Another

The word “another” in the New Testament is translated from two different words in the Greek. They are similar and yet very different. One is allos, which expresses merely a numerical difference. It literally means “another of the same kind.” For example, a second apple would be another numerically from the first apple, but it would be the same kind – both are apples.

The other Greek word that is translated “another” in the English is heteros. It means “another of a different kind.” An orange, for example, would be another fruit of a different kind from the apple. In particular, remember the Greek word heteros (another of a different kind), because we are going to look at a few passages of Scripture where it is found.

Another Pharaoh

I’m sure you remember the story of Joseph. After he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, the Pharaoh made him second in command over all Egypt. Joseph’s father, Jacob, and his family came to Egypt because of the famine. Joseph presented his father to Pharaoh and asked for permission for his family to sojourn in the land of Egypt. Pharaoh responded favorably. The land of Egypt is before you; in the best of the land make your father and brethren to dwell; in the land of Goshen let them dwell: and if you know any men of activity among them, then make them rulers over my cattle. Genesis 47:6.

Jacob and his family of seventy persons were received with open arms. They lived and prospered in the land of Egypt until a new king ascended the throne. And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were seventy souls: for Joseph was in Egypt already…And the children of Israel were fruitful and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and grew exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them. Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph. And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we: come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there fall out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land. Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithon and Raamses. Exodus 1:5,7-11.

With a new king over Egypt everything changed for the Israelites. The new king treated them with contempt, and lest they continue to prosper and multiply they were enslaved. The first pharaoh did not seem to be concerned about the Israelites multiplying. So, we wonder why the new king did not follow the policies of the first. His reasoning seems rather flimsy.

Stephen, in his discourses before his accusers, gives us some further insight concerning this new king that we do not find in the Book of Exodus. But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, till another king arose, which knew not Joseph. Acts 7:17-18.

Stephen tells us that the new king was “another (heteros) king.” He wasn’t another like the first Pharaoh; he was another of a different kind. He was definitely of a different spirit than the first king. We find out why in Isaiah 52:4. For thus saith the Lord God, My people went down aforetime into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.

So, we see here that this “another king” wasn’t even an Egyptian. He was an Assyrian. This is significant because both Assyria and Babylon are typical satanic forces set against the Kingdom of God. The “another king” (the Assyrian) that enslaved God’s people in Egypt is prophetic of how the same spirit is working to enslave God’s people in these days of the Kingdom. Babylon and Assyria are prototypes of spiritual Babylon in Revelation 17 and 18. Both Babylon (Babel) and Assyria (Asshur) came out of the kingdom of 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 built Ninevah, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah, and Resen between Ninevah and Calah: the same is a great city. Genesis 10:8-12.

Assyria was a military kingdom, and the state religion of Assyria was derived from Babylon. A significant difference between Assyria and Babylon was that the king in Assyria was supreme, while the supreme ruler in Babylon was the high priest. Both had their roots in the satanic kingdom of Nimrod, and together they form the greatest spiritual force against the people of the Lord. Many Christians are unable to advance in the things of God because the Assyrian spirit enslaves them. The Babylonian spirit works in a similar but more religious way. She is the mother of harlots and is drunk on the blood of the saints (Revelation 17:5-6), meaning she saps the spiritual life of Christians.

Another Disciple

Matthew 8:21-22 And another of His disciples said unto Him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow Me; and let the dead bury their dead.

This man was a disciple of Jesus Christ. He wasn’t one of the twelve, but he was a disciple. He was called by the Lord to follow Him and, no doubt, really wanted to do so. But he was not committed enough to follow the Lord at once. He felt it was more important to bury his father. His dedication to Jesus Christ was not great enough to walk away from the responsibilities of his personal life. After all, what would the neighbors say about him not being there to bury his father?

James and John walked away from the life they had to begin a new life with Jesus (Matthew 4:21-22), but this man could not. He was a disciple of “another” (heteros) kind. He probably felt justified in his reluctance to follow the Lord, Surely, he could stay at home and fulfill his duties there and still serve the Lord in some way. He did not realize that he was enslaved by the Assyrian spirit. You see, the Assyrian spirit does not work to get you to reject the Lord. What it does is enslave you to a lesser level than what God has called you to be.

Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.

The strait gate is the entrance into the higher calling of Christ. Many will be aware of that closer walk with the Lord, but unable to enter in. The dedication and commitment to His Lordship will not be great enough to make the transition. They want to and they seek to enter in but are unable. They don’t realize the Assyrian spirit has enslaved them to a lesser level.

Another Gospel

Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that you are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another (heteros) gospel:
7 Which is not another (allos: another of the same kind); but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other (heteros) gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other (heteros) gospel unto you than that you have received, let him be accursed.

The gospel preached by Paul was a gospel of continuous advancement in the Lord. He continuously pressed toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:7-14). His one objective in ministry was to “present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the Word of God; even the mystery which has been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to His saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: whereunto I also labor, striving according to His working, which works in me mightily. Colossians 1:25-29.

The “another gospel” carries the Assyrian spirit and will cause you to feel you are doing fine on your present level of growth. It may not be in your thoughts that you do not need to grow spiritually. It may be that you are just not driven in your spirit. Maybe you intend to, but right now your life is just too full to earnestly seek after God. You pray, you read your Bible, and you are faithful in your church attendance, so you feel okay. Being on cruise control is a sure sign of the Assyrian spirit influence. The “another gospel” of the Assyrian spirit will lull you to sleep.

When someone tells you that you are saved and will go to heaven and it causes you to feel at ease, you just heard the “another gospel” of the Assyrian spirit. Any ministry that protracts your spiritual growth is a channel for the Assyrian spirit. The Assyrian spirit doesn’t try to get you to reject Christ and walk away. It merely enslaves you to your present level of spiritual growth, and in a real sense it is a rejection of Christ. That is “another gospel”!

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