As we consider these questions’ I’d like to go back to an Old Testament book and look at a verse of scripture. ( Ezra 2:63 ) And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

According to what I can find, the definition of these words are as follows: ( 1 ) Tirshatha – The Feared. ( 2 ) Urim – Light. ( 3 ) Thummim – Truth.

What had happened in the book of Ezra; the Nation of Israel, God’s chosen people had been in captivity for some years. While they we in bondage they had began to chose their own direction and, do things that were not seen as following obedience. Now they are back in their home land and, they want to resume their normal activities just like it had always been.

What the prophet is telling them is that; we need a leader, someone that you fear, This leader has to have light and truth on him. These things, since we have strayed, need to be in place to correct us.

If I can, I’d like to share some verses from another book in the Old Testament. ( Amos 7:14-15 ) Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I was no prophet, neither was I a prophet’s son; but I was a herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit. ( 15 ) And the Lord took me as I followed the flock, and the Lord said unto me, Go, prophecy unto my people Israel.

We see in these two scriptures that there were men that sought to, being led by God the Father to shed light on the truth. We could also argue a couple of things. ( 1 ) Why should anyone listen to either of these men, who are they? ( 2 ) Israel has no one to fear, at least as far as they can see.

The truth is, today, just as it was then; it is someone to fear. There is light and, there is truth. The question is; do we fear, and what? We can argue that God’s people of that day did fear but, that fear was not of the hand of God. So, what did they fear? They feared losing their priviledge of doing as they chose to do. They feared having to be submissive to someone else, to listen to someone else. Ezra said this, I am a herdman and, I gather sycomore fruit. Why should the Nation of Israel listen to what he has to say?

I want to point out a couple of verses that seems to be where we are as a society today. ( 1 Timothy 4:1-2 ) Now the spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to suducing spirits, and doctrines of devils, ( 2 ) Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

I’m going to come back to these verses in a little while but, first I want to share some things with you; beginning with this verse. ( Matthew 13:45-46 ) Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: ( 46 ) Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went out and sold all that he had, and bought it.

As a born again believer, I fear God. That fear is the kind of fear that draws me close to him and, never drives me from him. My desire is to be very sensitive to his Spirit that lives within me as I listen to other people, speak, read what is written about him or, hear the preaching of his word. I don’t want to have my own way or will but, rather to be yielded to him. My desire is to be like Amos ans Ezra. I’m not a prophet but, I do seek to know his truth and not to be goverened by the things of this world.

A few months ago, I emailed my pastor. I asked him what was the difference in the ( Holy Spirit ) and the ( Holy Ghost )? His reply was that there wasn’t any difference. So, I replied; why are both terms in scripture then? I told him ( I believed ) it was a difference and, I desire to know that difference. I only tell you that story because I believe that we can be that sensitive to the Spirit of God, so sensitive that even points that minor; in scripture can teach us things about the God we serve.

I showed you a verse in Matthew about finding the ( pearl of great price ). Once you find that pearl then, you forget all the rest, just to have that pearl. I realize that you might see that verse a little different but, you, more than likely can see my point as well.

I believe there is a truth and, we can find it. That truth is not in my pastor, nor is it in me. Now we both might be able to reveal that truth but, we are not the source of that truth. We are only vessels that God can use to reveal truth. Do you remeber the verses in ( Ezra ) Tirshatha – one to be feared: Urim – Light: Thummim – Truth? Well, he is here now. We call him the ( Holy Spirit ). The only way that he ( God’s Spirit ) can be seen is when we allow Him to be seen in us. We must become the ( Ghost of God ). God being revealed in our flesh.

That truth can be found. It is revealed to each born again believer, by the Spirit of God from, the Word of God. Remember the vereses in ( 1 Timothy )? He tells us there that ( God’s Spirit ) expressly tells us that in the ( latter days ) some would depart from the faith. These would give heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils. Speaking lies in hypocricy, their conscience ( seared ) with a hot iron.

We could cover a lot of territoty here and, most of what I might say; you might disagree with. However, we have reached those ( latter days ). We have crossed the line where we must trust the Holy Spirit and him alone. We must deside and, stand firm on: What is God’s word? Is God pleased with every book that is called a Holy Bible? What is a Church? What is a Pastor? Do we really have Sunday School teachers?

Our Bibles, our Churches, our pastors and, our Sunday School teachers have been seared with a hot iron and, in most cases, they don’t even know it. ( SEARED ) pressed down firm, straight lined. Where we stand is correct, makes no difference what the word of God says. And, if any person questions that then, they automatically become the enemy.

Do we even seek truth? Do we even desire for the Spirit of God to show up in our Church services or in our Bible study? Do we really desire him in our homes, how about in our hearts? We could ask a question; when is salvation real or, just how real is yours? Far too often we seek to change who God truly is by designing our own Jesus Christ, choosing our own denomination or, in some cases building our own word of God. Have we become so ( seared in our conscience ) that we can’t see that?

As I teach, seek to instruct, you must understand, you do not have to believe or agree with anything I say. However, if we are to grow spiritually we must be willing to see where we are wrong as revealed by God’s Spirit and, we must be willing to die to ourselves; even if it means losing all our family and all of our friends.

You look around in you Church, you Sunday School class, your home, you Bible. See how many things you can find that have been seared with a hot iron and, God is not in. Are you willing to do just that or, do you fear what you might truly find?

Truth can be found by you. It can be revealed by you. you can become a very powerful vessel for Jesus Christ if you truly seek to know him. You must be willing to hear him that you fear, seek light and truth.

Marshall Clayton

2 Timothy 1:7