We live in a volatile world but adversity yields rewards. We are persecuted on earth but are honored and celebrated in heaven. These two things are true at the same time. This is how we should see ourselves. While we muddle through life with steadfast endurance we earn crowns for eternity in heaven. Our identity is in the rewards we will receive for our faithfulness. When we honor someone we make a big deal over them. We might have a banquet and tell stories about the one we are honoring. We might publicly praise and thank the honoree as well. This is what is happening with us, even though we do not hear the heavenly praise now, we will one day. If someone competes in a sporting event, we might cheer from the sidelines, and yell words of encouragement. The heavenly sons of the Elohim are cheering for us. This is our present identity and our future identity. Even though we do not see it in this dimension, it is who we are, it is our identity because of Jesus Messiah. This then is why in all matters we have to be sharp mentally and spiritually. We have our regular enemies, those who claim they are Jews but are not and pastors who teach ridiculous things for clicks and money, all trying to manipulate others to follow them. Our solution is to do the work ourselves, study and shed light on the truth. For our steadfastness we are crowned.
Let’s look at what Jesus wrote to the church at Philadelphia. He tells them through the adversity to hold on and don’t let anyone take your crown. Jesus says that there are people who claim to be Jews but are from the synagogue of Satanas. These fake Jews are still around today. They are anti-Christs. They promote their altered text, the Masoretic text, and believe they should control the world, not live in peace with others.
Revelation 3:7 G2532 And G3588 to the G32 angel G3588 of the G1722 [2in G* 3Philadelphia G1577 1assembly] G1125 write! G3592 Thus G3004 says G3588 the G39 holy one, G3588 the G228 true, G3588 the one G2192 having G3588 the G2807 key G3588 G* of David; G3588 the one G455 opening, G2532 and G3762 no one G2808 locks, G2532 and G2808 locks, G2532 and G3762 no one G455 opens.
8 G1492 I know G1473 your G3588 G2041 works. G2400 Behold, G1325 I have put G1799 before G1473 you G2374 a door G455 being opened, G3739 which G3762 no one G1410 is able G2808 to lock G1473 it; G3754 for G3397 [2a little G2192 1you have] G1411 power, G2532 and G5083 you gave heed to G1473 my G3588 G3056 word, G2532 and G3756 denied not G720 G3588 G3686 my name. G1473
9 G2400 Behold, G1325 I give G1537 from out of G3588 the G4864 synagogue G3588 G4567 of Satan G3588 of the ones G3004 saying G1438 themselves G* to be Jews, G1510.1 G2532 and G3756 are not, G1510.2.6 G235 but G5574 lie. G2400 Behold, G4160 I will make G1473 them G2443 that G2240 they shall come G2532 and G4352 do obeisance G1799 before G3588 the G4228 feet G1473 of you, G2532 and G1097 they should know G3754 that G25 I love G1473 you;
10 G3754 for G5083 you kept G3588 the G3056 word G3588 G5281 of my endurance, G1473 G2504 and I G1473 will keep you G5083 G1537 from G3588 the G5610 hour G3588 of the G3986 test, G3588 of the one G3195 about G2064 to come G1909 upon G3588 the G3611 [2world G3650 1entire], G3985 to test G3588 the ones G2730 dwelling G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth.
11 G2064 I come G5036 quickly. G2902 Hold G3739 what G2192 you have, G2443 that G3367 no one G2983 should take G3588 G4735 your crown! G1473
4735 LSJ Gloss:στέφανος that which surrounds
Dodson:στέφανος a crown, garland
a crown, garland, honor, glory.
TBESG:στέφανος crown
G:N-M
στέφανος, -ου, ὁ
(< στέφω, to encircle), [in LXX chiefly for עֲטָרָה ;]
__1. that which surrounds or encompasses (as a wall, a crowd: Hom., al.).
__2. a crown, i.e. the wreath, garland or chaplet given as a prize for victory, as a festal ornament, or as a public honour for distinguished service or personal worth (so to sovereigns, especially on the occasion of a παρουσία, which see; cf. Deiss., LAE, 372 ff.; on its use in LXX for the golden crown of royalty (prop., διάδημα, which see, cf. Hort and Mayor on
(AS)
Thayer:
1) a crown
1a) a mark of royal or (in general) exalted rank
1a1) the wreath or garland which was given as a prize to victors in public games
1b) metaph. the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of God and Christ: the crown (wreath) which is the reward of the righteousness
1c) that which is an ornament and honour to one
For Synonyms see entry G5833
στέφανος
stephanos stef'-an-os From an apparently primary “stepho” (to twine or wreathe); a chaplet (as a badge of royalty, a prize in the public games or a symbol of honor generally; but more conspicuous and elaborate than the simple fillet, G1238), literally or figuratively
KJV Usage: crown.
As long as we the church keep the logos of His steadfastness, the people who are from the synagogue of Satanas will worship at our feet. Today? No, in the future. We will be honored while Satanas’ evil people will bow down before us. Jesus says they will know that He loves us. We will have a crown. We receive a crown for being patient and enduring the logos in the face of adversity. If we learn to see ourselves as we will be, it will be easier to endure the people who come to slander us and mistreat us.
Paul tells us that today we are to strive, as if we are running a race for a prize. The prize? An immortal crown.
1 Corinthians 9:24 G3756 Do you not G1492 know G3754 that G3588 the ones G1722 [2in G4712 3 the stadium G5143 1running], G3956 all G3303 indeed G5143 run, G1520 but one G1161 G2983 receives G3588 the G1017 victory prize? G3779 Thus G5143 you run G2443 that G2638 you should overtake!
25 G3956 But every one G1161 G3588 G75 struggling, G3956 in all things G1467 controls himself; G1565 that G3303 indeed G3767 then G2443 that G5349 a corruptible G4735 crown G2983 they should receive; G1473 but we G1161 G862 an incorruptible crown .
26 G1473 I G5106 therefore G3779 so G5143 run, G5613 as G3756 not G84 uncertainly; G3779 so G4438 I box, G5613 as G3756 not G109 [2the air G1194 1flaying].
27 G235 But G5299 I bruise G1473 my G3588 G4983 body, G2532 and G1396 bring it into slavery, G3381 lest G243 to others G2784 having proclaimed, G1473 myself G96 [2debased G1096 1I should be].
We have all been in competitions, but earthly competitions only yield corruptible crowns, or plastic trophies and ugly ribbons. For our competition we will receive an immortal incorruptible crown. If we want an immortal crown we have to bring our bodies into subjection as if our body is our slave. It truly is our slave, our body should be controlled, and not catered to.
Our time on earth is the place we are tested, and our training, like Pauls, should make us stronger. Paul doesn’t want to be a hypocrite and preach what he himself can’t attain to. He beats his body into submission so that he will not be rejected. The word debased, adokimos, is like proving metals that cannot stand up to the test. Paul doesn’t want to be like weak metals or coins, he wants to be fully proved. Adokimos is something that fails the test of divine scrutiny. We too should put our body in subjection, so that we can receive an immortal crown. We have a lot of religious leaders who can benefit from Pauls teaching.
Paul contrasts non-believing anti-Christs with believers in Christ. Paul tells us that our citizenship is in heaven and our bodies will be changed into His glory. Because of our faith which Paul preached, we are Paul’s joy and crown.
Philippians 3:18 G4183 For many G1063 G4043 walk G3739 whom G4178 often G3004 I told G1473 you, G3568 and now G1161 G2532 even G2799 weeping G3004 I tell -- G3588 the G2190 enemies G3588 of the G4716 cross G3588 G5547 of Christ;
19 G3739 whose G3588 G5056 end G684 is destruction, G3739 whose G3588 G2316 god G3588 is the G2836 belly, G2532 and G3588 the G1391 glory G1722 is in G3588 G152 their shame, G1473 G3588 the ones G3588 G1919 [2earthly things G5426 1thinking].
Just as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, Paul points out that there are people whose god is their belly. Their glory is their shame. Chasing every pleasure and lust to satisfy our body only brings us shame. However Paul told us to put our body in subjection. Our citizenship is not here on earth, it is in heaven. When Yahweh Jesus Messiah calls then our body will change.
Philippians 3:20 G1473 For of us G1063 G3588 the G4175 citizenship G1722 in G3772 the heavens G5224 exists, G1537 of G3739 which G2532 also G4990 [2a deliverer G553 1we await] -- G2962 the Lord G* Jesus G5547 Christ,
21 G3739 who G3345 will change [3appearance G3588 1the G4983 2body] G3588 G5014 of our humiliation, G1473 G1519 for G3588 G1096 its becoming G1473 G4832 conformable G3588 to the G4983 body G3588 G1391 of his glory, G1473 G2596 according to G3588 the G1753 operation G3588 G1410 of his being able, G1473 G2532 and G5293 to subject G1438 to himself G3588 the whole. G3956
Philippians 4:1 G5620 So that, G80 [5brethren G1473 1my G27 2beloved G2532 3and G1973 4longed for], G5479 [2joy G2532 3and G4735 4crown G1473 1my], G3779 so G4739 stand firm G1722 in G2962 the Lord, G27 beloved!
There is an unfortunate chapter break here where Paul is explaining our citizenship. We will be changed and conformed into the body of His glory. This is our identity. Paul calls the Philippians his joy and crown. Yet Paul is essentially writing to us as well. One day Paul will see billions of Christians who have been transformed by the message he preached. We all are Paul’s joy and crown. Paul reiterates this again writing to the Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 2:18 G1352 Therefore G2309 we wanted G2064 to come G4314 to G1473 you -- G1473 even indeed I G3303 G* Paul, G2532 even G530 once G2532 and G1364 twice; G2532 and G1465 [2hindered G1473 3us G3588 G4567 1Satan].
19 G5100 For what is G1063 G1473 our G1680 hope, G2228 or G5479 joy, G2228 or G4735 crown G2746 of boasting? G2228 or G3780 is it not G2532 also G1473 you G1715 in front of G3588 G2962 our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ G1722 at G3588 G1473 his G3952 arrival?
20 G1473 For you G1063 G1510.2.5 are G3588 G1391 our glory G1473 G2532 and G3588 G5479 joy.
Satanas hindered Paul from visiting the Thessalonians. Paul looks ahead into the future and sees the Thessalonians standing before Jesus. Again, billions of Christians are a crown of boasting or rejoicing.
There is nothing that says our Christian walk will be easy. We still do our best and choose to live in Christ. Paul instructs Timothy to keep preaching, even though people will not endure healthy teaching and will turn away from Yahweh Jesus Messiah. They will follow fables, but Timothy is exhorted to suffer this hardship as an evangelist.
2 Timothy 4:1 G1263 [2testify G3767 3then G1473 1I] G1799 in the presence of G3588 G2316 God G2532 and G3588 the G2962 Lord G* Jesus G5547 Christ, G3588 of the one G3195 being about G2919 to judge G2198 the living G2532 and G3498 the dead, G2596 according to G3588 G2015 his grandeur G1473 G2532 and G3588 G932 his kingdom. G1473
2 G2784 Proclaim G3588 the G3056 word! G2186 Attend G2122 opportunely G171 and inopportunely! G1651 Reprove! G2008 Reproach! G3870 Comfort G1722 in G3956 all G3115 long-suffering G2532 and G1322 teaching!
3 G1510.8.3 For there will be G1063 G2540 a time G3753 when G3588 G5198 [3healthy G1319 4teaching G3756 1they will not G430 2endure], G235 but G2596 according to G3588 G1939 [2desires G3588 1their own G2398 G1438 4to themselves G2002 3they will accumulate] G1320 teachers G2833 tickling G3588 the G189 hearing.
4 G2532 And G575 from G3303 indeed G3588 the G225 truth, G3588 the one G189 hearing, G654 they shall turn away, G1909 [3unto G1161 1and G3588 4the G3454 5fables G1624 2they shall be turned aside].
The immediate future must have looked bleak to Paul because he knew people would turn away from following the gospel. Recently a pastor was making negative headlines for admitting he is now in a plural marriage. He took on a second wife. I guess he conveniently forgot what Paul told us. Teachers tickling the hearing? Following fables? We have to speak up and speak out.
2 Timothy 4: 5 G1473 But you G1161 G3525 be sober G1722 in G3956 all things! G2553 Suffer hardships! G2041 [2 the work G4160 1Do] G2099 of an evangelist! G3588 G1248 Of your service G1473 G4135 have full assurance!
6 G1473 For I G1063 G2235 already G4689 am offered as a libation, G2532 and G3588 the G2540 time G3588 G1699 of my G359 separation G2186 stands by.
7 G3588 The G73 [2struggle G3588 G2570 1good] G75 I have struggled; G3588 the G1408 race G5055 I have finished; G3588 the G4102 belief G5083 I have kept.
8 G3062 Remaining G606 reserved G1473 for me G3588 is the G3588 G1343 [2of righteousness G4735 1crown], G3739 which G591 [6will recompense G1473 7to me G3588 1the G2962 2Lord G1722 8in G1565 9that G3588 G2250 10day G3588 3the G1342 4righteous G2923 5judge]; G3756 [2not G3440 3only G1161 1and] G1473 to me, G235 but G2532 also G3956 to all G3588 the ones G25 loving G3588 G2015 his grandeur.
We should take Paul’s words seriously here as Paul knows he will be murdered. Paul says he is ready to be poured out or his blood to be spilled and that the time of his departure or unloosing is at present or standing by. It is sad to realize that Paul is writing this letter to Timothy with his last instructions because he knows that he will be murdered soon. But because Paul continued steadfast to the end of his life he will receive a crown of righteousness. Paul says that all those who finish their race will receive a crown of righteousness from Yahweh Jesus Messiah.
James 1:12 G3107 Blessed is G435 a man G3739 who G5278 endures G3986 test; G3754 for G1384 [2unadulterated G1096 1becoming], G2983 he shall receive G3588 the G4735 crown G3588 G2222 of life, G3739 which G1861 [3promised G3588 1the G2962 2Lord] G3588 to the ones G25 loving G1473 him.
13 G3367 [2no one G3985 3being tested G3004 1Let] say G3754 that, G575 From G2316 God G3985 I am tested! G3588 G1063 For G2316 God G551 is beyond testing G1510.2.3 G2556 by evils, G3985 [3tests G1161 1and G1473 2he himself] G3762 no one.
14 G1538 But each G1161 G3985 is tested G5259 by G3588 his own G2398 G1939 desire, G1828 being dragged away G2532 and G1185 being entrapped.
This is why Paul told us to enslave our body, or put our body in subjection and beat it. Because as James says, people are dragged away and trapped by their own desire. Yahweh Jesus Messiah is not testing us, but Satanas is. Satanas wants us to stumble and fall, he wants us to not receive our full rewards and crowns. Yet this is the identity of the children of the Elohim. We will wear a crown of life.
Peter has some words for the churches that he established in Babylon.
1 Peter 5:1 G4245 Elders, G3588 the ones G1722 among G1473 you, G3870 I exhort, G3588 I the G4850 fellow-elder G2532 and G3144 witness G3588 of the G3588 [2of the G5547 3Christ G3804 1sufferings], G3588 the one G2532 also G3588 [2of the G3195 3about to be G601 4revealed G1391 5glory G2844 1partner] --
2 G4165 tend G3588 the G1722 [3among G1473 4you G4168 1flock G3588 G2316 2of God]! G1983 overseeing, G3361 not G317 by compelling, G235 but G1596 voluntarily; G3366 nor G147 sordidly, G235 but G4290 eagerly;
3 G3366 nor G5613 as G2634 one dominating G3588 the G2819 lots, G235 but G5179 [2models G1096 1becoming] G3588 for the G4168 flock.
4 G2532 And G5319 at the manifesting G3588 of the G750 chief shepherd, G2865 you shall carry G3588 the G262 unfading G3588 G1391 [2of glory G4735 1crown].
Peter tells the elders to tend the flock as overseers, not by force but willingly, not with greedy gain. There are some people who go into ministry for greedy gain because they know how to manipulate people for money. Peter says that the elders are not to dominate the congregation but be models for the flock. Then Yahweh Jesus Messiah will give them an unfading crown of gory.
In Jesus’ letter to the church of Smyrna we once again see that we are to endure the affliction by people who call themselves Jews but are from the synagogue of Satanas. Why are there always people claiming to be Jews who are worshippers of Satanas? Jesus thought it to be important enough to tell us twice. Our adversity produces our crowns.
Revelation 2:8 G2532 And G3588 to the G32 angel G3588 of the G1722 [2in G* 3Smyrna G1577 1assembly] G1125 write! G3592 Thus G3004 says G3588 the G4413 first G2532 and G3588 the G2078 last, G3739 who G1096 became G3498 dead, G2532 and G2198 lived.
9 G1492 I know G1473 your G3588 G2041 works, G2532 and G3588 G2347 affliction, G2532 and G3588 G4432 poorness, G235 (but G4145 [2rich G1510.2.2 1you are]) G2532 and G3588 the G988 blasphemy G3588 of the ones G3004 calling G* [2to be Jews G1510.1 G1438 1themselves], G2532 and G3756 are not, G1510.2.6 G235 but G4864 a synagogue G3588 G4567 of Satan.
10 G3367 Do not G5399 fear G3739 the things G3195 you are about G3958 to suffer! G2400 Behold G1211 indeed, G3195 [3is about G906 4to throw G3588 1the G1228 2devil] G1537 some of G1473 you G1519 in G5438 prison, G2443 that G3985 you should be tested. G2532 And G2192 you shall have G2347 affliction G2250 [2days G1176 1ten]. G1096 Be G4103 trustworthy G891 unto G2288 death! G2532 and G1325 I will give G1473 to you G3588 the G4735 crown G3588 G2222 of life.
The message Jesus gives us is to endure, even until death, and we will receive a crown of life. Notice that we are to be trustworthy until death in order to receive life. If we keep our faith to the end of our life then we will have an immortal crown, a crown of boasting, a crown of righteousness, and a crown of glory. The people we brought to the Lord will be our crown of joy. We are going to receive honor and renown for punching through life, with hindrances, afflictions, and fake Jews chasing us. This is who we are. This is what we are. This is our destiny.
How should we see ourselves? We should see ourselves as celebrated, loved, and honored. Isaiah told us that there are garments as well. Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2a in the synagogue in Nazareth. Here again is another huge Masoretic alteration, attempting to erase Jesus as Messiah for opening blind eyes. Jesus opened at least ten blind eyes. Jesus stopped short of calling that day the “Day of Vengeance”. The day of vengeance is the Day of the Lord, the day Jesus comes back with his saints. When the Day of Vengeance is finished then there will be comfort for all that mourned in Zion and attire of glory.
Isa 61:1 (Brenton) The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me; he has sent me to preach glad tidings to the poor, to heal the broken in heart, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind;
Isa 61:2 to declare the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of recompence; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3 that there should be given to them that mourn in Sion glory instead of ashes, the oil of joy to the mourners, the garment of glory for the spirit of heaviness: and they shall be called generations of righteousness, the planting of the Lord for glory.
Isaiah 61:3 G1325 V-APN δοθηναι G3588 T-DPM τοις G3996 V-PAI-3P πενθουσιν G4622 N-PRI σιων G1391 N-ASF δοξαν G473 PREP αντι G4700 N-GSF σποδου N-ASN αλειμμα G2167 N-GSF ευφροσυνης G3588 T-DPM τοις G3996 V-PAI-3P πενθουσιν G2689 N-ASF καταστολην G1391 N-GSF δοξης G473 PREP αντι G4151 N-GSN πνευματος N-GSF ακηδιας G2532 CONJ και G2564 V-FPI-3P κληθησονται G1074 N-NPF γενεαι G1343 N-GSF δικαιοσυνης N-NSN φυτευμα G2962 N-GSM κυριου G1519 PREP εις G1391 N-ASF δοξαν
“Give these grieve Zion honor, glory, splendor, instead of ashes smear joyfulness these grieve attire glory, honor, splendor, instead of spirit lazy and call generation righteous plantation Yahweh into glory, honor, splendor.
The word for garment is the word katastolē which is a “deposit or downward attire”, it is like putting a gown over ones head, letting it down, this is the idea of the garment of glory that covers over people.
1391 LSJ Gloss:δόξα a notion
Dodson:δόξα honor, renown, glory splendor honor, renown; glory, an especially divine quality, the unspoken manifestation of God, splendor.
TBESG:δόξα glory
G:N-F
δόξα, -ης, ἡ
(< δοκέω), [in LXX very freq. for כָּבוֹד, also for הוֹד ,פִּפְאֶרֶת, etc., 25 words in all ;]
in cl.,
__1. expectation, judgment, opinion (4Ma.5:18).
__2. opinion, estimation in which one is held, repute; in NT, always good opinion, hence reputation, praise, honour, glory:
SYN.: ἔπαινος τιμή (see Hort on 1Pe.1:7). (AS)
Thayer:
1) opinion, judgment, view
2) opinion, estimate, whether good or bad concerning someone
2a) in the NT always a good opinion concerning one, resulting in praise, honour, and glory
3) splendour, brightness
3a) of the moon, sun, stars
3b) magnificence, excel
δόξα
doxa dox'-ah From the base of G1380; glory (as very apparent), in a wide application (literally or figuratively, objectively or subjectively)
KJV Usage: dignity, glory (-ious), honour, praise, worship.
For those who have been dispersed all over the world, who mourned for Zion, Yahweh Elohim will clothe people with splendor. They will shine bright. We have to remember, as Ezekiel told us, there were people who were spared during the third captivity of Judah into Babylon. They were marked and not killed, but brought to Babylon. Peter taught people the gospel who had stayed in Babylon. There had always been a small group of people who mourned the defilements in the temple for over four hundred years. The mourners, not the defilers, will be honored with splendor.
The people who were dispersed mourned. Yahweh Elohim has not brought His people back yet. Nothing man can do will make Yahweh bring them back until Yahweh is ready and the number is fulfilled as Paul told us. We cannot create a “Zion”. That is not how this works. We instead wait humbly and Yahweh will bring them back after the Day of Vengeance.
Meanwhile, we endure with steadfastness all the spiritual attacks, and the evil people claiming to be Jews but who persecute Christians. We stand with the people being slaughtered for their faith in Yahweh Jesus Messiah. We stand with the most oppressed people on the earth as well.
Paul tells us that the Lords judgment is against those who do evil. The evil synagogue of Satanas’ members store up wrath for the day of wrath, because the Elohim will repay everyone for their works.
Romans 2:2 G1492 For we know G1161 G3754 that G3588 the G2917 judgment G3588 G2316 of God G1510.2.3 is G2596 according to G225 truth G1909 upon G3588 the ones G3588 [2such things G5108 G4238 1doing].
3 G3049 But do you think G1161 G3778 this, G5599 O G444 man, G3588 (the one G2919 judging G3588 the ones G3588 G5108 [2such things G4238 1doing], G2532 and G4160 yourself doing G1473 them,) G3754 that G1473 you G1628 shall flee from G3588 the G2917 judgment G3588 G2316 of God?
4 G2228 Or G3588 the G4149 riches G3588 G5544 of his graciousness, G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G463 forbearance G2532 and G3588 the G3115 leniency G2706 do you disdain; G50 not knowing G3754 that G3588 the G5543 graciousness G3588 G2316 of God G1519 [2to G3341 3repentance G1473 1leads you]? G71
5 G2596 But according to G1161 G3588 G4643 your hardness G1473 G2532 and G279 impenitent G2588 heart G2343 you treasure up G4572 for yourself G3709 wrath G1722 in G2250 the day G3709 of wrath G2532 and G602 of revelation G1341 of righteous judgment G3588 G2316 of God;
6 G3739 who G591 will recompense G1538 each G2596 according to G3588 G2041 his works; G1473
For those people who do good works, they will receive glory, and honor, and incorruptibility, and eternal life. Receiving glory and honor is like being cheered on in our race. Every time we overcome the heavenly sons of the Elohim rejoice in our victories. But there will be affliction and straits for those manufacturing evil.
Romans 2:7 G3588 to the ones G3303 G2596 with G5281 endurance G2041 [2work G18 1of good], G1391 [2glory G2532 3and G5092 4honor G2532 5and G861 6incorruptibility G1934 1seeking anxiously] -- G2222 life G166 eternal.
8 G3588 And to the ones G1161 G1537 of G2052 contention G2532 and G544 resisting persuasion, G3303 indeed G3588 to the G225 truth, G3982 and being yielded G1161 G3588 to G93 iniquity -- G2372 rage G2532 and G3709 wrath,
9 G2347 affliction G2532 and G4730 straits, G1909 will be upon G3956 every G5590 soul G444 of man G3588 G2716 manufacturing G3588 the G2556 evil thing, G* both of Jew G5037 G4412 first G2532 and G* Greek;
10 G1391 but glory, G1161 G2532 and G5092 honor, G2532 and G1515 peace G3956 will be to all, G3588 to the one G2038 working G3588 the G18 good, G* both to the Jew G5037 G4412 first G2532 and G* to the Greek.
11 G3756 [3no G1063 1For G1510.2.3 2there is] G4382 discrimination G3844 by G3588 G2316 God.
Glory and honor and peace to all who are working good. The word honor, timē, means “a price or value” as well as “high esteem”. The people will be given glory, high esteem, and peace. On earth no one receives glory, high esteem, or peace from the world, unless they are of the synagogue of Satanas. Yet we are being cheered on, we are being celebrated and honored in heaven. This is our identity. We have the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit encouraging us and praising us along with the sons of the Elohim. This is who we are. There is no partiality or favoritism from the Elohim.
When Moses came down the mountain with the tablets, people could not look at him because he had been in the presence of Yahweh Elohim. Moses became a reflection of Yahweh Elohims glory. They put a veil over Moses face so that he could look at the people. Today, where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom and liberty.
2 Corinthians 3:17 G3588 And the G1161 G2962 Lord G3588 [2the G4151 3spirit G1510.2.3 1is]; G3739 but where G1161 G3588 the G4151 spirit G2962 of the Lord is, G1563 there is G1657 freedom.
18 G1473 But we G1161 G3956 all G343 with uncovered G4383 face G3588 [2the G1391 3glory G2962 4of the Lord G2734 1 are reflecting], G3588 the G1473 same G1504 image G3339 being transformed G575 from G1391 glory G1519 unto G1391 glory, G2509 just as G575 from G2962 the Lord G4151 of spirit.
“But we all uncovered countenance, and visage, the glory Yahweh downward gaze, mirror the His likeness transform away from gory into glory exactly as away from Yahweh Spirit.”
Today, the saints, the believers in Jesus Messiah, have uncovered faces reflecting like a mirror, the image of the glory of Yahweh Jesus Messiah, and are being transformed, metamorphoō. We are free in Christ and we reflect Him and are changing from glory into glory. From one glory of men into His glory, exactly as the Spirit of Yahweh is. Paul goes on to explain that if the gospel, the good news, is being covered it is covered by those perishing because the god of this age blinded the thoughts of the unbelieving. In doing so, they cannot see the light of the gospel, the glory of the Messiah, made in the image of the invisible Elohim.
2 Corinthians 4:3 G1487 But if G1161 G2532 G1510.2.3 [2is G2572 3being covered G3588 G2098 1our good news], G1473 G1722 [3among G3588 4the ones G622 5perishing G1510.2.3 1it is G2572 2covered];
4 G1722 in G3739 which G3588 the G2316 god G3588 G165 of this eon G3778 G5186 blinded G3588 the G3540 thoughts G3588 of the G571 unbelieving, G1519 so as G3588 G3361 to not G826 shine forth G1473 to them G3588 the G5462 illumination G3588 of the G2098 good news G3588 of the G1391 glory G3588 of the G5547 Christ, G3739 who G1510.2.3 is G1504 image G3588 of the G517 unseen G2316 of God.
5 G3756 For not G1063 G1438 ourselves G2784 do we proclaim, G235 but G5547 Christ G* Jesus G2962 Lord; G1438 and ourselves G1161 G1401 your bondmen G1473 G1223 for the sake of G* Jesus.
6 G3754 For G3588 G2316 God G3588 is the one G2036 having told G1537 [3from G4655 4darkness G5457 1light G2989 2to radiate], G3739 who G2989 radiated G1722 in G3588 G2588 our hearts G1473 G4314 for G5462 the illumination G3588 of the G1108 knowledge G3588 of the G1391 glory G3588 G2316 of God G1722 in G4383 the person G* of Jesus G5547 Christ.
7 G2192 But we have G1161 G3588 G2344 this treasure G3778 G1722 in G3749 earthenware G4632 vessels, G2443 that G3588 the G5236 excess G3588 of the G1411 power G1510.3 might be G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G3361 not G1537 of G1473 us;
We proclaim the Messiah Jesus Yahweh. The Elohim told light to radiate from darkness in the beginning of creation, and this is the illumination of the knowledge of the glory of Jesus Messiah. Yet we are nothing special, we are earthen vessels, made from the dust of the ground. How glorious is the plan of the Elohim to hide this treasure in us?
We should understand, Satanas is not crowned as we are. He has no crowns, he has no glory. He has light that he refracts from the Elohim. He is not cheered on or celebrated by the Elohim. He is not encouraged or praised by the sons of the Elohim. For that matter, neither are those who are of the synagogue of Satanas. Satanas was a murderer from the beginning, and those murdering and persecuting the saints are not crowned, and not honored either. This should be clear as day, our warfare is spiritual, evil people attack us to get to Jesus.
2 Corinthians 4:17 G3588 For the G1063 G3910 immediate G1645 lightness G3588 G2347 of our affliction G1473 G2596 [2according to G5236 3excess G1519 4to G5236 5excess G166 6an eternal G922 7load G1391 8of glory G2716 1manufactures] G1473 to us;
Paul encourages us not to get tired in afflictions because we are manufacturing downward surpassing excellence into preeminence an everlasting abundance of glory. The contrast of being persecuted on the earth yet celebrated in heaven is how we have to see ourselves and understand that steadfast endurance yields and manufactures eternal abundant glory.
2 Corinthians 4:18 G3361 [2not G4648 3watching G1473 1of our] G3588 the things G991 being seen, G235 but G3588 the things G3361 not G991 being seen; G3588 for the things G1063 G991 being seen G4340 are temporary, G3588 but the things G1161 G3361 not G991 being seen G166 are eternal.
Paul sums this up for us. Our identity in Christ is not temporal or temporary. How we look from the heavenlies is not seen on the earth but it is seen in the heavens and will be eternal. We are crowned, we have splendor and glory.
Our identity is important as many people don’t know who they are. They choose to identify with a political party, a religion, or a hobby, but our identity supersedes all earthly constructs. While we are on the earth waging spiritual war for the souls of the unsaved, we are praised, honored, and glorified. We have crowns awaiting us for eternity. This is who we are. We are not lost in Satanas’ kingdom we are not of Satanas’ kingdom. We are citizens of heaven. Our days on earth are limited but our life in heaven is eternal.
