Conclusion of the woman and the child
Part 18 of the Two Witnesses Series
Again, we have two people groups. The woman and the child. The church in Laodicea and the church in Philadelphia. We have the apostate church and the overcomers. We have those who dwell in the outer court and those who dwell in the inner court. We have those who have the presence and those who do not.
I have two favorite stories in the Bible that sums all of this up.
Mary and Martha
Luke 10:38 Now as they were traveling along, He entered a village; and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with all her preparations; and she came up to Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; 42 but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
Again, two people, Mary and Martha. Mary was seated at the Lord’s feet, listening to Him. Martha was busy with all the preparations. She complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping her. Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good part.”
The preparations for the meal were a good thing. But Jesus says that it is not necessary! Sitting at His feet and listening to Him is the only thing that is necessary!
Remember the Zadok and Levite ministry. The Levites who went astray minister in the outer court. This is the works realm. They minister to the people. They wear wool symbolizing sweat, from works. This is the Martha ministry. The sons of Zadok minister in the inner court. They minister directly to the Lord Himself. They wear linen. They are not working. They are worshipping. They have entered His rest. There is no sweat from works. This is the Mary ministry. The Laodicean church has become distracted with all her preparations. She is too busy working to listen to the Holy Spirit. The Philadelphia church is listening to the Holy Spirit. This is the only thing that is necessary.
Jesus tells Martha that the part Mary has chosen will not be taken away from her. This implies that the part Martha has chosen will be taken away. All the things that the Laodicean church has accomplished, that they are bragging about, are done without the Holy Spirit. Outwardly, they look great, but they are done without the Holy Spirit. Jesus is outside the church, knocking on the door.
Works done without the Holy Spirit will be taken away. Only that which is done by the Holy Spirit remains. That is why all the letters to the seven churches in Revelation end with, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” May we all be like Mary!
Parable of the Ten Virgins
Matt 25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the prudent took oil in flasks along with their lamps.
We all know the parable of the ten virgins. Once again, two people groups. Five were wise and took oil with them and five were foolish and took no oil. The context is the end of the age and the coming of Messiah. Oil represents the Holy Spirit. There is no oil in the outer court. Oil is only found in the inner court, in the Menorah, which represents Jesus. How does one acquire the oil for his lamp? Worship. The outer court is the works realm. No oil. The inner court is the place of ministering directly to the Lord Himself. It is the place of worship. The two witness company are the worshipers.
Rev 11:1 “Get up and measure the temple of God and the altar, and those who worship in it.”
May we all be worshipers!
