is another; while one affirms that there is not another!

This difference may be for good or for evil. A thing may differ from evil, and be good; or it may differ from good, and be evil. Hence, the number Two takes a two-fold colouring, according to the context.

The two may be, though different in character, yet one as to testimony and friendship. The Second that comes in may be for help and deliverance. But, alas! where man is concerned, this number testifies of his fall, for it more often denotes that difference which implies opposition, enmity, and oppression.

The second of the three great divisions of the Old Testament, called Nebiim, or the Prophets (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) contains the record of Israel’s enmity to God, and of God’s controversy with Israel.

In the first book (Joshua) we have God’s sovereignty in giving the conquest of the land; while in the second (Judges) we see the rebellion and enmity in the land, leading to departure from God and the oppression of the enemy.

The same significance of the number two is seen in the New Testament.

In 2 Corinthians there is a marked emphasis on the power of the enemy, and the working of Satan (2:11, 11:14, 12:7. See pp. 76,77).

In 2 Thessalonians we have a special account of the working of Satan in the revelation of “the man of sin” and “the lawless one.”

In 2 Timothy we see the church in its ruin, as in the first epistle we see it in its rule.

In 2 Peter we have the coming apostasy foretold and described.

In 2 John we have the “Antichrist” mentioned by this name, and are forbidden to receive into our house any who come with his doctrine.“

INTERTESTAMENTAL

Intertestamental means between the old and new testaments.

There is a divine order of words there too.

Ephesians 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Definition of “sealed”:

HELPS Word-studies
4972 sphragízō (from 4973 /sphragís, “a seal”) – properly, to seal (affix) with a signet ring or other instrument to stamp (a roller or seal), i.e. to attest ownership, authorizing (validating) what is sealed.

4972 /sphragízō (“to seal”) signifies ownership and the full security carried by the backing (full authority) of the owner. “Sealing” in the ancient world served as a “legal signature” which guaranteed the promise (contents) of what was sealed.

[Sealing was sometimes done in antiquity by the use of religious tattoos – again signifying “belonging to.”]

1 Corinthians 6:20
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

That’s incredible! How can we ever repay God for what he has done for us?!

Be living epistles, living sacrifices, for him.

1 John 4:19
We love him, because he first loved us.

Esther 8:8
Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.

[Jesus Christ, being God’s only-begotten son, is also his first born son and therefore has all the judicial power and authority of God.

This is just one of many reasons why he could exercise so much power over devil spirits, storms, diseases and foes is because his word is irreversible as King of Israel.

In the book of Matthew, Jesus Christ is the king of Israel, (cue Mission Impossible theme) so you’re assignment, if you accept, is to re-read the book of Matthew in this new light

As first-born sons of God, we have Christ in us, so we can walk with all of God’s authority and power because the words of God that we speak cannot be reversed by God.

1 Timothy 1:17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

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].

Meanwhile, back to the order of words…

If the verse in Ephesians about us being sealed unto the day of redemption was written before the corresponding verse in Esther, then part of the great mystery would have been revealed too soon, breaking the word of God, which cannot be broken because God had the mystery hidden before the world began.

Colossians 1
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

CHRONOLOGICAL

When reading the new testament, we see 7 books that are written directly to the believers, the members in the body of Christ, in the age of grace, in the following canonical order:

1. Romans
2. Corinthians
3. Galatians
4. Ephesians
5. Philippians
6. Colossians
7. Thessalonians

Canonical order is the accepted, standard and, as you’ll see below, divine order of the books of the bible.

As if this wasn’t amazing enough, God performed an encore because there is a divine chronological order of books of the bible.

In regards to the book of Thessalonians, here’s a quote from the companion reference bible, page 1787, on the chronological order of the new testament books:

Here is the main theme of the 3 doctrinal epistles:

• Romans: believing
• Ephesians: love
• Thessalonians: hope

The Thessalonians were under tremendous pressure and persecution, [no surprise there!], so in order to give the believers the strength and endurance to keep God first, continue to live the word and defeat the adversary, their greatest need was to have the hope of Jesus Christ’s return in their heart.

Enter Thessalonians.

THIS is why God had Thessalonians written first.

What a God of love we have!

But there is a deeper truth…

Let’s compare some of the introductory verses of the 7 church epistles:

Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

I Corinthians 1:1
Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

II Corinthians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia:

Galatians 1:1
Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

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:

Philippians 1:1
Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Colossians 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,

Thessalonians 1:1
Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

What are the purposes of the 5 gift ministries to the church?

Ephesians 4
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That is why Paul, Silvanus and Timotheus do not have any titles in the book of Thessalonians.

That is why they are listed just as common men because at the return of Christ, it won’t matter who we were back on earth.

Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The hope of redeeming mankind was what kept Jesus Christ on track.

And now that we have the hope of his return, look at our benefit!

Hebrews 6:19
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

It was the hope of Jesus Christ’s return that enabled the Thessalonians to carry on with God.

We can do the same.