I see it more of what
God sees ????Not what we see. When it comes to faith (spiritual matters) we like
Pinocchio with a hard wodden heart cannot see past the tip of our nose .
Christ came that we might see past our toes.
well...there really isn't a way you can call the devotional blasphemy. I mean, just because he didn't also bring in the verse in tension to, it doesn't mean he hasn't taught the people he pastors this elsewhere. Bruce is pretty trustworthy and he attests that he definitely has heard Joseph teach on the other verse too.
The principle of ...."name it claim it" points towards blasphemy..
Yes I agree, about the fig tree, that is why I found it so interesting that he soon pointed faith moving a big mountain into the sea, how hard might it have been for those (the Jews and the disciples) under the temple system, which was like a mountain in their lives to know that by faith it could be moved into the sea.
Yes the temple system was a shadow... reformed at the time of reformation. If we would attribute that work of faith to our own selves it can move nothing. It His faith as a labor of His love that protects us that can move a Mountain and cast it into the sea .Not of our own selves.
We can build bigger barns but to eat the fruit… our next breath depends on the mercy of God..
The fig tree is used in two ways. The leaves represent the healing of the nations to include the Jewish nation but never in respect that seen. The fruit of the fig tree would be those who do the will of God that works in the believer to both will and perform His good pleasure
The temple or mountains represents the kingdoms of this world or denominations that are under the loving laws of God written in the Bible called the book of the law(no theories) .
Where moving them into the sea, would be more like in reference to preparation for the new heavens and earth where there is no Sea
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms
(sects) of this world are become the kingdoms
(sects)of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was
no more sea.
God warned the Jews over and over that they would be like all the other kingdoms of the world.
Deu 28:25 The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt
be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
The Almond tree as symbol of rebellion provides another way to look at look at the fruit of what I call the fruit of “observing or watching to see” if what the Holy Spirit gives us to taste is of God.
It’s not when we see the blood as to the outcome but when he sees it.He is the watcher to make sure things that are seen as he defines them . Jeremiah gives us some interesting insight.
Then the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. Jer 1:6
First reactions to those who walk after the flesh( every man) resist the work of the Spirit.
Jer 1:7 But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Like Moses telling God he has the wrong person . the loving commandment .Say not I am a child.
That work of Christ that worked in jeremiah to both will and do the good pleasure of God provided Jeremiah the faith of Christ to do His will. He did not tell him he would deliver him from the trial but as Emmanuel he will be with him as he was in the flame with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego rescuing them from the judgment of God
Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. Jer 1:8
Just as he Holy Spirit put his words in the mouth of Balaam’s Ass in order to warn that false prophet.He is watching to be sure he performs it.
Jer 1:10 See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.
There again using kingdoms of this world to represent they will all beomes the kingdoms of God in the world to come
Jer 1:11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
There using the rod of a almond tree to represent our rebellious nature that resist moving to do the will of another as with Jeremiah and Moses .
Jer 1:12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.
There the word of God confirming that God was watching to make sure he hears the work of faith working in Jerimiah as he moved Him to perform it.
Jer 1:13 And the word of the LORD came unto me the second time, saying, What seest thou? And I said, I see a seething pot; and the face thereof is toward the north.
Then the LORD said unto me, Out of the north an evil shall break forth upon all the inhabitants of the land.For, lo, I will call
all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against
all the cities of Judah. Jer 1:14-15
Again in reference to all kingdoms as denominations of the world that will become the kingdoms of God in the new heavens and earth
And I will utter my judgments against them touching all their wickedness, who have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, and worshipped the works of their own hands. Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them. For, behold, I have made thee this day a defenced city, and an iron pillar, and brasen walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against the princes thereof, against the priests thereof, and against the people of the land.
Jer 1:16
There he is referring to Jeremiah a prophet as if he was the city of refuge in respect to the heavenly city where believers do have their citizenship. Rescuing that city as the bride of Christ again;( for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.) And not to condemm those he brought with a price
Jer 1:19 And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail against thee; for I am with thee, saith the LORD, to deliver thee.