Correspondence: Mat. 12:30 & Mark 9:40; Rom. 8:5; "My People" in Rev. 18:4

Revelation 18:4; Matthew 12:30; Mark 9:40  •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 6
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Answer: Matthew 12:3030He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (Matthew 12:30) is the condemnation of those who said that “Jesus cast out devils by Beelzebub, the prince of devils.”
Mark 9:4040For he that is not against us is on our part. (Mark 9:40) was a rebuke to John’s jealousy over someone doing miracles that he may have failed to do. and because it took away some of the reputation of his company.
The world is against Christ; these blasphemers were against Him. This man mentioned in Mark 9:3838And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. (Mark 9:38) was on His part. Christ is the test, and standard in both.
Answer: Romans 8:5-75For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:5‑7) speaks of the contrast between the flesh and the spirit. (Compare John 3:66That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6).) So verse 8, the unconverted cannot please God. But the believer is now in Christ where there is no condemnation (verse 1); and also in the Spirit (verse 9); and the Holy Spirit dwells in him (verse 11). If the Holy Spirit does not dwell in him, he has not the true character of Christ in his walk and ways; so verse 9 says,
“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is not of him.” (This is the true rendering.)
Answer: The call to “My people” in chap. 18:4 is primarily to those who are the converted ones in that day, that is: after the saints of this day are caught up to be with the Lord. There are others, both of Jews and Gentiles that own the name of Jesus and the Word of God (6:9; 7; 14:12), and these are warned to “come out of her.” The warning should be also useful to saints now to come out from all the babel of men’s arrangements and systems that are not in the Word of God, and are contrary to it.