Tongues - The Rock of Offence

Speaking in tongues is very prevalent in Pentecostal churches and the Charismatic movement. Usually, they are falsely considered to be the ‘initial evidence’ of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). This indicates is a misunderstanding of what the Baptism in the Holy Spirit really means. At the Day of Pentecost, speaking in tongues were known languages. This sign was used in order that the Gospel of Jesus Christ could quickly be spread throughout the world. This sign was also being abused in the Corinthian church (1 Cor 12-14). Speaking in tongues was a gift that ceased after the apostolic church, who were used to write the New Testament. Speaking in tongues today is a false sign.

Tongues – Word Meaning – New Testament

Tongues – Word Meaning – Old Testament

Tongues used for Singing

Preach the Gospel

‘Languages’ in the Bible

Tongues Ceased – Gospel preached to the ends of the World

Tongues – One of Many Problems in the Corinthian Church

Isaiah 28:1-13 – Tongues a Judgment on Ephraim (Israel)

Tongues are a Judgment on the Nominal Church

Cloven Tongues of Fire

Tower of Babel (Gen 10:8-10, 11:1-9)

Tongues – Word Meaning – New Testament

Greek: heteroglossos (G2088 – literally, another tongue) – 1 occurrence
- In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. (1Co 14:21)
- See Isa 28:9-14 for ‘other tongue’
Greek: glossa (G1100 – the tongue, whether physical or a language) – 50 occurrences
- Jesus heals the deaf and dumb man’s tongue:
  - And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; (Mar 7:33)
  - And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. (Mar 7:35)
- A Sign – Speak in new tongues:
  - And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; (Mar 16:17)
  - Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (1Co 14:22)
- Zechariah’s tongue healed after John named (’John’ literally, Yahweh favored)
  - And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God. (Luk 1:64)
- Rich man wants Lazarus to cool his tongue
  - And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (Luk 16:24)
- Cloven tongues of fire on the 120 disciples in the upper room:
  - And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (Act 2:3)
- Speak with other (Greek: heteros) tongues:
  - And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Act 2:4)
  - See 1 Cor 14:21 above – also Isa 28:9-14
- A known language
  - Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. (Act 2:11)
  - See also Act 2:6 and Act 2:10 below (dialektos)
- Tongue used to glorify God
  - Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: (Act 2:26)
    - See Ps 16:9 for quotation as ‘glory’ – therefore, tongue is used to glorify God
  - For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter (Act 10:46)
    - Gentiles spoke in tongues (Caesarea)
  - Tongues result in prophesying in Ephesus
    - And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. (Act 19:6)
  - Tongues are used for deception, evil, poison, hypocrisy
    - Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: (Rom 3:13)
    - Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. (Jas 3:5-6)
    - But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. (Jas 3:8)
    - For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: (1Pe 3:10)
    - If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. (Jas 1:26)
    - My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. (1Jn 3:18)
  - Every knee shall bow, every tongue to confess:
    - For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. (Rom 14:11)
    - And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Php 2:11)

Tongues in 1 Cor 12-14:

To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (1Co 12:10)
- Divers kinds (Greek: genos (G1085) – kin, family, country, offspring) – this word emphasizes that they were known languages – e.g., see Acts 4:13, Acts 7:13, Acts 7:19, Acts 18L2, Acts 18:24, etc., etc.
- Interpretation – Greek: hermeneia (G2058) – 2 occurrences, 1 Cor 14:26, 1 Cor 12:10
- See cognate – Greek: hermeneuo (G2059) – interpretation – John 1:38, John 1:42, Heb 7:2, John 9:7 (interpreting words from one known language to another)
- See cognate – Greek: diermeneuo (G1329) – through (thoroughly) interpret – 1 Cor 12:30, 1 Cor 14:5, 1 Cor 14:13, 1 Cor 14:27, Lk 24:27, Acts 9:36
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1Co 12:28)
- Diversities – Greek: genos – see above on 1 Cor 12:10
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (1Co 12:30)
- In 1^st century A.D. – not all spoke in tongues contrary to the Pentecostal belief that tongues are the ‘initial evidence’ that someone is Baptized in the Spirit
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. (1Co 13:1)
- Men – Greek: Anthropos (G444) – humankind
- Angels – Greek: aggelos (G32) – literally messengers – (e.g., John the Baptist – Mat 11:10, Paul – Gal 4:4, etc.)
- Love more important than tongues
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. (1Co 13:8)
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. (1Co 14:2)
- Unknown – word not in the Greek text
He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. (1Co 14:4)
- Unknown – word not in the Greek text
- Edifies himself – not edifying (building up) the church
I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? (1Co 14:5-6)
- Interpretation – see notes on 1 Cor 12:10 above
- The goal is to edify the church – tongues are symbolic, but must be accompanied by an interpretation. See 1 Cor 14:26-27 below.
So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. (1Co 14:9)
Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. (1Co 14:13-14)
- Unknown – not in Greek original text
I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. (1Co 14:18-20)
- Paul saw the limited value of tongues (other languages) in the congregation, tongues do not have value without interpretation
- Unknown – not in Greek original text
In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord. (1Co 14:21)
- Isa 28:9-13 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: (11) For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. (12) To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (13) But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
- Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. (Jer 5:15)
- The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; (Deu 28:49)
Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe. (1Co 14:22)
- Sign – Gr: semeion (symbol)
- A sign for unbelievers (i.e., see Isa 28:9-13 – for those who are judged; those who do not compare precept upon precept, line upon line, etc.).
If therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? (1Co 14:23)
- Tongues are not for unbelievers either – they are a symbol for judgment on those who are nominal Christians.
How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. (1Co 14:26-27)
- Interpretation – see notes on 1 Cor 12:10 above
- The goal is to edify the church – tongues are symbolic, but must be accompanied by an interpretation. ‘Unknown’ tongues are a sign of God’s judgment
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (1Co 14:39)
- Tongues in 1^st century could be real, but need an interpreter to be used in the church.

Tongues used for languages in Revelation:

And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Rev 5:9)
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Rev 7:9)
And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings. (Rev 10:11)
And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. (Rev 11:9)
And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. (Rev 13:7)
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (Rev 14:6)

Gnawed Tongues:

And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, (Rev 16:10)
Gnawed – (Gr: massaomai (G3145) – handle / squeeze
- Related words – G1591 (ekmasso – to wipe) and G631 (apomasso – to wipe away)
Weeping and Gnashing of teeth – what happens in hell – Mat 8:12, Mat 13:42, Mat 22:13, Mat 24:51, Mat 25:30, Lk 13:28, Mk 9:18
Gnashing of teeth – in OT/NT – refers to what persecutors do to believers – Job 16:9, Ps 35:16, Ps 37:12, Ps 112:10, Lam 2:16 (swallowed up), Acts 7:54

G1258 (Greek: dialektos – a language) – 6 occurrences (used to distinguish the language from others – e.g., Hebrew word used in the Greek text)
- And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. (Act 1:19)
- Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. (Act 2:6)
- And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? (Act 2:8)
- And when he had given him license, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying, (Act 21:40)
- (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,) (Act 22:2)
- And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (Act 26:14)

Tongues – Word Meaning – Old Testament

H3956 – Hebrew: lashon – 116 occurrences

For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. (Psa 5:9)
His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. (Psa 10:7)
The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: (Psa 12:3)
Who have said, With our tongue will we prevail; our lips are our own: who is lord over us? (Psa 12:4)
He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. (Psa 15:3)
My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. (Psa 22:15)
Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. (Psa 31:20)
Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. (Psa 34:13)
And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. (Psa 35:28)
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. (Psa 37:30)
To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. (Psa 39:1)
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, (Psa 39:3)
… My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer. (Psa 45:1)
Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. (Psa 50:19)
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. (Psa 51:14)
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. (Psa 52:2)
Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. (Psa 52:4)
Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. (Psa 55:9)
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. (Psa 57:4)
Who whet their tongue like a sword, and bend their bows to shoot their arrows, even bitter words: (Psa 64:3)
So they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves: all that see them shall flee away. (Psa 64:8)
I cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. (Psa 66:17)
That thy foot may be dipped in the blood of thine enemies, and the tongue of thy dogs in the same. (Psa 68:23)
My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt. (Psa 71:24)
They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. (Psa 73:9)
Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. (Psa 78:36)
For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful are opened against me: they have spoken against me with a lying tongue. (Psa 109:2)
My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. (Psa 119:172)
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue. (Psa 120:2)
What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? (Psa 120:3)
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. (Psa 126:2)
If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. (Psa 137:6)
For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether. (Psa 139:4)
They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah. (Psa 140:3)

Tongues used for Singing

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. (Psa 126:2)
Singing to the Lord
- Preaching Gospel – Col 3:16, Eph 5:19, Ps 51:14-16, 59:16,13:6,101:1,105:2,106:12,138:5, 1 Chr 16:9,23, Is 35:6
- New Song – Rev 14:3, Is 42:10, Ps 33:3, 98:1, 144:9, 149:1, Ps 40:3
  - And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (Psa 40:3)
- Joy – Is 42:11, 26:19, 44:23, 49:13, 52:8-9, 65:14, Jer 31:7, Zeph 3:14, Zech 2:10, Ps 67:4, 95:1
Song of the Lamb
- And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. (Rev 5:9-10)

- New song – God is originator of all things (points to change ion a Christian at salvation) – Psa 33:3, Psa 40:3, Psa 96:1, Psa 98:1, Psa 144:9, Psa 149:1, Isa 42:10, Rev 5:9, Rev 14:3, Eph 5:19, Col 3:16
- Filled with the Spirit – Eph 5:18, Acts 6:3, Micah 3:8, Ez 31:3, Ex 35:31, Acts 11:24, Ex 35:31, Lk 1:15, Lk 1:41, Lk 4:1, Acts 9:17, Acts 13:9, Acts 4:8, Acts 6:5, Acts 7:55, Lk 1;67, Acts 2;4, Acts 4;31, Acts 13:52
And they sung a new song – singing to the Lord – see notes on Rev 5:8-9, Rev 14:2

Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. (Psa 33:3)
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. (Psa 40:3)
O sing unto the LORD a new song: sing unto the LORD, all the earth. (Psa 96:1)
A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. (Psa 98:1)
I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. (Psa 144:9)
Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints. (Psa 149:1)
Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. (Isa 42:10)
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; (Rev 5:9)
And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. (Rev 14:3)

Preach the Gospel

And thou hast also appointed prophets to preach of thee at Jerusalem, saying, There is a king in Judah: and now shall it be reported to the king according to these words. Come now therefore, and let us take counsel together. (Neh 6:7)
I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O LORD, thou knowest. (Psa 40:9)
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. (Ecc 1:1)
Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. (Ecc 1:2)
I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. (Ecc 1:12)
Behold, this have I found, saith the preacher, counting one by one, to find out the account: (Ecc 7:27)
Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher; all is vanity. (Ecc 12:8)
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. (Ecc 12:9)
The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. (Ecc 12:10)
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; (Isa 61:1)
Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. (Jon 3:2)
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, (Mat 3:1)
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mat 4:17)
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Mat 4:23)
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Mat 9:35)
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Mat 10:7)
What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light: and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the housetops. (Mat 10:27)
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. (Mat 11:1)
The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. (Mat 11:5)
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. (Mat 12:41)
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Mat 24:14)
Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her. (Mat 26:13)
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (Mar 1:4)
And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. (Mar 1:7)
Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, (Mar 1:14)
And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. (Mar 1:38)
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils. (Mar 1:39)
And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. (Mar 2:2)
And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach, (Mar 3:14)
And they went out, and preached that men should repent. (Mar 6:12)
Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her. (Mar 14:9)
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mar 16:15)
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mar 16:20)
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins; (Luk 3:3)
And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. (Luk 3:18)
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, (Luk 4:18)
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luk 4:19)
And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. (Luk 4:43)
And he preached in the synagogues of Galilee. (Luk 4:44)
Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. (Luk 7:22)
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, (Luk 8:1)
And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. (Luk 9:2)
And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. (Luk 9:6)
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. (Luk 9:60)
The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. (Luk 11:32)
The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (Luk 16:16)
And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as he taught the people in the temple, and preached the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes came upon him with the elders, (Luk 20:1)
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luk 24:47)
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: (Act 3:20)
Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (Act 4:2)
And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Act 5:42)
Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. (Act 8:4)
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. (Act 8:5)
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. (Act 8:12)
And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. (Act 8:25)
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. (Act 8:35)
But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea. (Act 8:40)
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. (Act 9:20)
But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. (Act 9:27)
The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (Act 10:36)
That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; (Act 10:37)
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. (Act 10:42)
Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. (Act 11:19)
And some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. (Act 11:20)
And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. (Act 13:5)
When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. (Act 13:24)
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: (Act 13:38)
And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath. (Act 13:42)
And there they preached the gospel. (Act 14:7)
And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: (Act 14:15)
And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, (Act 14:21)
And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into Attalia: (Act 14:25)
For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. (Act 15:21)
Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also. (Act 15:35)
And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do. (Act 15:36)
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, (Act 16:6)
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them. (Act 16:10)
Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (Act 17:3)
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people. (Act 17:13)
Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection. (Act 17:18)
Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. (Act 19:13)
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Act 20:7)
And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. (Act 20:9)
And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. (Act 20:25)
Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. (Act 28:31)
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. (Rom 1:15)
Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? (Rom 2:21)
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; (Rom 10:8)
How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Rom 10:14)
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Rom 10:15)
Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Rom 15:19)
Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation: (Rom 15:20)
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, (Rom 16:25)
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. (1Co 1:17)
For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. (1Co 1:18)
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1Co 1:21)
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (1Co 1:23)
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (1Co 2:4)
Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. (1Co 9:14)
For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! (1Co 9:16)
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. (1Co 9:18)
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (1Co 9:27)
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; (1Co 15:1)
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (1Co 15:2)
Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. (1Co 15:11)
Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? (1Co 15:12)
And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. (1Co 15:14)
For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea. (2Co 1:19)
Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord, (2Co 2:12)
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. (2Co 4:5)
For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: (2Co 10:14)
To preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s line of things made ready to our hand. (2Co 10:16)
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2Co 11:4)
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? (2Co 11:7)
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Gal 1:8)
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Gal 1:9)
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. (Gal 1:11)
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: (Gal 1:16)
But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. (Gal 1:23)
And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. (Gal 2:2)
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (Gal 3:8)
Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. (Gal 4:13)
And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. (Gal 5:11)
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. (Eph 2:17)
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; (Eph 3:8)
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: (Php 1:15)
The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: (Php 1:16)
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. (Php 1:18)
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Col 1:23)
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (Col 1:28)
For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God. (1Th 2:9)
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. (1Ti 2:7)
And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. (1Ti 3:16)
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. (2Ti 1:11)
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2Ti 4:2)
Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. (2Ti 4:17)
But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour; (Tit 1:3)
For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (Heb 4:2)
Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: (Heb 4:6)
Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (1Pe 1:12)
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1Pe 1:25)
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (1Pe 3:19)
For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. (1Pe 4:6)
And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; (2Pe 2:5)
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (Rev 14:6)

‘Languages’ in the Bible

And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. (Gen 11:1)
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. (Gen 11:6)
Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. (Gen 11:7)
Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Gen 11:9)
Then said Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and Shebna, and Joah, unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, to thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and talk not with us in the Jews’ language in the ears of the people that are on the wall. (2Ki 18:26)
Then Rabshakeh stood and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and spake, saying, Hear the word of the great king, the king of Assyria: (2Ki 18:28)
And their children spake half in the speech of Ashdod, and could not speak in the Jews’ language, but according to the language of each people. (Neh 13:24)
For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people. (Est 1:22)
Then were the king’s scribes called on the thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the king’s lieutenants, and to the governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of king Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the king’s ring. (Est 3:12)
Then were the king’s scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language. (Est 8:9)
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. (Psa 19:3)
This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. (Psa 81:5)
When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language; (Psa 114:1)
In that day shall five cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and swear to the LORD of hosts; one shall be called, The city of destruction. (Isa 19:18)
Then said Eliakim and Shebna and Joah unto Rabshakeh, Speak, I pray thee, unto thy servants in the Syrian language; for we understand it: and speak not to us in the Jews’ language, in the ears of the people that are on the wall. (Isa 36:11)
Then Rabshakeh stood, and cried with a loud voice in the Jews’ language, and said, Hear ye the words of the great king, the king of Assyria. (Isa 36:13)
Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. (Jer 5:15)
For thou art not sent to a people of a strange speech and of an hard language, but to the house of Israel; (Eze 3:5)
Not to many people of a strange speech and of an hard language, whose words thou canst not understand. Surely, had I sent thee to them, they would have hearkened unto thee. (Eze 3:6)
Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, (Dan 3:4)
Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. (Dan 3:7)
Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort. (Dan 3:29)
Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. (Dan 4:1)
And for the majesty that he gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. (Dan 5:19)
Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. (Dan 6:25)
And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed. (Dan 7:14)
For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent. (Zep 3:9)
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you. (Zec 8:23)
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. (Act 2:6)

Tongues Ceased – Gospel preached to the ends of the World

3000 souls saved – Acts 2:41
5000 believed – Acts 4:4
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mar 16:15)
Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: (Col 1:6)
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; (Col 1:23)
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Mat 28:19-20)
And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luk 24:46-49)
And the gospel must first be published among all nations. (Mar 13:10)
All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. (Psa 22:27)
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations. (Psa 67:1-2)
Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. (Psa 96:3)
He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. (Psa 98:3)
Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the top of the mountains. Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands. (Isa 42:10-12)
Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isa 45:22)
And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth. (Isa 49:6)
The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. (Isa 52:10)
Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. (Isa 60:1-3)
Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luk 2:31-32)
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. (Luk 2:10)
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. (Act 1:8)
But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (Rom 10:18)
But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: (Rom 16:26)
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. (Eph 2:17)
And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, (Rev 14:6)
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (Mat 24:14)

Tongues – One of Many Problems in the Corinthian Church

Divisions in the church – 1 Cor 1:10-17, 3:1-23
Sexual immorality (incense) – 1 Cor 5:1-13, 6:12-20
Lawsuits within the church – 1 Cor 6:1-11
Marital problems – 1 Cor 7:1-16
Emboldening brothers to idolatry – 1 Cor 8:1-13
Criticisms of Paul as an Apostle – 1 Cor 9:1-27
Warning against idolatry – 1 Cor 10:1-22
Men / women relations, church order, Lord’s supper problems – 1 Cor 11:2-16
Spiritual gifts, priority of love and overuse of tongues within the church 1 Cor 12-14

Isaiah 28:1-13 – Tongues a Judgment on Ephraim (Israel)

Ephraim (Israel) – a symbol for the nominal church

Isa 28:1-4 – Judgment on the Nominal Church (Israel)

Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine! Behold, the Lord hath a mighty and strong one, which as a tempest of hail and a destroying storm, as a flood of mighty waters overflowing, shall cast down to the earth with the hand. The crown of pride, the drunkards of Ephraim, shall be trodden under feet: And the glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fat valley, shall be a fading flower, and as the hasty fruit before the summer; which when he that looketh upon it seeth, while it is yet in his hand he eateth it up. (Isa 28:1-4)

Isa 28:5-6 – But God will still be Glorious to the Remnant of the Saved

In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people, And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate. (Isa 28:5-6)

Isa 28:7-8 – The Priest and Prophet have also erred and become Spiritually drunken

But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment. For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean. (Isa 28:7-8)

Is 28:9-13 – Knowledge and Doctrine of God is veiled to those who do not understand:

Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. (Isa 28:9)
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: (Isa 28:10)
For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people. (Isa 28:11)
To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear. (Isa 28:12)
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. (Isa 28:13)

Tongues are a Judgment on the Nominal Church

Note: Isa 28:9-13 is a parallel passage to Mat 13:10-17 (Purpose of parables)

And the disciples came, and said unto 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. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. (Mat 13:10-17)

Judgment by a nation of another tongue:

For the house of Israel and the house of Judah have dealt very treacherously against me, saith the LORD. They have belied the LORD, and said, It is not he; neither shall evil come upon us; neither shall we see sword nor famine: And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say. Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men. And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, which thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword. (Jer 5:11-17)
Thine heart shall meditate terror. Where is the scribe? where is the receiver? where is he that counted the towers? Thou shalt not see a fierce people, a people of a deeper speech than thou canst perceive; of a stammering tongue, that thou canst not understand. (Isa 33:18-19)
Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee. And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee. And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave: So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates. The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter, And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates. (Deu 28:47-57)

Cloven Tongues of Fire

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (Act 2:2-3)
- Rushing – Greek: phero (G5342) – literally, to carry, bear, bring, brought (only occurrence translated as rushing)
Cloven tongues of fire sat on heads of 120 disciples – Acts 2:3-4 – points to the Word (Gospel) of judgment
- Cloven – Holy Spirit divided amongst 120 disciples
- Tongues – Gospel (Word of God) by the Holy Spirit
- Fire – Word of God as Judgment (part of Gospel)
- Sat – Holy Spirit (Gospel) – teaching, judgment, authority and honor
- Head – place of authority over the church
12 – Represents the government of the work of the church of God as a pillar for sending forth truth
10 – Represents fullness / completeness
Represents judgment by the Word of God:
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (Acts 2:1-4)
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. And if any man will hurt them, fire proceeds out of their mouth, and devours their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. (Rev 11:3-5)
Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goes forth. (Hos 6:5)
And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them: thus shall it be done unto them. Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them. (Jer 5:13-14)
The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words everyone from his neighbor. (Jer 23:28-30)
Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire (Isa 30:27)
Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay. (Jer 20:9)
My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue (Psa 39:3)
And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (Luke 24:32)
Cloven – Greek: diamerizo (G1266) – literally, to divide through – 6 occurrences
- Parted Jesus’ garments – Mat 27:35 (2), Mar 15:24, Luk 23:34, Joh 19:24 (multiple soldiers, the whole band – Mat 27:27)
- Divided the cup amongst disciples – Lk 22:17
- Father divided against son – Mk 12:52-53
- Sold possession, divided to all – Lk 2:45
The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire – Ps 29:7
Ps 39:3 – My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue
Ps 78:21, Ps 105:39 – at night, Israel led by the light of fire
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. (Pro 25:21-22, see also Ro 12:20-21)
Two-edged sword (Rev 1:16, Heb 4:12 – dividing of soul and spirit)
For we are unto God a sweet savor of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: To the one we are the savor of death unto death; and to the other the savor of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? (2Co 2:15-16)
Sat – G2523 – (Gr: kathizo) – to set / sit down (48 occurrences). A place of:
- Teaching (Mat 5:1, Mat 23:2, Mk 9:35, Acts 13:14, Lk 4:20, Lk 5:3, John 8:2, Acts 8:31, Acts 13:14, Acts 18:11)
- Judgment (Mat 13:48, John 19:13, Mat 19:28, Mat 25:31, Rev 20:4, Lk 22:30, Lk 14:28-31, Acts 2:3, Acts 25:6,17, 1 Cor 6:4)
- Honor and Authority (Mat 20:21-23, Heb 1:3, Heb 8:1, Heb 10:12, Heb 12:2, Rev 3:21, Mk 16:19, Eph 1:20)
Head – symbol for authority – see Rev 1:14, Eph 4:11-17, 1 Cor 12:12-31, Rev 12:1-2, Rev 1:14, Rev 4:4, also 1 Cor 11:3-10, Eph 1:22, Eph 4:15, Eph 5:23, Col 1:18, Col 2:10, Col 2:19, etc.

- Head as a king over a kingdom – Rev 17:8-10
- On Christ’s head, many crowns – see Rev 2:10, Rev 3:11, Rev 4:4, Rev 4:10, Rev 6:1-2
  - Diadems – Rev 12:3, Rev 13:1 (total 3 occurrences)
  - Many – He has put all in subjection

Christ judges as king – Rev 6:2, Rev 12:3, Rev 13:1, Psa 8:5, Son 3:11, Isa 62:3, Zec 9:16, Mat 21:5, Mat 28:18, Heb 2:9

Holy Spirit comes to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment – John 16:7-11
The Holy Spirit is one, but given separately to Christians
- But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. (Rom 8:9)
- That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Spirit which dwells in us. (2Ti 1:14)
- … the Father … 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 sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. (Joh 14:16-17)
- Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. (1Co 12:4)
- But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. (1Co 12:7)
- But the one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing separately to each one as He desires. (1Co 12:11, MKJV)
- 7 – The Number of Perfection of Purpose
- God’s purpose to work through His people to send forth the Gospel
Word of fire / judgment – Jer 5:14, Jer 20:9, Jer 23:29; Mal 3:2-3; Rev 11:2, Mat 3:11; Luk 24:32
God’s wrath burns like fire – Ps 89:46
Holy Spirit sends the Gospel, teaches all things (John 14:26, John 15:26, John 16:7-13, 1 John 2:18-27)
Lamps bring forth light / judgment – see notes on Rev 1:12 concerning relationship with the church

Tower of Babel (Gen 10:8-10, 11:1-9)

The name Babel is the identical Hebrew word as Babylon, which literally means confusion, because it is at the Tower of Babel that God confused the languages of the world. The founder of Babel was Nimrod, who was a mighty hunter (similar to Esau, who is a type of the non-elect people searching and working to find God (Gen 25, Gen 27, Ro 9:13, Heb 12:16, Mal 1:2-3). Nimrod set out to build a city to reach to heaven (which is a picture of working to find God – Ro 10:6, Deut 30:12). It also reflects a very organized city, as one with one language, that was pooling its resources to reach to heaven and make a name for themselves, lest they be scattered abroad (all symbols of glorifying themselves – see Rev 18:7, Hab 2:16, Rev 13:15). God indeed did confuse their language and scatter them abroad. Words and phrases to describe this first Babylon are:

Mighty
Not chosen
Working to reach God
Wanted to be admired / famous
Organization
Confusion

Outline of Babel:

Spiritual Meaning of Babylon
- Tower of Babel represents prideful, organized human effort to:
  - Make their own salvation plan
  - Build the Kingdom of Humankind (under the sway of Satan)
  - Reach heaven on their own (a false gospel)
  - Protect themselves so they are not scattered (no faith)
- Babel is the identical Hebrew word for ‘Babylon’
  - Old Testament – 262 occurrences in Old Testament (usually as Babylon)
    - Hebrew word (Babel) H894 and H895 – literally ‘confusion’
  - New Testament – 12 occurrences (notably the Harlot of Revelation 17-18)
    - Greek word (Babulon) – G897
  - Babel founded by Nimrod
    - And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the LORD. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah (Gen 10:8-11)
    - Mighty hunter – just like unsaved Esau (Gen 25, Gen 27) – man’s works and ability(see Heb 12:16-17)
    - Babel the First Kingdom – Satan controls the kingdoms of this world
      - Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And said unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. (Mat 4:8-9)
    - Babylon – an oppressor of Judah (Hab 1:12-2:1)
    - Assyria – an oppressor of Israel (Micah 5:6, 2 Ki 17)
  - Babel (Babylon) literally means CONFUSION
    - Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. (Gen 11:9)
    - And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech….and they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Gen 11:3-4)
      - City – organized – man’s desire for achievement, fellowship, prosperity
      - Tower – Desire to exalt themselves to heaven – pride / desire to be like God
    - Addressed to the King of Babylon:
      - How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. (Isa 14:12-14)
    - And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Gen 11:4)
      - Let us make a name for ourselves = pride
      - The king spoke, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty? (Dan 4:30)
        
        Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Phil 2:9-11)
      - God is our Tower
        
        For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. (Psa 61:3)
        
        The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and is safe. (Pro 18:10)
        
        Babel wanted to make a name for themselves instead of trusting in God’s name
        
        But the righteousness which is of faith speaks on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) …But what says it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Rom 10:6, 8-9)
        
        Human Potential
        
        And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. (Gen 11:5-6)
        
        And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Gen 6:5)
        
        As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understand, there is none that seeks after God … there is none that doeth good, no, not one … with their tongues they have used deceit … whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness …and the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes. (Rom 3:10-18)
        
        Origin of Different Languages
        
        Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. (Gen 11:7)
        
        Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. (Psa 55:9)
        
        God has a timetable:
        
        And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (Act 1:7)
        
        And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation (Act 17:26)
        
        The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9)
        
        Communications is Restored
        
        Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech. (Gen 11:7)
        
        Today – Tower of Babel is being rebuilt with advent of internet, social media, computer programs, etc.
        
        But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. (Dan 12:4)
        
        The Scattering
        
        So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. (Gen 11:8)
        
        Judgment on Israel for not following God:
        
        And it shall come to pass…so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nothing; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither you go to possess it. And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone. (Deu 28:63-64)