Slumber by Arnold Murray

Have you ever wondered why so many seeds that you plant dont grow? You have studied Gods Word long enough to know what you are talking about. The facts that you share with others are biblical. What you have learned is so very clear to you. Why cant others understand what seems so simple to you? Lets begin our study in Romans with the teaching of Paul on this subject.

Romans 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.

God hasnt forsaken anyone. His plan of salvation is now open to everyone, including the gentiles.

Romans 11.2 God hath not cast away His people which He fore knew. 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 / am left alone, and they seek my life.

Elijah had some very low points in his life, but God always provided for Elijah. Was Elijah something special? No, but he understood prophecy. That is why it is important for you to have eyes to see and ears to hear, as well.

Romans 11:4 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.

These seven thousand will not worship the image of the Baal of this generation, which is to say the antichrist. It is simply not going to happen.

Romans 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

In the time of Paul there was a remnant, and there is a remnant today who know the truth. They understand Gods overall plan and pass that knowledge down from generation to generation.

Romans 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. 7. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded.

Now we are getting somewhere in answering the first question I posed to you. Many seeds that you plant dont germinate, because many of the people have been blinded.

Romans 11:8 (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.

There is something special about this. The word slumber is katanuxis (kat-an-oox- is), and it means a prickling sensation, as of the limbs asleep. That is the spirit God has given the minds of some. This is the reason that sometimes your precious seeds of truth fall on deaf ears. Dont give up, but dont be too disappointed, when others cant hear with understanding. Their minds are asleep. Those sleeping limbs will awaken, when the Holy Spirit speaks through you as you are delivered up before antichrist. Why would God pour a stupor on some? I believe it is for their own protection. If one of them was to see the truth, and then worship antichirst, it would be the unforgiveable sin. But, dont forget we have the millennium, as well.

Romans 11:9 And David saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a stumblingblock, and a recompense unto them:

Spiritually speaking, the food they receive from many tables becomes a snare because of false teaching.

Romans 11:10 Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.

Their eyes wont always be closed. The truth will eventually seep into their minds. How can I say that? Because it is biblical. How many will bow their knee to Jesus Christ at the second advent? The correct answer is every knee (Philippians 2:10). All will have the opportunity to hear truth; unfortunately, not all will hang onto the truth. We know at the end of the millennium many will fall away from it and be destroyed. In verse eight, Paul told us, it is written. Where was this written? We are there, but first turn to Deuteronomy Chapter 29.

Deuteronomy 29:1 These are the words of the covenant, which the LORD commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which He made with them in Horeb.

A covenant is a contract. If we keep our part of the contract, God always keeps His. The contract is the Bible.

Deuteronomy 29:2 And Moses called unto all Israel, and said unto them, Ye have seen all that the LORD did before your eyes in the land of Egypt unto Pharaoh, and unto all his servants, and unto all his Iand;

The children of Israel had witnessed miracle after miracle as God brought the ten plagues against Egypt.

Deuteronomy 29:3 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: 4. Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

There eyes witnessed the miracles, but their eyes couldnt see nor their minds understand Gods plan of salvation. He delivered them from the oppression of the Egyptians. Father received nothing but rejection and rebellion in return. Things arent all that much different today with those who dont have eyes to see and ears to hear.

Deuteronomy 29:5 And / have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.

Forty years is a long time for a pair of shoes to last without wearing out. God did this for them. He fed them manna and made sure they had water to drink.

Deuteronomy 29:6 Ye have not eaten bread, neither have ye drunk wine or strong drink: that ye might know that I am the LORD your God.

God wanted the people to know He was the One providing for them. He wanted them to keep the contract, just as Father wants us to keep the contract. Turn with me to the Book of Isaiah as we continue our study.

Isaiah 29:9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry ye out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.

This prophecy applies to today. The people stagger as though they were drunk. What do you think is making them stagger?

Isaiah 29:10 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.

They stagger because their legs are asleep. Please understand, the analogy is their minds are asleep. Many of you have a destiny. Christ isnt going to wake them up. You are going to wake them up as the Holy Spirit speaks through you, when the false messiah is on earth.

Isaiah 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:

How many preachers have said, I would love to teach the Book of Revelation, but I cant. The Book is sealed. The Book of Revelation isnt sealed or locked. The very word Revelation means to reveal or make known. This prophecy has certainly come to pass, and those of you who arent sleepwalking realize this fact.

Isaiah 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. 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:

It is no wonder so many are far from God, when they are taught by the traditions of men rather than the Word of God. Beware of the doctrine of men! The doctrine of men teaches falsehoods such as the rapture and that parts of Gods Word are sealed and not to be understood.

Isaiah 29:14 Therefore, behold, / 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.

Those who are supposed to be learned say, I cant read and explain the Book, because it is sealed.

Isaiah 29:15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?

You cant hide anything from your heavenly Father. Anyone who thinks they can is in a slumber.

Isaiah 29:16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potters clay; for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding ?

This would be like telling God what to do, or that He doesnt know what He is doing. That would be dangerous. If you expect any blessings, dont try to tell God how to do things. Read His letter, and help Him bring His plan to pass with your eyes and ears open. Be awake.

Isaiah 29:17 Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest?

God is in control, and He knows what He is doing.

Isaiah 29:18 And in that day shall the deaf hear the words of the book, and the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness.

We are going to teach them. They are going to see and understand. Think on these things, when you feel like very few of the seeds you are planting are germenating.

Isaiah 29:19 The meek also shall increase their joy in the LORD, and the poor among men shall rejoice in the Holy One of Israel. 20. For the terrible one is brought to nought, and the scorner is consumed, and all that watch for iniquity are cut off:

The terrible one, the antichrist, will be brought to nought, when you witness against him. In conclusion, lets turn to the Book of Acts Chapter 2. We are going to pick it up with Peter having explained the cloven tongue spoken, when the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

When they heard the Holy Spirit speaking through the apostles, they began to wake up. The slumber was broken by the truth spoken by the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Stay awake. Dont let one of your limbs go to sleep. Dont let your mind go to sleep. Keep your eyes and ears open to your Fathers Word and the events that are coming to pass in the world today. Watchmen cant watch, if they have fallen asleep. In His service Arnold Murray