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BLINDBARTIMEUSANDTHEPARABLEOFTHEWEDDINGSUPPER

(Thefollowingisaroughdraftfromalargerworkinprogress)PublishedbySowingtheWordofGod-June9,2015;RevisedFebruary15,2019

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THEPARABLEOFTHEWEDDINGSUPPER

Matthew22:1-14AndYehoshuaansweredandspoketothemagainbyparablesandsaid:“Thekingdomofheavenislikeacertainkingwhoarrangedamarriageforhisson,andsentouthisservantstocallthosewhowereinvitedtothewedding;andtheywerenotwillingtocome.Again,hesentoutotherservants,saying,‘Tellthosewhoareinvited,“See,Ihavepreparedmydinner;myoxenandfattedcattlearekilled,andallthingsareready.Cometothewedding.”’Buttheymadelightofitandwenttheirways,onetohisownfarm,anothertohisbusiness.Andtherestseizedhisservants,treatedthemspitefully,andkilledthem.Butwhenthekingheardaboutit,hewasfurious.Andhesentouthisarmies,destroyedthosemurderers,andburneduptheircity.Thenhesaidtohisservants,‘Theweddingisready,butthosewhowereinvitedwerenotworthy.Thereforegointothehighways,andasmanyasyoufind,invitetothewedding.’Sothoseservantswentoutintothehighwaysandgatheredtogetherallwhomtheyfound,bothbadandgood.Andtheweddinghallwasfilledwithguests.“Butwhenthekingcameintoseetheguests,hesawamantherewhodidnothaveonaweddinggarment.Sohesaidtohim,‘Friend,howdidyoucomeinherewithoutaweddinggarment?’Andhewasspeechless.Thenthekingsaidtotheservants,‘Bindhimhandandfoot,takehimaway,andcasthimintoouterdarkness;therewillbeweepingandgnashingofteeth.’“Formanyarecalled,butfewarechosen.”

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Thereismuchtogleanfromthisparable.Withthisstudy,we’llbefocusingonthesignificanceofthemanwhowasnotdressedinweddinggarments,usingscripturetodeterminewhatthismaymean.First,notethatthemanwhowasnotdressedinweddinggarmentswasspeechlessandcouldnotanswerthekingwhenhewasquestioned.InthebookofZephaniah,wearegivencluestounderstandthispartoftheparable,andofwhatthespeechlessmanmayhavebeenwearingthatcausedthekingtoreactinsuchaway.Zephaniah1:7-8HoldthypeaceatthepresenceoftheLordGod:forthedayoftheLordisathand:fortheLordhathpreparedasacrifice,hehathbidhisguests.AnditshallcometopassinthedayoftheLord'ssacrifice,thatIwillpunishtheprinces,andtheking'schildren,andallsuchasareclothedwithstrangeapparel.Themanintheparablecouldnotspeakinthepresenceoftheking;hewasputtosilenceorwasspeechless.WelearnfromZephaniahthattheKinginthisparablerepresentsourFatherinheaven,andonewhoisclothedwithstrangeapparelwillholdtheirpeace(bespeechless)inHispresence.WealsodiscoverthatthoseinvitedguestswhocometoHisfeastclothedinstrangeapparelwillbepunished.Let’slookatthemeaningofthisword"strange,"inHebrew,asusedinZephaniah.H5237Original:נכריTransliteration:nokrıyPhonetic:nok-ree'Strong'sDefinition:FromH5235(secondform);strange,inavarietyofdegreesandapplications(foreign,non-relative,adulterous,different,wonderful):-alien,foreigner,outlandish,Strange(-r,woman).ThosewhocometoYehovah’sfeastwearinga“different”apparel,apparelofaforeigner,stranger,adulterous,orstrangewoman,willbepunished.Ifthis“friend”whocametotheweddingwasnotwearingtheproperweddinggarments,thenitstandstoreasonthathewaswearing“strange”apparel,andthosewearingstrangeapparelwillbepunishedaccordingtoZephaniah,justasthe“friend”whowasnotwearingweddinggarmentsintheparablewaspunishedbeingboundandthrownintoouterdarkness.Makenoteofthefactthathewasthrownintodarknessaswewillseethiscontrastbetweenlightanddarknessseveraltimes,andIthinkyou’llbegintoseethattheproperweddinggarmentsareassociatedwithbeingclothedinlight.InScripture,thegentile,alien,orforeignnationswereidolworshipingnationsoutsideofGod’speople,whomHecallsIsrael.ThesestrangersdidnotfollowafterthewaysorlawsoftheonetrueElohim(God).So,onewhoiswearingstrange

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appareltotheweddingindicatesunfaithfulnessandseparationfromYehovah.Proverbs7:1-9Myson,keepmywords,andlayupmycommandmentswiththee.Keepmycommandments,andlive;andmyLaw(Torah)astheappleofthineeye.Bindthemuponthyfingers,writethemuponthetableofthineheart.Sayuntowisdom,Thouartmysister;andcallunderstandingthykinswoman:thattheymaykeeptheefromthestrangewoman,fromthestranger(Nokree)whichflatterethwithherwords.ForatthewindowofmyhouseIlookedthroughmycasement,Andbeheldamongthesimpleones,Idiscernedamongtheyouths,ayoungmanvoidofunderstanding,Passingthroughthestreetnearhercorner;andhewentthewaytoherhouse,Inthetwilight,intheevening,intheblackanddarknight:Inthisproverb,welearnthatitistheLaw(Torah)commandmentsofYehovahthatkeepusfromthe“stranger.”Thisproverbgoesontotellusthatherwaysleadtodarknessandthendeath,buttokeepGod’sWordsisconsideredfaithfulnesstoHim.ItisconsideredadulterousintheeyesofYehovahtostrayfromHisTorah,andthosewholackwisdomandunderstandingofthisWordgointhewayofthestrangewomanandintothedarkness.TheLaw,orTorahinHebrew,ofYehovahismadeupofthefirstfivebooksoftheBible.TorahmeansinstructioninHebrew,andistheinstructionthatYehovahhaswritteninordertoteachHispeoplehowtoloveandserveHimandhowtoloveandserveothers.Exodus24:12ThentheLordsaidtoMoses,“ComeuptoMeonthemountainandbethere;andIwillgiveyoutabletsofstone,andthelaw(Torah)andcommandmentswhichIhavewritten,thatyoumayteachthem.”ThiswordofElohimwillguardusfromthis“strange”womanwhichrepresentssinandidolatryoradulteryagainstYehovahElohim.Idolatrycomesinmanyforms,butultimately,itisanythingweputbeforeYehovah,andwhenwefollowafterandjoinourheartstothedoctrinesand“flattering”wordsofanyoneotherthanYehovah.Thisconceptofidolatryandadulterygohandinhand.Hosea8:12IhavewrittenforhimthegreatthingsofMylaw(Torah),Buttheywereconsideredastrangething.Althoughtheword“strange,”usedhereinHosea,isadifferentHebrewwordit’smeaningisverysimilar.H2114Original:זורTransliteration:zûr

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Phonetic:zoorStrong'sDefinition:Aprimitiveroot;toturnaside(especiallyforlodging);hencetobeaforeigner,strange,profane;specifically(activeparticiple)tocommitadultery:-(comefrom)another(man,place),fanner,goaway,(e-)strange(-r,thing,woman).Oneofthedescriptionsof“strange”hereis“toturnaside.”YehovahcallsHisTorahgreat,yetthosewhoconsiderit“strange”have“turnedaside”fromitasonewouldturnasidefromtheirspouseadulterously.We’regivenmanyreferencestoGod’speople“leavingHim,”sotospeak,inscripture.WhenwedepartfromGod’sinstructionforus,weareessentiallybreakingourmarriagevows.ThiscovenantYehovahmadewithIsraelisamarriagecovenant,anditisbyleavingthisword,turningasidefromYehovah’scommandsandHisLaw(Torah),thatourheartsgoastrayfromHim.Jeremiah11:9-10AndtheLordsaidtome,“AconspiracyhasbeenfoundamongthemenofJudahandamongtheinhabitantsofJerusalem.TheyhaveturnedbacktotheiniquitiesoftheirforefatherswhorefusedtohearMywords,andtheyhavegoneafterothergodstoservethem;thehouseofIsraelandthehouseofJudahhavebrokenMycovenantwhichImadewiththeirfathers.”Jeremiah31:31-33“Behold,thedaysarecoming,saystheLord,whenIwillmakeanewcovenantwiththehouseofIsraelandwiththehouseofJudah—notaccordingtothecovenantthatImadewiththeirfathersinthedaythatItookthembythehandtoleadthemoutofthelandofEgypt,Mycovenantwhichtheybroke,thoughIwasahusbandtothem,saystheLord.ButthisisthecovenantthatIwillmakewiththehouseofIsraelafterthosedays,saystheLord:IwillputMylaw(Torah)intheirminds,andwriteitontheirhearts;andIwillbetheirGod,andtheyshallbeMypeople.”Revelation2:4-5NeverthelessIhavethisagainstyou,thatyouhaveleftyourfirstlove.Rememberthereforefromwhereyouhavefallen;repentanddothefirstworks,orelseIwillcometoyouquicklyandremoveyourlampstandfromitsplace—unlessyourepent.Proverbs2:10-17Whenwisdomentersyourheart,Andknowledgeispleasanttoyoursoul,Discretionwillpreserveyou;Understandingwillkeepyou,Todeliveryoufromthewayofevil,Fromthemanwhospeaksperversethings,FromthosewholeavethepathsofuprightnessTowalkinthewaysofdarkness;

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Whorejoiceindoingevil,Anddelightintheperversityofthewicked;Whosewaysarecrooked,Andwhoaredeviousintheirpaths;Todeliveryoufromtheimmoralwoman,Fromtheseductresswhoflatterswithherwords,Whoforsakesthecompanionofheryouth,AndforgetsthecovenantofherGod.Now,theweddingguestclothedinstrangeapparelwascalled“friend”bytheking,butthis“friend”didn'tmakehimselfreadyforthewedding.Whatmightthismean?Ephesians5:25-27Husbands,loveyourwives,justasMessiahalsolovedthechurchandgaveHimselfforher,thatHemightsanctifyandcleanseherwiththewashingofwaterbytheword,thatHemightpresenthertoHimselfagloriouschurch,nothavingspotorwrinkleoranysuchthing,butthatsheshouldbeholyandwithoutblemish.TheweddingguestwasnotwashedintheWordofGodandwaswearingstrange,adulterousapparel.Thisindicatesthathewasstillwearinghisoldgarmentsofthesinfulflesh.Scriptureindicatesthatsinfulgarmentsarefilthyrags,andcleangarmentsaregivenwhenwe’vebeencleansedbyGod’sWordthroughYehoshuaMessiah.InZechariah3,weseeJoshuathehighpriest.JoshuaistheHebrewnameYehoshua,whichisalsotheHebrewnameofourMessiah/Jesus.YehoshuaisstandingbeforeYehovahandSatanisstandingathisrightsidetoaccusehim.ThisisapictureofYehoshuaMessiah,ourhighpriest,whobeingsinless,tookonthefilthygarmentsofoursinandstoodbeforeYehovahonourbehalf.Zechariah3:1-4ThenheshowedmeYehoshuathehighprieststandingbeforetheAngeloftheLord,andSatanstandingathisrighthandtoopposehim.AndYehovahsaidtoSatan,“Yehovahrebukeyou,Satan!YehovahwhohaschosenJerusalemrebukeyou!Isthisnotabrandpluckedfromthefire?”NowYehoshuawasclothedwithfilthygarments,andwasstandingbeforetheAngel.ThenHeansweredandspoketothosewhostoodbeforeHim,saying,“Takeawaythefilthygarmentsfromhim.”AndtohimHesaid,“See,Ihaveremovedyouriniquityfromyou,andIwillclotheyouwithrichrobes.”Herewecanseethatthefilthyrobesrepresentiniquityorsin,andour“righteous”actsapartfromYehovaharelikenedtosoiledorfilthyragsbecauseofouriniquityorsin.Isaiah64:6

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Andallofushavebecomeasoneunclean,andallourrighteousnessesareassoiledrags.Andallofusfadelikealeaf,andourcrookednesses,likethewind,havetakenusaway.MakespecialnotethatIsaiahsaysweallhavebecomeunclean.Thisword“unclean”istheHebrewword“Tawmay,”andwe’llbeaddressingthisagainshortly.Anyrighteousworkswedo,ifapartfromourSaviorandRedeemer,arelikesoiledragsintheeyesofYehovah.Worthless.InJeremiah13,YehovahhasJeremiahdosomethingveryodd;HetellsJeremiahtogetalinenloinclothandinstructshimspecificallynottoputitinwater,waterrepresentingtheTorahortheWordofGod.Jeremiah13:1ThussaystheLordtome,“Goandbuyalinenloinclothandputitaroundyourwaist,anddonotdipitinwater.”YehovahthenhasJeremiahtakethisloincloth,digahole,andplaceitintheholethathedug.HetheninstructsJeremiahtoretrievethisnowfilthyloinclothandcomparesittoHispeople.Jeremiah13:7-11ThenIwenttotheEuphrates,anddug,andItooktheloinclothfromtheplacewhereIhadhiddenit.Andbehold,theloinclothwasspoiled;itwasgoodfornothing.ThenthewordoftheLordcametome:“ThussaystheLord:EvensowillIspoiltheprideofJudahandthegreatprideofJerusalem.Thisevilpeople,whorefusetohearmywords,whostubbornlyfollowtheirownheartandhavegoneafterothergodstoservethemandworshipthem,shallbelikethisloincloth,whichisgoodfornothing.Forastheloinclothclingstothewaistofaman,soImadethewholehouseofIsraelandthewholehouseofJudahclingtome,declarestheLord,thattheymightbeformeapeople,aname,apraise,andaglory,buttheywouldnotlisten.ThisiswhatGod’speoplehad,andhave,become;astubborn,pridefulpeoplewhofollowaftertheirownheartsandrefusetoclingtoYehovahandhearHisTorah.Wehaveallbecomeuncleanasdemonstratedbythespoiled,worthlessloincloth.Yet,oursin,ourfilthygarments,wereplaceduponYehoshuaMessiahwhowashesusandcleansesusinHisbloodandbythislivingwatercalledtheWordofGod.WhenthoserobesofsinaretakenawayinHim,wemustnotsoilthemagain,butallowthatwatertocontinuallycleanseusbyabidinginit.John15:3-5“YouarealreadycleanbecauseofthewordwhichIhavespokentoyou.AbideinMe,andIinyou.Asthebranchcannotbearfruitofitself,unlessitabidesinthevine,neithercanyou,unlessyouabideinMe.Iamthevine,youarethebranches.HewhoabidesinMe,andIinhim,bearsmuchfruit;forwithoutMeyoucandonothing.”

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Wemustputoffourownwaysandputontherich,cleanappareloflight.Psalm104:1-2BlesstheLord,Omysoul!OLordmyGod,youareverygreat!Youareclothedwithsplendorandmajesty,coveringyourselfwithlightaswithagarment,stretchingouttheheavenslikeatent.Revelation12:1Andagreatsignappearedinheaven:awomanclothedwiththesun,withthemoonunderherfeet,andonherheadacrownoftwelvestars.Romans13:12-14Thenightisfarspent,thedayisathand.Thereforeletuscastofftheworksofdarkness,andletusputonthearmoroflight.Letuswalkproperly,asintheday,notinrevelryanddrunkenness,notinlewdnessandlust,notinstrifeandenvy.ButputontheLordJesusChrist,andmakenoprovisionfortheflesh,tofulfillitslusts.Job29:14Iputonrighteousness,anditclothedme:myjudgmentwasasarobeandadiadem.Isaiah61:10IwillgreatlyrejoiceintheLord,MysoulshallbejoyfulinmyGod;ForHehasclothedmewiththegarmentsofsalvation,Hehascoveredmewiththerobeofrighteousness,Asabridegroomdeckshimselfwithornaments,Andasabrideadornsherselfwithherjewels.Wemustputoffouroldman,thatistosaythefleshandsin,andputonthenewmanbyreturningtotheFatherthroughtheSon,beingcleansedbyhearingHisWordanddoingit.Again,payattentiontothiscontrastofwalkingindarknessverseslight.Ephesians4:17-24ThisIsay,therefore,andtestifyintheLord,thatyoushouldnolongerwalkastherestoftheGentileswalk,inthefutilityoftheirmind,havingtheirunderstandingdarkened,beingalienatedfromthelifeofGod,becauseoftheignorancethatisinthem,becauseoftheblindnessoftheirheart;who,beingpastfeeling,havegiventhemselvesovertolewdness,toworkalluncleannesswithgreediness.ButyouhavenotsolearnedMessiah,ifindeedyouhaveheardHimandhavebeentaughtbyHim,asthetruthisinYehoshua:thatyouputoff,concerningyourformerconduct,theoldmanwhichgrowscorruptaccordingtothedeceitfullusts,andberenewedinthespiritofyourmind,andthatyouputon

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thenewmanwhichwascreatedaccordingtoGod,intruerighteousnessandholiness.Wemustputofftheold,uncleanmanwhowalksindarknessandsin,andputonthenewmanwhohasbeencleansedbyYehoshuaMessiahandwalksasHewalked;intheLightoftheTorahofElohim.Thequestionyoumaybeasking,ishowdidthis“friend”cometobeinthepresenceoftheKingattheweddinginthefirstplace?ThispuzzledmeaswelluntilIwasshownthatthereisanothermaninScripturewhowasinvitedtoasupperandwascalled“friend”bytheKingwhomhebetrayed.JudasIscariot.John18:1-2WhenYehoshuahadspokenthesewords,HewentoutwithHisdisciplesovertheBrookKidron,wheretherewasagarden,whichHeandHisdisciplesentered.AndJudas,whobetrayedHim,alsoknewtheplace;forYehoshuaoftenmettherewithHisdisciples.Matthew26:47-50AndwhileHewasstillspeaking,behold,Judas,oneofthetwelve,withagreatmultitudewithswordsandclubs,camefromthechiefpriestsandeldersofthepeople.NowHisbetrayerhadgiventhemasign,saying,“WhomeverIkiss,HeistheOne;seizeHim.”ImmediatelyhewentuptoYehoshuaandsaid,“Greetings,Rabbi!”andkissedHim.ButYehoshuasaidtohim,“Friend,whyhaveyoucome?”ThentheycameandlaidhandsonYehoshuaandtookHim.JudascametobetrayYehoshua,whocallshim“friend”athiscoming.It’salsointerestingthatJudasneverrepliedtoMessiah’squestion,justlikethespeechlessfriendattheweddingsupperheldhispeaceinthepresenceoftheking.“Butwhenthekingcameintoseetheguests,hesawamantherewhodidnothaveonaweddinggarment.Sohesaidtohim,‘Friend,howdidyoucomeinherewithoutaweddinggarment?’Andhewasspeechless.”JudasknewthewaytoMessiah,becausehewasoneofthetwelvediscipleswhowereinvitedorcalledbyYehoshua.John6:70-71Yehoshuaansweredthem,“DidInotchooseyou,thetwelve,andoneofyouisadevil?”HespokeofJudasIscariot,thesonofSimon,foritwashewhowouldbetrayHim,beingoneofthetwelve.Justasthemanattheweddingwhowasn’twearingweddinggarmentswasinvited,sowasJudasIscariotinvited.Infact,JudaswasliterallyafriendcalledtothelastsupperpriorMessiah’scrucifixion,whichsymbolicallywaslikeweddingsupper,a

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renewedcovenantbeingmadeintheMessiah’sbloodbetweentheBridegroom(Yehoshua)andHisBride(HisdisciplesortheHouseofIsrael.)Psalm41:9EvenmyownfamiliarfriendinwhomItrusted,Whoatemybread,Haslifteduphisheelagainstme.However,whenMessiahwashedthefeetofHisdisciplesHesaidthatnotallthemwereclean,referringtoJudas.John13:10-11Yehoshuasaidtohim,“Hewhoisbathedneedsonlytowashhisfeet,butiscompletelyclean;andyouareclean,butnotallofyou.”ForHeknewwhowouldbetrayHim;thereforeHesaid,“Youarenotallclean.”ThiswashingofthefeetthatMessiahperformedrepresentedwhatwereadinEphesians;YehoshuaMessiahwashingHisbrideinthewateroftheWordofGod.However,thosewhohavenotbeencleansedbytheWordarenotcleanandwillhavenopartwithHim.John13:8Yehoshuaansweredhim,“IfIdonotwashyou,youhavenopartwithMe.”Wecanseethenthatlikethefriendintheparablewhoworeadulterousgarmentstotheweddingsupper,JudaswasanunfaithfulfriendtoYehoshuaMessiahwhoturnedasidefromtheLivingWordofGod.LikeJudas,the“friend”attheweddingsupperwasnotmadereadyfortheBridegroom.2Chronicles16:9aFortheeyesoftheLordruntoandfrothroughoutthewholeearth,toshewhimselfstronginthebehalfofthemwhoseheartisperfecttowardhim.Theword“perfect”asusedabovemeans:H8003Original:שלם Transliteration:shalemPhonetic:shaw-lamefrom7999;complete(literallyorfiguratively);especiallyfriendly:—full,just,madeready,peaceable,perfect(-ed),quiet,Shalem(bymistakeforaname),whole.

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Thiswordtranslatedas“perfect”heremeanstobewhole,complete,ormadeready.Howisonemadeready?1Kings8:61Letyourheartthereforebeperfect(Shalem)withtheLordourGod,towalkinhisstatutes,andtokeephiscommandments,asatthisday.Inordertobemadewhole,complete,orready,wemustwalkinthecommandsofYehovahbyhearingYehoshuaMessiah.WhenwearecalledbytheFather,wemustthrowoffoursinfulgarmentsofthefleshandputontherighteousgarmentsofGod’swords,whichareSpiritandLight.Revelation19:7-9LetusbegladandrejoiceandgiveHimglory,forthemarriageoftheLambhascome,andHiswifehasmadeherselfready.”Andtoheritwasgrantedtobearrayedinfinelinen,cleanandbright,forthefinelinenistherighteousactsofthesaints.Thenhesaidtome,“Write:‘BlessedarethosewhoarecalledtothemarriagesupperoftheLamb!’”Andhesaidtome,“ThesearethetruesayingsofGod.”Asifallofthisweren’tamazingenough,whatifItoldyouthatthereisanactualaccountoftheParableoftheWeddingSupperportrayedforusinthelifeofMessiah?Let’slookatthisfascinatingparalleloftheaccountofBlindBartimeuscomparingittowhatwe’velearnedsofarinregardstotheParableoftheWeddingSupper.BLINDBARTIMEUSMark10:46-52AndtheycametoJericho.AndHeandHisdisciplesandalargecrowdgoingoutfromJericho,asonofTimaeus,Bartimeustheblind,satbythehighway,begging.AndhearingthatitwasYehoshuatheNazarene,hebegantocryoutandtosay,SonofDavid,Yehoshua,havemercyonme!Andmanywarnedhimthathebequiet.Buthemuchmorecriedout,SonofDavid,havemercyonme!Andstandingstill,Yehoshuacommandedforhimtobecalled.Andtheycalltheblindone,sayingtohim,Becomforted,riseup;Hecallsyou.Andthrowingawayhisgarment,risingup,hecametoYehoshua.AndansweringYehoshuasaidtohim,WhatdoyoudesireIshoulddotoyou?Andtheblindonesaidtohim,MyLord,thatImayseeagain.AndYehoshuasaidtohim,Go,yourfaithhashealedyou.Andinstantlyhesawagain,andfollowedYehoshuainthehighway.Insuchashortaccount,thereismuchto“see.”Let’sstartbylookingatwhatthenameBartimeusmeans.WearetoldthatBartimeusis“asonofTimaeus.”Bartimeus:

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G924Original:ΒαρτιμαιοςTransliteration:BartimaiosPhonetic:bar-tim-ah'-yosStrong'sDefinition:OfChaldeeorigin[H1247]and[H2931];sonofTimaeus(ortheunclean);Bartimaeus,anIsraelite:-Bartimus.Bartimeusactuallymeans“SonofTimaeus,”madeupoftheAramaicwordH1247“Bar”whichmeans“Son,”andtheHebrewwordH2931“Tawmay.”“Bar-Tawmay.”Doyourecognizethisword?ItisthesamewordwereadinIsaiah64:6,whichsaidwehaveallbecome“unclean.”H2931Original:טמאTransliteration:tame'Phonetic:taw-may'Strong'sDefinition:FromH2930;foulinareligioussense:-defiled,+infamous,polluted(-tion),unclean.Bartimeusliterallymeans“sonofuncleanness,”“uncleanson,”“pollutedson,”or“defiledson.”WhoisBartimeus?Heisanuncleansonwhohadbecomeblind.Let’scontinuetolookatthemeaningofsomeofthewordstranslatedinthisaccount.Theword“Blind”is:G5185Original:τυφλο~ ςTransliteration:tuphlosPhonetic:toof-los'Strong'sDefinition:FromG5187;opaque(asifsmoky),thatis,(byanalogy)blind(physicallyormentally):-blind.Whichcomesfromtheword:G5187Original:τυφο~ωTransliteration:tuphooPhonetic:toof-o'-oStrong'sDefinition:FromaderivativeofG5188;toenvelopwithsmoke,thatis,(figuratively)toinflatewithselfconceit:-high-minded,beliftedupwithpride,beproud.Ifwelookatthisspiritually,Bartimeusrepresentsthespirituallyblindedsonswho

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becamepridefulandwalkedafterthedesiresoftheirownheartsratherthantheFather’s,whichisexactlywhatYehovahwasdemonstratinginJeremiah13withthesoiledloincloth.Noticealsothatthiswordconnectsblindnesswithsmoke.ThereisafascinatingconnectionfoundintheLaw(Torah),acovenantmadewiththehouseofIsrael.ThetexttellsusthatthecovenantthatYehovahmadewiththemwasnotmadeonlywiththosewhostoodbeforeYehovahonthatday,butalsowiththosewhowerenottherethatday.Therefore,thiswordappliestoallofGod’speoplethroughouttime,andIbelievethatincludesyouandI.Deuteronomy29:14-29NeitherwithyouonlydoImakethiscovenantandthisoath;ButwithhimthatstandethherewithusthisdaybeforetheLordourGod,andalsowithhimthatisnotherewithusthisday:(ForyeknowhowwehavedweltinthelandofEgypt;andhowwecamethroughthenationswhichyepassedby;Andyehaveseentheirabominations,andtheiridols,woodandstone,silverandgold,whichwereamongthem:)Lestthereshouldbeamongyouman,orwoman,orfamily,ortribe,whoseheartturnethawaythisdayfromtheLordourGod,togoandservethegodsofthesenations;lestthereshouldbeamongyouarootthatbearethgallandwormwood;Anditcometopass,whenheheareththewordsofthiscurse,thatheblesshimselfinhisheart,saying,Ishallhavepeace,thoughIwalkintheimaginationofmineheart,toadddrunkennesstothirst:TheLordwillnotsparehim,butthentheangeroftheLordandhisjealousyshallsmokeagainstthatman,andallthecursesthatarewritteninthisbookshalllieuponhim,andtheLordshallblotouthisnamefromunderheaven.AndtheLordshallseparatehimuntoeviloutofallthetribesofIsrael,accordingtoallthecursesofthecovenantthatarewritteninthisbookofthelaw(Torah):Sothatthegenerationtocomeofyourchildrenthatshallriseupafteryou,andthestrangerthatshallcomefromafarland,shallsay,whentheyseetheplaguesofthatland,andthesicknesseswhichtheLordhathlaiduponit;Andthatthewholelandthereofisbrimstone,andsalt,andburning,thatitisnotsown,norbeareth,noranygrassgroweththerein,liketheoverthrowofSodom,andGomorrah,Admah,andZeboim,whichtheLordoverthrewinhisanger,andinhiswrath:Evenallnationsshallsay,WhereforehaththeLorddonethusuntothisland?whatmeaneththeheatofthisgreatanger?Thenmenshallsay,BecausetheyhaveforsakenthecovenantoftheLordGodoftheirfathers,whichhemadewiththemwhenhebroughtthemforthoutofthelandofEgypt:Fortheywentandservedothergods,andworshippedthem,godswhomtheyknewnot,andwhomhehadnotgivenuntothem:AndtheangeroftheLordwaskindledagainstthisland,tobringuponitallthecursesthatarewritteninthisbook:AndtheLordrootedthemoutoftheirlandinanger,andinwrath,andingreatindignation,andcastthemintoanotherland,asitisthisday.ThesecretthingsbelonguntotheLordourGod:butthosethingswhicharerevealedbelonguntousandtoourchildrenforever,thatwemaydoallthewordsofthislaw(Torah).

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OurdisobediencetoGod’sLaw(Torah),ourprideandunwillingnesstowalkinHisways,causedtheangerofYehovahtosmokeagainstusbringingthecurseofthelaw,thelawofsinanddeath,tocomeuponus.Thissmokeactsasaveilthatblindsusfromseeingclearly.It’sespeciallyinterestingthatYehovah’sjealousyoverthosewhowalkafterothergodsandanother’sword,isdescribedassmokeagainstthatman,perhapsillustratedaspiritualconnectiontowhatcausesonetobecomespirituallyblind,likeBartimeus.WecanalsoseehowBartimeusrepresentsallofGod’schildrenwhohaveturnedasidefromHiswordtowalkaccordingtothepridefuldesiresoftheirownheartcommittingidolatry/adultery.We’realsotoldhowthesecretthingsbelongtoYehovah,butthosesecretthings,ormysteries,arerevealedtoHischildrenwhohearHisTorahanddoit.Again,thisideaofoursinspirituallyblindingusfromunderstandingGod’sWord.ItwasforthisveryreasonthatourMessiahcamespeakinginparables,ormysteries.Matthew13:10-17AndthedisciplescameandsaidtoHim,“WhydoYouspeaktotheminparables?”Heansweredandsaidtothem,“Becauseithasbeengiventoyoutoknowthemysteriesofthekingdomofheaven,buttothemithasnotbeengiven.Forwhoeverhas,tohimmorewillbegiven,andhewillhaveabundance;butwhoeverdoesnothave,evenwhathehaswillbetakenawayfromhim.ThereforeIspeaktotheminparables,becauseseeingtheydonotsee,andhearingtheydonothear,nordotheyunderstand.AndinthemtheprophecyofIsaiahisfulfilled,whichsays:‘Hearingyouwillhearandshallnotunderstand,Andseeingyouwillseeandnotperceive;Fortheheartsofthispeoplehavegrowndull.Theirearsarehardofhearing,Andtheireyestheyhaveclosed,Lesttheyshouldseewiththeireyesandhearwiththeirears,Lesttheyshouldunderstandwiththeirheartsandturn,SothatIshouldhealthem.’Butblessedareyoureyesfortheysee,andyourearsfortheyhear;forassuredly,Isaytoyouthatmanyprophetsandrighteousmendesiredtoseewhatyousee,anddidnotseeit,andtohearwhatyouhear,anddidnothearit.”Thisblindanduncleansonwasbegginginthehighways.ThewordforhighwayhereisthesamewordusedintheParableoftheWeddingSupper,whenthekingtellshisservantstogointothe“highways”andfindallwhowillcome,bothgoodandbad.Bartimeusisanexampleofthosewhomtheservantsintheparablemighthavefoundinthehighways.ThewordBeggingmeans:G4319Original:προσαιτε~ω

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Transliteration:prosaiteoPhonetic:pros-ahee-teh'-oStrong'sDefinition:FromG4314andG154;toaskrepeatedly(importune),thatis,solicit:-beg.Bartimeusdepictsanuncleanson,whorecognizesandhearsYehoshuaandcriesoutrepeatedlytoHim,beggingformercyinhisdarkesthours.ThemeaningofCryOutis:G2896Original:κρα~ ζωTransliteration:krazoPhonetic:krad'-zoStrong'sDefinition:Aprimaryverb;properlyto"croak"(asaraven)orscream,thatis,(generally)tocallaloud(shriek,exclaim,intreat):-cry(out).Now,it’sveryinterestingtonotethatthepeoplearoundBartimeusweretellinghimtobequiet,butherefused.Unlikethemanwhowasnotwearingweddinggarmentsintheparablewhocouldnot,orwouldnotspeak,Bartimeuswouldnotbesilent.ThedefinitionofBeQuietis:G4623Original:σιωπα~ωTransliteration:siopaoPhonetic:see-o-pah'-oStrong'sDefinition:Fromσιωπηsiope(silence,thatis,ahush;properlymuteness,thatis,involuntarystillness,orinabilitytospeak;andthusdifferingfromG4602,whichisratheravoluntaryrefusalorindispositiontospeak,althoughthetermsareoftenusedsynonymously);tobedumb(butnotdeafalso,likeG2974properly);figurativelytobecalm(asquietwater):-dumb,(hold)peace.Afterbeingtoldtobequiet,hedidnotholdhispeace,butcriedoutformercyevenmore!Isaiah62:1ForZion’ssakeIwillnotkeepsilent,AndforJerusalem’ssakeIwillnotkeepquiet,Untilherrighteousnessgoesforthlikebrightness,Andhersalvationlikeatorchthatisburning.Psalm30:10-12“Hear,OLord,andbegracioustome;OLord,bemyhelper.”Youhaveturnedformemymourningintodancing;

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Youhaveloosedmysackclothandgirdedmewithgladness,ThatmysoulmaysingpraisetoYouandnotbesilent.OLordmyGod,IwillgivethankstoYouforever.WhenMessiahheardhispleas,hedidnotignorethem,butrathercommandedthathisservantscalltheblindmantoHim.Themessagehereisthis:ifwetrulyhumbleourheartsinrepentanceandcalluponHimformercy,Hewillhearus.James4:7-10ThereforesubmittoGod.Resistthedevilandhewillfleefromyou.DrawneartoGodandHewilldrawneartoyou.Cleanseyourhands,yousinners;andpurifyyourhearts,youdouble-minded.Lamentandmournandweep!Letyourlaughterbeturnedtomourningandyourjoytogloom.HumbleyourselvesinthesightoftheLord,andHewillliftyouup.MessiahthencommandedHisservantsthatthisblindanduncleansonbecalledforth,representingtheservantsfromtheParableoftheWeddingSupperwhowerecommandedtocallthosewhowereinthehighways.ThedefinitionforCommandedis:G2036Original:ε�πωTransliteration:epoPhonetic:ep'-oStrong'sDefinition:Aprimaryverb(usedonlyinthedefinitepasttense,theothersbeingborrowedfromG2046,G4483andG5346);tospeakorsay(bywordorwriting):-answer,bid,bringword,call,command,grant,say(on),speak,tell.CompareG3004.TheGreekwordforCalled,however,asusedhereisadifferentwordthanwhatwesawintheparableoftheweddingsupper.ThedefinitionforCallhere,is:G5455Original:φωνε~ωTransliteration:phoneoPhonetic:fo-neh'-oStrong'sDefinition:FromG5456;toemitasound(animal,humanorinstrumental);byimplicationtoaddressinwordsorbyname,alsoinimitation:-call(for),crow,cry.Ifwegoevenfurtherbackintotheoriginsofthiswordfor“call”wewillfindsomethingquitefascinating.

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ThewordCallcomesfrom:G5456Original:φωνη~ Transliteration:phonePhonetic:fo-nay'Strong'sDefinition:ProbablyakintoG5316throughtheideaofdisclosure;atone(articulate,bestialorartificial);byimplicationanaddress(foranypurpose),sayingorlanguage:-noise,sound,voice.Whichismostlikelyrelatedtothisword,aswecanhearthesamesoundsused:G5316Original:φαι~νωTransliteration:phainoPhonetic:fah'-ee-noStrong'sDefinition:ProlongationforthebaseofG5457;tolighten(shine),thatis,show(transitiveorintransitive,literalorfigurative):-appear,seem,beseen,shine,Xthink.Wecankeepdiggingandseethatthiswordcomesfromthebaseword:G5457Original:φωςTransliteration:phosPhonetic:foceStrong'sDefinition:Fromanobsoleteφα~ωphao(toshineormakemanifest,especiallybyrays;compareG5316andG5346);luminousness(inthewidestapplication,naturalorartificial,abstractorconcrete,literalorfigurative):-fire,light.WecanseethattheGreekword“phone”originatesfromtheword“phos”whichmeanslight.Thisbringsusbacktotheideathatwehavebeencalledoutofdarknessandintothelight.Wearetoputoffthedarknessandbeclothedinlight.The“friend”instrangeapparelwasthrownintoouterdarkness.Ifwedesiretoremaininourfilthyragsofsinanddarkness,thenthatiswherewewillremain.WereadinProverbs2thatwisdomandunderstandingofGod’sWordkeepsusfromevil,butthosewholeavethepathsofuprightnesswalkinthewaysofdarkness.InEphesians4,hespokeoftheGentilesandthe“oldman”whoseunderstandingwas“darkened,”beingalienatedfromthelifeofGodbecauseofsin.WeknowthatMessiahistheWordofGod,andHeistheLightandLifeofmen.ThosewhofollowHimwillnotcontinuetowalkinsin,ordarkness,butwillwalkinthelightoflife.John1:1-5InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.HewasinthebeginningwithGod.AllthingsweremadethroughHim,and

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withoutHimnothingwasmadethatwasmade.InHimwaslife,andthelifewasthelightofmen.Andthelightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknessdidnotcomprehendit.John8:12ThenYehoshuaspoketothemagain,saying,“Iamthelightoftheworld.HewhofollowsMeshallnotwalkindarkness,buthavethelightoflife.”WealsoknowthatGod’sWord,HisTorah,istheLightthatgiveslifetoHispeople.Psalm119:105YourwordisalamptomyfeetAndalighttomypath.Proverbs6:23-24Forthecommandmentisalamp,Andthelaw(Torah)alight;Reproofsofinstructionarethewayoflife,Tokeepyoufromtheevilwoman,Fromtheflatteringtongueofaseductress.Messiahwascallingtheblind,uncleansonoutofdarknessandintothelightoflife.WhenBartimeusheardthecallofYehoshua,whatdidhedo?It’sveryimportanttonotethattheauthormakesapointtotellusthatBartimeusthrewoffhisgarmentandroseuptomeetYehoshua.“Andtheycalltheblindone,sayingtohim,Becomforted,riseup;Hecallsyou.Andthrowingawayhisgarment,risingup,hecametoYehoshua.”Bartimeuscastoffhisowngarments,whichaswelearned,representsin,flesh,anddarkness.Bythrowingoffhisgarments,Bartimeuswasputtingofftheoldman,andputtingontherighteousmanofspiritwhenhethenroseuptomeettheBridegroom,andthenhissight,whichrepresentsspiritualunderstanding,wasrestored.NoticealsothatBartimeusaskedthathemightsee“again.”Thisimpliesthatheoncecouldsee,butbecameblind.ThisgoesallthewaybacktothegardenwhenAdamandEvesinnedagainstGod.We’retoldthataftertransgressingtheWordofElohimthattheireyeswereopened.Genesus3:4-7Thentheserpentsaidtothewoman,“Youwillnotsurelydie.ForGodknowsthatinthedayyoueatofityoureyeswillbeopened,andyouwillbelikeGod,knowinggoodandevil.”Sowhenthewomansawthatthetreewasgoodforfood,thatitwaspleasanttotheeyes,andatreedesirabletomakeonewise,shetookofitsfruitandate.Shealsogavetoherhusbandwithher,andheate.Thentheeyesofbothofthemwereopened,andtheyknewthattheywerenaked;andtheysewedfigleavestogetherandmadethemselvescoverings.

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Itwasbecauseofsin,whichislawlessnessortransgressionoflaw,thattheflesheyesareindeedopened,butitwasbecauseofsinthatourspiritualeyesaremadeblind.1John3:2-6Beloved,nowwearechildrenofGod;andithasnotyetbeenrevealedwhatweshallbe,butweknowthatwhenHeisrevealed,weshallbelikeHim,forweshallseeHimasHeis.AndeveryonewhohasthishopeinHimpurifieshimself,justasHeispure.Whoevercommitssinalsocommitslawlessness,andsinislawlessness.AndyouknowthatHewasmanifestedtotakeawayoursins,andinHimthereisnosin.WhoeverabidesinHimdoesnotsin.WhoeversinshasneitherseenHimnorknownHim.John9:39AndYehoshuasaid,“ForjudgmentIhavecomeintothisworld,thatthosewhodonotseemaysee,andthatthosewhoseemaybemadeblind.”Itisplausiblethat,priortosinandpriortoknowingtheywerenaked,thatAdamandEvewereclothedinthelightofYehovah.Consider,forexample,howMosesfaceshoneashereceivedtheTenCommandmentsfromYehovahonMt.Sinai,andYehoshuaMessiah,whoiswithoutsin,thatHisfaceshoneasthebrightestlightonthemountoftransfiguration.IfweunderstandthatitisoursinthathasseparatedusfromGodasaveilofseparation,wewouldunderstandthatitisoursinthathasalsoblindedusfromseeingwhatisspiritual.Romans7:14Forweknowthatthelaw(Torah)isspiritual,butIamcarnal,soldundersin.John4:24“GodisSpirit,andthosewhoworshipHimmustworshipinspiritandtruth.”Oursinhasblindedus,causingustowalkindarkness,andaswereadinJohn1,darknessdoesnot,andcannotcomprehendthelight.Inotherwords,itisourfleshnature,oursin,andourpridethatkeepsusfromseeingandunderstandingGodandHisWord,whicharespirit.Isaiah44:18Theydonotknownorunderstand;ForHehasshuttheireyes,sothattheycannotsee,Andtheirhearts,sothattheycannotunderstand.Isaiah6:9-10AndHesaid,“Go,andtellthispeople:‘Keeponhearing,butdonotunderstand;Keeponseeing,butdonotperceive.’

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“Maketheheartofthispeopledull,Andtheirearsheavy,Andshuttheireyes;Lesttheyseewiththeireyes,Andhearwiththeirears,Andunderstandwiththeirheart,Andreturnandbehealed.”Romans8:5-11Forthosewholiveaccordingtothefleshsettheirmindsonthethingsoftheflesh,butthosewholiveaccordingtotheSpirit,thethingsoftheSpirit.Fortobecarnallymindedisdeath,buttobespirituallymindedislifeandpeace.BecausethecarnalmindisenmityagainstGod;foritisnotsubjecttothelawofGod,norindeedcanbe.Sothen,thosewhoareinthefleshcannotpleaseGod.ButyouarenotinthefleshbutintheSpirit,ifindeedtheSpiritofGoddwellsinyou.NowifanyonedoesnothavetheSpiritofChrist,heisnotHis.AndifChristisinyou,thebodyisdeadbecauseofsin,buttheSpiritislifebecauseofrighteousness.ButiftheSpiritofHimwhoraisedYehoshuafromthedeaddwellsinyou,HewhoraisedChristfromthedeadwillalsogivelifetoyourmortalbodiesthroughHisSpiritwhodwellsinyou.Bartimeuscriedout,thenansweredthecallofMessiahandcametoHim.AfterhecametoMessiah,HerestoredhissightanditsaysthatBartimeusfollowedMessiahintheway.WhatdoesitmeantofollowMessiahintheway?Psalm119:1Blessedaretheundefiledintheway,Whowalkinthelaw(Torah)oftheLord!Acts24:14“ButthisIconfesstoyou,thataccordingtotheWaywhichtheycallasect,soIworshiptheGodofmyfathers,believingallthingswhicharewrittenintheLawandintheProphets.”1John1:6-7IfwesaythatwehavefellowshipwithHim,andwalkindarkness,welieanddonotpracticethetruth.ButifwewalkinthelightasHeisinthelight,wehavefellowshipwithoneanother,andthebloodofYehoshuaMessiahHisSoncleansesusfromallsin.Ifwewalkinthelight,wepracticetruth.Whatistruth?Psalm119:142Yourrighteousnessisaneverlastingrighteousness,AndYourlaw(Torah)istruth.

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TofollowMessiahinthewaymeanswewalkaccordingtotheTorahoftheFatherwhosentHim,justasHedid.1John2:3-6NowbythisweknowthatweknowHim,ifwekeepHiscommandments.Hewhosays,“IknowHim,”anddoesnotkeepHiscommandments,isaliar,andthetruthisnotinhim.ButwhoeverkeepsHisword,trulytheloveofGodisperfectedinhim.BythisweknowthatweareinHim.HewhosaysheabidesinHimoughthimselfalsotowalkjustasHewalked.OncewearecalledoutofdarknesswemustwalkintheWayofLight,justasourMessiahwalked,whichisaccordingtotheLaw(Torah)givenbytheFather.Ifweanswerthecallandreceivesight,whichrepresentscomingtotheknowledgeofthetruthofHisTorah,butdecidetogoinourownway(whichmayseemrightinourowneyes)wearenotwalkinginthepaththatleadstolife,butratherfollowingapathofourowndesireswhichwillleadtodeath.Proverbs14:12Thereisawaythatseemsrighttoaman,ButitsendisthewayofdeathWewerenotredeemedtocontinueinoursin,andoncewe’vebeencleansedofitwemustnotreturntoit.1John3:4-6Whoevercommitssinalsocommitslawlessness,andsinislawlessness.AndyouknowthatHewasmanifestedtotakeawayoursins,andinHimthereisnosin.WhoeverabidesinHimdoesnotsin.WhoeversinshasneitherseenHimnorknownHim.Matthew12:43-45“Whenanuncleanspiritgoesoutofaman,hegoesthroughdryplaces,seekingrest,andfindsnone.Thenhesays,‘IwillreturntomyhousefromwhichIcame.’Andwhenhecomes,hefindsitempty,swept,andputinorder.Thenhegoesandtakeswithhimsevenotherspiritsmorewickedthanhimself,andtheyenteranddwellthere;andthelaststateofthatmanisworsethanthefirst.Soshallitalsobewiththiswickedgeneration.”Hebrews10:26-31Forifwesinwillfullyafterwehavereceivedtheknowledgeofthetruth,therenolongerremainsasacrificeforsins,butacertainfearfulexpectationofjudgment,andfieryindignationwhichwilldevourtheadversaries.AnyonewhohasrejectedMoses’law(Torah)dieswithoutmercyonthetestimonyoftwoorthreewitnesses.Ofhowmuchworsepunishment,doyousuppose,willhebethoughtworthywhohastrampledtheSonofGodunderfoot,countedthebloodofthecovenantbywhichhewassanctifiedacommonthing,and

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insultedtheSpiritofgrace?ForweknowHimwhosaid,“VengeanceisMine,Iwillrepay,”saystheLord.Andagain,“TheLordwilljudgeHispeople.”ItisafearfulthingtofallintothehandsofthelivingGod.WewereredeemedtoliveourlivesforYehovahandserveHimonly,byhearinganddoingthewordsofourMaster,andwalkingintheLightofLife.Wemustnotbelikeourfathersbeforeuswhotrustedinlyingwords,whobelievedtheywereredeemedbutcouldstillcontinuetodowhatwasabominableintheeyesofYehovah.Jeremiah7:8-11“Behold,youtrustinlyingwordsthatcannotprofit.Willyousteal,murder,commitadultery,swearfalsely,burnincensetoBaal,andwalkafterothergodswhomyoudonotknow,andthencomeandstandbeforeMeinthishousewhichiscalledbyMyname,andsay,‘Wearedeliveredtodoalltheseabominations’?Hasthishouse,whichiscalledbyMyname,becomeadenofthievesinyoureyes?Behold,I,evenI,haveseenit,”saystheLord.WemustunderstandwhatitmeantwhenBartimeusreceivedhissightandfollowedMessiahintheway.ThewordFollowedisdefinedas:G190Original:α� κολουθε~ωTransliteration:akoloutheoPhonetic:ak-ol-oo-theh'-oStrong'sDefinition:FromG1(asaparticleofunion)andκε~λευθοςkeleuthos(aroad);properlytobeinthesamewaywith,thatis,toaccompany(specificallyasadisciple):-follow,reach.Amos3:1-3HearthiswordthattheLordhasspokenagainstyou,OchildrenofIsrael,againstthewholefamilywhichIbroughtupfromthelandofEgypt,saying:“YouonlyhaveIknownofallthefamiliesoftheearth;ThereforeIwillpunishyouforallyouriniquities.”Cantwowalktogether,unlesstheyareagreed?”CanwewalkwithourMessiahifthewaywewalkdoesnotagreewiththewayHewalked?No.Wemust“walkjustasHewalked,”asitiswritten,andHewalkedaccordingtotheTorahoftheFatherwhosentHim.John7:16Yehoshuaansweredthemandsaid,“MydoctrineisnotMine,butHiswhosentMe.”Deuteronomy18:18-19

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“IwillraiseupforthemaProphetlikeyoufromamongtheirbrethren,andwillputMywordsinHismouth,andHeshallspeaktothemallthatIcommandHim.AnditshallbethatwhoeverwillnothearMywords,whichHespeaksinMyname,Iwillrequireitofhim.”John14:23-24Yehoshuaansweredandsaidtohim,“IfanyonelovesMe,hewillkeepMyword;andMyFatherwilllovehim,andWewillcometohimandmakeOurhomewithhim.HewhodoesnotloveMedoesnotkeepMywords;andthewordwhichyouhearisnotMinebuttheFather’swhosentMe.”Inconclusion,theKingdomofHeavenislikeourFatherinheavenwhohasarrangedamarriageforHisSon.MaywebefoundclothedinHisrighteousweddinggarments,andmaywebefoundworthytostandbeforeourBridegroomatHiscoming.Luke21:36“Watchtherefore,andprayalwaysthatyoumaybecountedworthytoescapeallthesethingsthatwillcometopass,andtostandbeforetheSonofMan.”Revelation6:9-11WhenHeopenedthefifthseal,IsawunderthealtarthesoulsofthosewhohadbeenslainforthewordofGodandforthetestimonywhichtheyheld.Andtheycriedwithaloudvoice,saying,“Howlong,OLord,holyandtrue,untilYoujudgeandavengeourbloodonthosewhodwellontheearth?”Thenawhiterobewasgiventoeachofthem;anditwassaidtothemthattheyshouldrestalittlewhilelonger,untilboththenumberoftheirfellowservantsandtheirbrethren,whowouldbekilledastheywere,wascompleted.Isaiah8:20Tothelaw(Torah)andtothetestimony!Iftheydonotspeakaccordingtothisword,itisbecausethereisnolightinthem.Revelation7:9-17AfterthesethingsIlooked,andbehold,agreatmultitudewhichnoonecouldnumber,ofallnations,tribes,peoples,andtongues,standingbeforethethroneandbeforetheLamb,clothedwithwhiterobes,withpalmbranchesintheirhands,andcryingoutwithaloudvoice,saying,“SalvationbelongstoourGodwhositsonthethrone,andtotheLamb!”Alltheangelsstoodaroundthethroneandtheeldersandthefourlivingcreatures,andfellontheirfacesbeforethethroneandworshipedGod,saying:“Amen!Blessingandgloryandwisdom,Thanksgivingandhonorandpowerandmight,BetoourGodforeverandever.Amen.”Thenoneoftheeldersanswered,sayingtome,“Whoarethesearrayedinwhiterobes,andwheredidtheycomefrom?”

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AndIsaidtohim,“Sir,youknow.”Sohesaidtome,“Thesearetheoneswhocomeoutofthegreattribulation,andwashedtheirrobesandmadethemwhiteinthebloodoftheLamb.ThereforetheyarebeforethethroneofGod,andserveHimdayandnightinHistemple.AndHewhositsonthethronewilldwellamongthem.Theyshallneitherhungeranymorenorthirstanymore;thesunshallnotstrikethem,noranyheat;fortheLambwhoisinthemidstofthethronewillshepherdthemandleadthemtolivingfountainsofwaters.AndGodwillwipeawayeverytearfromtheireyes.”Revelation19:1-8AfterthesethingsIheardaloudvoiceofagreatmultitudeinheaven,saying,“Alleluia!SalvationandgloryandhonorandpowerbelongtotheLordourGod!FortrueandrighteousareHisjudgments,becauseHehasjudgedthegreatharlotwhocorruptedtheearthwithherfornication;andHehasavengedonherthebloodofHisservantsshedbyher.”Againtheysaid,“Alleluia!Hersmokerisesupforeverandever!”Andthetwenty-foureldersandthefourlivingcreaturesfelldownandworshipedGodwhosatonthethrone,saying,“Amen!Alleluia!”Thenavoicecamefromthethrone,saying,“PraiseourGod,allyouHisservantsandthosewhofearHim,bothsmallandgreat!”AndIheard,asitwere,thevoiceofagreatmultitude,asthesoundofmanywatersandasthesoundofmightythunderings,saying,“Alleluia!FortheLordGodOmnipotentreigns!LetusbegladandrejoiceandgiveHimglory,forthemarriageoftheLambhascome,andHiswifehasmadeherselfready.”Andtoheritwasgrantedtobearrayedinfinelinen,cleanandbright,forthefinelinenistherighteousactsofthesaints.Messiahcalledforththeuncleansonandaskedhim,“WhatdoyoudesireIshoulddotoyou?”Andtheblindonesaidtohim,Psalm119:18Openmyeyes,thatImayseeWondrousthingsfromYourlaw(Torah).