May 2001

[Part 145]

“Issues of the heart”

[Part Sixty-three]

Hope For the Fearful Heart! [UU]

“WHO CAN I TURN TO?”

“Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (Jn 1:29)

The phrase, “TAKES AWAY” is defined by the Greek word, airo (142) as: “To take up or away; to raise (as the voice); keep in suspense (as the mind); to weigh anchor and sail away; to *EXPIATE SIN; bear up or carry (as a Cross); to loose, or MAKE TO DOUBT!” [See: Jn 10:24] This is akin to Heb 5375 whose many applications incl: “Lift, Forgive, and pardon.”

[*Expiate (Dict) has 2 roots:”ex + piare” meaning: “to atone for”. (Atone, is from a root meaning: “TO BECOME AS ONE”! And it is defined: “Reconcile, be in harmony; supply satisfaction for; but esp. the reinstatement of MAN’S ONENESS WITH GOD!!!”) It is defined: “PAY THE PENALTY FOR; MAKE AMENDS FOR; and PUT AN END TO!”]

               Why do thieves, robbers, burglars and plunderers know the meaning of “TAKE AWAY” but apostate Christendom does not! Marauders, murderers, militias and morticians know what “TAKE AWAY” means; but not the vast majority of professing believers! This is not a light thing, beloveds! Allow the Lord to put an end to such confusion! Imagine yourself at a busy airport where you lay your wallet down and momentarily look away. When you look back it is gone! You shout, “Someone TOOK my wallet!” Now consider: when you said that someone “TOOK” your wallet, did you mean that some nice person came and “asked your permission” to remove your wallet? Of course not! You meant that someone “STOLE AWAY WITH INTENT TO KEEP” your wallet!! Thieves rarely wait around to ask their victims to sign a Release Form before they abscond with their valuables! [See more about “thieves” in our next issue] The Greek root for “take away” is also used in other verses as just “take, taken or took”. Their clear context removes all doubt of its meaning. The verses below display the forceful impact intended in statement, “The Lamb of God takes away the sin of the world!”

“In order for you to be convinced that the Son of Man has POWER [Gk 1849 “Authority, privilege, strength”] on earth to FORGIVE SINS, (He said) to the paralyzed man, ‘Arise and TAKE AWAY your sickbed, and walk home!” (Mk 2:12)

“Jesus said, ‘No man TAKES AWAY My Life; but I, Myself, lay it down!” (Jn 10:18)

“Jesus said, ‘I am the True Vine (or Vine of Truth) and My Father is the Vinedresser!

He TAKES AWAY any non-fruitbearing branch growing IN ME!” (Jn 15:2)

“When an armed strong man keeps his palace, his goods are safe; but when One Who is stronger comes upon him and overcomes him, He TAKES AWAY all his armor in which he trusted; and divides his spoils!” (Lu 11:22)

“Take heed, therefore, how you listen (to the Spirit of Truth)! For whoever has gained (true Revelation Knowledge), even more shall be given to him; but whoever has none, that which he ‘seems’ to have shall be TAKEN AWAY!” (Lu 8:18)

              This is a FOUNDATIONAL TRUTH, my brethren! Pray for spiritual ears to hear what the Spirit is saying! Because of the importance of this revelation, we shall continue with His Thoughts in our next episode.

[TO BE CONTINUED]