Colossians 2 and verse 1 reads.
Col.2:1] For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
Let’s look at this church in Laodicea. Revelations 2:14 and it reads.
Rev.2:14] But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
Talking about teaching falsely that Jesus comes before the antichrist, Rapture. This is how the Rapture theory becomes a stumbling block. The antichrist comes at the sixth trump and our True Christ comes at the seventh trump.
Rev.2:15] So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.
In Ezekiel 13 it reads.
Eze.13:20] Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.
We now know that God hates, and is against it. Back to Col.2 and verse 2 reads.
Col.2:2] That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
This mystery is simply that Satan comes before Jesus, but know, that this is knowledge.
Col.2:3] In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
As we studied in the last chapter, Pro.1:5-7. All wisdom comes from God.
Col.2:4] And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
[5] For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
There are many false teachers out there. Jesus would tell us in Mark 13 when asked “how will it be when you return?”
Mark 13:4] Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?
[5] And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:
[6] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Calling themselves Christians, and even teaching from the pulpits. Back to Col.2 and verse 6 reads.
Col.2:6] As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Walk in him, his Word. Now from verse 6-end are “The qualifications of a witness.”
Col.2:7] Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Be anchored in love for the LORD.
Col.2:8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Philosophers are those that have no belief in God, but think they have all the answers to questions that nobody is asking. Now this word rudiments, look how it is worded. They walk in an orderly fashion after this world and not after Christ, beware of them!
Col.2:9] For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
[10] And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Speaking of Jesus Christ, the head of the church. All the three dwell within him, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Col.2:11] In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
The circumcision is to know the truth, to know the Word of God. Being for both male and female.
Col.2:12] Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Buried with him in baptism and raised in him upon repentance.
[13] And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
With forgiveness of our sins has made us alive in him.
Col.2:14] 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;
This is the only law that was done away with, the blood ordinances, they were nailed to the cross. Remember the first thing that happened when Christ died on the cross, He rent that vail that was between us and the LORD. Now we can come to the Father without any man between us.
Col.2:15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
When he walked among us for 40 days after he was crucified. These same principalities are those that we war against today. But, let’s go to Hebrews 2 and read verse 14.
Heb.2:14] Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
Note that the devil is named death here, one of many names that Satan has. Back to Col.2 and verse 16 reads.
Col.2:16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
We have but one sabbath and that’s Jesus Christ. 1Cor.5:7. Sabbath means Rest.
Col.2:17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
We are still under the law, just the blood ordinances were nail to the cross with our Christ.
Col.2:18] Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Says right here don’t worship angels, and to beware of man because he will deceive you, let’s go to Jeremiah 17 and read 5-7.
Jer.17:5] Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
[6] For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
[7] Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
You can be cursed or blessed, your choice. Back to Col.2 and verse 19 reads.
Col.2:19] And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Speaking how the backbone is connected to the head. And that is God that nourishes us by his word.
Col.2:20] Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
Remember rudiments are to walk in lock step with this world and not with Christ. which is evil by the way and not by the way of Christ.
Col.2:21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
Such are idols, worthless.
Col.2:22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
Traditions of men make void the word of God.
Col.2:23] Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
Be a good bishop toward your family and prosper. Let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible