"God hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." *** Ephesians 2:6

Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul related God has raised us up to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. The word sit has the meaning of "repose, or coming into rest". The writer of Hebrews proclaimed:

"For we which have believed do enter into rest, as He said, As I have sworn in My wrath, if they shall enter into My rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world." *** Hebrews 4:3

God finished all His works from the foundation of the world. It is only necessary for us to enter into His finished work through the Spirit. As Paul revealed, God has made us sit together with Him in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, the risen, glorified Christ.

Many relate to heaven as a physical place. Heaven is not a physical place; it is the Spiritual realm. The heavenly realm is the realm over the earth or flesh realm. Heaven is not a physical place we go to, it is a Spiritual realm in God we come into. It is not necessary to physically die or pass from this life to enter into the heavenly, Spiritual realm. It is only necessary to come to the end of our fleshly, selfish existence and allow Christ Jesus to have His will and way in our life. When we do this we enter into His rest and sit together with Him in heavenly or Spiritual places.

When we enter into His rest and cease to try to accomplish in ourselves, then we will begin to move in the Spiritual realm of God. When our whole mind, soul, and spirit are in tune with God's Spirit, then understanding and revelation will be given to us in His Word. It is then we will come to the understanding of the Spiritual meanings God has hidden in His Word.

Jesus spoke many things in Parables. One day, Jesus' disciples asked Him, "Why speakest thou unto them in parables?"

"He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." *** Matthew 13:11

Jesus spoke in parables so only those who were to understand would be able to comprehend the mysteries of the Kingdom. The question may be asked, "Doesn't God want all to understand His Word?" He certainly does, but not with our carnal mind. He desires us to understand His Word through His Spirit. When Spiritual understanding comes, it will produce life. Otherwise His Word is only a dead letter to His creation man. Jesus continued His explanation to His disciples:

"Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand." *** Matthew 13:13

In Jesus' explanation He revealed that those who do not have Spiritual vision and Spiritual hearing are not going to understand His Word. Jesus revealed through John:

"It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are life." *** John 6:63

There is no profit in our fleshly achievements. Only what we accomplish by and through the Spirit will be acceptable in the sight of God. Man has been trying to please God with His good works for centuries. Only what is accomplished in God's will is acceptable in His sight. The words Jesus spoke to us through His Word are Spiritual. When we try to understand them with our carnal mind or apply them carnally to our life, they only bring confusion and heartache. If the Word of God is going to produce life, then God's Word must be understood and applied Spiritually.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of God's vision being sealed in a book. That book is the Bible and the vision is God's eternal plan for His creation man.

"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:

And the book is delivered to him that is not learned saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned." *** Isaiah 29:11-12

The Bible has God's Spiritual seal upon it. Understanding the Word is not a matter of education. It matters not if we are learned or unlearned. The Bible is revealed by and through the Spirit. As Paul related to Timothy:

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness:" *** II Timothy 3:16

The word inspiration means "inspired". God inspired man by and through the Spirit. Although Paul was used by God to write a good portion of the New Testament, most of what Paul ministered and wrote was from what we call the Old Testament. When Paul stood before Festus, he proclaimed:

"Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:" *** Acts 26:22

Paul said none other things than those proclaimed by Moses and the prophets. The prophets and Moses refer to the Old Testament. Many times when Paul referred to the gospel, he was referring to the Old Testament. All scripture, both in the New and the Old Testament were inspired by the Spirit of God.

If we are to understand the hidden truths in God's Word we must come to a Spiritual understanding in His Word. When Jesus was speaking to the people in parables, He was not relating His parables to be actual happenings or events. He used parables to relate Spiritual truths so those who had Spiritual ears and Spiritual eyes could understand Kingdom truths.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

The parable Jesus spoke about the Good Samaritan reveals hidden Spiritual truths to those who have Spiritual ears and Spiritual eyes to understand. The parable of the Good Samaritan was not an actual happening. The Lord was using this parable to show forth hidden truths concerning His Kingdom.

As we begin to Spiritually discern the parable of the Good Samaritan we are informed that Jesus was speaking to a group of Pharisees...

"...Behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted Him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" *** Luke 10:25

Jesus asked this lawyer what the law of Moses had to say on this matter. The lawyer, understanding the Word of God, stated...

"...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

"And He, (Jesus) said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. *** Luke 10:27-28

The lawyer confessed he was to love the Lord with his whole being and to love his neighbor as he loved himself...

"But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?" *** Luke 10:29

When we think of the word neighbor we think of the one or ones who live in close proximity to where we live. The word Jesus used for neighbor means "any other man, irrespective of race or religion, any with whom we live or whom we may chance to meet". When God puts any person in our path whom we may relate or witness to, this person becomes our neighbor.

It was with this question, Jesus began to relate the parable of the Good Samaritan. The lawyer asked two questions:
# 1What shall I do to inherit eternal life?
# 2Who is my neighbor?

Before we begin the Parable of the Good Samaritan we need to understand who the Samaritans were. At the time of Jesus, Israel or Palestine was broken into three parts. The Southern part was Judea, the central part was Samaria, and the Northern part was made up of Upper and Lower Galilee. Jerusalem was in Judea, the city of Samaria was in Samaria, and Nazareth was in Lower Galilee.

At the time God divided Israel because of the sin of Solomon, God gave the ten northern tribes to Jeroboam. Jeroboam established the city of Samaria as his capital. Jeroboam's kingdom was called Israel. But his kingdom, and the people of his kingdom, were called Samaritans.

All those who lived in Samaria, Upper Galilee, and Lower Galilee were called Samaritans. Only those who lived in Judah were called Jews. When the Assyrians overthrew Israel, or the ten northern tribes in 721 B.C., the king of Assyria removed most of the Israelites from Samaria (Israel). He, then, filled the land with foreigners from the Assyrian kingdom. Those who were left in Samaria (Israel) mixed with the Assyrians. The Judeans (Jews) considered the Samaritans to be half-breeds and unclean.

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well, and asked her for a drink, she replied:

" ...How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? For the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans." *** John 4:9

The Judeans had nothing to do with the Samaritans. As we consider the parable of the Good Samaritan we need to understand that everything north of Judea was considered Samaria or Israel. When the lawyer wanted to know who his neighbor was, Jesus related the parable of the Good Samaritan.

"And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead." *** Luke 10:30

As we look at God's Word Spiritually, we come to the understanding of the typology used for certain names, places and things. Directions also are very important in God's Word. Jesus related,

"...a man went down from Jerusalem."

Anytime the Bible reveals a person "went down", it means he was going away from God or the true worship of God. When Jonah was fleeing from God's will, he went down to Joppa, *** Jonah 1:3. Several times it was stated, Saul went down to fight the Philistines. Jesus speaking of Capernaum, stated, "...they would be brought down to hell, *** Matthew 11:23.

On the other hand any time someone is going to Jerusalem, it is always recorded they are going up to Jerusalem. The word Jerusalem is made up of two words: JERU and SALEM. The word Jeru has the meaning of "teaching, sacred or holy". The word Salem means "peace".

Jerusalem is sometimes called the "city of peace". It is also called the Holy City, the City of David, the City of God, and Zion. Jerusalem was the place chosen of God to put His name. The name Jerusalem means "the teaching of peace". Jerusalem has always been considered the center of the true worship of God. Jesus stated,

"...a certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho".

The word Jericho means "a place of sweet fragrance and delight". Jericho was like a garden. Jericho was the first battle Israel fought when entering into their promise land. Israel compassed the walls of Jericho for six days, and on the seventh day the walls came down. Jericho became Israel's first victory in their promise land.

Those who go down to Jericho are those who only talk of their first victory in God. They continue to speak of the day they got saved, baptized, or received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. When people continue to talk about their first victory in God, it means they choose to remain in the place of fragrance and delight, instead of moving on in God, to be used of God, and mature in God. Nothing much has happened in their lives since that time. Jesus revealed...

"...man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves..."

Viewing this with Spiritual eyes, we discover Jesus was speaking of fallen man. The fall of man took place in the Garden of Eden. Who were the thieves man fell among? Jesus revealed who the thieves were to the Pharisees:

"The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." *** John 10:10

Jesus referred to satan as the thief. Jesus related this man fell among thieves; more than one. The thieves man fell among included not only satan, but the whole spiritual realm of darkness. Satan came to steal, kill, and destroy all that is called "God" in our earth. When satan is given place in a person's life, that person begins their trip down from Jerusalem to Jericho.

All mankind, as Adam and Eve, left their peaceful place in God and went down to the sweet, fragrant places pleasing to the flesh. Those who remain in Jericho have truly fallen among the thieves. They have been robbed of the overcoming power in their lives. They cannot find their way up to Jerusalem, the true place of peace and worship. The writer of Hebrews speaks of these as babes in Christ.

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." *** Hebrews 5:12-13

These who have followed their religious orders, ever learning, yet never able to come to the knowledge of the truth have been robbed and spoiled, *** II Timothy 5:7. The glorious gospel of truth is vague, or completely unknown to them. They remain babies because they are unskilled in the Word of life.

God has ordained an order for our lives. This order is laid out in His Word. As stated before Jericho was Israel's first victory in their promise land. The last victory in Israel's promise land was when David captured Jerusalem, approximately 450 years after God delivered Israel from Egypt. Many have tasted their first victory in Jericho, but they have failed to continue on until they have obtained the full victory at Jerusalem, the place of true peace.

Jesus related that this man who went down from Jerusalem was ...

"...stripped of his raiment..."

When man sinned he was stripped of his Spiritual covering. When Adam and Eve sinned, their eyes were opened and they were naked, *** Genesis 3:7. God had removed their Spiritual covering. Their Spiritual raiment was taken away. They could no longer see with their Spiritual eyes. God had opened their physical eyes, and man got his eyes upon his flesh, and his eyes have been on his flesh ever since.

Man's efforts to raise himself from this condition has always been hindered by the flesh. Man was not only stripped of his Spiritual covering, Jesus stated...

"...he was also wounded..."

The word wounded means "afflicted". Because of man's disobedience and rebellion, it was necessary for God to afflict him. God pronounced a curse upon the woman because she instigated the sin. God also pronounced a curse upon Adam because he was a willing partaker of Eve's sin. Man's relationship with his Creator has been wounded ever since. Luke continued recording the parable of the Good Samaritan...

"...the thieves departed leaving him half dead..."

Death was pronounced upon fallen man. God warned Adam:

"But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die." *** Genesis 2:17

When Adam and Eve partook of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, the sentence of death was upon them. Death came because of their own actions. Adam did not die the same physical day he partook of the forbidden fruit. In fact, Adam lived to be nine hundred and thirty. As we understand God's Word, Adam died Spiritual the day he sinned. A day with the Lord is one thousand years, and a thousand years is a day, *** II Peter 3:8.

Man has never lived a thousand year day. Methuselah lived to be nine hundred and sixty-nine years. Jared lived to be nine hundred and fifty years. Since the beginning of time fallen man has died in the (1000 year) day of his sin. Man has lived with the curse of death since the Garden of Eden. Jesus revealed...

"...the thieves left the man half dead..."

When man sinned he was still physically alive, but he was Spiritually dead, no longer able to partake of the provisions of God. From this time on, man was cursed to earn his living by the sweat of his brow. Since the garden, man has only existed in his physical condition. Paul related to the church at Corinth:

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve thorough his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." *** II Corinthians 11:3

Man's mind has been corrupted so he cannot understand the simplest things of Christ. As Jesus continued to reveal the parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke recorded:

"And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed on by on the other side.
And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side." *** Luke 10:31-32

In the natural as we consider the priest and the Levite, we view both as being part of the religious system. This parable should reveal we are not to depend on the religious system for anything. The religious system is only interested in promoting self. The priest and the Levite viewed the need and did nothing. Both these men were supposed to be men of faith. The Apostle James addresses this issue in his letter to the twelve tribes of Israel which are scattered abroad:

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?
If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone." *** James 2:14-17

If our faith is inactive, then we remain in our half dead condition. Our words become vain and our life in God becomes a farce before those we are to be a light to. Our life has no profit to our Creator or Saviour.

A Spiritual Look at the Priest and Levite

As we look at the priest and the Levite who passed by on the other side, we come to the understanding that Jesus was revealing the two men God translated off the earth, who did not go through the veil of death. These two were Enoch and Elijah.

Enoch represents the priest that passed by on the other side. The general use of the word priest in the New Testament is, "those who are brought into close relation with Christ, those who devote their life to him alone." The priest is totally dedicated to God's will and His ways. The name Enoch means "dedicated".

We learn from the Bible that Enoch was the seventh from Adam, *** Jude 1:14. The number seven means "spiritual perfection". Enoch is the symbol of Spiritual perfection that will occur to fallen man in the seventh day of God's creation.

Enoch was the son of Jared and the father of Methuselah. Enoch's father and son were the two men who came closest to living the 1000 year day. Enoch's life was much shorter.

"And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years." *** Genesis 5:23

Enoch only lived three hundred and sixty-five years. He lived a year for every day of the year. He was truly a man to follow every day of our life. It was recorded of Enoch:

"And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him." *** Genesis 5:24

Enoch walked with God. Enoch had a testimony few have today. Many believe they are walking with God when they are only following their religious doctrines. They follow along blindly, the blind leading the blind. Man has truly fallen into a ditch. They are in a religious rut and do not even realize God is not in the rut with them. They go along blindly, stumbling at the Word, trying to fit the Word into what they think and believe.

Enoch walked with God. The writer of Hebrews records:

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God." *** Hebrews 11:5

God translated Enoch because he pleased God. When fallen man realizes they must walk with God and become pleasing in His sight, they, too, will be translated, not in some phony rapture, but as Paul related, "changed". We have born the image of the earthy. We shall also bear the image of the heavenly or Spiritual man, *** I Corinthians 15:49.

Enoch's life was dedicated to knowing and pleasing his God. Enoch passed by on the other side knowing fallen man needed more then he had to offer. His concern was his own relationship with God.

Enoch was translated. He passed by on the other side, he walked with God, and he pleased God. He viewed the condition of fallen man and knew he could do nothing for him. Enoch knew that God alone is the only one who can raise man from his fallen condition. Luke continued:

"And Likewise a Levite, when he was at the place came and looked on him and passed by on the other side." *** Luke 10:32

The priest and the Levite were both of the tribe of Levi. The priesthood was given to Aaron and his descendants. The balance of the Levites were used in service to the priesthood to care for the sacred things of the temple. When Israel came into their promise land the Levites received no inheritance. Moses spoke concerning the Levites:

"Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the Lord is his inheritance, according as the Lord thy God promised him." *** Deuteronomy 10:9

God was the Levites' only inheritance. Their whole life's purpose was to serve God. Spiritually speaking the Levites are those who are totally in service to our high priest, Christ Jesus. Their only inheritance in this life is God. Such a man was Elijah.

Elijah was the second man who passed by on the other side. He, too, did not go by the way of the grave. The name Elijah means "my God is Jehovah". Israel needed a man who would lead them back to the true worship of God. God raised up Elijah a man totally sold out to God. The first mention of Elijah was when he appeared before King Ahab and told him there would be neither dew nor rain upon Israel until Elijah spoke it, *** I Kings 17:1. The Apostle James wrote of Elijah:

"Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." *** James 5:17

By Elijah's word the heavens were shut up for three and one-half years. Elijah fled, and was hidden by God for those three and one-half years. At this time, the whole nation of Israel had fallen into idolatry. The worship of Baal was rampant in Israel. Baal represents the god of plenty. When Elijah returned he called all Israel to Mount Carmel along with the prophets of Baal. Elijah challenged the people:

" ...And said, How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word." *** I Kings 18:21

Elijah knew the condition of fallen man. Elijah knew man's heart was set on the god of plenty, the god of this world. Elijah set before all Israel the way of God and the ways of Baal. This is the same decision fallen man has had to make from the beginning of the world.

As we enter the last days, it becomes clear who man has chosen to follow. They have chosen Baal the god of plenty and have forsaken the God who created them. They remain in their half dead condition, only living to the flesh. They have forsaken their Spiritual life, and have settled for the leeks and onions of this life.

Elijah represents the Levite, a man given totally unto God. Yet when he looked upon fallen man, he knew there was nothing he could do to lift him from his half dead condition, so he too passed by on the other side.

Jesus continued to expound the parable of the Good Samaritan to the lawyer and the Pharisee:

"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him," *** Luke 10:33

When Jesus was speaking of the Good Samaritan, He was speaking of Himself. He was the Good Samaritan who came and looked upon the condition of fallen man, and was willing to pay the price so fallen man could again be restored to his Spiritual condition. Jesus was from Nazareth in Lower Galilee. Galilee was part of ancient Samaria. Jesus' lived in ancient Israel, which would have been part of the ten northern tribes. Jesus declared Himself to be a Samaritan, the people the Jews hated and wanted no part of. He is still the Good Samaritan in the earth today, of which fallen man wants no part of. When the Good Samaritan came to fallen man He...

"...bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him." *** Luke 10:34

When Jesus came as Saviour to fallen man, He bound up His wounds. He brought forth healing to the body of Christ. He healed wherever He went. He opened blind eyes, restored crippled hands, brought deliverance to His creation, and raised the dead. Peter, who received the keys to the Kingdom informed us:

"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." *** I Peter 2:24

By His stripes we were healed. The stripes were applied to Jesus back before He went to the cross. We are not healed by His shed blood or His death. We are healed by His stripes. We are healed by His suffering for fallen man, not by His death.

Fallen man was wounded in His relationship to His Creator. Jesus came to restore our relationship so we, too, can commune with the Father. He is opening our blinded Spiritual eyes, healing our hands of ministry, our outreach to a lost world. By His power and authority, He is breaking satan's hold on His creation, man, and He is raising those who were dead in trespasses and sin to life again. Our Good Samaritan has bound up our wounds.

Our Good Samaritan has also poured in the oil. Oil represents the anointing. God poured in the oil on the Day of Pentecost when God poured His cloven tongue anointing upon fallen man. This cloven tongue anointing was the cleansing power of God. Fallen man had to be cleansed before he could again stand in the presence of God. The Holy Spirit has been at work in the life of fallen man ever since.

The Good Samaritan also poured in the wine. The wine is Jesus' blood of the New Testament which was shed for many for the remission of sin, *** Matthew 26:27. The Word informs us, "...the life is in the blood". Jesus gave His life that we might live and be restored to the Father. Without the shed blood, we have no life in us.

Jesus used wine in another application of Spiritual truth. Jesus' first miracle was when He turned the water into wine. The water is the water of the Word. When the water of the Word is turned into wine in our lives, Spiritual understanding of that Word comes forth. The new wine is His anointed Word. This is when God will pour out His Double Portion anointing upon His body. This is the same anointing Jesus had while He walked upon the earth. Jesus pronounced:

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall He do also; and greater works than these shall He do; because I go unto my Father." *** John 14:12

Our Father knows we cannot do the greater works with the cloven tongue anointing. He is going to pour in the wine, the new wine. This new wine anointing is also referred to as "The Former and Latter Rain Anointing". The Apostle James informed us:

"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until He receive the early and latter rain." *** James 5:7

James informs us to be patient unto the coming of the Lord. Many believe James was speaking of Jesus' second coming. Through Spiritual eyes we understand that James was speaking of the time God will come in His fullness upon His body. James informs us to be patient until we receive the fullness of the outpouring of His Spirit.

Many are running ahead of God proclaiming they have it all now. We need to ask if they have it all now, why are they not doing the greater works Jesus spoke of in *** John 14:12? The greater works will be accomplished in the Kingdom Age.

The Early Rain Anointing came on the Day of Pentecost. God's Latter Rain Anointing has been poured out many times in this last century. As we seek God's understanding, the Word declares the cloven tongue anointing and the Latter Rain anointing will soon be poured out together upon the earth. This will be the Double Portion Anointing, the fullness of the Spirit. It was this anointing the Good Samaritan showed us in His reference to pouring in the wine. This Double Portion anointing is what the whole world is waiting for. The prophet Joel foretold the pouring in of this wine:

"Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God: for He hath given you the former rain moderately, and He will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month." *** Joel 2:23

The former rain was only poured out moderately. Paul related the Cloven Tongue Anointing (the Early Rain Anointing) as the earnest (down payment) and the firstfruit anointing. But as the prophet Joel foretold, the body will receive the former rain and the latter rain together (the Double Portion Anointing) in the first month, or the beginning of the Kingdom Age.

Our Good Samaritan not only bound our wounds, poured in the oil and the wine, He also set fallen man on His own beast. The beast referred to is the beast of burden. The beast of burden in the Bible was the ass or mule. The ass was the transportation of kings. When David was to make his son, Solomon, king he informed Zadok the priest:

"...Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon." *** I Kings 1:33

Solomon was placed upon David's mule. All Israel knew the beast of the king. When Jesus made His triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, He, too, was on the back of a mule. The people declared Him to be their king. The Good Samaritan picked up fallen man and put him on the back of His mule. As David performed this act to proclaim Solomon his son king over Israel, our Good Samaritan lifted fallen man and placed him on His own beast to reveal our calling in Him. Jesus revealed His plan for His creation man to John on the Isle of Patmos:

" ...Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood,

And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen." *** Revelation 1:5-6

God, through His Spirit, is raising up fallen man to make them kings and priests. When the Good Samaritan placed fallen man on his own beast, His proclamation to the whole world was that He had a plan and purpose for His creation man. His intentions are to restore man to his created place in Him. As the Apostle Paul declared to the church at Corinth:

" ...Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him." *** I Corinthians 2:9

The Good Samaritan lifted up fallen man and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The inn was to be a place of protection where man could be restored to the place he had been before he fell among thieves. The inn where fallen man was to be restored to Spiritual health is the church. There God expects His fallen creation to be cared for.

When we are taken into the hands of the living God, then nothing can touch us unless the Father says. Satan and his whole kingdom of darkness has no more access to our lives unless the Father says. We can understand this place in God through the life of Job. (See "Job The End Time Son" by George Kirkpatrick)

Twice satan appeared before God to get control of Job's life. Twice the Father set bounds that satan could not cross over:

"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan came also among them." *** Job 1:6

When satan appeared before the Lord, the Lord asked satan if he had considered His servant Job. Satan told the Lord he could not touch Job because God had a hedge about him. Job had entered into God's total protection. Satan told the Lord if He would allow him to take all he had, Job would curse God to His face:

"And the Lord said unto satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power: only upon himself put not forth thine hand... " *** Job 1:12

God set the bounds satan could operate in. He could take everything Job had, but he could not touch Job himself. It was God who gave satan permission to touch everything Job owned. But bounds were set and satan had to obey.

The second time satan wanted to try Job, again God gave His permission, but bounds again were set. Job had lost everything, his children, his cattle, his asses, his servants, his camels. All Job owned and loved was gone, yet he could only praise the Lord. So the second time satan told the Lord:

"And satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
But put forth Thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse Thee to Thy face." *** Job 2:4-5

Satan was given permission to touch Job's health. Again bounds were set:

"And the Lord said unto satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life." *** Job 2:6

Satan was given permission to touch Job's health, but he could not take his life. There are many today who fear satan more than God. Those who fear satan have not entered into God's total protection. They are still trying to take care of themselves.

The Good Samaritan took fallen man to the inn, and placed him in the care of the innkeeper. The innkeepers are God's anointed leaders He has set over the church. The Good Samaritan ordained that fallen man should not only be cared for, but he was to come into total protection from the whole kingdom of thieves. In Jesus' own words we know this is His plan for fallen man. When the Pharisees came and informed Jesus that Herod was going to kill Him, Jesus replied:

" ...Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected." *** Luke 13:32

Jesus related, I cast out devils and do cures today and tomorrow. The today and tomorrow are the two days of the church age; two one thousand year days. What was the church's job for those two days? It was to cast out devils, do deliverances, and to do cures; or heal the body of Christ. This, the organized church has failed to accomplish, and because of this man remains bound by the kingdom of thieves. Satan is allowed to continue to wound man in his half dead condition.

As long as fallen man remained in the hands of the Good Samaritan the kingdom of darkness was no threat to him. Jesus has given His word:

"My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father's hand." *** John 10:29

When we enter into the Father's care, nothing or no one can touch us unless the Father gives His permission. When He gives His permission, it is for our good. The writer of Hebrews informs us:

"For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth." *** Hebrews 12:6

When we are chastened God is dealing with us as sons. The writer of Hebrews continues:

"If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the Father chasteneth not?" *** Hebrews 12:7

Many today are speaking of sonship, and yet when chastening comes they blame it on the devil, instead of giving the glory to God. We need to know God is chastening us to change us into His image that we might be acceptable in His sight.

We need always to remember if satan is given permission to touch us or what we own, then God has set the bounds, and satan must obey the commandments of God. He has no power except the power God has given him in our life; or the power we, ourselves, have allowed him to have in our life.

When the Good Samaritan delivered fallen man to the inn, man entered into His total care.

"And on the morrow when He departed, He took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee." *** Luke 10:35

When the Good Samaritan left, He took out two pence and gave it to the innkeeper. The word pence should have been translated "penny". The penny was a Roman silver coin. In Jesus' time, the penny was considered pay for one day's labor. When the Good Samaritan left fallen man, He provided for His care for a period of time; i.e. two days.

When the Good Samaritan departed, he departed with a promise. The promise was that he would return. As we seek God's miracle truth through His Word, it becomes so clear. Jesus was truly speaking of Himself. When speaking of time in the Bible we must always remember the truth revealed through Peter:

"But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day." *** II Peter 3:8

We are warned not to be ignorant. Many, as Peter revealed, are willingly ignorant of the truth, *** II Peter 3:5. They refuse to hear the Word because if they accept as truth the things written, it would become necessary for them to change the way they live and think.

When Jesus left the earth He gave a specific time of His return. He gave provision for the care of fallen man for two days. The two days Jesus has been gone are known as the "Church Age". He provided for the church to care for fallen man until He returned. The Good Samaritan declared he would be gone two days. Jesus declared this same time as today and tomorrow. Then Jesus stated:

"...and the third day I shall be perfected." *** Luke 13:32

How is Jesus going to be perfected? The Apostle Paul revealed this truth to the church at Thessalonica:

"When He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe because our testimony among you was believed in that day." *** II Thessalonians 1:10

After two days, or in that day (the third day) Christ is going to be glorified in His saints.

As we continue to view the Good Samaritan through Spiritual eyes, the two pence or pennies provided for man's care are reminders of what Jesus our Good Samaritan did for us. These two pence or pennies are the two comforters our Good Samaritan has provided for our life. Jesus, speaking to His disciples, revealed:

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." *** John 14:18

Jesus promised all who would hear that He would come unto His disciples, not only the disciples of His day, but to all His disciples during the two days He would be gone. How would Jesus do this? He explained this to His disciples:

"And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you." *** John 14:16-17

Jesus promised another Comforter. Our Saviour was truly our first Comforter. He delivered us from the hands of the thieves, bound up our wounds, and poured in His oil and wine. But He was not done. He would give us another Comforter. This Comforter was the Spirit of truth, and it is the Spirit of Truth that will lead us into all truth, *** John 16:13. The Holy Spirit is truly leading us into all truth, revealing the hidden truths of God's Word.

Our Good Samaritan promised the innkeeper (those he has set in leadership over his body):

" ...Whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee." *** Luke 10:35

Our Good Samaritan provided for the church and the care of His people. The Apostle Paul wrote of this provision to the church at Ephesus:

"Wherefore He saith, When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men." *** Ephesians 4:8

What were these gifts Jesus gave to the church to care for His body until He returns?

"And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;" *** Ephesians 4:11

The gifts God gave unto the church were apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. God ordained the leadership in the church; the innkeepers:

1 - Apostles: those who would set up the church
2 - Prophets: those who would proclaim God's hidden secrets
3 - Evangelists: the outreach of the church
4 - Pastors: pastors
5 - Teachers those who would teach and train the church

All these were God's gifts unto the church. Yet how many churches recognize or use God's gifts given to the church?

Most churches are run by a preacher, a board, or a committee. Many churches are run by the will of the people as a democracy. They vote in their leadership (their preachers); and if they step on the peoples' toes, they simply vote them out. What has become of God's gifts to the church? They have been replaced by man's ideas. Then we wonder why Christ has left the church. God gave His gifts to the church for a specific purpose:

"For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." *** Ephesians 4:12

God gave His gifts for the perfecting of the saints. Jesus stated that on the third day He would be perfected. Our Good Samaritan has made the provision so when He returns He will have a body, a church, without spot or wrinkle, holy and without blemish, *** Ephesians 5:27.

God's gifts were also given for the edifying of the body of Christ. The word edifying means "to lift up, or to build up". Yet those who sit in the church are defeated and have become enslaved to those in leadership. God's people have become afraid to think for themselves. They go along, blindly, in their religious rut, hoping what they have been told is true, instead of depending on the Spirit of truth to lead them into all truth. They have accepted religious doctrines as truth, and hope their religious rituals are pleasing in God's sight.

Paul continued his discourse on why God gave gifts unto the church:

"Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:" *** Ephesians 4:13

"...until we all come into the unity of the faith..." Paul also informed the church at Ephesus there is...

"One Lord, one faith, one baptism." *** Ephesians 4:5

There is one faith. Yet we hear the church still asking, "What faith are you?", meaning what denomination do you belong? God does not have denominations of faith. This is man's idea. The "unity" spoken of in the church is united under man's decree. Man's decrees have nothing to do with the unity Christ is talking about. The unity God is desiring is the unity of the Spirit.

Paul continues, "...until we all come to the knowledge of the Son of God". Paul is speaking of knowing Him. In his letter to the Philippians, Paul cried out:

"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;" *** Philippians 3:10

We are to know Him, not know about Him, or know of Him, but know Him in a personal, intimate way. We are to come into the stature of the fulness of Christ, *** Ephesians 4:13.

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive." *** Ephesians 4:14

When our Good Samaritan, Jesus Christ, left the earth, He gave us the power of overcoming; the second Comforter, the Spirit of Truth. He provided everything we need to keep us out of the hands of thieves. He gave us all the provision we need in His wonderful Word. We need to ask ourselves when He returns to the inn, the church, "Was His money, time, and life well invested in us?" Jesus asked the lawyer:

"Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto Him that fell among the thieves?

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise." *** Luke 10:36-37

Jesus used this parable to proclaim what He has done for all mankind. But His ministry did not stop there. He told the lawyer, "Go, and do thou likewise." We know who the man was who fell among the thieves. We know who the thieves are. We know who the Good Samaritan is. We also know who the innkeeper is. But who is the lawyer?

The lawyer is one who knows the law. The law is the Word of God. The lawyers are those who know His Word. Today there are many who profess to know God's Word, yet they fail to recognize their neighbors. These also doubt or refuse to live their lives by God's Word. We truly need to ask ourselves are we that lawyer? God is holding out His hand to you, and saying, "Go, and do thou likewise."

"Greater love hath no man that this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." *** John 15:13

"Go, and do thou likewise"

Questions

1.Give the Spiritual application for each of the following terms as related in the parable of the Good Samaritan:
a. Jerusalem
b. Jericho
c. down
d. the wounded man
e. thief; thieves
f. raiment
g. wounds
h. half-dead
i. the physical priest and Levite
j. spiritual Priest
k. spiritual Levites
l. Baal
m. The Good Samaritan
n. oil
o. wine
p. the new wine
q. The Good Samaritan's beast
r. the inn
s. the innkeepers
t. two pence
u. the Lawyer

2.Heaven is not a , it is a .
3.We can only begin to move in God's Spiritual realm when we enter into His rest, and cease to in ourselves.
4.Why did Jesus speak in parables?
5.We can never understand God's Word with our .
6.There is no profit in fleshly . Only what we by and through the Holy Spirit is in the sight of God.
7.What part of the Bible did Paul draw His teachings from? Acts 26:22
8.Who is our neighbor?
9.The country of Samaria included:
a
b
c
10.Give three (3) examples of going "down" from God:
a: b: c:
11.Those who go down to Jericho are those who only .
12.All mankind, as Adam and Eve, left their in God and went down to places, pleasing only to the .
13.When did all mankind lose His Spiritual covering, and get his eyes on the flesh?
14.When did the sentence of death fall upon mankind?
15.Explain how man can be half-dead.
16.What Spiritual priest and Levite crossed over on the "other side"? Explain
17.Enoch and Elijah knew they could not lift fallen man. Who alone could lift fallen man from his wounded condition?
18.Explain how Jesus could have been a Samaritan.
19.When we enter into the Father's care or can us unless the Father gives His .
20.After days or in the Day, Christ is going to be .

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