THE WORD AND SPIRIT

 

A popular buzz word today is “paradigm.” Everyone uses it today. The real question is what is a paradigm and how are we to use them in our study?

 

Paradigm - noun

1. Grammar.

1.      A. a set of forms all of which contain a particular element, especially the set of all inflected forms based on a single stem or theme.
2.      B. a display in fixed arrangement of such a set, as boy, boy's, boys, boys'.
   2. an example serving as a model; pattern.
   Synonyms: mold, standard; ideal, paragon, touchstone.
    
   3. a framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community.
       b. such a cognitive framework shared by members of any discipline or group: the company’s business paradigm.
    
   The Bible is full of paradigms that are only discovered by prayerful word studies. When we allow the Bible to interpret itself we will look up various words and how they are used in the scriptures. By doing this we begin to find these “paradigms” or ways of thinking and discerning words and deeper meaning to parables, etc..
    
   The word star, for instance, means angel(s) throughout the Bible. In speaking of the creation of the world Job 38.7 says: when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
    
   STAR Strong’s 3556 – heavenly power (that serve God) is the meaning in Hebrew.
    
   Revelation 1.20 - the mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
   Revelation 3.1 - And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
   Psalm 147.4 - He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names.
    
   The above are just a few examples. As we begin to understand this paradigm the word begins to open in a spiritual way. We begin to have the mind of Yahweh. We can see things in a different light.
   As an example: Revelation 6.12-14…And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; and the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind and the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.                                                 
   Rev 8.10-11 - And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; and the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.
    
   Many will teach that a meteorite or asteroid is going to strike the earth during the tribulation. WE have all these silly ideas of planet X and Nibiru hitting earth. Perhaps, one will, but that is not necessarily the meaning of these verses. It is much better to look for understanding in a more realistic way.
    
   If stars are angels then the stars falling to earth would be demonic in nature in these passages. They are cast out of heaven to wreak havoc on the earth. It is not a meteorite hitting earth.
    
   In the Bible water is Torah or God’s law. Water is a blessing. It comes down from heaven and waters the earth which brings forth fruit. The Torah is like water. It comes down from above and waters the earth (man is of the earth, earthy) and will bring forth fruit in a person who loves God’s Law (Ps 119).
    
   We see these stars falling to earth and the “water” becomes bitter like wormwood. When men turn away from Yahweh and His laws their lives become bitter. The water they drink is not Torah but that of the world (earth). Jesus said if we believe in Him rivers of living water will come forth out of us!
    
   This will be a time of great apostasy on the earth. Men will refuse to repent. Their lives will become bitter as they follow the spirits of the demons loosed upon the earth. The stars falling from heaven is Yahweh shaking the heavens and cleaning house.
    
   Water in the Bible as in “seas” also is a paradigm for nations or people. The beast arises from the sea. The sea represents the nations or mankind. The beast rises from mankind-the sea. The beast is a government created by the nations.
    
   These are just a few examples of how word study and prayerful attention to allowing the Bible to metaphorically interpret itself can give us great insight into the word. There is so much MORE available to those who prayerfully ask and seek the wisdom from above.
    
   The Word is full of Wisdom, Love, and Judgment. Yahweh judges us because He loves us. This judgment from above produces wisdom if we allow it. Let the WORD interpret itself and perhaps we will achieve some unity in the body.
    
   We lack unity because we cannot agree on truth. Truth is found by allowing the word to interpret itself. We like to change what we do not understand. We want “in the box doctrines of men” rather than the true interpretation of the word. Seek truth and be transformed!