Encouragement

The Authorized Version

by Larry Panarello
01/16/19
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In 1604, King James 1 of England convened the Hampton Court Conference in order to commission 47 scholars to translate a new English version of the Bible. The reason was to address problems that were detected in the translations by the Puritans. There had already been two attempts in translating the Bible in to English. This translation, completed in 1611, commonly known as the King James Bible, became the unchallenged standard English translation for the Anglican and Protestant churches by the mid-1800s. Officially, it’s known as The Authorized Version. However, since there’s no original text in existence, we only have versions and copies that we can utilized for comparison, but actually they realy have no authority except that which is conferred on them by man. However, there is an Authorized Version and there is an authority given by Jesus Christ to exercise the power of God, His gift of holy spirit, to live a life that is more than abundant. In John chapter 10, or course, we’re all familiar with this great verse. In verse 10 it says:

10 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.

It says, “the thief comes” and he comes for no other reason but to steal, kill, and destroy. Steal is he steals our wealth by getting people to abandon principles of prosperity and not continue in the authority in the power of God. That’s how he steals. You can see what has happened in our cultures by looking at out economy. Billions of dollars disappear. Who is stealing it? I know there are men involved, but he is constantly stealing our wealth and stealing our prosperity. Look at Deuteronomy Chapter 8. Remember that great record in Deuteronomy that we’ve gone over before, but I want to repeat it once again for your blessing and your benefit. In Deuteronomy chapter 8 verse 18, it says:

18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, (the purpose is) that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

I thought it was interesting that this word “power” in the Septuagint is the Greek word to prevail. So it’s not only that we have power but it is a prevailing power for wealth. Now the wealth that it’s talking about is to do good. So, that’s what He does. We have this prevailing power and you are authorized with this power you are authorized to produce and to keep wealth. But the thief comes. The thief comes and he talks us out of what we have. He talks us out of exercising our power and our abilities. He talks us out of exercising our authority. John chapter 10 says Jesus came that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly.
Well, we’re going to need some power to get wealth in order to live more abundantly, wouldn’t you think? Since the words “more abundantly” is the Greek word perissos which means above the ordinary measure. I know that our politicians talk about the middle class and focus on the middle class, but you and I as born again ones, as sons of God, are suppose to live above the ordinary measure which would actually put you above middle class. Sorry but you are a 1 percenter. But, what about the thief? How do we handle the situation with the thief. Well, 1 John tells us a tremendous truth that I think that we have not really seen or investigated in all of its fulness. We’ve done classes and things on it, perhaps, and read all these different books and writings on it, but we really have not done what is set for us to do. In 1 John Chapter 3, verse 8 says:

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

That he might destroy the works of the devil. Well, did He destroy the works of the devil? That's a good question. What does he work? Well, the scriptures tell us that he works to steal and to kill and to destroy. Everything is for that focus, for that purpose. He comes not, he’s not sent, he comes. He comes not but for to. So it says that’s the only reason. It set forth no other purpose but this: to steal and to kill and to destroy. Isn't’ that something? Kill is related to a sacrifice. It’s the word that they use when they killed the sacrifice. What he tries to do is to get us to sacrifice our God given authority for second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth rate causes. That’s what he does. He kills in that he gets us to sacrifice ourselves, dedicate ourselves, to these other causes rather than the true cause for which God intended. Jesus Christ came that we might have life and that we might have it more abundantly. Jesus Christ defeated the adversary. He destroyed the works of the devil. But he is constantly getting us to choose second rate choices and not act upon our authority as sons of God. Then he endeavors to destroy and what he will destroy is reputations for the most part. But Jesus Christ came to destroy the works of the devil. And again I ask the question: Did he? Did he accomplish what He was suppose to do? I believe He did. I believe the scripture tells us that He did. That’s why I say to you we do not need to defeat the adversary. Jesus Christ already defeated him. What we do need to do is exercise our authority over him. Does that make sense to you? Jesus Christ destroyed the works of the devil. Therefore, we don’t need to defeat the adversary. He is already defeated. Now, what we need to do is to exercise our God-given authority and power over him. Look at Luke, the gospel of Luke, chapter 10. And if we can get this really set in our minds and in our hearts, boy oh boy, we will see a dynamic change in our lives and in our culture. But in Luke chapter 10 and in verse 19. Let’s start in verse 17.

17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through (what?) thy name.

They are subject unto us through thy name. Why? Because He already defeated them. The worst we will come up against is the evil spirit kingdom and we don’t need to be concerned or worried about it because they are a defeated kingdom. We just need to exercise our God given authority. And the seventy returned. This is not just the twelve. This is the seventy. This is His disciples that He sent out. And they returned again with joy saying, “Lord even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.”

18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.

Why? Because they were exercising their authority. They were exercising their authority over a defeated enemy. I have not seen one politician that has made lightening fall from Heaven, but I tell you what, a bunch of believing believers who really know what they have in Christ Jesus and act upon it and know what He’s done for us; that can happen.
Verse 19:

19 Behold, (Behold! Look at this! Get a focus on this! This is a figure aristemos - not sure how this is spelled. Behold Look at this) I give unto you (unto you) power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Why? Because you have absolute authority and power. I give YOU power. Hear, the word “power” is the Greek word exousia. It literally means delegated authority to exercise power over an area of responsibility. It is delegated power. It’s been given. It’s been delegated. Delegated authority to exercise power. When we were born again of God’s spirit, we received the gift of holy spirit, the gift of God’s power and now we also have the delegated authority to exercise that power. You know, when a policeman sees a robbery in progress, a 411 or whatever they call it, he sees it in progress, he doesn't have to call back to the office and say, “Can I arrest these guys?”. No. He is aware of the authority that has been delegated to him and then he exercises the power that goes with that authority and then he makes a nab or he makes an arrest. He may call for back-up, yes. At times he needs it. He does not call in and say, “Can I now arrest these guys?”. No. He goes ahead and arrests them because he know he has been delegated authority by whatever city he happens to be working for according to their charter and according to their laws. He knows that he has the delegated power and he exercise that power. Same thing. Isn't that beautiful? But He says I give YOU, I give it to YOU. YOU have it. You are the Authorized Version. YOU have it. I give it to you. We don’t need to defeat the adversary. Jesus Chris already defeated him. We just need to exercise our authority over him given to us by God through the Lord Jesus Christ Look at John chapter 14. Look at the gospel of John. You’re the Authorized Version. I’ll show it to you. John 14. Because of Jesus Christ came that we might have life and have it more abundantly, then our ability to enjoy a life which is more than abundant has to be wrapped in what Jesus Christ fully accomplished for us. In John 14 verse 12, Jesus says:

12 Verily, verily, (truly, truly) 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.

Therefore then the Father delegates the authority to us, His born again sons. Absolutely. YOU are the Authorized Version. Well let’s look at how Jesus walked with authority and with power. If you’ll go to Matthew chapter 7, let’s go to the great gospel of Matthew and we’ll look at a few places how Jesus Christ handled this authority and how He handled this power and then we will know how we are to exercise it, how we are to do it. In Matthew chapter 7 and we’ll start in verse 24. It says:

24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it (what?) fell not (why?): for it was founded upon a rock.

The thief comes. He comes. The rain. It says the rain descends. The floods came and the winds blew and beat upon that house. You know, it’s not luxury liner life for the rest of your life. I mean there’s going to be attacks. There’s going to be things that happen, but you have the authority and you have the power to triumph over them. The rains descended, the floods came, the winds blew and the thief comes and beat upon that house and it fell not. Why? For it was founded upon a rock. Isn’t that beautiful?

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, (and the thief comes) and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
28 And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:

Why?

29 For he taught them as one having authority (exousia, same word. delegated authority to exercise power over an area of responsibility) , and not as the scribes.

NOT as the scribes. Did the scribes have the same scriptures that Jesus had? Yes, but they never took the power and authority that goes with them. But Jesus not only looked at the scriptures, but then He started to act on those scriptures. When the scriptures say you have thus and so, Jesus believed He had thus and so. When the scriptures told Him He could exercise His authority, then He exercised His authority. That’s exactly what we have. Now, did Jesus get in to a wrestling match? No. Did He get in to a fight? No. He just taught as one who had authority. Let’s go to Mark chapter 1. Look at this great record. We’ll start in verse 23. Well, let’s start in 22 because it’s that same verse and it would be a great place to start.

22 And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
24 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? (No. I’ve come to destroy your works. Remember? He destroyed the works of the devil. We can’t destroy the devil. He’ll take care of that at a later time Himself, but He came to destroy their works.) I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.
25 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

He exercised His delegate authority over an area of responsibility. He’s there in the synagogue and He’s exercising his authority. Beautiful.

26 And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with (what?) authority (delegated power to exercise over an area responsibility. Delegated authority to exercise power. For with authority He wrestles with. No . For with authority He threatens. No. He just what? Commands. He speaks and those words He spoke with authority and with power had a great impact. With authority ..) commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they (what?) do obey him.

Why? Because He had authority over them. You got it? It’s a beautiful thing. It’s a beautiful thing. I want to show you this record. I was going to hold off a little bit on it, but let’s go to Colossians chapter 2. Another wonderful record. In the epistle to the Colossians. We’ll start on verse 13. It says:

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened (or made alive) together with him (with Christ), having forgiven you (how many?) all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

The Roman culture and the Greeks, too, their culture was when they totally beat, defeated an enemy, they vanquished their army. They would load up all of the opposing army’s weapons on wagons. They would chain all of the soldiers together; the prisoners that they had caught, they would chain them all together and they would go before the General, like Titus and the great defeat of the army, he went before them. I think it was the Estrucans, if I’m not mistaken. But anyways, they went before him and at the back of the parade, in the honor seat, riding in his golden chariot, there would be Titus going forth. They would proclaim to he people: “Fear not your enemies. These are them. They are defeated. Fear not their weapons. Here they are. We have taken them. We are stronger. We are greater.” They’d to a big parade through the city. As a matter of fact, that’s where the whole idea of arches came from. You have the Arch of Titus. You have the Arc de Triomphe, in France. But that’s where the entire idea comes from. They’d take their entire captive army, their weapons and everything that they had, all of their goods, all fo their booty (different kind of booty) that they would place up there, the spoils of war and they would come through that archway and the people would cheer and shout because they had been frightened at one time. “If we lose this ware, my gosh, what’s going to happen to us?” but Titus, or whoever the General would be would ride through with all of these things proceeding and the enemy army all captive together, chained together, leading them before him saying, “Fear not these enemies. Fear not their weapons. Here they are. Fear not their soldiers. Here they are; captive and prisoners.” He would come through that triumph and they would have a big parade and it would be a tremendous showing. That’s what Jesus Christ did. He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. He lead captivity captive, it tells us in Ephesians. He lead all the spirit realm captive before Him. Therefore, we do not have to defeat the adversary. He has been defeated by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now we just need to exercise our authority over him. You got it? Boy, it’s a beautiful thing when you really understand how victorious our Lord was, what he really accomplished for us. You don’t need to be afraid. You just need to exercise your authority. He lead him right there before you. Don’t be afraid of your enemies. Don’t be afraid of their weapons. Don’t be afraid of all of that. See, they’ve been taken. They’re captive. They are subject to us. And, you know, I’m sure the soldiers were cursing the people and everything, but you know, the people would just say Shut up. You’re captive. We’ve got you guys. You’re not going to do that to us again. And they handled it that way. Beautiful. That's what Jesus Christ did for us. Well, let’s look at what others recognized concerning Jesus Christ. Look at Mark chapter 11. The gospel of Mark. Boy, I’m so excited. We had this great weekend on the believer’s authority in Christ and I went in to a lot of greater detail on these different ares, showing our authority and how far back it goes and what’s going to happen with our authority in the future. Because, you know sometimes, our adversary is going to go in the lake of fire and God didn’t just give us all this power and authority to use over our enemies. There’s also things we will need to to accomplish in the future because whenever the adversary goes in to the lake of fire and all of that stuff happens, there’s still a lot more of eternity left. But, God has fully equipped us for our responsibilities in the future, not only to take care of our current enemy and authority over him, but there’s also some greater things we’re going to get to do. Oh it’s just a fantastic thing that God has done from way back before Genesis 1:1. He’s done such a magnificent work for us and in us. At least as far as His vision. He sees it all as one piece. There is no time for God. We see years and all of this go by, but it’s just a beautiful work, a magnificent work from a loving God who loves His children and gives them authority and power over their enemies. O my gosh. So, it’s beautiful. It’s an authority that all we need to do is speak it out. Boy oh boy. Well, Mark 11 verse 27, it says:

27 And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders,
28 And say unto him, By what authority (exousia - there’s that word) doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things?

They must have recognized that He did something that they weren’t doing and doing it with great confidence and great authority. They wanted to know - what the heck? Beautiful. The chief priests, the scribes , and the elders. By what authority do you do these things? And who gave thee this delegated authority to exercise power over an area of responsibility? Do you think they are actually seeing something being done? These are people who did not believe in Him. These were people who opposed Him, There are people who rejected Him, but they couldn’t reject the authority by which He moved, but the authority by which He went forward. Well, it is the same thing for us today. They can criticize us. They can say what they want but they can not deny the power and authority we have in the name of Jesus Christ that God had given us to exercise. Exercise over this defeated enemy. Boy oh boy oh boy.

29 And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what means (by what authority) I do these things.
30 The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me.

And they didn't want to answer Him because they did not want to say to say from Heaven. But that is it’s origin and they knew it There was no other explanation. They knew that no man could give them that kind of authority except that man be the man Christ Jesus who has given unto us authority. I give you authority. Magnificent. Let’s look at 2 Corinthians 10. Wherever Jesus Christ got it from and I believe it was from Heaven, but wherever He got it from, He gave it to you. You are the Authorized Version. I’ll tell you how dynamic and how powerful our authority is and the words that we speak. 2 Corinthians 10, it says in verse 2:

2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh.
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)

It literally means “The destruction of fortresses.” Destruction of fortresses. The things the adversary has so embedded in our communities and our societies. We have enough power to destroy the fortresses.

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

I believe that Connie had worked or had seen it translated “as a second chance at victory after a previous defeat. To be totally vanquished.” To totally vanquish the enemy. We do not have to defeat the adversary. He’s already been defeated by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We just need now to exercise our authority over him in that powerful and precious name. Look at 1 Corinthians 15. I think we’ll close here. Just some things I want to share with you coming off of this great weekend that we had the wonderful privilege to enjoy God’s word and understand some things in a greater depth and in a greater understanding and a greater joy for what God has done for us, what Jesus Christ had accomplished for us and to maintain our prosperity, maintain our health, maintain our sound minds because our enemy is already defeated. We just need to exercise our authority over him. In 1 Corinthians 15, verse 57:

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Isn’t that beautiful? He has given us that victory. When Jesus Christ did that triumphal showing, that triumphal display, He laid it all out for us and if we have spiritual eyes, to see, spiritually ears to hear, we should be standing there in the parade shouting, “Great is our Lord Jesus Christ! Great is the victory He has wrought for us! Look! We’ve got their weapons. Look! They are held captive! They are a defeated enemy! He has given us a great victory! Our wonderful God, through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable (why? because you are the Authorized Version. You have the power . You have the authority to exercise it and to enjoy the wealth and prosperity and abundance that God had made available for us. So be steadfast, unmovable. Let not your heart be troubled. Don’t faint in your ways. Grow stronger even.), always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Boy oh boy. You see? We are the Authorized Version. That is us. Not the version that is gives us authority not by conforming to the work of 47 scholars, but because we have an authority given to us by God. We might see it in this “Authorized Version”, but you are the Authorized Version when it comes to walking out on the greatness of the power of God.