by Gary L. Evans
(revised 7/29/2023)
Romans — Part 21
Rom 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Paul quotes from Leviticus.
Lev 18:4-5 Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
The Lord Promised Eternal Life to everyone who would obey His Law in that He said, “which if a man do, he shall live in them.”
Rom 10:6-8 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Where were these precepts written?
Deu 30:11-14 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
We don’t have to go up to Heaven or go down to the bottom of the sea to find salvation. God’s Word is in our hearts and minds so that we can do it, if so be that we have received and believed. And this is the righteousness which is by faith.
Rom 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Our sincere belief becomes our righteousness before God, and our confession of faith, our testimony, becomes our salvation. Faith is belief coupled with action.
Rom 10:11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Paul quotes from Isaiah.
Isa 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Our Lord is that Chief Corner Stone, The Foundation of our faith. Jesus also taught of this precept.
Mat 16:15-18 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Jesus did not say that Peter was that “rock.” The word “Peter” is from the Greek “petros” which is masculine, and the word “rock” is from “petra” which is feminine and thus cannot refer to Peter. The feminine subject associated with Peter was his “confession” (“homologia”) that he had just given and which prompted Jesus to declare that God must have revealed that truth to Peter. So the Foundation Stone of our faith is the belief that “Jesus is The Messiah, The Only Begotten Son of God.”
Rom 10:12-13 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Paul quotes from Joel.
Joe 2:28-29 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
The Tongues of Pentecost were an example of The Pouring Out of The Lord’s Spirit upon His People. The Disciples and the new converts spoke in all languages of mankind simultaneously, languages that they did not know, so that everyone who witnessed this event heard “the wonderful works of God” in their own language and dialect. The next Pouring Out will be when The Elect confront The Antichrist at the end of this flesh world. This event is The Fifth Seal, The Testimony of The Elect.
Joe 2:30-31 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.
This event will occur during The Tribulation of The Antichrist which will be before The Lord returns, before The Day of The Lord.
Joe 2:32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.
Everyone who calls on The Name of The Lord will be saved. The Lord’s Name is called The Word of God.
Rom 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
How can the people learn about God’s Word without a teacher, a preacher? It is sad, but most people who imagine that they are Christians do not even know what sin is, so how can they repent? And until they repent, they cannot be forgiven. They may attend church every week all their lives and still never be taught the most basic precepts necessary to obtain salvation. They may have so-called teachers yet never hear a true teacher sent by God.
Rom 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Who can be a teacher unless God send him or her? And of course before one can be sent, he must first learn and believe and receive The Promises himself. Remember, the blind cannot lead the blind, or in other words, the spiritually dead cannot lead other people to Eternal Life.
Isa 52:5-7 Now therefore, what have I here, saith the LORD, that my people is taken away for nought? they that rule over them make them to howl, saith the LORD; and my name continually every day is blasphemed. Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I. How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
The Name of Christ Jesus is The Word of God.
Rev 19:11-13 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
Everyone who believes in The Name of The Only Begotten Son of God will not die The Second Death but will receive Eternal Life.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Romans — Part 22
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Paul quotes from Isaiah.
Isa 53:1-6 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Not all of Israel believed God’s Word, because they did not recognize the coming of The Messiah. And today many of Israel still do not believe, including those who attend church, most who do so in hypocrisy just to be seen of men.
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The people must first hear God’s Word and then understand it in order to believe and take appropriate action.
Mark 7:32-37 And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
Christ Jesus restored the hearing to the deaf so that they could hear. So does The Word of God give hearing to The Elect so that they can understand the hidden mysteries kept secret since the destruction of The First Earth Age. Our Hearing comes by The Word of God, which is where our Faith comes from.
Rom 10:18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.
Paul quotes from the Psalms.
Psa 19:1-5 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
In these Last Days, we see that God’s Word has gone out not only to Israel, but to all nations on earth, even to you, my friend.
Rom 10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
Paul quotes from Deuteronomy.
Deu 32:16-21 They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger. They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee. And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith. They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
The Lord’s Name is also “Jealous!” Did you know that? We are married to Him. Do not play around on our Husband.
Exo 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:
In His jealousy of Israel who had turned to other gods, our Lord promised to make them jealous also when the Gentiles were brought into The New Covenant, while they were left out.
Rom 10:20 But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.
The Gentiles were not looking but still found The Lord. Paul quotes from Isaiah.
Isa 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, Behold me, behold me, unto a nation that was not called by my name.
Why did the Gentiles find The Lord and not Israel? Because Israel fell away into apostasy.
Rom 10:21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.
Paul continues with this passage in Isaiah.
Isa 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
They wanted to do things their way according to their ideas.
Isa 65:3 A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;
They practiced the idolatries of the heathen, having sex orgies in the “gardens,” and burning incense in pagan temples.
Isa 65:4 Which remain among the graves, and lodge in the monuments, which eat swine’s flesh, and broth of abominable things is in their vessels;
They ate unclean things like the heathen did, the swine, oysters and clams, and other filthy things from the waters.
Isa 65:5 Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day.
Their attitude was that they were holier than God and could do whatever they wanted to do. Our Father became very angry with Israel because of their rebellion. Then The Lord called unto people who were not called “Israel,” which means “he shall rule with God.” The Gentiles were not seeking The Lord, but they found Him so that Israel would be jealous.
Rom 11:1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin.
Our Father has not forgotten Israel. Paul was of the tribe of Benjamin, who was the youngest son of Jacob (Israel). God did not forget Paul, for example.
Rom 11:2-4 God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against Israel, saying, Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. But what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal.
Paul quotes from 1 Kings which describes Elijah’s frustration.
1Ki 19:10-12 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
Many people expect that when God is near, the mountains will quake or a hurricane will come up or a great fire will fall from heaven. But the presence of God is rather like a “still small voice,” even The Word of God. Do you hear The Name of The Lord?
1Ki 19:13-14 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Elijah complained that Jezebel was trying to kill him.
1Ki 19:15-16 And the LORD said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.
It was time for Elijah to ascend into Heaven and pass his ministry on to his student Elisha.
1Ki 19:17-18 And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.
The number “seven” represents “spiritual completeness,” and “one thousand” represents “The Glory of God.” Thus “seven thousand” represents “The Spiritual Completeness of God’s Glory.” This number symbolizes God’s Very Elect who have been reserved from generation to generation even to these Last Days since the destruction of The First Earth Age for God’s service.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Romans — Part 23
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
The Very Elect have been sent into this world one by one over the dispensations of God’s Word beginning in Genesis to the appearance and ministry of Jesus Christ and even to these Last Days. These are that “remnant according to The Election.”
Rom 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
Jesus walked among men and called out each of His Disciples to come and follow Him, and they did. They did not approach Him and do something to show their qualifications to become His Disciples. He already knew them and called them into His service.
Rom 11:7-8 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
The Elect have entered into The New Covenant, but the vast majority of Israel has not. Therefore, just as when they were in the wilderness, they still do not have “eyes to see and ears to hear” even to this day. Paul quotes from Deuteronomy.
Deu 29:4 Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day
Paul also quotes from Isaiah.
Isa 29:8-10 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion. Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink. For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered.
Our Lord has put Israel to sleep and made them blind by hiding the true prophets and teachers of His Word. And He has allowed them to become spiritually drunk on the empty-headed teachings of false prophets, so that the people are spiritually starving and dying of thirst for The Truth.
Isa 29:11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed:
Have you ever heard some so-called preacher say, “The Book of Revelation is Sealed, so nobody understands it.” Have you ever heard some preacher say that nobody understands Isaiah? Or Jeremiah? Or Daniel? The antichrists have many excuses for not being able to teach God’s Word, but that is because The Truth is not in them. But their followers accept their excuses and continue to pay them their money each week as they play church.
Isa 29:12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.
Have you ever heard some so-called Christian say, I don’t know what Isaiah is talking about, because I haven’t been to seminary? The antichrists have so many people deceived into believing that God’s Word is incomprehensible to the layman, that only by going to some college or university can one learn how to read. But the truth is that God’s Word is incomprehensible to the antichrists themselves because they are all fake, they are not Christians!
Isa 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
Do you know why the people are asleep? Because they are nothing but a bunch of hypocrites who do not care a hoot about God’s Word, even though they appear in public all religious looking, and speak religious sounding words, and say prayers before meals, and attend some public church to be seen each week by their friends, and participate in various rote rituals, and pay their money to the church officials. But all that they are taught in those places is the empty headed traditions and doctrines invented out of the imaginations of men’s minds, instead of The Truth of God’s Word. That’s why they are still asleep and blind and deaf, spiritually speaking. And don’t forget, they are still dead.
Isa 29:14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
Our Father will perform a wonderful work with such pretentious people, even a miraculous work.
Rom 11:9-10 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.
Paul quotes from the Psalms.
Psa 69:20-21 Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
This prophesy was fulfilled while Christ was nailed to the cross. They were supposed to be waiting for the appearance of The Messiah, but when He came, they did not recognize Him.
Psa 69:22-23 Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap. Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.
The reward of the hypocrites is that they will remain blind and in the end tremble continuously by what will happen to them. They will worship That Old Serpent, Satan, The Devil, when he comes pretending to be Jesus Christ returned. And this fact has been explained many times in God’s Word so they are without excuse.
Deu 28:43 The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.
The word “stranger” is from the Hebrew “gare” and means “properly a guest; by implication a foreigner.” So it is an alien. Our Lord said that aliens, such as The Kenites, would become exalted above Israel and the people would become very weak, and humble, and fearful.
Ultimately, that “stranger” will be Satan defacto standing upon the earth.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.