This upper room has been prepared for a special occasion. Who had it prepared for Jesus? In the Gospel of St John Jesus assured his disciples, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."( John 14:3). "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." (He.3:4) As with the colt for his Son to go to Jerusalem God had provided all thing for life and godliness for his Son. God had appointed himas the heir of all things.
When Jesus said of foxes having holes and the birds their nests he was stating his own case as a man. In the world each one is so particular to flaunt their fashionable address God chose the upper room, and the Spirit has not given as one except that whatever God chose was in his Power and glory.
Jesus assured "My Father and I are one" and wherever he walked and abode signaled his Father to testify. "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(1:11). Psalmist refers to this relationship of the Father. "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." (Ps.139:8)
The Last supper enacted in that upper room evokes for us the same betrayal when Satan betrayed the trust of the Most High. For this reason Jesus refersto Judas as the son of perdition. "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." ( John 17:12)
We have several instances where what are presented before us is a kangaroo word in terms of the eternal Word. Thus the alabaster box is a kangaroo word for the woman who prepared the body of the Son for his burial. Ezekiel thus ingesting the roll that God gave him becomes a double for the Son. "Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel."(Ez.3:1)
I just need a night,eating,morning,repent,forgiveness,basically everything prayer please and God bless you! I'm also a beginner so please tell me everything I shall know please.
"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head."(v.3)
All the four gospels carry this incident where the woman had prescience to anoint Jesus for his burial. None present there except Jesus who understood the significance of her action. "He (Jesus Christ) knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."Besides he knew what he was there for, among them and also knew where he was going to. His deity was as the Word become flesh. In Luke we read thus, "For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."( Luke 22:37)
How can a woman of ill repute find the right occasion to be born again or in this case, Mary as John gives her a name, break the box unless her faith and of Christ was one?( John 12:3) God breathed into man and made him a living soul. Faith is what explains this relationship between God and man. "Faith is one."(Ep.4:5) So in her action she poured out herself in order to prepare him beforehand for her burial.
What is the significance of Bethany? In the Gospel of John Jesus was in the company of Lazarus whom he had raised from death. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."( John 11:25).
The alabaster box is similar to the earthen vessel that Jeremiah broke as commanded of God. The box doubles for Mary whose faith became a memorial unto her. St Mark juxtaposes this with the breaking of bread during the Last supper.(v.22)
I have spent a lot of time on the street . I find strictly following the King James Bible get you there but keeps me alive . and living out of a suitcase . are there any other members here? I've been here a while I've only spoken to one . please talk to me.
Please pray for my brother, Philip James, who has endured significant physical and mental abuse throughout his life. He has struggled with drug addiction as a way to cope with the pain he has experienced. Although he was raised in a church by our parents, many people harbor ill wishes towards him that he will never get better.. Despite his belief that everyone has given up on him, I have faith that Jesus Christ still loves his children. I kindly request your prayers for God to intervene in his life, surrounding him with positive influences and guiding him towards a positive transformation and repent and come back to God.
Thank you for this past day and all the wonderful loving kindness you have shown me today and throughout all the past days of my life
Thank you for not rewarding me in accordance with all of my sinfulness which is as an open book to you
Please Great God Almighty may Your Kingdom fill this your earth ever so soon
When it is Your Will
Untill those very best days are upon us all please continue if it is Your Will to show all flesh Your wonderful loving kindness tender mercies and generous blessings every day
Please continue if it is Your Will to take pity upon all flesh and remember our weakness our stupidity our shortsightedness our fearfulness and our insecurities
Please Dear Heavenly Father see our pain and misery and need for You and Your Son and Your Kingdom to be upon this Your earth and upon us all very soon when it is Your Will
Please heal all flesh and turn the hearts of us all to You and Your Son and make us all all Yours forever ever so soon when it is Your Will
Please take pity on all the creatures that we have tamed and domesticated and then neglected and abused and treated unkindly and coldly and cruelly and ease their suffering at our hands if it is Your Will
Please bring an end to all this pain and misery when it is Your Will
Please give me the strength and courage and determination to live tomorrow as best as I can in a way that is acceptable to You and please don't allow my emotions to overwhelm me and lead me into being irrational and foolish if it is Your Will
Thank you so much for providing for all of my daily needs in abundance and thank you for sustaining me and enabling me to do all those things that I think I need to do every day
Please continue to do so if it is Your Will
May Your Righteous Will be done through Jesus Christ my sinless Redeemer I offer this prayer to You my God my Creator my Sustainer my Peace my Strength my Dear Heavenly Father
Having wiped out my last posting AGAIN by pushing the wrong button I will have more to say perhaps later regarding devotionals.
I thought I would shift gears and discuss Catechisms. I expect many know that a Catechism is a sort of reciting of a Doctrinal Statement.
Let's be honest here; although maybe it's just me...such studies can often be the most BORING ones we undertake and if someone is really not a believer it could in my opinion do more harm then good even if it is a scripturally solid one. The first thing of course we must investigate is; when considering becoming a church member in particular is are there any issues that jump out to us that we cannot believe or are unwilling to be dogmatic about? I am from a Protestant and primarily Reformed background; and generally ascribe to things in the Heidelburg confession; for instance. That being said; for whatever reason the designation exist; I find the term "DIVINES" for those who came up with certain Reformed confessions as being a repulsive term. I have shown evidence in the past of certain behaviors among Calvin and Luthor; no matter how critical they were for getting back to "Sola Scriptura" and concepts of Predestination that I don't care to mention them as examples to follow and say instead that they brought out scriptural truths such as are found in the book of John in particular as to God calling and choosing people the Son would reveal Himself to. Such a concept saturates many chapters in John in particular but is found in many other places in scripture. We don't find the term "total depravity" in scripture but there are many places where it says man can do no good and his good works are as "filthy rags" ( Isaiah 64:6).
I mentioned in an earlier post that the Orthodox Presbyterian church (OPC) that existed in Pittsburgh before folding allowed me to be a member but not of full standing as to my take on infant Baptism. We shoudn't rush membership.
I have touched on several good devotional sources in posts last year; namely Oswald Chambers "utmost for the Highest" and Daily Bread. This site also is helpful when highlighting a daily Bible verse for the surrounding text to consider.
If I have the terminology correct Expository preaching is systematic reading of a book chapter by chapter. There is another term for topical studies that I am sure someone here knows. For a new believer it is hard to argue with the standard approach of beginning in the Gospels (usually John is picked) and then transitioning to Paul's Epistles. Scripture memory is helpful for two reasons particularly for new believers; one for edification and second to have verses to explain the hope within us in Christ when witnessing. Taking the example of John 3:16 for instance we have the assurance of eternal life but if we read the surrounding text we see in verse 18 that he who does NOT believe in Him is condemned already. This is one danger of "cherry picking" an isolated verse that gives us "positive vibes" and not comprehending God's Word as to repetitive themes; in this case blessings for obedience and faith and cursings for not believing. This contrast between good and bad is throughout scriptures; whether we look at warnings in Deuteronomy as to conditions affecting the entire nation because of disobedience vs obedience; Psalms and Proverbs related to characteristics of righteous and wicked and books of Chronicles and Kings as to righteous and unrighteous kings.
We are to be cautious; therefore with any devotionals that always have "encouraging" verses or if the author is skewed in that direction. The opposite could be said of the Oswald Chambers as some have accused it of being works oriented too much; they certainly are challenging unlike anything I've read. In terms of scripture memory; it is useful but internalizing the Living Word through meditation and application also.
In the world post-rapture (as I see things in Eschatology) God will begin to use the Jewish people as the primary agent for the Spirit to utilize once again to bring upon "Jacob's trouble" to bring national repentance that only comes to full fruition right
before Armageddon according to verses in Zechariah. Once the church is gone; truly faith will be hard to find on the earth ( Luke 18:8).
Before discussing the mark given to these individuals; we should consider the fact that they are God's servants as these verses indicate. I won't go into various considerations of what the term "virgins" means except to say morally and spiritually these are uncompromised individuals "sold out" for Christ. There will be many "religious" people in the harlot religion at this time which
I suspect is a hybrid of Christianity and mystical elements of other religions tied into the One World Government for the first half of the Tribulation. THESE individuals I believe will cause the greatest persecution at that time; to be replaced later on after the mark of the Beast comes forth that will readily identify the wicked and those who will be damned.
No doubt anyone who is a servant of God rather than an adherant to the false religion which no doubt will bring an expectation of continuing wealth during the seal judgments will go after anyone who loves the Lord like this; which may be only the 144,000 at first then those of the countless multitude saved afterwards mentioned later on in this chapter. I would doubt the seal of the righteous is readily identified by eyesight but certainly seen in the spiritual plane as an identifier. The fact that during the trumpet judgments (which seems to be the time period related to harm to the earth and sea after this sealing) that these individuals won't be touched will make any mystery as to who they are go out the window. They will be no doubt hated by the world and the mark of the beast will be the rebel response for "protection".
The indwelling Spirit is counted as one with the man. Jesus assured,"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:/Of sin, because they believe not on me."( John 16:8-9). This being the case whosoever follows strange doctrine does so at his own peril. He has effectively quenched the Holy Spirit. The Parable of the Five foolish virgins explain it. Number Five shows this unity of the Spirit whereby the man anointed by the Spirit is five. Grieving Holy Spirit doesnot let off the guilty.
In Ezekiel We see the glory of God departing the house. In vv.14-17 "So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of theLordwas strong upon me." This foreshadows the anointing of the Holy Spirit because of which his sheep are to be restrained in the house as Ezekiel was. "And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of theLordcame unto me, saying,/Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel."
As witnesses for Christ are we doing our job well?
Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house."(Ez.3:24). The risen Christ has left 'his house' and every one of us to be watchful and faithful. "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house," and "whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."He.3:6)
Ezekiel before Jesus was designated as the Son of man. God commands the prophet, "Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel." The Holy Spirit presents Jesus Christ as the word become flesh. It shall help us understand the v.34. "For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work." This is precisely what the great commission in Gospel of St Matthew signifies. (Matt.28:18-20) Every believer thus has been assigned his work. So the indwelling Holy Spirit is designated as the porter. In short every believer is commanded to be at his post, "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning."(v.35)
We have a few more parallels from the life of Ezekiel in order to illumine our understanding of the great commission to which we shall come anon. We find the porter mentioned in this passage, "But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep./To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out."( John 10:2-3) This explains the knock on the door, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."(Re.3:20-21). Those who let him in do so because his word resonates which is what voice recognition of the eternal word does. "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice." By the same token who gets entangles with strange doctrine, -for instance Christian nationalism and prosperity is not his. These entered not by the door and whosoever is not, his shall follow them.
So what is the porter doing when sin enters through the back door?
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."(v.31) Jesus Christ as the same yesterday today and forever, warns the four disciples what must happen hereafter. "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."(v.23)
The second Temple of Herod shall not stand."Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."(v.2) Parallel to this he also warns of his death. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up./Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?/But he spake of the temple of his body./When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."( John 2:19-22)
In order to be certain that we are not taken with the perishing Jesus introduced the sign of the end times. His body was broken up so shall everything in heaven and the earth. "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven./Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain."(He.12:26-27). The Word of God has set the warning from the beginning. What occurred at Mount Sinai was one such warning, and when the end shall come is not for us to know.
"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father./Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.:(vv.32-33)
"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,/Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?"(vv.3-4)
Mark is specific with regards to the disciples and curiously enough we have four disciples named here in the backdrop of the mount of Olives. Whereas at the mount of Transfiguration Jesus took three apart from the other disciples.(9:2; Matt.17:1) Significance of the command number Three placed Moses Elias and Jesus signifying the world of the Spirit correspond with the three in world of the flesh and blood. Three refers to the Son.
Moses was faithful in all his house. "as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;/But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.".(He.3:5-6) While studying the end of the world, we are here focusing on the burden of Jesus regarding his house. So he gives a parable at the end of which he warns, "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning:/Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping./And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."(vv.35-37) The very high mountain where Jesus transfigured was with the glory of God. Redemption of our vile bodies signalled the spiritual body that Jesus put on at that point of time. The Spirit places emphasis on the glory of the Son.
Now the four disciples signify the significance of the Word.
"And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."(v.27). "I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth," refer to the word of God, Jesus Christ the same, Re.7:1; He.13:8
There is no salvation in any man other than Jesus Christ. Calvin would want to create a city of God in his time and it did not work. The basic problem is whoever steps in as shepherd of the flock has to play by the ear and administering a congregation can be pretty challenging. Jesus Christ as the word become flesh made manifest the word of God totally. Calvin who preached limited salvation had a problem. Faulty understanding of the scriptures is playing into the hands of the devil, so Jesus warns of the wolves in sheep clothing; it is thus false shepherds end up as ravening wolves; instead o the will of God they serve their own will.
I was wondering how you are doing. are you still in Utah? have you been well? How is your son doing since you have been gone from his house. I8 am so glad that you came back on here to post. I love it when we can update with people on here. We care for one another here and I always think it is such a good thing to have met so many new believers since coming on this site. I look forward to hearing from you.
Than you Brother for your messages . It's sad to say this but the ' church ' whichever one is ran by men and they have always had a shoddy reputation with regard to their treatment of their very own sisters in Christ . As we can read in the Gospels that this has always been the case and very shameful it is too . Our Lord loves male and female equally and ladies are to be treated as equals in his love if not able to perform all church tasks . This does not negate his love for them and shouldn't be seen as a denigration of the weaker vessel . Many men including I'm sad to say even brethren feel very threatened by knowledgeable sisters and feel some strange need to dominate them either openly or surreptitiously . We brethren need to always remember that Our Lord sees our actions towards all of our family in Christ and expects us especially if we hold any position of authority in our congregation to show much love towards the ladies in our care . We are not to be partial if we have to judge a matter between a brother and sister . In my own congregation a sister left because a brother was pestering her romantically and the brethren took his side completely and did not believe her or take her complaint at all seriously . It was a shameful incident which I am thankful I was not part of but I held no office at the time and had no influence at all . He is still a member and she has been gone from us for over twenty years and it still grieves me but doesn't seem to bother any of the other members . We shall have to answer for that I'm sure .
Honestly,your posts deserve the best of my attention.Oh dear Ronald,rest assured,I did not think what you think I did think.In the discussion,for me who really seemed to be in doubt was Momsage,not you.
Quoting you"chronologies can vary in years,Greek Septuagint has the flood at 2256 years from Adam 600 years difference",you mentioned it as an example of variation.What SOURCE is surely TRUE,for me what matters is what is at least the most correct,we are speaking of the Word of GOD.
So,for clarifying,in my understanding the final number of years it must hit with 6000 years. Each theory whose sum of years goes beyond 6000 years is wrong.Believing in that one GOD's Day is as a 1000 years.Based in KJV,we both agree the flood was 1656 years after Adam.But Septuagint has the flood at 2256 years.600 years difference.
Once final number of years must hit with 6000 years of GOD's work, so according to Septuagint we would be now living in the year 6627.It means 627 years of GOD's rest,and 627 years of establishment of GOD's Kingdom,millennial Kingdom of GOD. Would it be corret?In my understanding this biblical source is wrong.This is fake,it is tares to be burned in fire.GOD is a consuming fire.
Yes,
Shem was one hundred years old, and he begot Arphaxad, two years after the Flood.
Then quoting you,"the year born from the flood",time begins to be accounted when Arphaxad was 2
St Mark gives us the v.40 almost identical with that of Matthew ch.23 but the former uses it a point of departure in order to illustrate in real time of a widow parting with her only livelihood. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."(23:14). How truth reaches a congregation when the scribes and Pharisee teach is different than the widow whose penury offered no stumbling block from exercising faith. Jesus "And beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much."
The widow "but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" places her life squarely upon whom it belongs. It catches the eye of our Savior.
In the Parable of the Rich Fool he had all the worldly goods but lacked the good sense. He was not rich towards God. So God tells him, " Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"( Luke 12:20) Jesus commends the poor widow who exercised faith most wisely. The scribes and Pharisee as we are familiar with the term applied 'active' faith so the poor and needy part with their living, in expectations of a windfall. Jesus calls their shepherding as 'devouring' instead.
God sent his only begotten Son in order to give whosoever believed in him, everlasting life. Jesus also tells how anyone may do the work of God. It can only be with Jesus, "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?/Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."( John 6:28-29)
This is faith where the poor widow worked with God and for her livelihood she did not have to put on the mind of the scribes and Pharisees, devouring the gullible among their audience. For the faith of the widow was set in heavenly places with the Son.
"And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?"(v.35). The scribes as mentioned here is a generic name for those who interpret the Law but they do not consider they are bound by it. "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." For they says, and they do not."(Matt.23:2-3). Matthew is referring to the scribes and the Pharisees who sit in Moses' seat. It is a metaphor for spiritual authority of the Law. Isaiah gives us a throne which is the ultimate authority "The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool."(Is.66:1)
Mark gives 'the woe to ye' discourse in Ch.23 as part of his doctrine which explains why the word of God is a two-edged sword (He.4:12).The Gospel is for salvation and if it is neglected it shall prove unto damnation. "And he said unto them in his doctrine," is consequential since it is the eternal word. In our times we could call what the scribes indulged was in Jesus talk. The saying of Jesus "but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not," is a sane advice for Christians who would want to live a godly life.
Jesus.
In vv.35-37 Jesus asks,"How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?"The scribes erred in their textual criticism by omitting the intent and the integrity of the Psalm 110:1 This is what literal approach does. What they threw out is the everlasting covenant were seven days pendent on the day decreed for the Son. Along with it goes the significance of the Lamb slain, (Ps.2:7; Re.13:8) What happened in a megachurch where The elders had publicly disciplined a woman for refusing to take back her husband owes to their lack of understanding the word. As it turned out, the woman's fears proved true, and her husband went to prison for child molestation and abuse. The church never retracted its discipline or apologised in the 20+ years since.
I suppose today's scripture from Joshua 24:18 is as good a place as any to tackle that subject. As for the entire Bible as we have it today; there is no verse in scripture mentioning all the written texts as a whole; probably because they weren't complete yet.
1 Corinthians 13:10 mentions things passing away when the partial is complete; or something to that affect. Revelation also has verses warning about not adding or subtracting which could mean adding to that book or all scripture. Since the written texts originally came from oratory (with the exception of the 10 Commandments originally penned by God Himself); God planned it out so that the scribes would count every LETTER of a scroll; and get rid of a copy to start again if it was even slightly off. 2 Timothy 3:16 explains that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching; reproof; etc.
I have discussed in older posts a summation of the Apocrypha as to truths of historic or moral truths that are borrowed from true scripture; which always states "thus saith the Lord" except for places like Ruth and Esther; or Song of Solomon. God's truths are absolute; as we see from the claims of Christ's divinity; and the laws in the 10 Commandments. The repetitive themes such as scriptures being repeated again in the New Testament to enhance their true meanings bring a cohesiveness to the Bible. We also have such admonitions as 1 John 4:2 stating what any "spirit" testifies about Christ having come in the flesh.
That would correlate with verses like Matthew 16:17 where it is clear that Christ's DIVINITY (as the "I am") can only be understood or revealed through the Spirit. I noticed that myself pre conversion it didn't enter my mind that Christ was God or part of the "Godhead". As our spirit testifies with "his Spirit"( Romans 8:16) that we are His children and His Word is truth the Lord will build our discernment of truth as we grow and mature in Him to know what is true (see also John 10:27).
Books are to be read but understanding for two persons can differ. Satan used the scriptures but his motive was wrong. "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." (Ti.1:15) "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."(Ph.4:8)
Reading is to communicate. Do we hang out in the company of minds who are writing potboilers to feed their bellies or those who falsify intentionally what is true, and write for fame and fortune? I find it waste of time. Time is short so get the best out of your spare time. The Bible is the book of life.
This upper room has been prepared for a special occasion. Who had it prepared for Jesus? In the Gospel of St John Jesus assured his disciples, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."( John 14:3). "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." (He.3:4) As with the colt for his Son to go to Jerusalem God had provided all thing for life and godliness for his Son. God had appointed himas the heir of all things.
When Jesus said of foxes having holes and the birds their nests he was stating his own case as a man. In the world each one is so particular to flaunt their fashionable address God chose the upper room, and the Spirit has not given as one except that whatever God chose was in his Power and glory.
Jesus assured "My Father and I are one" and wherever he walked and abode signaled his Father to testify. "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(1:11). Psalmist refers to this relationship of the Father. "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." (Ps.139:8)
The Last supper enacted in that upper room evokes for us the same betrayal when Satan betrayed the trust of the Most High. For this reason Jesus refersto Judas as the son of perdition. "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled." ( John 17:12)
We have several instances where what are presented before us is a kangaroo word in terms of the eternal Word. Thus the alabaster box is a kangaroo word for the woman who prepared the body of the Son for his burial. Ezekiel thus ingesting the roll that God gave him becomes a double for the Son. "Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel."(Ez.3:1)
"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head."(v.3)
All the four gospels carry this incident where the woman had prescience to anoint Jesus for his burial. None present there except Jesus who understood the significance of her action. "He (Jesus Christ) knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."Besides he knew what he was there for, among them and also knew where he was going to. His deity was as the Word become flesh. In Luke we read thus, "For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."( Luke 22:37)
How can a woman of ill repute find the right occasion to be born again or in this case, Mary as John gives her a name, break the box unless her faith and of Christ was one?( John 12:3) God breathed into man and made him a living soul. Faith is what explains this relationship between God and man. "Faith is one."(Ep.4:5) So in her action she poured out herself in order to prepare him beforehand for her burial.
What is the significance of Bethany? In the Gospel of John Jesus was in the company of Lazarus whom he had raised from death. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."( John 11:25).
The alabaster box is similar to the earthen vessel that Jeremiah broke as commanded of God. The box doubles for Mary whose faith became a memorial unto her. St Mark juxtaposes this with the breaking of bread during the Last supper.(v.22)
Great God Almighty
Thank you for this past day and all the wonderful loving kindness you have shown me today and throughout all the past days of my life
Thank you for not rewarding me in accordance with all of my sinfulness which is as an open book to you
Please Great God Almighty may Your Kingdom fill this your earth ever so soon
When it is Your Will
Untill those very best days are upon us all please continue if it is Your Will to show all flesh Your wonderful loving kindness tender mercies and generous blessings every day
Please continue if it is Your Will to take pity upon all flesh and remember our weakness our stupidity our shortsightedness our fearfulness and our insecurities
Please Dear Heavenly Father see our pain and misery and need for You and Your Son and Your Kingdom to be upon this Your earth and upon us all very soon when it is Your Will
Please heal all flesh and turn the hearts of us all to You and Your Son and make us all all Yours forever ever so soon when it is Your Will
Please take pity on all the creatures that we have tamed and domesticated and then neglected and abused and treated unkindly and coldly and cruelly and ease their suffering at our hands if it is Your Will
Please bring an end to all this pain and misery when it is Your Will
Please give me the strength and courage and determination to live tomorrow as best as I can in a way that is acceptable to You and please don't allow my emotions to overwhelm me and lead me into being irrational and foolish if it is Your Will
Thank you so much for providing for all of my daily needs in abundance and thank you for sustaining me and enabling me to do all those things that I think I need to do every day
Please continue to do so if it is Your Will
May Your Righteous Will be done through Jesus Christ my sinless Redeemer I offer this prayer to You my God my Creator my Sustainer my Peace my Strength my Dear Heavenly Father
Amen .
Having wiped out my last posting AGAIN by pushing the wrong button I will have more to say perhaps later regarding devotionals.
I thought I would shift gears and discuss Catechisms. I expect many know that a Catechism is a sort of reciting of a Doctrinal Statement.
Let's be honest here; although maybe it's just me...such studies can often be the most BORING ones we undertake and if someone is really not a believer it could in my opinion do more harm then good even if it is a scripturally solid one. The first thing of course we must investigate is; when considering becoming a church member in particular is are there any issues that jump out to us that we cannot believe or are unwilling to be dogmatic about? I am from a Protestant and primarily Reformed background; and generally ascribe to things in the Heidelburg confession; for instance. That being said; for whatever reason the designation exist; I find the term "DIVINES" for those who came up with certain Reformed confessions as being a repulsive term. I have shown evidence in the past of certain behaviors among Calvin and Luthor; no matter how critical they were for getting back to "Sola Scriptura" and concepts of Predestination that I don't care to mention them as examples to follow and say instead that they brought out scriptural truths such as are found in the book of John in particular as to God calling and choosing people the Son would reveal Himself to. Such a concept saturates many chapters in John in particular but is found in many other places in scripture. We don't find the term "total depravity" in scripture but there are many places where it says man can do no good and his good works are as "filthy rags" ( Isaiah 64:6).
I mentioned in an earlier post that the Orthodox Presbyterian church (OPC) that existed in Pittsburgh before folding allowed me to be a member but not of full standing as to my take on infant Baptism. We shoudn't rush membership.
I have touched on several good devotional sources in posts last year; namely Oswald Chambers "utmost for the Highest" and Daily Bread. This site also is helpful when highlighting a daily Bible verse for the surrounding text to consider.
If I have the terminology correct Expository preaching is systematic reading of a book chapter by chapter. There is another term for topical studies that I am sure someone here knows. For a new believer it is hard to argue with the standard approach of beginning in the Gospels (usually John is picked) and then transitioning to Paul's Epistles. Scripture memory is helpful for two reasons particularly for new believers; one for edification and second to have verses to explain the hope within us in Christ when witnessing. Taking the example of John 3:16 for instance we have the assurance of eternal life but if we read the surrounding text we see in verse 18 that he who does NOT believe in Him is condemned already. This is one danger of "cherry picking" an isolated verse that gives us "positive vibes" and not comprehending God's Word as to repetitive themes; in this case blessings for obedience and faith and cursings for not believing. This contrast between good and bad is throughout scriptures; whether we look at warnings in Deuteronomy as to conditions affecting the entire nation because of disobedience vs obedience; Psalms and Proverbs related to characteristics of righteous and wicked and books of Chronicles and Kings as to righteous and unrighteous kings.
We are to be cautious; therefore with any devotionals that always have "encouraging" verses or if the author is skewed in that direction. The opposite could be said of the Oswald Chambers as some have accused it of being works oriented too much; they certainly are challenging unlike anything I've read. In terms of scripture memory; it is useful but internalizing the Living Word through meditation and application also.
before Armageddon according to verses in Zechariah. Once the church is gone; truly faith will be hard to find on the earth ( Luke 18:8).
Before discussing the mark given to these individuals; we should consider the fact that they are God's servants as these verses indicate. I won't go into various considerations of what the term "virgins" means except to say morally and spiritually these are uncompromised individuals "sold out" for Christ. There will be many "religious" people in the harlot religion at this time which
I suspect is a hybrid of Christianity and mystical elements of other religions tied into the One World Government for the first half of the Tribulation. THESE individuals I believe will cause the greatest persecution at that time; to be replaced later on after the mark of the Beast comes forth that will readily identify the wicked and those who will be damned.
No doubt anyone who is a servant of God rather than an adherant to the false religion which no doubt will bring an expectation of continuing wealth during the seal judgments will go after anyone who loves the Lord like this; which may be only the 144,000 at first then those of the countless multitude saved afterwards mentioned later on in this chapter. I would doubt the seal of the righteous is readily identified by eyesight but certainly seen in the spiritual plane as an identifier. The fact that during the trumpet judgments (which seems to be the time period related to harm to the earth and sea after this sealing) that these individuals won't be touched will make any mystery as to who they are go out the window. They will be no doubt hated by the world and the mark of the beast will be the rebel response for "protection".
The indwelling Spirit is counted as one with the man. Jesus assured,"And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:/Of sin, because they believe not on me."( John 16:8-9). This being the case whosoever follows strange doctrine does so at his own peril. He has effectively quenched the Holy Spirit. The Parable of the Five foolish virgins explain it. Number Five shows this unity of the Spirit whereby the man anointed by the Spirit is five. Grieving Holy Spirit doesnot let off the guilty.
In Ezekiel We see the glory of God departing the house. In vv.14-17 "So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of theLordwas strong upon me." This foreshadows the anointing of the Holy Spirit because of which his sheep are to be restrained in the house as Ezekiel was. "And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of theLordcame unto me, saying,/Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel."
As witnesses for Christ are we doing our job well?
Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house."(Ez.3:24). The risen Christ has left 'his house' and every one of us to be watchful and faithful. "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house," and "whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."He.3:6)
"And commanded the porter to watch."
Ezekiel before Jesus was designated as the Son of man. God commands the prophet, "Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel." The Holy Spirit presents Jesus Christ as the word become flesh. It shall help us understand the v.34. "For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work." This is precisely what the great commission in Gospel of St Matthew signifies. (Matt.28:18-20) Every believer thus has been assigned his work. So the indwelling Holy Spirit is designated as the porter. In short every believer is commanded to be at his post, "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning."(v.35)
We have a few more parallels from the life of Ezekiel in order to illumine our understanding of the great commission to which we shall come anon. We find the porter mentioned in this passage, "But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep./To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out."( John 10:2-3) This explains the knock on the door, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."(Re.3:20-21). Those who let him in do so because his word resonates which is what voice recognition of the eternal word does. "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice." By the same token who gets entangles with strange doctrine, -for instance Christian nationalism and prosperity is not his. These entered not by the door and whosoever is not, his shall follow them.
So what is the porter doing when sin enters through the back door?
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."(v.31) Jesus Christ as the same yesterday today and forever, warns the four disciples what must happen hereafter. "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."(v.23)
The second Temple of Herod shall not stand."Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."(v.2) Parallel to this he also warns of his death. "Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up./Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?/But he spake of the temple of his body./When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."( John 2:19-22)
In order to be certain that we are not taken with the perishing Jesus introduced the sign of the end times. His body was broken up so shall everything in heaven and the earth. "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven./Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain."(He.12:26-27). The Word of God has set the warning from the beginning. What occurred at Mount Sinai was one such warning, and when the end shall come is not for us to know.
"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father./Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.:(vv.32-33)
"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,/Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?"(vv.3-4)
Mark is specific with regards to the disciples and curiously enough we have four disciples named here in the backdrop of the mount of Olives. Whereas at the mount of Transfiguration Jesus took three apart from the other disciples.(9:2; Matt.17:1) Significance of the command number Three placed Moses Elias and Jesus signifying the world of the Spirit correspond with the three in world of the flesh and blood. Three refers to the Son.
Moses was faithful in all his house. "as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;/But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.".(He.3:5-6) While studying the end of the world, we are here focusing on the burden of Jesus regarding his house. So he gives a parable at the end of which he warns, "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning:/Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping./And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."(vv.35-37) The very high mountain where Jesus transfigured was with the glory of God. Redemption of our vile bodies signalled the spiritual body that Jesus put on at that point of time. The Spirit places emphasis on the glory of the Son.
Now the four disciples signify the significance of the Word.
"And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."(v.27). "I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth," refer to the word of God, Jesus Christ the same, Re.7:1; He.13:8
I was wondering how you are doing. are you still in Utah? have you been well? How is your son doing since you have been gone from his house. I8 am so glad that you came back on here to post. I love it when we can update with people on here. We care for one another here and I always think it is such a good thing to have met so many new believers since coming on this site. I look forward to hearing from you.
Honestly,your posts deserve the best of my attention.Oh dear Ronald,rest assured,I did not think what you think I did think.In the discussion,for me who really seemed to be in doubt was Momsage,not you.
Quoting you"chronologies can vary in years,Greek Septuagint has the flood at 2256 years from Adam 600 years difference",you mentioned it as an example of variation.What SOURCE is surely TRUE,for me what matters is what is at least the most correct,we are speaking of the Word of GOD.
So,for clarifying,in my understanding the final number of years it must hit with 6000 years. Each theory whose sum of years goes beyond 6000 years is wrong.Believing in that one GOD's Day is as a 1000 years.Based in KJV,we both agree the flood was 1656 years after Adam.But Septuagint has the flood at 2256 years.600 years difference.
Once final number of years must hit with 6000 years of GOD's work, so according to Septuagint we would be now living in the year 6627.It means 627 years of GOD's rest,and 627 years of establishment of GOD's Kingdom,millennial Kingdom of GOD. Would it be corret?In my understanding this biblical source is wrong.This is fake,it is tares to be burned in fire.GOD is a consuming fire.
Yes,
Shem was one hundred years old, and he begot Arphaxad, two years after the Flood.
Then quoting you,"the year born from the flood",time begins to be accounted when Arphaxad was 2
Arphaxad begot Salah when was 35 -->37
Salah begot Eber when he was 30 -->67
Eber begot Peleg when he was 34-->101
Peleg begot Reu when he was 30-->131
Reu begot Serug when he was 32-->163
Serug begot Nahor when he was 30-->193
Nahor begot Terah when he was 29-->222
Terah lived 205 years and begot
Abram, Nahor, and Haran; 205-->427
Terah took Abram,Lot and
Sarai, and they went to Haran.
After 60 years dwelling there,
Abram went out from father's house
and went to Canaan.Terah was 130
when Abram went out from
father's house and went to Canaan.
St Mark gives us the v.40 almost identical with that of Matthew ch.23 but the former uses it a point of departure in order to illustrate in real time of a widow parting with her only livelihood. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."(23:14). How truth reaches a congregation when the scribes and Pharisee teach is different than the widow whose penury offered no stumbling block from exercising faith. Jesus "And beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much."
The widow "but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" places her life squarely upon whom it belongs. It catches the eye of our Savior.
In the Parable of the Rich Fool he had all the worldly goods but lacked the good sense. He was not rich towards God. So God tells him, " Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"( Luke 12:20) Jesus commends the poor widow who exercised faith most wisely. The scribes and Pharisee as we are familiar with the term applied 'active' faith so the poor and needy part with their living, in expectations of a windfall. Jesus calls their shepherding as 'devouring' instead.
God sent his only begotten Son in order to give whosoever believed in him, everlasting life. Jesus also tells how anyone may do the work of God. It can only be with Jesus, "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?/Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."( John 6:28-29)
This is faith where the poor widow worked with God and for her livelihood she did not have to put on the mind of the scribes and Pharisees, devouring the gullible among their audience. For the faith of the widow was set in heavenly places with the Son.
I have been thinking of you and praying for you. So glad to hear from you again.
Here are some verses that may be helpful. The Lord will guide you in the verses to share with your riend.
Ps . 31.5 Jn. 14:6
Ps. 119:43 Gal. 2:5
Is. 45:19 Eph.1:13
Dan. 10:21 Col. 1:5
James 1:18
"And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?"(v.35). The scribes as mentioned here is a generic name for those who interpret the Law but they do not consider they are bound by it. "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." For they says, and they do not."(Matt.23:2-3). Matthew is referring to the scribes and the Pharisees who sit in Moses' seat. It is a metaphor for spiritual authority of the Law. Isaiah gives us a throne which is the ultimate authority "The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool."(Is.66:1)
Mark gives 'the woe to ye' discourse in Ch.23 as part of his doctrine which explains why the word of God is a two-edged sword (He.4:12).The Gospel is for salvation and if it is neglected it shall prove unto damnation. "And he said unto them in his doctrine," is consequential since it is the eternal word. In our times we could call what the scribes indulged was in Jesus talk. The saying of Jesus "but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not," is a sane advice for Christians who would want to live a godly life.
Jesus.
In vv.35-37 Jesus asks,"How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?"The scribes erred in their textual criticism by omitting the intent and the integrity of the Psalm 110:1 This is what literal approach does. What they threw out is the everlasting covenant were seven days pendent on the day decreed for the Son. Along with it goes the significance of the Lamb slain, (Ps.2:7; Re.13:8) What happened in a megachurch where The elders had publicly disciplined a woman for refusing to take back her husband owes to their lack of understanding the word. As it turned out, the woman's fears proved true, and her husband went to prison for child molestation and abuse. The church never retracted its discipline or apologised in the 20+ years since.
1 Corinthians 13:10 mentions things passing away when the partial is complete; or something to that affect. Revelation also has verses warning about not adding or subtracting which could mean adding to that book or all scripture. Since the written texts originally came from oratory (with the exception of the 10 Commandments originally penned by God Himself); God planned it out so that the scribes would count every LETTER of a scroll; and get rid of a copy to start again if it was even slightly off. 2 Timothy 3:16 explains that all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching; reproof; etc.
I have discussed in older posts a summation of the Apocrypha as to truths of historic or moral truths that are borrowed from true scripture; which always states "thus saith the Lord" except for places like Ruth and Esther; or Song of Solomon. God's truths are absolute; as we see from the claims of Christ's divinity; and the laws in the 10 Commandments. The repetitive themes such as scriptures being repeated again in the New Testament to enhance their true meanings bring a cohesiveness to the Bible. We also have such admonitions as 1 John 4:2 stating what any "spirit" testifies about Christ having come in the flesh.
That would correlate with verses like Matthew 16:17 where it is clear that Christ's DIVINITY (as the "I am") can only be understood or revealed through the Spirit. I noticed that myself pre conversion it didn't enter my mind that Christ was God or part of the "Godhead". As our spirit testifies with "his Spirit"( Romans 8:16) that we are His children and His Word is truth the Lord will build our discernment of truth as we grow and mature in Him to know what is true (see also John 10:27).
Books are to be read but understanding for two persons can differ. Satan used the scriptures but his motive was wrong. "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." (Ti.1:15) "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."(Ph.4:8)
Reading is to communicate. Do we hang out in the company of minds who are writing potboilers to feed their bellies or those who falsify intentionally what is true, and write for fame and fortune? I find it waste of time. Time is short so get the best out of your spare time. The Bible is the book of life.