Now I embark on the last book of the Torah=Deuteronomy.
The Israelites are camped east of the Jordan on the plains of Moab. Over the next 40 days, Moses will teach this new generation how God had brought them out of Egypt with mighty miracles, how God spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai, commissioning Moses to deliver His Law and the terms of the covenant God will make with the nation, how the nation rebelled at the border of the promised land and thus spent 40 years wandering in the desert until all who came out of Egypt over the age of 20 died.
This is a new generation, the oldest being below the age of 40 with the exception of Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. Most did not personally experience the miraculous exodus from Egypt nor the events at Sinai. It was important for this generation to receive instruction as to the covenant and law given to the nation, be reminded about the promises God had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to learn from Moses how to live in relationship to God.
Moses knew that His life was almost at its end. God had said so. He must give over this people he has led for 40 years to Joshua and Caleb and Eleazar. But ultimately, he gives them over in submission to God. He knew that there was much to relay to this nation and so most likely he wanted to be sure to put first things first in what he delivered to the people. He needed to follow the lead of God in all of this and not seek his own way.
This the last chapter in Numbers speaks again of the daughters of Zelphehad. The leaders of their tribe came to Moses to see if the Lord deemed it best for these daughters to marry within their tribe so that the inheritance will not pass to another tribe through marriage. When they marry, their husband will be the inheritor of their inheritance. The concern was by such intermarriage with other tribes the tribal land allotment of some tribes could be much increased or decreased depending on how much cross tribal marriage there was. Also, it seems that within one tribes alottment, the inheritance of a woman without brothers would go to her husband and thus resulting in another tribe inheriting this land within the wife's tribe. This intermarrying would certainly blur the lines of the tribal allotment.
This came up as a suggestion from the tribe of Manasseh rather than God telling Moses to speak about this possible situation. But when Moses spoke this out as new commandment, it says in verse 5 that it was the command of the Lord. If so, then God wanted the tribes to remain genetically separate from one another. There would be specific tribal physical characteristics passed on within tribes distinguishing one tribal ancestry.
I can understand the concerns of the tribe of Manasseh (specifically the family of Gideon) of how intermarriage would alter the allotments of land that were decided by lots (by the change that God chose). I am not sure how long this commandment was followed after the tribes settled but perhaps the story of Ruth is an example of this with Boaz being a kinsmen redeemer from the tribe of Naomi and thus able to redeem the inheritance of Naomi's sons through Ruth's marriage to Boaz.
I believe that this commandment concerning marriage was important for the time of the settling of the land of Canaan, but I don't think it is necessarily a ban on intermarriage of people from different cultures or races. It does shadow the recommendation of Paul.
Sorry but you are taking this verse out of context Jordyn. This verse doesn't say one could come into the Kingdom by what was written in Moses and the prophets.
( Acts 28:23)
It says Paul testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, (which is the Torah the first five books of the Bible), and out of the prophets, this is all the prophets who have books written in the Old Testament, or in the Hebrew manuscripts.
The word (testified) is #1263; it means to attest or protest earnestly, charge, witness, to be a witness, testify, give (evidence) bear record, be well reported of.
Paul was pretty much preaching the kingdom of God convincing them concerning Jesus.
The word (persuading) is #3982; it means to convince (by argument, true or false) to assent (to evidence or authority) to rely (by inward certainty) assure, believe, confidence, trust.
Without reading all of what you and Chris discussed, I've looked over what you have given me.
I believe the hang up is a portion of verse 15 you singled out. ( TO HAVE THESE THINGS ALWAYS IN REMEMBRANCE)
So I tracked backwards to see what " These things" are, that Peter is talking about. Start at verse 13.
Here's how that went.
2 Peter 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in REMEMBRANCE;
2 Peter 1:12Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in REMEMBRANCE OF THESE THINGS,
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do THESE THINGS, ye shall never fall:
2 Peter 1:9. But he that lacketh THESE THINGS....
2 Peter 1:8. For if THESE THINGS be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If we keep on backtracking we come to what these things are in verses five through verse seven. I will highlight them with caps.
2 Peter 1:5-7.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith VIRTUE; and to virtue KNOWLEDGE;
And to knowledge TEMPERANCE; and to temperance PATIENCE; and to patience GODLINESS;
And to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS; and to brotherly kindness CHARITY.
(For if THESE THINGS be in you), and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jimbob I'm not sure if I grasp you but it seems Peter is talking about what accompanies salvation.
God has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature,
verses 3 and 4.
This doesn't seem to be talking about any writings unless I am missing your point.
If I may; Adam named the woman, his wife God made from him Eve, translated mother of all living is fulfilled after the flood. Only eight people were saved in the ark, they are Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives. All these are descendants of Adam and Eve that make all living today are from Adam and Eve making her the mother of all living.
The Bible gives us a record of the line from Adam to Jesus and there is much we have not been told. What we have been given in Scripture is God's plan, the foretelling of the coming of the Messiah Jesus, the plan of our salvation. There are many ideas, speculations, or interpretations out there. Our imaginations can create many inventive ideas about what is not covered.
We read in 1 Cor. 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. Adam was the first man and Jesus was the second man. This is about us being mortal/earthy with the curse that was put on the first Adam who sinned and our way of obtaining eternal life and victory over death that comes only through the second man, our Lord Jesus Christ, not that Adam was the first man on earth. They are also called the first Adam and the last Adam 1 Cor. 15:45.
My understanding God created the heavens where is the sun, moon, stars, planets, and our earth and all that is in it in six days, with no gaps, or any evolution involved, and when He saw everything, He had made He said it was very good, end of the sixth day and God rested on the seventh day.
Could there have been people who were created on the sixth day and Adam and Eve were after the seventh day being part of God's plan for God knows the beginning from the end? Scripture will tell you, not science.
Our studies of Genesis 1,2,3, should not cause any doubt in the word of God, everything before the flood God destroyed. All living is from Adam and Eve, one race, made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.
Can one take ONLY Mosses and the Prophets and come to TRUTH about the Kingdom of God?
Acts 28:23 And when he had appoint them a day, there came many unto his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Mosses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
There was no KJB or New testament; YET, one could come into the Kingdom by what was written in Mosses and the Prophets.
I study only the KJB; BUT,
1 John 2:27 The anointing which you have received of him ABIDETH IN YOU ...... the same anointing WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS ........ after all: HE IS THE WORD ............
Hello Spencer its good to here from you, although not addressed to me I think I'll respond to your comment.
You said "I also believe this clearly refers to the OT prophets and writers that were inspired and moved by God's Spirit to pen these holy words". These holy words ( 2 Pet 1:19-21) were penned by Peter whose book is in the New Testament not the OT.
I think you may have just mis spoke on that one Spencer.
You and brother Chris have said this verse ((clearly)) refers to the OT prophets. Would you please show, (using scripture) how you get this verse (clearly) refers to the OT prophets? I have not seen that yet.
If we start reading the book of 2 Peter from verse #1 we can (clearly) see ( 2 Pet 1:1-4) this chapter is prophecy for this time period as well as for the people of the time it was written.
( 2 Pet 1:5-10) These verses are (clearly) prophecy written for us today. The first verse says ( 2 Pet 1:1) "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, TO THEM THAT HAVE OBTAINED LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" This is prophecy for us today! (Those who have obtained precious faith in Jesus Christ)
( 2 Pet 1:15) "Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease ((to have these things always in remembrance))
TO HAVE THESE THINGS ALWAYS! This is prophecy for us today as well as for those who have lived after Peter's decease, and before us.
When Peter wrote this book Christ had already been Risen for more than 50 years.
Why would Peter be writing this about the OT prophets at that time? And here we are reading it today. They only had the Hebrew manuscripts at that time ( 2 Pet 1:20) Tells us "that no (prophecy) (of the scripture) is of any private interpretation". ((OF THE SCRIPTURE)) We have that scripture today, do we not?
It is not of private interpretation because holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
Thank you for sharing this about your childhood. So sorry it happened to you that way. I can tell that God is healing you and is with you in your daily life. I will be praying for you. Even though the abuse ended, the wounds continue long after, so I do pray for further healing and that you serve your mother in love all the days she has remaining. May you both be blessed by our wonderful Savior with healing of these wounds, forgiveness for the offenses, and restoration between you and your mother.
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. I also believe this clearly refers to the OT prophets & writers that were inspired & moved by God's Spirit to pen these holy words.
The example you have given in these two Scriptures: Genesis 24:16 and Isaiah 7:14
. "Virgin" is in both references as given by the KJB translators, yet in Hebrew the words are different: the first one is 'bethulah' & the other 'almah'. Why did the translators not give different English words for each of those verses, but just used 'virgin'?
And also, Giannis explanation; "The Hbr should be translated as " young woman", not "virgin", that is why there is a difference from Genesis 24:16. This is how it is always written in the Hebrew Bibles (Tanakh).
I have the word in the Hebrew as 'almah'. (but dogmatic). meaning "Virgin. As Giannis said, Matthew follows the Septuagint text of the Old Testament, and in the Septuagint, it is written "the virgin."
Some has used this "SO CALLED DISCREPENCY" to attack the virgin birth and a person like me wouldn't know how to defend it being that I don't know Hebrew or Greek outside of helps and research.
So, that causes me to leave off the translations drama and go to the prophet and prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 and giving thought to what 2 Peter 1:21 is saying and its meaning.
In Isaiah 7:11 the Lord prompts Ahaz to "Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
Vs 13 God draws the attention to the house of David.
Vs 14 God gives them a sign. "Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.
This wouldn't be much of a sign if it was a mere young woman. However, it draws one's attention if it is a virgin being mentioned.
God's truth can be found even if the translation or our ability to translate is imperfect.
Hebrews 4:3 For we which have BELIEVED do enter into REST (the sabbath), as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall ENTER IN TO MY (the sabbath) REST; although the WORKS were FINISHED from the foundations of the world.
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the GOSPEL preached, as well (as it was preached) TO THEM ......
We are just playing out what has ALREADY been written.
God's will is BEING DONE.
We are JUST POTS being CONFORMED into the IMAGE of Christ. From the first man TIL the last man.
Revelation 22:13 "I AM " Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the FIRST and the LAST.
Romans 8:29 .... he did PREDESTINATE to be CONFORMED to the IMAGE of son.
Job 38:7 When all the morning stars SANG TOGETHER (all became ONE), the SONS of GOD (all became ONE) shouted for joy?
John 17:22 And the GLORY that thou hast GIVEN ME, I HAVE GIVEN THEM (finished from the foundations of the world), that they may be ONE, even as WE ARE ONE.
Psalms 46:10 Be still and know "I AM" God ......
Isaiah 26:3 Thou will KEEP HIM in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee .....
I would like to add a thought to what has already has been shared,, taking it from another angle.
Romans 5:12-14 states as follows;
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
NEVERTHELESS DEATH REIGNED FROM ADAM TO MOSES, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Being that by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,
Isn't it reasonable to think that if there were men and women before Adam that this plague of sin and death would have passed over them? They wouldn't have suffered death and would still be amongst us.
WE ARE DESCENDENTS OF ADAM.
1 Corinthians 15:45-49. "And so it is written, THE FIRST MAN "Adam" was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. "Jesus".
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
AND AS WE HAVE BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHY, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
"And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."
Blessed are they, which are called. This calling is one aspect of salvation. How does one receive it? what signifies preaching the word is all about hearing it well, loud and clear. St Paul advises Timothy of minding his calling. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." This is what gospel, the good news should sound to those whose hearts are right before God. How does the ear receive it? Faith comes by hearing, hearing the word of God.(2 Ti.4:2-5-ESV;Ro.10:17). God fashioned all hearts alike but in the matter of hearing it is unequal. How so? St Paul warns Timothy in the same letter thus, "But having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, / and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. " "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?"(Gal.3:1-3)
Jesus had warned, "For many are called, but few are chosen."(Matt.22:14)
On account of this split, -the ear hears the truth which however is garbled so as to believe in myths is disaster for many, which helps us to focus on the imperative of the written word. The eternal word settled in the heavens is called the testimony. For this reason we hear it in many passages. "These are the true sayings of God."
St John would have worshipped the angel but he reveals what he really is. He is one among the many witness thus called even as he is. This cloud in a manner of speaking is the body oof Christ on the make. "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God:: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (19:10).
The Lamb was a symbol in the will of the Father and in human likeness he was the Lamb of God which in the testimony of John the Baptist we know as true.( John 1:29). St John in his gospel explains that he was Logos aspect of God. He was the word become flesh and in his vicarious death and resurrection he established the word of God forever settled in heaven as the Law. (Ps.119:89) (The throne of God and of the Lamb in eternity establish Christ as the Head, and the church as signs and wonders. Taken together these thrones speak of Fellowship of God with Man,- where the overcomers are his spiritual body)
When God showed Moses the pattern in heaven it was the Fellowship of God with Man according to the everlasting covenant. It has never been laid aside or abrogated because of man's infirmity of corporal nature. The great cloud of witnesses of souls redeemed from the earth we see in the vision of Daniel and in Ezekiel. It is curiously absent in the vision of St John we covered in these posts. Instead we have them represented as seven stars 'in my right hand" and the seven golden candlesticks.
We note the same mode of narrative: the church of saints redeemed from the earth are catalogued according to their strengths and blemishes as seven candlesticks. At the end of each message objective warning "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh...etc.," It is similar to charge given to Ezekiel, "And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious."(Ez.2:7) God's grace is for hearts that are willing and desirous of victory.
At the end of seven messages we have the door opened giving us the role of heart as door leading to the highway between heaven and the earth. Abiding life and what shall follow thereafter is in this passage Re.3:20-23.
"Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;/ The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."(1:19-20)
In the vision of the Book with seven seals we were shown that the Lamb alone was found worthy, and it is not merely by his circumstance of being a symbol in the divine Will. Yes he was 'the Lamb as it had been slain,'. But he is also an overcomer to which the one of the four and twenty elders alludes, "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."(Re.5:4-8). The phrase 'prevailed to open the book' is his credential and the Spirit in giving his human antecedents in the same quote gives us what it meant to be the author and finisher of our faith. In the tableau presented therein we covered the body and spirit and in this post we shall cover the soul aspect. When God says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them./ And God blessed them." He was specific when he blessed 'them'. For he said, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."(1:28) Subdue it as an overcomer 'as the Lamb as it had been' prevailed over sin of disobedience. Body Spirit and soul of man, in short is held a memorial in heaven as was in the will of God Almighty.
speaks of past tense, so there's a question one must ask themselves, are you still a sinner? & if so, than if stands according to Scripture & sound reasoning that, that person is still walking according to the course of this world, to the prince of the power of the air & is still a child of disobedience. Still having their conversations in the lust of the flesh & fulfilling the desires of the flesh & of the mind. & by nature a child of wrath, therefore one is not in Christ & no new creature, though they say they are, yet their a liar & know Him not, by not keeping His commandments.
The cause & effect of this is that one has not contended for the Faith that was once delivered to the saints, but has received the doctrine & teaching of men, who's learning is by letter that sprung up in the apostasy, who have turn the Grace of God into lascivious, & denying the only Lord God & Jesus Christ who He has sent, though they may ever so zealous profess Him in a knowledge, that's not received by a revelation from His Spirit. 2Cor 4:6,7
Grace appearance to all mankind is the Revelation of Jesus Christ to each individual soul, teaching them to deny all ungodliness & worldly lust & instructs them to live soberly, godly & righteously, Believing that it is He who's within you speaking to you is faith, believing your hearing the Word of God & Obedience to this Word of Faith / GRACE is the good works that were ordained of God that we such walk in them,
It's a good work to cast down all imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, denying all ungodliness & worldly lust that spring up within us, bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ by learning to live soberly , godly & righteously as Grace instruct us
This is the working out our Salvation, the Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience & sprinkling of the Blood/Life of Jesus
For we are His workmanship being created in Christ Jesus unto these good works through the washing of regeneration & renewing of the Holy Ghost & having a readiness to revenge all disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled brings us to be born again through hearing & obedience to the Incorruptible Seed. John 1:13
This is Salvation by Faith through Grace, that is not of ourselves, but is a Gift of God given through His Son, wrought by His Spirit appearance within us.
"And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:"(
Jesus himself supplied its significance so we shall stick to what he has meant. He lays different emphasis than the one he said following this. In the Parable of the Tares the field is the world.(13:18) The sower refers to God who made all hearts alike but here the works of man have changed the terrain altogether. Pr.24:30-34. The sluggard has let it to rack and ruin so the fences are down. Of such Prophet Jeremiah qualified that their hearts were treacherous and desperately wicked.(Je.17:9) Their hearts, to all intent and purpose were no man's land. They were willing tools for any ill hatched scheme and served the causes of unclean spirits. In short the heart has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit"(Re.18:2-3) These spirits are birds that devoured the word sown in their hearts..
God formed all hearts alike and tries their work. As in-the case of the Parable of the Talents each of us shall give an account of our works. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways/and my thoughts than your thoughts"(Is.55:9). How miry clay made of the word of God these two millennia ,has shown that Jesus talk and activism arise from hearts desperately wicked. Jesus Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. Without following him and abiding in him there is no way these two ways could be reconciled. As we see the false shepherds who have allied with state ,-whether it is pro-life or Anti- abortion it is contrary to everything that Jesus stood for and set an example. What concord has light with darkness?
It would seem Satan showed Constantine the great an easy way out and he took it, Satan ever since let out bilge beginning with heresis and concord with Belial etc.,
'In the beginning' establishes it is the Will of God we are looking at: the heaven and the earth are the two worlds created and the Spirit from the outset informs us the Son was equally involved in the creation. "All things were made through him."( John 1:3) The logos aspect of the Son serves as the bookend while 'in the beginning' sets the other bookend. The Spirit picks up the role of the Son with the tag 'in the fullness of time' and it is to continue the salvation plan in the core will of the Father.
The Spirit annotated the v.1 in He.11:3 This explains the logos aspect,"the Word was God". Thus the worlds were framed by the word of God. "Darkness was upon the deep"and here we have the verse from John's Gospel to help us. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."( John 1:5) The Spirit obliquely touches upon the angelic revolt since it is not germane to the Salvation plan which is our focus. St Paul speaks "Or do you not know that the saints shall judge" the world and "do you not know that we are to judge angels?" (1 Co.6:2-3)This being the case all that's needful shall be before us so we may judge justly.
v.2 The earth was without form tells us that we are looking at the will and what were made to appear shall be grouped under seven days. "And the Spirit of God moved upon the waters"(KJV) can be put in terms of the two worlds: the worlds of the Spirit interfacing with that of the natural world. In this context we can follow the drive of the Spirit "Let there be light " and its effect we see in all creation. Glory of God is visible outcome of the wisdom and power principle on active mode."And there was light." is the effect.
What holds these worlds as one? Faith is one. Without faith no one shall please God. The world of the Spirit is the envelope of saints for whom death of their corporeal bodies is no matter. They have spiritual body that is called the body of Christ. (2 Co.5:1-3)
Jesus affirmed,"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."(Matt.7:11) The Spirit introduced in the very outset to establish God as the First Cause and genealogies serve the purpose of creating a holy family from Seth onwards. It is thus predestination works. Many are called but few are chosen because the seed was not in those who did not make their election sure. (Matt.22:14)
Will of God as the cause and the Earth as the effect is neat but because of man's disobedience we have this question from Jesus. "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" Satan has slipped in tares and what heresies we find in our midst owe to two parallel governances of God and Satan. God shall purge the earth of all tares. "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."(2 Pe.3:7)
The Spirit introduced in the creation account seven days, which are the seven pillars of the house that Wisdom has hewn. (Pr.9:1) Think of each pillar as the cause in the divine Will of the Father; each pillar is built up in a sequence,- cause alternating with effect and it shall be a continual process. The writer to the Hebrews speaks about the Son "And upholding all things by the word of his power." God rested from his labors and there is a continual process going on which no one shall ever know unless it is revealed to him. Hannah in her new song sings thus, "For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them."( 1 Sa. 2:8)
In John 6:15 we read that Jesus resisted those who wanted to install him as king by force. Jesus Christ would not want to be the king of the Jews under their terms. "How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" (Matt.26:53-54-NKJV)
It allowed no room for compromise. Temporal powers like of Imperial Rome are 'tares slipped in by the enemy'.
"For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."
Here we are looking at the Parable of Jesus where the field is the world. The sower in the Gospel of St Mathew is God and the good seed is the word of God. St Matthew gives us four types of the ground that received it. In the parlance of the Spirit Number 4 is the word of God being true whether in north, south east or west.
Whereas the key verse quoted from St Mark speaks of the earth that abides forever.(Ec.1:4) God framed the worlds by his word so the writer to the Hebrews gives the will of God having an effect (He.11:3). It is faith of God given its full scope so there is no correction, or modification would be required. Consequently the entire divine Will beginning to show in a sequence,- and there be no variation. First the blade then the ear and so on. St Mark lays emphasis on eternal nature of the word of God, faith and hearts of men, which God formed alike.(Ps.33:15) So it is not an objective lesson from the nature that we are looking at. It is about Christ as the head and of the church.
This idea we find in the creation account, where 'seed in itself' speaks of a holy family, "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so."(Ge.1:11) God commanded and the effect we read thus:"And it was so." Heaven signifies the will of God and the earth represented by the Son, (the visible image of the invisible God-Col.1:15) sets forth a chain of sequences that we call the church, or in whom is the seed of truth. Full corn in the ear is when 'the one seated upon the throne shall say, "It is done." "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end."
Secondly similitude works because the Son is the heir to all things "that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him."(Col.1:16). During the revolt of Miriam God revealed what Moses was in his sight. "And the similitude of the Lord shall he behold."(Nu.11:8).This is the basis for which we find God sending prophets and messengers who serve as a stand-in for the Son. Thus the memorial in heaven the man refers to Adam as the steward appointed by God an office which was not abolished because Adam was expelled from the Garden of Eden. 'I am the Good Shepherd,' establishes that man shall give an account of his stewardship. Parables of Jesus refers to individual accountability.
When Jesus speaks of Abraham and the patriarchs it shall be followed on earth as well. "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven (Matt.8:11)".
We see predestination had found a place for Jesus to partake his last Passover. ( Luke 22:10-13) In Lucan Gospel he sends his disciples accordingly.
When Jesus healed it worked as fulfilment of the will of His Father. "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (Ps.107:20). Presence of God as upheld by His creation required the agency of man step into the breach as God showed the tree that could heal the bitter waters of Marah. Moses did according to the word of God. So did Elisha and many others. The Spirit of the Son inspired them all. What the Psalmist predicted to the advent of the Son came true. Jesus the man healed the man with palsy at the pool of Bethesda. ( John 5:1-30) His faith completed the transaction. Hypocrisy of the Pharisees faulted him because they only saw the outward observance of God's Rest without really entering into it.
"My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house./ With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold."
The Lord's Prayer teaches us "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. " (Matt.6:10). So everything works accordingly. God a Spirit made His will appear and the earth which was without form continually begins to reveal itself. As with the Father Son relationship there is another unity the Spirit in terms of the body,'Thou has prepared'. The principle of Similitude explains this working relationship of the earth to heaven. Framed by the word of God there is nothing outside these two parts.(He.11:3)
Principle of Similitude sets entire kingdom of God on this principle.
Similitude works in terms of the memorial in heaven. The four beasts attest to the glory of God so the creatures represent the face of a lion, a calf, a man and a flying eagle.(Re.4:7)
This validates symbolic value of creatures. A locus classicus is in this passage: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them./And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox./And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den."(Is.11:6-8)
The lion could be a tag for Judah in order to refer the antecedence of Jesus to David. Or the young lion referring to King Cyrus.(Je.50:19).The calf and its variants we find, "Ephraim is a trained heifer,(Hos.10:11-NIV). The Spirit uses the persons and nations accordingly to compare the will of God and how it is translated on the earth. From the Isaiah quote we get a capsule history of nati
I am only going by the plain words of Genesis. AFTER THE FALL, Eve got her name because she was the mother of all living. Yes, Paul says Adam was the first MAN, (he does not say or mean there were no humans after Jesus, and presumably does not necessarily mean there were no humans before Adam.) So humanity, before Adam and Eve, were nothing more than glorified animals that God decided to make in His image. You can reject science if you want, but it is almost universally accepted that humanity has been around for hundreds of thousands of years so you'll only be ridiculed by people who know better. God started His wonderful creation 6000 years ago with Adam to elevate man(kind) into His image. None of this conflicts with a plain reading of Genesis in my view.
The Holy Spirit in organizing the God document gives us spiritual truths from the standpoint of God a Spirit and from the 'only begotten' Son. Fellowship of God is with Man and the latter is no ordinary man but the Word which was in the beginning with God. As John would refer to it," which is in the bosom of the Father"(1:18) we shall come to it anon.
The Spirit sets before us Truth in terms of the Father and from that of the Son. It is this Logos aspect whereby whosoever believes in the Son shall have the Father as well. Whoever has seen the Son has seen the Father as well.( John 14:9). "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son./ Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father."(1 John2:22-23)
Note that the above mentioned quote,-John14:9, it was Jesus of Nazareth who declared it, ie in his humanity. John in his Gospel introduces The Word which is the Law, is Sovereign so we see him as "the Man is the Message". As the Son was in the beginning with God every one of us having received Jesus Christ as our personal Savior was with him from the beginning: Jesus Christ the same yesterday , today and forever.(He.13:8)
It is thus we need study our position. This is graphically set before us in the inaugural vision of Jesus Christ. We are presented with the composite picture of Jesus Christ and the Ancient of days. There is nothing to indicate nail marks of crucifixion other than this:"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore." No more he dies and having perfected with one sacrifice the Word is now in its judgement aspect. "and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword." (Re.1:16-18) The Spirit is annotating the truth: The Word, the Father and the Son are one. "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:"(Is.55:11a) This word points to what ' things which shall be hereafter.' This is what we find in Re.19:13-15
Thank you Giannis for your comprehensive comment on this. It was interesting to learn that the KJB translators used the Septuagint in reference to Matthew 1:23 (from Isaiah 7:14) instead of the Masoretic text.
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God./ The same was in the beginning with God."
In the beginning is a tag by which the Spirit begins the creation account (Ge.1:1) on one part and 'in the beginning John 1:1-2 is the other part. Thus two narrative strands from God the Father and the Son are hinged as one by the tag,'In the beginning'. Similarly the night vision of Daniel (Dan.7:10-13-14) ties up with the inaugural vision of St John. These composite imagery of God and Man allows predestination to work. The same truth whether presented from God or Man is same because the Word which is the word of truth. It sanctifies everyone."They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world./ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth"( John 17:16-17).
The word of truth, and it is what Jesus Christ as the Son of man revealed what was in the bosom of his Father and what are we if we merely treat it literally? Gospel is one but heresies are what man with carnal wisdom make of it. "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matt.12:34)" A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.( Luke 6:45)
The Israelites are camped east of the Jordan on the plains of Moab. Over the next 40 days, Moses will teach this new generation how God had brought them out of Egypt with mighty miracles, how God spoke to Moses on Mt. Sinai, commissioning Moses to deliver His Law and the terms of the covenant God will make with the nation, how the nation rebelled at the border of the promised land and thus spent 40 years wandering in the desert until all who came out of Egypt over the age of 20 died.
This is a new generation, the oldest being below the age of 40 with the exception of Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. Most did not personally experience the miraculous exodus from Egypt nor the events at Sinai. It was important for this generation to receive instruction as to the covenant and law given to the nation, be reminded about the promises God had made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to learn from Moses how to live in relationship to God.
Moses knew that His life was almost at its end. God had said so. He must give over this people he has led for 40 years to Joshua and Caleb and Eleazar. But ultimately, he gives them over in submission to God. He knew that there was much to relay to this nation and so most likely he wanted to be sure to put first things first in what he delivered to the people. He needed to follow the lead of God in all of this and not seek his own way.
I believe we both was sending our messages at the same time.
I was in the middle of a 3 page message answering your question on carnal approach.
I took a break from further readings until now.
After reading your messages I wish I hadn't answered that and walked away.
God bless.
This came up as a suggestion from the tribe of Manasseh rather than God telling Moses to speak about this possible situation. But when Moses spoke this out as new commandment, it says in verse 5 that it was the command of the Lord. If so, then God wanted the tribes to remain genetically separate from one another. There would be specific tribal physical characteristics passed on within tribes distinguishing one tribal ancestry.
I can understand the concerns of the tribe of Manasseh (specifically the family of Gideon) of how intermarriage would alter the allotments of land that were decided by lots (by the change that God chose). I am not sure how long this commandment was followed after the tribes settled but perhaps the story of Ruth is an example of this with Boaz being a kinsmen redeemer from the tribe of Naomi and thus able to redeem the inheritance of Naomi's sons through Ruth's marriage to Boaz.
I believe that this commandment concerning marriage was important for the time of the settling of the land of Canaan, but I don't think it is necessarily a ban on intermarriage of people from different cultures or races. It does shadow the recommendation of Paul.
Sorry but you are taking this verse out of context Jordyn. This verse doesn't say one could come into the Kingdom by what was written in Moses and the prophets.
( Acts 28:23)
It says Paul testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, (which is the Torah the first five books of the Bible), and out of the prophets, this is all the prophets who have books written in the Old Testament, or in the Hebrew manuscripts.
The word (testified) is #1263; it means to attest or protest earnestly, charge, witness, to be a witness, testify, give (evidence) bear record, be well reported of.
Paul was pretty much preaching the kingdom of God convincing them concerning Jesus.
The word (persuading) is #3982; it means to convince (by argument, true or false) to assent (to evidence or authority) to rely (by inward certainty) assure, believe, confidence, trust.
Blessings to you Jordyn.
Without reading all of what you and Chris discussed, I've looked over what you have given me.
I believe the hang up is a portion of verse 15 you singled out. ( TO HAVE THESE THINGS ALWAYS IN REMEMBRANCE)
So I tracked backwards to see what " These things" are, that Peter is talking about. Start at verse 13.
Here's how that went.
2 Peter 1:13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in REMEMBRANCE;
2 Peter 1:12Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in REMEMBRANCE OF THESE THINGS,
2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do THESE THINGS, ye shall never fall:
2 Peter 1:9. But he that lacketh THESE THINGS....
2 Peter 1:8. For if THESE THINGS be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If we keep on backtracking we come to what these things are in verses five through verse seven. I will highlight them with caps.
2 Peter 1:5-7.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith VIRTUE; and to virtue KNOWLEDGE;
And to knowledge TEMPERANCE; and to temperance PATIENCE; and to patience GODLINESS;
And to godliness BROTHERLY KINDNESS; and to brotherly kindness CHARITY.
(For if THESE THINGS be in you), and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jimbob I'm not sure if I grasp you but it seems Peter is talking about what accompanies salvation.
God has given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: that by these we might be partakers of the divine nature,
verses 3 and 4.
This doesn't seem to be talking about any writings unless I am missing your point.
God bless.
If I may; Adam named the woman, his wife God made from him Eve, translated mother of all living is fulfilled after the flood. Only eight people were saved in the ark, they are Noah, his wife, his three sons, and their wives. All these are descendants of Adam and Eve that make all living today are from Adam and Eve making her the mother of all living.
The Bible gives us a record of the line from Adam to Jesus and there is much we have not been told. What we have been given in Scripture is God's plan, the foretelling of the coming of the Messiah Jesus, the plan of our salvation. There are many ideas, speculations, or interpretations out there. Our imaginations can create many inventive ideas about what is not covered.
We read in 1 Cor. 15:47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. Adam was the first man and Jesus was the second man. This is about us being mortal/earthy with the curse that was put on the first Adam who sinned and our way of obtaining eternal life and victory over death that comes only through the second man, our Lord Jesus Christ, not that Adam was the first man on earth. They are also called the first Adam and the last Adam 1 Cor. 15:45.
My understanding God created the heavens where is the sun, moon, stars, planets, and our earth and all that is in it in six days, with no gaps, or any evolution involved, and when He saw everything, He had made He said it was very good, end of the sixth day and God rested on the seventh day.
Could there have been people who were created on the sixth day and Adam and Eve were after the seventh day being part of God's plan for God knows the beginning from the end? Scripture will tell you, not science.
Our studies of Genesis 1,2,3, should not cause any doubt in the word of God, everything before the flood God destroyed. All living is from Adam and Eve, one race, made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.
God bless,
RLW
Can one take ONLY Mosses and the Prophets and come to TRUTH about the Kingdom of God?
Acts 28:23 And when he had appoint them a day, there came many unto his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the Kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Mosses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.
There was no KJB or New testament; YET, one could come into the Kingdom by what was written in Mosses and the Prophets.
I study only the KJB; BUT,
1 John 2:27 The anointing which you have received of him ABIDETH IN YOU ...... the same anointing WILL TEACH YOU ALL THINGS ........ after all: HE IS THE WORD ............
God Bless YOU!
Hello Spencer its good to here from you, although not addressed to me I think I'll respond to your comment.
You said "I also believe this clearly refers to the OT prophets and writers that were inspired and moved by God's Spirit to pen these holy words". These holy words ( 2 Pet 1:19-21) were penned by Peter whose book is in the New Testament not the OT.
I think you may have just mis spoke on that one Spencer.
You and brother Chris have said this verse ((clearly)) refers to the OT prophets. Would you please show, (using scripture) how you get this verse (clearly) refers to the OT prophets? I have not seen that yet.
If we start reading the book of 2 Peter from verse #1 we can (clearly) see ( 2 Pet 1:1-4) this chapter is prophecy for this time period as well as for the people of the time it was written.
( 2 Pet 1:5-10) These verses are (clearly) prophecy written for us today. The first verse says ( 2 Pet 1:1) "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, TO THEM THAT HAVE OBTAINED LIKE PRECIOUS FAITH with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ" This is prophecy for us today! (Those who have obtained precious faith in Jesus Christ)
( 2 Pet 1:15) "Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease ((to have these things always in remembrance))
TO HAVE THESE THINGS ALWAYS! This is prophecy for us today as well as for those who have lived after Peter's decease, and before us.
When Peter wrote this book Christ had already been Risen for more than 50 years.
Why would Peter be writing this about the OT prophets at that time? And here we are reading it today. They only had the Hebrew manuscripts at that time ( 2 Pet 1:20) Tells us "that no (prophecy) (of the scripture) is of any private interpretation". ((OF THE SCRIPTURE)) We have that scripture today, do we not?
It is not of private interpretation because holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
The KJB IS INSPIRED BY GOD!
Blessings to you Spencer.
Thank you for sharing this about your childhood. So sorry it happened to you that way. I can tell that God is healing you and is with you in your daily life. I will be praying for you. Even though the abuse ended, the wounds continue long after, so I do pray for further healing and that you serve your mother in love all the days she has remaining. May you both be blessed by our wonderful Savior with healing of these wounds, forgiveness for the offenses, and restoration between you and your mother.
Again, thanks for sharing.
i am so glad to hear that you will be visiting you Mom today! Praise the Lord always!
I am happy to partner with others here in prayer.
2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. I also believe this clearly refers to the OT prophets & writers that were inspired & moved by God's Spirit to pen these holy words.
The example you have given in these two Scriptures: Genesis 24:16 and Isaiah 7:14
. "Virgin" is in both references as given by the KJB translators, yet in Hebrew the words are different: the first one is 'bethulah' & the other 'almah'. Why did the translators not give different English words for each of those verses, but just used 'virgin'?
And also, Giannis explanation; "The Hbr should be translated as " young woman", not "virgin", that is why there is a difference from Genesis 24:16. This is how it is always written in the Hebrew Bibles (Tanakh).
I have the word in the Hebrew as 'almah'. (but dogmatic). meaning "Virgin. As Giannis said, Matthew follows the Septuagint text of the Old Testament, and in the Septuagint, it is written "the virgin."
Some has used this "SO CALLED DISCREPENCY" to attack the virgin birth and a person like me wouldn't know how to defend it being that I don't know Hebrew or Greek outside of helps and research.
So, that causes me to leave off the translations drama and go to the prophet and prophecy in Isaiah 7:14 and giving thought to what 2 Peter 1:21 is saying and its meaning.
In Isaiah 7:11 the Lord prompts Ahaz to "Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above.
Vs 13 God draws the attention to the house of David.
Vs 14 God gives them a sign. "Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.
This wouldn't be much of a sign if it was a mere young woman. However, it draws one's attention if it is a virgin being mentioned.
God's truth can be found even if the translation or our ability to translate is imperfect.
God bless
Hebrews 4:3 For we which have BELIEVED do enter into REST (the sabbath), as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall ENTER IN TO MY (the sabbath) REST; although the WORKS were FINISHED from the foundations of the world.
Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the GOSPEL preached, as well (as it was preached) TO THEM ......
We are just playing out what has ALREADY been written.
God's will is BEING DONE.
We are JUST POTS being CONFORMED into the IMAGE of Christ. From the first man TIL the last man.
Revelation 22:13 "I AM " Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the FIRST and the LAST.
Romans 8:29 .... he did PREDESTINATE to be CONFORMED to the IMAGE of son.
Job 38:7 When all the morning stars SANG TOGETHER (all became ONE), the SONS of GOD (all became ONE) shouted for joy?
John 17:22 And the GLORY that thou hast GIVEN ME, I HAVE GIVEN THEM (finished from the foundations of the world), that they may be ONE, even as WE ARE ONE.
Psalms 46:10 Be still and know "I AM" God ......
Isaiah 26:3 Thou will KEEP HIM in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee .....
God Bless YOU!
I would like to add a thought to what has already has been shared,, taking it from another angle.
Romans 5:12-14 states as follows;
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
NEVERTHELESS DEATH REIGNED FROM ADAM TO MOSES, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
Being that by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,
Isn't it reasonable to think that if there were men and women before Adam that this plague of sin and death would have passed over them? They wouldn't have suffered death and would still be amongst us.
WE ARE DESCENDENTS OF ADAM.
1 Corinthians 15:45-49. "And so it is written, THE FIRST MAN "Adam" was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. "Jesus".
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
AND AS WE HAVE BORNE THE IMAGE OF THE EARTHY, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
God bless.
Write
"And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."
Blessed are they, which are called. This calling is one aspect of salvation. How does one receive it? what signifies preaching the word is all about hearing it well, loud and clear. St Paul advises Timothy of minding his calling. "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine." This is what gospel, the good news should sound to those whose hearts are right before God. How does the ear receive it? Faith comes by hearing, hearing the word of God.(2 Ti.4:2-5-ESV;Ro.10:17). God fashioned all hearts alike but in the matter of hearing it is unequal. How so? St Paul warns Timothy in the same letter thus, "But having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, / and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. " "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you?"(Gal.3:1-3)
Jesus had warned, "For many are called, but few are chosen."(Matt.22:14)
On account of this split, -the ear hears the truth which however is garbled so as to believe in myths is disaster for many, which helps us to focus on the imperative of the written word. The eternal word settled in the heavens is called the testimony. For this reason we hear it in many passages. "These are the true sayings of God."
St John would have worshipped the angel but he reveals what he really is. He is one among the many witness thus called even as he is. This cloud in a manner of speaking is the body oof Christ on the make. "And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God:: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." (19:10).
"Write" (2 of 2)
The Lamb was a symbol in the will of the Father and in human likeness he was the Lamb of God which in the testimony of John the Baptist we know as true.( John 1:29). St John in his gospel explains that he was Logos aspect of God. He was the word become flesh and in his vicarious death and resurrection he established the word of God forever settled in heaven as the Law. (Ps.119:89) (The throne of God and of the Lamb in eternity establish Christ as the Head, and the church as signs and wonders. Taken together these thrones speak of Fellowship of God with Man,- where the overcomers are his spiritual body)
When God showed Moses the pattern in heaven it was the Fellowship of God with Man according to the everlasting covenant. It has never been laid aside or abrogated because of man's infirmity of corporal nature. The great cloud of witnesses of souls redeemed from the earth we see in the vision of Daniel and in Ezekiel. It is curiously absent in the vision of St John we covered in these posts. Instead we have them represented as seven stars 'in my right hand" and the seven golden candlesticks.
We note the same mode of narrative: the church of saints redeemed from the earth are catalogued according to their strengths and blemishes as seven candlesticks. At the end of each message objective warning "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh...etc.," It is similar to charge given to Ezekiel, "And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious."(Ez.2:7) God's grace is for hearts that are willing and desirous of victory.
At the end of seven messages we have the door opened giving us the role of heart as door leading to the highway between heaven and the earth. Abiding life and what shall follow thereafter is in this passage Re.3:20-23.
"Write"
"Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;/ The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches."(1:19-20)
In the vision of the Book with seven seals we were shown that the Lamb alone was found worthy, and it is not merely by his circumstance of being a symbol in the divine Will. Yes he was 'the Lamb as it had been slain,'. But he is also an overcomer to which the one of the four and twenty elders alludes, "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof."(Re.5:4-8). The phrase 'prevailed to open the book' is his credential and the Spirit in giving his human antecedents in the same quote gives us what it meant to be the author and finisher of our faith. In the tableau presented therein we covered the body and spirit and in this post we shall cover the soul aspect. When God says, "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them./ And God blessed them." He was specific when he blessed 'them'. For he said, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth."(1:28) Subdue it as an overcomer 'as the Lamb as it had been' prevailed over sin of disobedience. Body Spirit and soul of man, in short is held a memorial in heaven as was in the will of God Almighty.
Hi Friends
Ephesians 2:1-5
speaks of past tense, so there's a question one must ask themselves, are you still a sinner? & if so, than if stands according to Scripture & sound reasoning that, that person is still walking according to the course of this world, to the prince of the power of the air & is still a child of disobedience. Still having their conversations in the lust of the flesh & fulfilling the desires of the flesh & of the mind. & by nature a child of wrath, therefore one is not in Christ & no new creature, though they say they are, yet their a liar & know Him not, by not keeping His commandments.
The cause & effect of this is that one has not contended for the Faith that was once delivered to the saints, but has received the doctrine & teaching of men, who's learning is by letter that sprung up in the apostasy, who have turn the Grace of God into lascivious, & denying the only Lord God & Jesus Christ who He has sent, though they may ever so zealous profess Him in a knowledge, that's not received by a revelation from His Spirit. 2Cor 4:6,7
Ephesians 2:6-10
Grace appearance to all mankind is the Revelation of Jesus Christ to each individual soul, teaching them to deny all ungodliness & worldly lust & instructs them to live soberly, godly & righteously, Believing that it is He who's within you speaking to you is faith, believing your hearing the Word of God & Obedience to this Word of Faith / GRACE is the good works that were ordained of God that we such walk in them,
It's a good work to cast down all imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, denying all ungodliness & worldly lust that spring up within us, bringing every thought to the obedience of Christ by learning to live soberly , godly & righteously as Grace instruct us
This is the working out our Salvation, the Sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience & sprinkling of the Blood/Life of Jesus
For we are His workmanship being created in Christ Jesus unto these good works through the washing of regeneration & renewing of the Holy Ghost & having a readiness to revenge all disobedience when our obedience is fulfilled brings us to be born again through hearing & obedience to the Incorruptible Seed. John 1:13
This is Salvation by Faith through Grace, that is not of ourselves, but is a Gift of God given through His Son, wrought by His Spirit appearance within us.
Matt.13:4
Matt.13: 4
Parable of the Sower: The Wayside
"And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:"(
Jesus himself supplied its significance so we shall stick to what he has meant. He lays different emphasis than the one he said following this. In the Parable of the Tares the field is the world.(13:18) The sower refers to God who made all hearts alike but here the works of man have changed the terrain altogether. Pr.24:30-34. The sluggard has let it to rack and ruin so the fences are down. Of such Prophet Jeremiah qualified that their hearts were treacherous and desperately wicked.(Je.17:9) Their hearts, to all intent and purpose were no man's land. They were willing tools for any ill hatched scheme and served the causes of unclean spirits. In short the heart has become a dwelling place for demons, a haunt for every unclean spirit"(Re.18:2-3) These spirits are birds that devoured the word sown in their hearts..
God formed all hearts alike and tries their work. As in-the case of the Parable of the Talents each of us shall give an account of our works. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways/and my thoughts than your thoughts"(Is.55:9). How miry clay made of the word of God these two millennia ,has shown that Jesus talk and activism arise from hearts desperately wicked. Jesus Christ was manifested to destroy the works of the devil. Without following him and abiding in him there is no way these two ways could be reconciled. As we see the false shepherds who have allied with state ,-whether it is pro-life or Anti- abortion it is contrary to everything that Jesus stood for and set an example. What concord has light with darkness?
It would seem Satan showed Constantine the great an easy way out and he took it, Satan ever since let out bilge beginning with heresis and concord with Belial etc.,
The Worlds
'In the beginning' establishes it is the Will of God we are looking at: the heaven and the earth are the two worlds created and the Spirit from the outset informs us the Son was equally involved in the creation. "All things were made through him."( John 1:3) The logos aspect of the Son serves as the bookend while 'in the beginning' sets the other bookend. The Spirit picks up the role of the Son with the tag 'in the fullness of time' and it is to continue the salvation plan in the core will of the Father.
The Spirit annotated the v.1 in He.11:3 This explains the logos aspect,"the Word was God". Thus the worlds were framed by the word of God. "Darkness was upon the deep"and here we have the verse from John's Gospel to help us. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."( John 1:5) The Spirit obliquely touches upon the angelic revolt since it is not germane to the Salvation plan which is our focus. St Paul speaks "Or do you not know that the saints shall judge" the world and "do you not know that we are to judge angels?" (1 Co.6:2-3)This being the case all that's needful shall be before us so we may judge justly.
v.2 The earth was without form tells us that we are looking at the will and what were made to appear shall be grouped under seven days. "And the Spirit of God moved upon the waters"(KJV) can be put in terms of the two worlds: the worlds of the Spirit interfacing with that of the natural world. In this context we can follow the drive of the Spirit "Let there be light " and its effect we see in all creation. Glory of God is visible outcome of the wisdom and power principle on active mode."And there was light." is the effect.
What holds these worlds as one? Faith is one. Without faith no one shall please God. The world of the Spirit is the envelope of saints for whom death of their corporeal bodies is no matter. They have spiritual body that is called the body of Christ. (2 Co.5:1-3)
Jesus affirmed,"A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."(Matt.7:11) The Spirit introduced in the very outset to establish God as the First Cause and genealogies serve the purpose of creating a holy family from Seth onwards. It is thus predestination works. Many are called but few are chosen because the seed was not in those who did not make their election sure. (Matt.22:14)
Will of God as the cause and the Earth as the effect is neat but because of man's disobedience we have this question from Jesus. "Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" Satan has slipped in tares and what heresies we find in our midst owe to two parallel governances of God and Satan. God shall purge the earth of all tares. "But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men."(2 Pe.3:7)
The Spirit introduced in the creation account seven days, which are the seven pillars of the house that Wisdom has hewn. (Pr.9:1) Think of each pillar as the cause in the divine Will of the Father; each pillar is built up in a sequence,- cause alternating with effect and it shall be a continual process. The writer to the Hebrews speaks about the Son "And upholding all things by the word of his power." God rested from his labors and there is a continual process going on which no one shall ever know unless it is revealed to him. Hannah in her new song sings thus, "For the pillars of the earth are the Lord's, and he hath set the world upon them."( 1 Sa. 2:8)
In John 6:15 we read that Jesus resisted those who wanted to install him as king by force. Jesus Christ would not want to be the king of the Jews under their terms. "How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" (Matt.26:53-54-NKJV)
It allowed no room for compromise. Temporal powers like of Imperial Rome are 'tares slipped in by the enemy'.
"Full Corn In The Ear" (1 of 2)
"For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."
Here we are looking at the Parable of Jesus where the field is the world. The sower in the Gospel of St Mathew is God and the good seed is the word of God. St Matthew gives us four types of the ground that received it. In the parlance of the Spirit Number 4 is the word of God being true whether in north, south east or west.
Whereas the key verse quoted from St Mark speaks of the earth that abides forever.(Ec.1:4) God framed the worlds by his word so the writer to the Hebrews gives the will of God having an effect (He.11:3). It is faith of God given its full scope so there is no correction, or modification would be required. Consequently the entire divine Will beginning to show in a sequence,- and there be no variation. First the blade then the ear and so on. St Mark lays emphasis on eternal nature of the word of God, faith and hearts of men, which God formed alike.(Ps.33:15) So it is not an objective lesson from the nature that we are looking at. It is about Christ as the head and of the church.
This idea we find in the creation account, where 'seed in itself' speaks of a holy family, "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so."(Ge.1:11) God commanded and the effect we read thus:"And it was so." Heaven signifies the will of God and the earth represented by the Son, (the visible image of the invisible God-Col.1:15) sets forth a chain of sequences that we call the church, or in whom is the seed of truth. Full corn in the ear is when 'the one seated upon the throne shall say, "It is done." "And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end."
Secondly similitude works because the Son is the heir to all things "that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him."(Col.1:16). During the revolt of Miriam God revealed what Moses was in his sight. "And the similitude of the Lord shall he behold."(Nu.11:8).This is the basis for which we find God sending prophets and messengers who serve as a stand-in for the Son. Thus the memorial in heaven the man refers to Adam as the steward appointed by God an office which was not abolished because Adam was expelled from the Garden of Eden. 'I am the Good Shepherd,' establishes that man shall give an account of his stewardship. Parables of Jesus refers to individual accountability.
When Jesus speaks of Abraham and the patriarchs it shall be followed on earth as well. "And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven (Matt.8:11)".
We see predestination had found a place for Jesus to partake his last Passover. ( Luke 22:10-13) In Lucan Gospel he sends his disciples accordingly.
When Jesus healed it worked as fulfilment of the will of His Father. "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions (Ps.107:20). Presence of God as upheld by His creation required the agency of man step into the breach as God showed the tree that could heal the bitter waters of Marah. Moses did according to the word of God. So did Elisha and many others. The Spirit of the Son inspired them all. What the Psalmist predicted to the advent of the Son came true. Jesus the man healed the man with palsy at the pool of Bethesda. ( John 5:1-30) His faith completed the transaction. Hypocrisy of the Pharisees faulted him because they only saw the outward observance of God's Rest without really entering into it.
Similitude
"My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house./ With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the Lord shall he behold."
The Lord's Prayer teaches us "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. " (Matt.6:10). So everything works accordingly. God a Spirit made His will appear and the earth which was without form continually begins to reveal itself. As with the Father Son relationship there is another unity the Spirit in terms of the body,'Thou has prepared'. The principle of Similitude explains this working relationship of the earth to heaven. Framed by the word of God there is nothing outside these two parts.(He.11:3)
Principle of Similitude sets entire kingdom of God on this principle.
Similitude works in terms of the memorial in heaven. The four beasts attest to the glory of God so the creatures represent the face of a lion, a calf, a man and a flying eagle.(Re.4:7)
This validates symbolic value of creatures. A locus classicus is in this passage: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them./And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox./And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den."(Is.11:6-8)
The lion could be a tag for Judah in order to refer the antecedence of Jesus to David. Or the young lion referring to King Cyrus.(Je.50:19).The calf and its variants we find, "Ephraim is a trained heifer,(Hos.10:11-NIV). The Spirit uses the persons and nations accordingly to compare the will of God and how it is translated on the earth. From the Isaiah quote we get a capsule history of nati
The Word (2 of 2)
The Holy Spirit in organizing the God document gives us spiritual truths from the standpoint of God a Spirit and from the 'only begotten' Son. Fellowship of God is with Man and the latter is no ordinary man but the Word which was in the beginning with God. As John would refer to it," which is in the bosom of the Father"(1:18) we shall come to it anon.
The Spirit sets before us Truth in terms of the Father and from that of the Son. It is this Logos aspect whereby whosoever believes in the Son shall have the Father as well. Whoever has seen the Son has seen the Father as well.( John 14:9). "Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son./ Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father."(1 John2:22-23)
Note that the above mentioned quote,-John14:9, it was Jesus of Nazareth who declared it, ie in his humanity. John in his Gospel introduces The Word which is the Law, is Sovereign so we see him as "the Man is the Message". As the Son was in the beginning with God every one of us having received Jesus Christ as our personal Savior was with him from the beginning: Jesus Christ the same yesterday , today and forever.(He.13:8)
It is thus we need study our position. This is graphically set before us in the inaugural vision of Jesus Christ. We are presented with the composite picture of Jesus Christ and the Ancient of days. There is nothing to indicate nail marks of crucifixion other than this:"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore." No more he dies and having perfected with one sacrifice the Word is now in its judgement aspect. "and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword." (Re.1:16-18) The Spirit is annotating the truth: The Word, the Father and the Son are one. "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:"(Is.55:11a) This word points to what ' things which shall be hereafter.' This is what we find in Re.19:13-15
"The Word"
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God./ The same was in the beginning with God."
In the beginning is a tag by which the Spirit begins the creation account (Ge.1:1) on one part and 'in the beginning John 1:1-2 is the other part. Thus two narrative strands from God the Father and the Son are hinged as one by the tag,'In the beginning'. Similarly the night vision of Daniel (Dan.7:10-13-14) ties up with the inaugural vision of St John. These composite imagery of God and Man allows predestination to work. The same truth whether presented from God or Man is same because the Word which is the word of truth. It sanctifies everyone."They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world./ Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth"( John 17:16-17).
The word of truth, and it is what Jesus Christ as the Son of man revealed what was in the bosom of his Father and what are we if we merely treat it literally? Gospel is one but heresies are what man with carnal wisdom make of it. "You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matt.12:34)" A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.( Luke 6:45)