Each human being shares a common trait which is defining but also could be considered different depending on our personal circumstances. This shared trait is FEAR. It can be argued that our fears are not similar in any respect but in reality, this is not true.
This trait of FEAR has always existed and there is one word which we will explore that can explain the connection of this FEAR down to each of God’s creations, including Satan and every other being created before man.
The Bible mentions FEAR in some context over five-hundred times, proving the power this emotion has over man. However, when FEAR is written relating to God, the meaning is not our typical definition of being afraid. The book of Job explains the FEAR of God perfectly.
20 “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? Job 28:20 (NKJV)
28And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”
Job 28:28 (NKJV) (emphasis mine)
If we are honest with ourselves, most of us do not live in FEAR of the Lord. We have carnal needs that are much more important than fearing God. But again, God is not calling us to be afraid of Him. Maybe if this was His intention more would strive for wisdom, gaining understanding, by the departure of evil.
FEAR is reverence for the One who designed us with the intention of becoming a part of His Family. FEAR is obedience to the One who created us with the intention of our becoming an heir. The first four of the Ten Commandments are about the love of God. The last six commandments are about the love of our fellow man. This foundation we have been given does not matter to non-Christians and even worse, is thought of as old news to professed Christians because it is believed Christ eliminated these laws (commandments). Thus, FEAR in the biblical context that was established by God has been highjacked by FEAR of loss of the carnal which is the FEAR that permeates society.
There is another word that man uses that can be understood positively which has been twisted by the darkness but is called light. This word is PRIDE. God’s distaste for arrogance and haughtiness is called out in Scripture.
2 When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.
Proverbs 11:2 (NKJV)
Shame follows PRIDE, but man has a different definition when it comes to the same word. PRIDE from the perspective of man is nothing but positive (definition); a sense of one's own proper dignity or value, self-respect, pleasure or satisfaction taken in an achievement, possession, or association.
PRIDE has taken on such a positive role in our society that the entire month of June has been set aside in celebration of sin, promoting arrogance and haughtiness as righteousness. This PRIDE is so arrogant, it took God’s rainbow as it’s symbol.
Both our FEAR and PRIDE deal directly with our character. The word that this article is based upon is a direct result of the compounding of these two functions establishing the character within each of us.
FEAR + PRIDE = POSITION
While POSITION can be used to describe an arrangement, location, laying down of a proposition - thesis or a few other definitions including a job, none of these have anything to do with what really matters to God. When it comes to POSITION this word needs to be taken from the meaning of a point of view adopted and held to, social or official rank or status and a situation that confers advantage or preference. From this construction, it will be discovered that there are two competing dichotomies of POSITION. One of God and the other of Satan. God’s, and thus, Godly POSITION is founded in servitude towards our fellow man which comes from TRUTH. Satan’s POSITION, which is based on “Survival OF THE Fittest,” is ordained from FEAR and PRIDE.
This article on Genesis sets the foundation for Satan’s POSITION, planting the seed for every interaction between all people from that day when Eve was deceived in the garden. (Taken from the article) - As Satan came into the garden there were three possibilities open to him. One – he could do nothing. Two – he could tell Adam and Eve to follow the instructions of the All-Powerful God -- Satan’s third option was to try to upset the plan God had for man by deceiving Eve. If she accepted his deception, he would replace God to become her god because he sees himself as the one most fit to lead the human race. This is seen in today’s society. (End Article)
These choices, which were put on a platter for Lucifer, by God, are the foundation of his carnal FEAR.
What Satan was fearful of losing was his POSITION. And because Satan did not want to lose his POSITION, he set the foundation for all of creation going forward. If you don’t understand what POSITION Satan didn’t want to lose, it was that of the leader of one-third of the angels that followed him, today known as the fallen angels, or demons. Had Satan chose the first option, his leadership in the rebellion would have served no purpose. Had he chosen option two, God would have forgiven him, but he would have lost his leadership POSITION in the rebellion. Beyond this, he surely would not have received back the original POSITION he held from his creation. So, Satan took option three to bring man into rebellion with his Designer (the Father) and his Creator (Jesus) with the intention to cause a deep valley in this newly formed family of God.
Lucifer was created to be the top servant of all creation. He thought this POSITION was beneath him.
24And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:24-28
Having made this point, one might ask why would Lucifer give up his POSITION as the leader of all that was originally created? The answer is very simple, and it is the exact reason why man is more afraid of losing POSITION than anything.
13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.
Proverbs 8:13 (NKJV) (emphasis mine)
Satan’s PRIDE in himself was too strong. His FEAR of God did not exist. Satan did not want to lose his self defined POSITION which would have made him put his trust back in God.
Satan, who was given all wisdom by God defined his POSITION as superior to his Maker, created a war between himself and God. He thought there would be no better way to win this war than to go after the new family God had created. The forefront of this battle in our world has always been destroying the human family unit ordained by God. By doing this he makes slaves of those who have fallen for his carnal seductions. His destruction of the family has been witnessed from the beginning and today it has only accelerated because he knows the time allowed to hold this POSITION is coming to an end.
Satan, knowing all of this, turned the FEAR of God into his ordained form of fear. Man is more than willing to improve POSITION; however, man is not comfortable in the loss of POSITION, even if the loss would demonstrate faith displaying the biblical FEAR called for by God. This comes from the establishment of the guidelines Satan set up in the garden with Eve, his way of life – “Survival Of The Fittest.”
The PRIDE problem that envelops man explains how each and every one of us are the arbiters of our own truth (let that sink in). We all like to see things from our own perspective because our POSITION demands we control the narrative of our minds and surroundings. The difficult path outside of our defined boundaries brings such an unease, the “FEAR of survival” overtakes the “FEAR of God.” This has been easily indoctrinated in us by a school system that teaches we evolved from another species and were not created by God.
If one can break from the chain of lies and seek the POSITION of absolute TRUTH, they would become dangerous to the world, which is why Jesus said:
17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
John 17:17 (NKJV)
Sanctify means to withdraw from the fellowship of the world by first gaining fellowship with God – to set apart.
Here Jesus was telling us we need to seek for POSITION in our Father’s kingdom instead of the teachings of the world. How many have done this? How many are willing to withdraw from the world when TRUTH is laid at their feet? How many are willing to give up the comfort of their sin and all the carnal enjoyment that comes with it? How many are willing to seek TRUTH over tradition? How many are willing to risk a change in their POSITION because they changed their POSITION to God’s TRUTH?
The fact is, most are unwilling to change their POSITION because they have no realization of the penalty that comes from the denial of God’s POSITION in truth.
Our Creator’s (Jesus) POSITION is to do the will of our Designer’s (our Father).
38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. John 6:38 (NKJV)
The character of Christ was reflective in the FEAR he had for the Father without an ounce of PRIDE. The Son was so reverent of the Father that He gave up His life for mankind. The trust that Jesus held of the Father’s TRUTH demonstrates to each of us how we are to strive to become Christ-like.
If Christ can bend to the will of the Father, why is it so difficult for man to do the same? The answer is reflected in our carnal character and who we tend to follow.
The word POSITION is not found in the Bible. However, the TRUTH of the power of POSITION is spoken clearly in the parables. Jesus explained this revelation in each of the parables He shared. He even told us about the purpose for the parables when he said:
11…..“Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. 12 For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Matthew 13:11-13 (NKJV)
The parable of the sower discussed the importance of POSITION with God in great detail (Mattthew 13:23): 23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” – One must ask how each of those “called” do not achieve a hundredfold? Being planted in good soil, these people still have choices to make on how deep they spread their roots in God’s POSITION.
What about the others whose seed did not fall in good soil (Matthew 13:20-22)? 20 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; 21 yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. 22Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful.
These people tend to rely on the biblical teachings of others. These ‘others’ are rooted in their own POSITION from choices made throughout their lives living in a system set up and controlled by Satan. This system is based on “Survival of The Fittest.” This does include all of the religions of the world. God gave us one tool to use for the building of our relationship with Him and His Son. Outside of the Bible, religion is man-made, thus Satan’s fingerprints are all over the deceptions permeating all the world, both secular and spiritual.
9So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
Revelation 12:9 (NKJV)
Many are starting to see the secular deceptions engulfing our daily lives. These deceptions are led by Satan and those who do his will by following his influence of disobedience.
2in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
Ephesians 2:2-3 (NKJV) (emphasis mine)
The carnal deceptions are small in stature in comparison to Satan’s big play for the heart. The majority of people cannot see the deceptions played upon them, not believing they could have been deceived about God from childhood and in most cases by people who unknowingly played a deceiving role.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (NKJV)
Satan staked his POSITION as the leader blinding people from God’s TRUTH. His power in his personal POSITION transforming himself into an angel of light and working through the sons of disobedience with such great success only confirms his POSITION of himself. Because of Satan’s success deceiving every realm of this world, man will not look to become obedient in the Father’s POSITION, the ultimate power, just as Christ did, which is why Jesus could claim:
30 I and My Father are one.”
John 10:30 (NKJV)
How can our POSITION in faith be measured in FEAR and PRIDE? Will our character demonstrate truth in God or truth is something other?
Paul spends quite a bit of time warning of false teachers teaching false gospels.
8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Colossians 2:8 (NKJV)
Even though warned, most of today’s Christians hold their POSITIONS in the traditions of men. There is a wall that is put up not allowing the clear TRUTH to be exposed to the “believer.” The Bible is not written as a step-by-step instructional book laying out the answers publicly in Scripture. The answers are also not hidden, but very few allow themselves to see because of the carnal FEAR that comes with the admittance of previous error (beliefs). Man solidifies his PRIDE having to be “right” in their sin instead of making the changes to what God calls for making these unseen walls almost impossible to knock down. Jericho’s walls fell, not because of the men who walked around the city, but because they FEARED God and took no PRIDE in their actions but were instead obedient to the directions given to Joshua by God.
Today, these directions are there for all to see but we need to want to know the TRUTH.
2that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
Colossians 2:2 (NKJV) (emphasis mine)
These mysteries are not hidden in the traditions man celebrates. They will not be discovered by those who continue their POSITION in these held traditions. These mysteries are found in the feasts of Leviticus 23 (Unlock The Word has a booklet available for those who have interest in learning – The Mysteries Of God and The Coming Kingdom).
God tells us well before the arrival of Jesus what He despises. Yet, with this warning, Christians partnered with pagans which helps with the understanding of what Paul explained to the Colossians as shared in the verse above (and in other writings). Isaiah gives ample warning to the days well past his:
12 “When you come to appear before Me, Who has required this from your hand, To trample My courts? 13Bring no more futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. 14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; They are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. 15When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; Even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood.
Isaiah 1:12-15 (NKJV)(emphasis mine)
Most Christan’s will read this and say that this is Old Testament, so it doesn’t apply to us! This is completely false as much of the Old Testament is written as prophesy for our current days and beyond.
Many verses in the Old Testament first took place in history, but they are also repeated today. King Solomon is clear about this when he wrote:
9 That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 (NKJV)
The Bible is not separated by Jesus, it runs from re-creation (Genesis) to re-creation (Revelation). With all of this in mind, what could these verses in Isaiah 1 (above) apply to in our day?
We can start with the Roman Catholic church whose entire service (mass) is based upon the re-sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Each mass the priest will hold up a host of bread and say: “Lord accept this sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of His name for our good and the good of all His holy church.”
Clearly these men do not hold their POSITION in the Father nor His Son. They have no understanding of the mysteries of Both. Their POSITION is held in the Catechism of the Roman Catholic Church! There is no FEAR of God, and their PRIDE brings a barrier to seeing truth even though Scripture is clear about Christ’s sacrifice.
28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 9:28 (NKJV) (emphasis mine)
The “church” that grounds its POSITION in countless daily sacrifices of Christ is the “church” that brought the unbiblical yearly traditions of celebration to Christianity in the fourth century. Isaiah is not the only place where God tells us he does not recognize our pagan feast days that all of Christianity celebrates with great zeal.
21 “I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies.
Amos 5:21 (NKJV)
This verse from Amos is dealing with the last days, again showing the Bible is one continuous message. So, God hates our feast days, and he does not savor our “sacred” assemblies. As a Christian, can you name these days that are despised today by God?
Are there feasts that do hold POSITION with God that appropriate FEAR without PRIDE could be revealed to the “believer” if they were open to God’s truth? The answer is simple, yes there are! However, we have all been deceived since childhood. We have carnal memories from this deception that have given our POSITION a foundation that if broken would change our POSITION with loved ones around us. The FEAR of loss in this POSITION is more important to us than the FEAR of our POSITION with God.
Our PRIDE is so strong, we FEAR the loss of our current POSITION that society has embraced as righteous. Whether this is the acceptance of false religions held throughout the world claiming they worship the same god, to the teaching that sin is really nothing unless someone else is doing something that hurts us personally. Live and let live, love is love, who cares what anyone else does if it doesn’t affect me? Who are we to judge? We are not to judge! None of this holds biblical truth, just as the false gospels, false feasts and false sabbaths that are held as doctrinal truth today.
Most FEAR losing POSITION with man over living in full reverence to God. PRIDE is a trait that is difficult to overcome, which is a character issue that man struggles with daily. Our character is defined by how we handle TRUTH.
2And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
This world has set up, with the help of Satan, their own futile sacrifices (Isaiah 1:13-14); 13…. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies— I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. 14 Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; - This is not only within the false feasts of Christianity, but also includes Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and every other religion known to man. Even the original chosen seed of Abraham still cannot see the mysteries hidden within Leviticus 23. Instead, they believe that if they can rebuild the temple one more time their Messiah will come. Each of these religions hold their POSITION in direct opposition to God’s POSITION, giving us the world we live in today established by Satan’s – “Survival Of The Fittest.”
With all of this, there are those who do have a grasp on the plan (shown in Leviticus 23) that was set forth in the garden after Satan deceived Eve.
14 So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, You are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. 15And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”
Genesis 3:14-15 (NKJV)
While having this understanding of the enacted plan, their carnal POSITION is too difficult to give up for FEAR of something that might bring a personal negative consequence. On such example is this true story: a certain Pastor is well aware that Christ was crucified in 30 AD. However, his “church” organization teaches that it was 31 AD. Fearing the loss of his POSITION in this organization, this Pastor continues to teach the congregation that Christ died in 31 AD.
It is the belief of this author that this Pastor is the rule and not the exception. He has conformed to the world because his FEAR is misplaced by his instinct to survive in this material world, demonstrating his character.
In the end the only thing that should matter to anyone is if their POSITION is rooted in the vine.
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5“I am the vine,
you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, youwill ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
John 15:1-8 (NKJV)
Our Father is the One who decides if our POSITION is in Him. Do we hold POSITION by following Christ and His teachings or is our POSITION led by the teachings of the world?
POSITION is so important to man that seating in the kingdom was asked of Jesus.
22 But Jesus answered and said, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to Him, “We are able.”
23 So He said to them, “You will indeed drink My cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared by My Father.”
24And when the ten heard it, they were greatly displeased with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:22-28 (NKJV)
What this article should have made clear to you is our POSITION must be based on God the Father’s POSITION for He is the One who decides, as Jesus stated not only here but throughout the gospels.
Christ is our guide which is why “faith” and “belief” are demonstrated not by words or following traditions of man, but through servitude to our fellow man and following His commandments.
21He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:21 (NKJV)
Scripture is clear, your “church” does not preach from the same gospel of POSITION as written. This is a BOLD statement, but TRUTH is TRUTH.
If you are willing to Unlock The Word, you will discover His feasts hold the key to His mysteries and the mysteries of His Kingdom. This is the only POSITION we should spend our time searching and striving for.