MILK AND MEAT A KEY TO THE STUDY OF SCRIPTURE
Failure to distinguish between eternal life and the kingdom of the heavens
has resulted in a confusion of interpretation. To the majority of commentators eternal life and the kingdom of the heavens are used synonymously.
There are still others who make eternal life, membership in the church, and
participation in the coming kingdom of our Lord to be one and the same. We
have what might be called two major schools of interpretation: (1) The Armilian, whose philosophy is that if a Christian sins he loses or forfeits his
salvation. (2) The other extreme is the Calvinist, who teaches that salvation
is eternal and a believer can never be lost, and since the sins of Christians
are all under the blood, God pays no attention to their sins. However, the
Scripture does not uphold either view in its conclusion. The Scripture does
teach "once saved always saved," but it also teaches that a Christian is accountable to God for his sins, and his sins must be judged.
HERE IS A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURE.
1. Eternal life is a free gift to any and all who believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ: John 1:12; 3:14-16, 36; 5:24; 6:40-47; Acts 16:30, 31; Rom. 6:23;
Eph.2:8,9.
2. Participation. in the coming kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ is a reward for only those believers who are faithful unto the end in
their services to the Lord: Matt.21:43; 22:10-14; 24:45-51; 25:1-30; Luke
12:42-48; 19:11-27; Gal. 5:19-21; Heb. 2:1-4; 4:1-11; 6:1-6; 10:25-31; 12:14-17;
Rev. 2:7,11,17,26-29; 3:5,12,21; 19:7-9.
To rightly divide the Word of Truth one must distinguish between the
Scriptures that treat of eternal life and those that treat of the rewards to the
faithful.
GNOSIS and EPIGNOSIS
Knowledge and Deeper Knowledge
The Spirit of God being very God Himself, can make no mistake and does
everything perfectly. Therefore, when we find Him using two different
words, both of which the King James Version translates "knowledge," we
judge that the Spirit recognizes a difference between gnosis, which simply
means "knowledge," and epignosis, which means "deeper knowledge" or
"superior knowledge," since the prefix epi means "above," "beyond,"
"after" or "deeper." Now I want to show in this article the difference between "knowledge" and "after-knowledge."
To the unsaved person there is the possibility of getting a knowledge of
the Lord Jesus Christ which brings salvation. "And this is life eternal, that
they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast
sent" (John 17:3). A personal knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, which
comes under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit of God, enables one to
believe that Jesus is the Christ. To so believe in the heart and confess with
the mouth brings salvation (Matt. 16:16-18; John 1:12, 13; Rom. 10:8-10).
Such knowledge, though fundamental and absolutely essential, is nonetheless elementary and belongs to the infancy and babyhood days of the
individual Christian's experience. Such Christians possessing only this gnosis
(knowledge) are called by the Spirit of God "babes" who can digest only milk
(I Cor. 3:1,2; Heb. 5:11-14).
In Ephesians 1:15-23 we have the first prayer recorded which Pau.l offered
on behalf of the Ephesians. I think that in the Holy Spirit's recording of two
of Paul's prayers in Ephesians (this one and the one in Eph. 3:12-21) we
have a most significant revelation from God which merits our closest attention and deepest study. Since the Holy Spirit indites our prayers which are in
harmony with the will of God, this prayer we are now considering (which
deals with epignosis) is first of all given to Paul by the Holy Spirit; secondly,
it is prayed and recorded by the Apostle Paul; and thirdly, it is offered to and
accepted by God. Notice that in Eph. 1:15, 16, Paul says that since he has
heard that they have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and not only are
saved but have grown in grace to the extent that they "love all the saints"
(Would you care to judge your growth in grace according to your love for all
the brethren?), he now prays for them without ceasing. I want you to get the
significance of this ere we continue. These Ephesian saints are already saved
and are growing in grace, and now Paul begins to pray for them.
In verse 17 he calls attention to the fact that he is praying that God will
give them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the "deeper knowledge"
(epignosis). Today so few people are interested in the deeper knowledge of
the Word of God. They are content to be babes in Christ throughout their
Christian experience; they want none of the meat of the Word; they care not
for the after-knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. There is so much in the
future for Christians, for the Lord Himself, and for the Jews and Gentiles
that one cannot realize his Christian experience to the fullest extent without
this after-knowledge (knowledge to be gained after one is saved).
The prayer of Paul is continued in verse 18 where he expresses the desire
that the eyes of their heart might be enlightened. The heart is reckoned to
be the seat of the affections, and Paul desires that the organ of the seat of
their love life might be enlightened. "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is
he." "Where a man's treasure is, there will his heart be also." This deepening
of love on the part of Christians - which grows out of, as well as results in,
the deeper knowledge of the Lord - culminates in one's loving the
appearing of the Lord (II Tim. 4:6-8). Instead of trying to keep his converts
in ignorance of things pertaining to the kingdom, instead of discouraging
them of thinking upon the return of the Lord, instead of telling them that
the second coming of Christ is none of their business, Paul is actually praying under the leadership of the Holy Spirit that they may come to know
these things of a certainty. Paul prays very definitely that they may have
three things: "That ye may know WHAT is the hope of his calling, and
WHAT is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and WHAT
is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe. . ."
What is the hope of His calling? We encounter three words which are freqently used together: faith, hope and love (I Cor. 13:13). In I Thess. 1:3 we
have "work of faith," "labor of love" and "patience of hope." In Rev. 2:2 the
church in Ephesus had degenerated until they possessed only works, labor
and patience. The word hope occurs many, many times throughout the New
Testament and invariably has to do with the hope of the gospel (Col. 1:23)
which is the blessed hope of the Christian (Tit. 2:13). The hope of the Christian is to qualify to occupy a position of rulership with Christ in His
kingdom.
How many Christians have this hope? Too many Christians are hoping for
a quiet death, a good job of embalming, a lovely well. attended funeral and
a final resting place in a beautiful cemetery surrounded with all kinds of
idols and monuments and having perpetual care, for which they save their
money and for which they have paid. Not many hope to see the Lord alive.
In fact, many modern missionaries, fundamental theological professors and
Bible teachers try to tell us that none of the apostles nor nobody else has
had any Scriptural hope of being alive when the Lord returns. But Paul here
in Eph. 1:18 is praying that after they have been saved and have started to
grow, they may come into the after-knowledge of the hope of His calling -
an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ in that coming day.
MEAT IN DUE SEASON
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord
shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due
season (Luke 12:42)?
The expression "meat in due season" has a specific reference to the Word
that is to be ministered in the closing days of this age. The context of this
verse reveals the fact that it has to do with the return of the Lord Jesus
Christ.
In I Corinthians, chapter 3, we learn that the doctrine of the Scripture is
divided into two categories, milk for babes and meat for men. The carnal
Christian can only bear the milk of the Word, whereas perfect or mature
men delight in the meat of the Word.
The milk of the Word is that aspect which is apparent as a babe in Christ
reads the Scripture. It is called by many the devotional characteristic of the
Word. The meat of the Word is the deeper meaning, and in I Cor. 3:12-15 we
learn that the meat of the Word has to do with rewards manifested in the
coming kingdom of our Lord. These rewards are given out on the basis of
faithfulness in the service of the Lord.
In Heb. 5:10-14 we learn that the meat of the Word is associated with the
priesthood of Melchisedec. Melchisedec was King of righteousness and
King of peace, and as such, a type of the Lord Jesus Christ when He shall
return to rule and reign for a thousand years. Again we have the truth emphasized that milk is for those who know little about the Word of the Lord,
for they are still babes in Christ, but strong meat (truths pertaining to the
coming rule and reign of our Lord) belongs to those who are fully grown
spiritually because of their having fed upon the deep things of the Lord.
In Col. 1:28 Paul gives expression to the fact that he warns and teaches
every man in all wisdom, that they might be fully grown when they come to
appear before the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ. In II Tim. 2:15 Paul
admonishes Timothy, and it carries on to us also, to study the Word of God,
that one may be able to divide aright the Word of truth. In Eph. 1:15-17,
after Paul had learned of the faith of the Ephesian saints and of their love
unto all the saints. He began to pray for them without ceasing, that God, the
Father of glory, would give unto them the spirit of wisdom and revelation in
the deeper knowledge of the things that pertain to Him.
Paul had no desire to appear in the presence of the Lord with a bunch of
babes in Christ, but he longed to be able to present them all to the Lord as
adults, mature in their thinking pertaining to the things of God - which
maturity comes only through the study of prophecy.
MILK FOR BABES...MEAT FOR MEN
The Lord uses many descriptive words and phrases to characterize His
Word. It is called the Sword of the Spirit, a mirror, a hammer, water, a lamp,
and many other things; but the two which I want to discuss in this particular
article are the ones set forth in the title: MILK and MEAT. 'j4s newborn
babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby" (I Pet.
2:2). "For everyone that useth milk is unskilful in the Word of righteousness: for
he is a babe" (Heb. 5:13). "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat" (I
Cor. 3:2a).
These Scriptures are sufficient to introduce to our thinking the fact that
the Spirit of God speaks of the elementary truths for newborn Christians as
milk; and there is another set of truths for mature Christians which the Lord
calls the meat of the Word. Milk is an interesting food for babies. Actually,
the milk upon which babies thrive and by which they begin to grow is meat
which another has eaten, digested and converted into milk. That illustration
can be carried into the realm of the spiritual. The milk of the Word is the
meat of the Word which others have read, studied, assimilated and
converted into elementary terms so an infant in the Lord can understand.
Another description of the sincere milk of the Word is that which has to
do with truths pertaining to personal salvation: for instance, how to be
saved, how to know you are saved, the first duties of a Christian toward the
Lord, the importance of feeding on the Word and communing with the Lord
in prayer, relationships one to another, and responsibilities relative to time
and possessions. All such truths as these are necessary for young Christians
if they are to grow. They are classed by the Lord in His Word as the sincere
milk of the Word.
The Bible has much to say about the meat of the Word-about strong doctrines for individuals who have grown and matured in the Lord. In Luke
12:42, we read: "And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise
steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them
their portion of meat in due season?" Here the Lord is speaking of His
faithful servants giving meat in due season. Those who are faithful in so doing shall share in His millennial reign. Those who do not give meat in due
season not only shall be chastened of the Lord but will have no place of service in His kingdom, even though saved.
First of all we want to establish the meaning of the word meat as it is used
by the Holy Spirit in the Bible. Continuing in Luke 12, we note in verse 45
that the one who does not give meat in due season simply says in his heart,
"My lord delayeth his coming." Here, evidently, meat has to do with the
teaching concerning the imminent return of Christ. In I Cor. 3:8, 12-15,
meat is associated with the day of the manifestation of a Christian's works
and rewards (or loss of rewards) at the second coming of Christ. In Heb.
5:10, the Spirit is talking about Christ as High Priest after the order of
Melchisedec. In verse II, the Spirit says there are many things relative to
the type of Melchisedec that He wants to say, but cannot, because these
Christians can only take milk and not strong meat (verse 12). In verses 13
and 14, He emphasizes the fact that the milk is for babes and the meat for
those who are full grown. In these verses in Hebrews, meat has to do with
the anti type of Melchisedec-the Lord Jesus Christ. Melchisedec was priest
and king at the same time. He brought gifts to Abraham, and reigned in
peace, fulfilling the type of the Lord Jesus Christ when He comes to rule and
reign on the earth. He will come as both Priest and King and will bring His
rewards with Him, "And Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me,
to give to every man according as his work shall be " (Rev. 22:12).
The above discussion is to establish the truth that the sincere milk of the
Word is elementary and is for young Christians, while the meat is the doc-
trine of the coming of our Lord, His ruling and reigning on this earth and all
the varied events related to it.
Now let us turn again to Luke 12:42-48. Our Lord has been speaking to
the disciples about having their loins girded and their lights burning as men
waiting for their Lord (verse 35). Then Peter asked the question, "Lord, is
this parable for us or is it for all Christians?" Jesus then asked the question,
"Who is that faithful and wise steward?" and answered His own question
by saying that it is the one who gives to the household their portion of meat
in due season.
Two truths appear here in connection with the giving of meat in due
season. The first one is that soon after a person is saved he should be given
some meat-that is, he should be taught the truth relative to the second
coming of Christ. The Apostle Paul was with the church in Thessalonica
three Sundays and the days intervening. During that brief time he gave
them the simple gospel of salvation (I Thess. 1:5), and before the two weeks
had expired, he had taught them practically every truth relative to the second coming of Christ and the end time. In I Thess. 1:9, 10, three things are
said of this group of newborn Christians: 1) they turned to God from idols;
2) they served the living and true God; 3) they were waiting, or watching, for
His Son from heaven.
Paul also taught the Thessalonians about the crowns they will receive for
faithfulness (I Thess. 2:19), and he taught them about the resurrection and
the order of the resurrection (I Thess. 4:13-18). Herein is the truth concerning the rapture of the saints into the presence of the Lord. In the fifth
chapter of the same book he speaks of the times and the seasons - of the
fact that Christians can know when the day is approaching.
In the second epistle to the Thessalonians, we find a divinely developed
system of truth in chapter two about the second coming. In verse 1, Paul
speaks of our being caught up to be with the Lord, which is the day of
Christ. He tells of the day of the Lord - the time when the judgments of
God will be in the earth. In verse 3, he speaks of the great apostasy which
shall precede the rapture. In the same verse he also begins to tell of the antichrist who is going to sit in the Temple of God and be worshipped as God.
In verse 8, he speaks of the conflict between the antichrist and Christ. In
verse 9, he describes the great powers and signs of the antichrist. In verses
11 and 12, he tells of the strong delusion which shall be sent upon all individuals who hear the Word of Truth and will not believe. In Heb.
5:10-6:12, there is a very stern rebuke of the Spirit of God against all
Christians who have refused to study the truths of the second coming of
Christ. He also tells us in Heb. 6:4-6, that if one has once learned the truth
of the second coming and then gives it up or falls away from it, refusing to
teach it, that one can never be renewed to this precious truth again. He also
will have forfeited forever his rewards which would have been his during the
thousand-year reign of Christ.
Now let us return to Luke 12 for some concluding observations. In verse
42, it is the faithful servant who gives meat in due season. The due season
refers to the time when it is supposed to be served, that is, as the end of this
age approaches and as the coming of the Lord draws nigh, God's servants
are to teach more and more about the second coming of Christ with all of its
related events. This is giving meat in due season. In verse 45, the Lord says
if that servant (the same one mentioned in verse 42) says in his heart, my
lord delays His coming, he not only shall lose his rewards but shall
experience unparalleled suffering resulting from the revelation made known
at the judgment seat of Christ. It is noticed in this forty-fifth verse that the
servant does not say this out loud; he doesn't preach and teach that the Lord
delays His coming, but he simply says it in his heart. I have known pastors
who affirmed orally before the church their belief in the truths pertaining to
the second coming of Christ, but in their hearts they denied it, and their
actions followed the convictions of their hearts rather than the profession of
their mouths.
This servant in verse 42 (who in verse 45 has become unfaithful and
mistreats and attacks the menservants and maidens who teach the truth),
shall be cut in sunder and have his portion with unbelievers during the
millennial reign of Christ (verse 46). This experience will have nothing to do
whatever with his salvation. It is simply the chastisement that follows
when he has to be judged (I Cor. 11:32). Also notice the specific words of our
Lord in Luke 12:47 concerning the punishment of this unfaithful servant.
Other similar passages of Scripture are to be found in Matt. 22:1-14;
24:45-51; 25:1-13, 28-30; Luke 19:2-27; Gal. 5:17-21.