Bible Questions Page 3

  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.21:22 "Power, glory and faith"

    "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive."

    'All things' are included here. Worlds framed by the word of God are heaven and the earth that is the world abides forever so blessings of every one who is adopted the fellowship of God and the Son is entitled to it. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"(Ro.8:32) As children of light we ought to be circumspect to seek not the selfsame things as the ungodly in a frenzy rush in madcap adventures that eventually drive them to their destruction. "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:/Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world."(2 Pe.1:3-4)
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.21:15-16 "Perfecting praise"

    "And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?"

    Jesus cites from Psalm 8 the glory set above the heaven and it refers to the throne of God. When Jesus said on an earlier occasion,"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven" he referred to the glory which had ordained strength (19:14) in them 'because of thine enemies' and it was demonstrated along the march. "And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest./And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved."(vv.9-10) We shall refer the Lucan gospel, "And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples./ And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out."( Luke 19:39-40).

    God gives each body its character " But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him" (1 Co.15:38). These bodies do differ but in terms of glory it points to God whether inanimate or not. It is why Jesus referred to the stones. If the enemies of God were to deny the Son the glory due the stones shall nevertheless take it up for perfecting the praise due to Him. The point is that glory of God when understood correctly is an indication that the body is one with God. This shall also explain why the fig tree withered away. (vv.18-20). Jesus hungered and went to the tree. It failed to see the God of glory. In failing to perfect praise the tree straightaway withered away.

    Compare the saying of John the Baptist," And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham."(3:9)
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.20:15-16 Thine eye being evil"

    "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?/So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen."

    God is the householder and when we have become the many sons of God we may say we are of his house and our rights and privileges are that conferred by his Son. "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."( Luke 12:32). This aspect of kingdom building is what we considered in the earlier posts. We ministered with the Son who showed with his life as to how. "And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant." (20:27) Holiness of God is made manifest because He sent his own Son whose humanity showed what was good.

    In the Parable of the Laborers the willing hands were for hire and nothing else they brought into the vineyard. All they had in mind was merely a penny as the day's wages. They were hireling while Jesus as the Good Shepherd is not working for his hire but he seeks to promote the interest of his Father. He knows the sheep by name so his interests and of his Father are in lockstep. "And know my sheep, and am known of mine./ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. ( John 10:14-15) Kingdom building cannot be left to the hirelings because they are not trustworthy if left to themselves. An hireling "seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep./The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep."(vv.12-13). For this reason the Householder calls their eye is evil. Their heart is not right since they are in the vineyard for the penny they agreed upon. Salvation is likened to a day's wages.

    v.14 Hierarchy on the basis of hours is a lie if the contract stipulated day's wages only. Similarly the Pope and the sexton can only be paid what is agreed before hand.
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.20:25-28 "It shall not be so"

    " Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (v.28)

    It is a categorical statement and rules of engagement in the Kingdom of his dear Son vastly differs from that of the pagan world. We shall see the damage done already by the miry clay so the strength of iron has become as oppressive as the weakness of clay has made their creed,-the liturgical worship of the congregation akin to the mumbo jumbo to which Jesus alluded,"But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking." This vain repetition consequently has made the faith they rely on to none effect. The same Scripture the imposter church follows as a believer yet so many doctrinal heresies would require so many denominations ,-and the religious wars of the past and inquisition with its instruments of cruelty that one may ask, "Is Christ so divided among you?" Jesus set an example but still the princes of the Holy See and TV celebrities overlord their flock as though they were entitled to have different rules than they impose on other. Jesus has clearly shown us an example.

    "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them./ But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister;/ And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant."

    Humility of the suffering Servant was not for himself but to give life as ransom for many. Jesus explained the reward of following him through thick and thin. They shall "inherit everlasting life.(19:29). Hope of 'every one that hath forsaken houses' is eternal habitations. "In my Father's house are many mansions". He has also given them a route map. "I am the way." ( John 14:2-6)
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.20:22" Baptism of fire"

    "But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able."

    Having announced what Jerusalem signaled he foresees the fire already kindled. This is what we can gather from the Lucan gospel. ""I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?/ But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!/ Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:" ( Luke 12:49-51)" John the Baptist also had touched upon before Jesus had begun his ministry. He asked 'many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, thus: "Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?"/"And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matt.3:7,10). From the next verse it is very clear that he is referring to the day of wrath.(Mal.3:2) it has several degrees where he sits "as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver," leading to the day of judgment which is 'qualified by 'unquenchable fire.'

    "He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:/ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (3:11-12)

    From these verses we may conclude that Jesus Christ with his resurrection shall present before the Jews and the Gentiles as a stumbling block. Either they will choose or deny him. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."(21:44) His disciples are called to throne of glory where the quality of it is hundredfold meaning whatever they lost in the process was chaff.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.19:25-30 "Hundredfold"

    Peter had chosen life so when great many disciples left Jesus because of his hard sayings ( John 6:67-68( he stuck by the Prince of life. Entering into the kingdom of God appealed to him. So he wanted to know,"what shall we have therefore?" Disciples were curious and on another occasion wanted to know the hour of his coming which the risen Jesus stopped short with a curt answer, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." Before his passion also Jesus did not allow any speculation as to what God held in his authority, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."(Ac.1:7; Matt.24:36). "My Father worketh hitherto and I work" meant heaven and earth were held by the word of God where fulfillment of the divine Will was his part so when the disciples asked,"Who then can be saved?" Jesus shares what was within his authority to answer. Salvation was as entering with Prince of life through a veil so life abundant was the Holy Grail of their ministry with Jesus Christ. Jesus understood he was earnest and despite of his volatility his heart beat ever so true.

    "When the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" was in his authority to give. For this reason even after denying him Jesus entrusts his disciples to his care."Feed my sheep" meant Jesus had completely forgiven his former lapse. Hundredfold is in the sense it did not happen as he was concerned. This explains with the being born again experience. "Therefore if any manbein Christ,he isa new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."(2 Co.5:17) Jesus practiced what he preached. "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."(Matt.18:35)
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.19:1-12

    "He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." (v.12) Compare with this verse, " He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."(Re.3:6). The Spirit places at the end of each message to seven churches where what is revealed to each church hold variations and what does it tell us? "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ./For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit./For the body is not one member, but many"(1 Co.1:12-14).

    The members cannot be members of any other spirit than that of 'one Spirit' which is God. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?"(1 Co.3:16). The stone upon which this temple is being built is in heaven, and the seven pillars are built exact specifications. "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." So gold silver wood that you gather shall be to no avail if you build up on the wrong foundation and the fire shall prove ine day.

    This being the case celibacy gives no one special privilege or honor; for that matter being asexual from birth carries no shame either. "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."(Col.3:17)

    We see through these various sayings a glimpse of the itinerary of Jesus, each step leading closer to the mount Calvary. The Spirit says, "And came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan;/And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.. Jordan serves as a death knell sounded but he as Faithful and true witness brought glory to his Father. "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."(Ps.107:20)
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.19:8 "Hardness of heart" (1 of 2)

    "He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so."

    Everlasting Covenant between Father and Son permeates the entire kingdom so the worlds framed by the word of God has a quality that a servant cannot appreciate. "And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever."( John 8:35) The earth abides forever and Moses as a servant gave Israel permission to write a bill of divorcement to put away his wife. "But from the beginning it was not so," supplies us the case of Adam who correctly read the role of woman as the bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh' . For the same reason we make a distinction between Jerusalem and New Jerusalem of the heaven. St Paul refers to the House with Seven pillars that Wisdom built and it is in heaven. "But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all."(Gal.4:26; Pr.9:1).

    Israel did not simply backslid but heart was no right before God so simply shut out what was open before them. In their refusal to enter we may use the example of Onan whose wickedness prevented from performing his duties as a man.( Ge. 38:10).

    In what way Evangelicals refuse to look to Jesus Christ as the author and finisher of faith? What worth is culture war when the risen Christ stands at the door and knock They refuse to let him in because they do not love him with all their heart and their might. Why they will be rejected is given in this saying, " Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." (Matt.25:41-46) In refusing 'one of the least of these my brethren' they shall be cast into outer darkness where thy rightly belong. Their heart was not right; while life eternal means inheriting 'the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world"
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.19:6 "God and man" (1 of 2)

    "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

    Everlasting covenant is between God and the Man who is none other than the Son. Consequently it is between two equals. When the Word became flesh the same two principles were also invested in the believer. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." ( John 1:12) This power must work throughly so when one claims," Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven./ Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?" (Matt.7:21-23). What is the response of Jesus? "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Power that a believer handles is a live wire and what Christ knocking at the door (Re.3:20) is to caution him to handle this power to profit. "But when the multitudes saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men." So power principle gives man force and authority coming from grace and truth. So this principle coupled with wisdom lifts man despite of his vile body into the Covenant and he is represented in the Man component. No other way he could be truly called a son of God. John's quote tells us that.

    The will of God established ' the one flesh' so when Adam woke from his deep sleep correctly identified Eve's role. "And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh."(Ge.2:23) Wisdom principle is at work and the Spirit clothes the Covenant having power on man, and it is in similitude, of the Bride of Christ. The crowd glorified God when Jesus healed. John saw the selfsame glory of the flesh, ( John 1:14)
  • Tdianne on Hebrews 6 - 3 weeks ago
    how do I know if the Holy spirit is inside me?
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.18:22-23 "Taking account" (1 of 2)

    "Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven./Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants."

    'Therefore' preceding the verse connects the verse before which gives us the Perfect number 7 and multiples of it. Kingdom of heaven calls for accounts which is directly pendent to the everlasting covenant drawn up in 'seven' days. God blessed His servants in manifold ways covered by verses in Ge.1:3- till 2:3. In the Parable of Jesus he refers God's commandment to man is service. He is the steward. Adam is a representational figure.(Ge.1:28) These are the Abstract and God shall require of his servants the proof of their service. Seventy is a man's life ("The days of our years are threescore years and ten,"-Ps.90:10). In short seventy years signifies the end times so when Jesus appointed seventy 'other' disciples he is referring to the everlasting gospel.( Luke 10:1)

    The Spirit gives us an example of the Min-Max mode of narrative where a specific even veers of to the end times. Malachi 3:1 is a classic example. How we serve today is set in direct frame of reference to the Judgement so without abiding in Christ as so many branches to the true vine we are like the servant who hid his talent in the ground. ( John 15:3)

    How does the talent is converted into the quality of service that one does? Gifts of the Spirit is given for building up each servant as well as for the common good. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal."(1 Co.12:7). And it is towards the one body to which gifts severally given to each member should count. In short no one may dare offending the will of God by serving as he pleases but according to 1 John 5:7-8.Both heaven and the earth must agree. "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body"(v.13)
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.18:35 "The Spirit of life"

    "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses."

    The Lord of the servant in the parable showed compassion as blessings of God come down from the greater to the lesser. Compassion as a facet of holiness of God is another manner love is irradiated as the cut diamond throws up several colors each from one single source of light. God as the Father of lights manifested so Jesus Christ is the true Light is the prism that provides us the glory of God into our individual spiritual space. The servant who hid his one talent did not detract from the glory but proved he was worthy of damnation.

    The rich man 'clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day' that was very well and good as far as the intrinsic value of a talent goes, but the sin crept in when he shut off Lazarus from his sights, and he denied the Spirit of life that bound him came from the same God who gave life as a blessing. In denying his presence was an insult to His holiness. He was no better than the Rich Fool in the parable. "Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin." (Jas.4:17)

    Coming back to the Parable the egregious blunder of the unforgiving servant was that he shut out the inestimable riches the Lord held in reserve. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."(1 Co.2:9). The Lord showed pity on him because of his flesh. The Spirit of life nevertheless was the power with which he could have mountains in his service. No his eye was all focused on a paltry debt. (1 Co.4:7-9) "not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another./ For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory"
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Re.11:7 "The beast" (2 of 2)

    The kingdom entrusted to Jesus was not of this world. "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." ( John 18:36). God made angels spirits and ministers flaming fire, which Elisha could see for which faith is required. Instead what does the false prophet do? "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." The source for this elsewhere and like the magicians in the court of Pharaoh resisted Moses and God. Similarly the beast wields people power while the anti-Christ spoke as the dragon would, "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (Re.13:11,13)

    With this background the early church had to contend with the Jews, "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie."(Re.3:9) Herod had spawned a political movement. Authority of Herod was as with the beast came from Satan. "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." 42 months include such temporal powers, each one resisting God. Nationalism of the Idumaean line was propped up by Imperial Rome. And is it of any surprise when Christianity became the official religion, and absorbed the culture of the Church of Rome,- Christian nationalism and culture wars are tares planted by the enemy.

    "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."(12:11) The two witnesses, 'loved not their lives unto the death'. Jesus assures, " For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."(Matt.16:25)
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Re.11:7 "The beast" (1 of 2)

    "The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."

    First point to note is that the beast is a composite figure as the two witnesses represent the saints to whom Jesus Christ gave power according to the promise of God, and are called and blessed in his Son.. "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies."(Ps.110:2) These enemies on the earth are caused by 'the war in heaven.'(Re.12:7). And the consequence of it we read in v.12. "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

    This short time is clearly set by the Spirit even as the earthly ministry of Jesus and of the two witnesses. 42 is a number designated by God so the time of the Gentiles or heathen is likewise determined. John was sent as a messenger who was killed by the sword. Herod Antipas, it must be stressed was a vassal king to Caligula as another Herod, Herod Agrippa would have James killed. One killed because of his oath and the other killed James because he wanted to please the crowd. in whichever case the beast is associated with qualities totally antithetical to Jesus. The beast rising out of the sea (Re.13:1) is from below the earth as Jesus is from heaven. He is the king," The Lord sitteth upon the flood."(Ps.29:10) What is the characteristic of the sea? The beast represent the wicked," But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt."(Is.57:20). While we have the likes of Herod whose power is derived from some one else as enemies to Christ, the two witnesses represent an angel a man so the golden reed is their measurement and signify the everlasting gospel entrusted to them. Herod also gave rise to a political movement in the days of Jesus. (Matt.22:15-16)
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Re.11:3 "The Two witnesses" (1of 2)

    "And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth."(11:3)

    Who is the authority to confer power on men but the Lord from heaven, who is heavenly? "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth." The risen Christ in his humanity was the Word become flesh, so his authority stretched from Alpha the beginning. In his Ascension he was to be seated on the right hand of the Most High so Omega aspect, the ending referred to fulfilling the divine Will of his Father. " Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power"(Ps.110:1-3). Firstly the two witnesses belong to 'thy people'. These were given to the Son. "and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are."( John 17:11)

    The chapter began with a golden reed and the angel directing John what to leave out and what to include requires attention. "for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months." This reed is a single measurement. "And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."(Re.21:17) Gold signifies faith and here single measurement is of the angel,- the fellow-servant of John and of the man to whom the Son has given authority. Power of the little ones and their angels positioned to behold the face of the Father always defines the golden reed. Every other scale is false.

    Prophesy is another feature and the two witnesses would do it for "a thousand two hundred and threescore days. "For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John."(Matt.11:11)

    The days is a tag supplied the Spirit to indicate the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ. By the same token the Gentiles are allowed to operate for 42 months. This conflict reveals two laws, of the Spirit and of the sin.
  • GiGi - 3 weeks ago
    Can Sarcasm be sinful?

    Let us consider our use of sarcasm as individuals. Does your sarcastic remarks promote was is spoken of in these passages or do they work counter to the objective of these passages?

    Eph. 4:1-3

    "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of your vocation wherewith ye are called, with lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

    Does one's sarcasm promote unity or divide, peace or disturbance in relationship?

    Is the sarcasm proceed from lowliness and meekness or does it proceed from pridefulness and self-elevation over another?

    Does the sarcasm come forth from longsuffering or is it reactive, a "come back at ya", response? Is it winsome in its intent and effect entreating the other to holy fellowship? Does it show forbearance with another in love or is it" touchy" and self-serving?

    Eph. 4:29

    "Let no corrupt (unholy) communication proceed from your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."

    Is one's sarcasm holy or unholy speech? Does it honor God and respect the person spoken to? Does it build up or tear down the hearer? Does it hurt or heal the hearer? Does it promote equalness in the relationship or does it inflate the speaker to the detriment of the hearer? Does it seek to be cooperative rather than competitive (getting to "one-up" another or win in a discussion)?

    Eph. 5:4

    "..Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient, but rather of giving of thanks."

    Is one's sarcasm sober and mindful or foolish talking? Does it make fun of another or "jest" in a way that the other person doesn't like? Are you really "just Kidding, joking, or being humorous" in a mutually humorous and receptive conversation or does the sarcasm come from irritation, anger, or wanting to get at the hearer to put them down or shut them up?

    cont.
  • MotherMac - 3 weeks ago
    the "two clouds of witnesses?

    Are you talking about the carnal

    view ofChrist and the Devine view

    of Christ? Am I mixed up?
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.18:13 "Joy in heaven" (2 of 2)

    The same hour is a tag set by the Spirit so comparing spiritual with spiritual we are on the right track to explain the two witnesses in terms of Jesus Christ. "And the same hour was there a great earthquake,"(Re.11:13) for instance is the duration of his ministry and the two witnesses are part of his earthly ministry. In short the work of the Son as the Word become flesh has to incorporate the divine will of the Father. One cannot be without the other since it explains the rationale of Father who revealed the testimony through an angel as in Re.1:1. It is the glorious gospel of Christ covering two worlds of the Spirit and of the body. Everlasting gospel is another name. Consequently when Jesus rejoiced as quoted from the Lucan gospel refers to the babes, they have their presence before God. Hence Jesus warns,"Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(18:10)

    "And he to whom the Son will reveal him"( Luke 10:22). Jesus as the Good Shepherd came to save the lost. In delivering man who is dead in sin and trespasses he reveals the mercy of his Father. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins/Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." (Ep.2:1-2) What is the significance of quickening one who is dead? Everlasting life proof of which is the believer and his angel in the presence of the Father are aligned without any distortion. "the third part of the stars of heaven" being cast out is how the believers in this world have handled the truth in unrighteousness. How we walk the talk has grave consequences on the cloud of witnesses. (Re.12:4) This explains the joy in heaven over the one sheep lost and found.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.18:13 "Joy in heaven" (1of 2)

    "Verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray." The Spirit is referring the Son who is the Good Shepherd. He is the visible image of the invisible God so all emotions attributed to God must be seen as coming from the Son.

    Similarly the Spirit refers to an hour which is with reference to the ministry of Jesus Christ. "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight./ All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him."( Luke 10:21-22)

    Jesus at the Marriage at Cana referred,"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come."( John 2:4). By the same token he is referring to the wine which is distinctly with reference to the kingdom to come, " But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."(26:29) It is thus the Spirit has organized the Salvation Program of God giving a tag for his ministry and his Father's kingdom. When he explains his work he tells his captors, "but this is your hour, and the power of darkness." Comparing spiritual with spiritual we are on the right track to explain the two witnesses in terms of Jesus Christ. "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand:" the same hour is the duration of his ministry and the two represents the testimony of the Son which his Father. It is same as in Re.1:1. It is the glorious gospel of Christ covering two worlds of the Spirit and of the body. Everlasting gospel is another name.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.18:13 "Lost and Found" (2 of 2)

    Holiness of God is a name, glory of which is invested in his testimony which is the glorious gospel entrusted to his Son. So when He sent his only begotten Son what is the Will of God? " Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." His concern is for the glory of everlasting life that the one sheep carries. God so loved the world is to bring the glory of the cloud of witnesses match exactly with those who are in the world of the body.

    "I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word."( John 17:6)

    "That they may be one" is what the ministry of reconciliation yet remaining. "And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them./And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are".(vv.10-11).And when Jesus Christ says,"It is done" it is a signal that way to the tree of life is found. "And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb./In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life."(Re.22:1-2)
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.18:13 "Lost and Found" (1 of 2)

    "And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray."

    Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. God sent his Son so the lost sheep may be found. Bringing them back into one fold means reconciling both worlds of the Spirit and of the body into one sheepfold. ( John 10:1)

    We shall begin with v.11" For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."(v.11).

    If the sheep lost its way and have not found what it sought is it worth the effort? A sheep is not endowed with foreknowledge as man is. He is a living soul. Satan beguiled Eve through a serpent. How did man get lost even after God gave him the wherewithal? The content of His breath into his nostril sums up the Law that He upholds. It is the word of his power. It explains the Law of the Spirit. The principle of Similitude sets reality of Law of heaven with that of the earth. Thus it is two contrary laws of the Spirit warring the law of sin in our vile bodies nevertheless a matter of life and death. In this existential battle everlasting life is what God promised those who are found.

    The Spirit uses symbols for both laws, the tree of life for those who found their way back as we say from the case of Adam life of sin originating from his disobedience. This search for the lost sheep began with the commandment of God who sent forth his word that shall never go back in void.(Is.55:11)

    In the parable we have the sheep that is ever by the shepherd. "And the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out./And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice./And a stranger will they not follow" ( John 10:3-5). They are the 99 and are content under the Law of the Spirit to stay close "for they know not the voice of strangers." Their glory they know are in safekeeping and the bright cloud is their testimony.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.18: 11-13 "Lost"

    "And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray." A sheep is most likely to wander away in a rugged terrain where the grass is sparse; the shepherd's task is to keep his flock in his sights and wild animals are not likely to dare show themselves while man is about. " For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost."(v.11)

    Satan beguiled Eve through a serpent. How did man get lost. God gave them a straight and narrow path. But when the serpent could get them out of their way and look at the way Satan had presented the alternate reality, and it can open a new vista as the word says,"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." It opened the way to another law."And the eyes of them both were opened,"(v.7) The way of the senses, tell a story, end of which is death as God had warned them. The tree of life was where the Law of the Spirit led to. It was a simple test of walking the straight narrow path but man failed. They let Satan to lead and they were lost.

    In Adam we all are set in an alternate reality, a make-believe world, " For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."(Ro.3:23). Where law of sin like a wolf roams about we shall appreciate God's counset to Cain. "And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."(Ge.4:6-7)

    How come Cain could not take it. He was the wicked one a murderer since he let the spur of the moment direct his actions. (4:8) He had no respect for eternity. It is how the law of sin works.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Re.11:13 Judgment

    "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." (v.13)

    At the same hour refers to the hour Jesus spoke about at the night he was taken in. ( Luke 22:53)It is the power of darkness that caused the nation of Israel reject the true Light and the time of the Gentiles before the Son appeared in mid-air to collect. "and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory./ And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."(24:30-31)

    The ministry of the two witnesses has the same duration as the day decreed for the Son. John the Baptist was sent according to the Scriptures as a voice preparing the way. "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts./But who may abide the day of his coming? "(Mal.3:1-2) Purifiers work refers to the great tribulation. The script for the day of his coming consists of several phases which is clearly laid out in Matt.3:13. "Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

    The chaff shall be cast to the winds. (the imposter church), purging his floor is the earth(*the left behind church), and it leads to the unquenchable fire. "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever."(Re.20:10). * Cf the vision of the Woman Clothed with the Sun and she is sent to a place prepared for her. "(12:14)
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.17:13 Conclusion

    "Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist."

    John according to Jesus Christ was the greatest among born of women, "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." (Matt.11:11). In order to understand the two witnesses we are to focus on John as one, who also referred to the baptism of fire that awaits the church. He foretold, " He (Jesus Christ) shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:/ Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."(3:11-12)

    The Baptism by Holy Ghost has been fulfilled and what awaits is baptism by fire to which Apostle Peter also referred, "For the timeis comethat judgment must begin at the house of God: and ifitfirstbeginat us, what shall the endbeof them that obey not the gospel of God?"(1 Pe.4:17). St Paul also warns and it is to the imposter church, "Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is./ If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward./If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."(1 Co.3:13-15)

    In the Ch.18 the same question of the greatest in the kingdom of heaven threw up another aspect of John. Jesus said, "He that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." The little one who ever sees the face of the Father in heaven is the second witness representing the fire. For he is an angel in the world of the Spirit. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(18:10)
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.18:1-2 "This is my rest forever" (1 of 2)

    "At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?/And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,"

    The disciples chose this question after Jesus transfigured before them. Did the question chose them or other way about is a moot point. Each one wanted to be part of that glory that their master commanded. Lucifer saw the selfsame glory "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God." He was the son of the morning meaning the brightness of the glory of God. Free will of the Son was expressed to bring glory to his Father; on the other hand Lucifer was all for establishing "I will" as the Law. Law of the Spirit worked in the Son so he said, "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."(Ps.40:8). It is thus free will is determined by the Spirit. "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."(2 Co.3:17)

    "At the same time" with which this chapter begins is a clue as to how startling it was for his disciples to digest, and having wrestled with it the next question could have been, "Am I the one?" Surely Judas Iscariot one of the twelve would have had similar thought.

    The law of sin is already in flow while the glory of the spiritual body created the vision of Zion that awaited those who were blessed in his Son. That was the sixth day. On the seventh day God rested because his faith in his Son to fulfill the Abstract of the everlasting covenant was absolute.(Ge.2:1-3)

    "For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation./ This is my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it./I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread."(Ps.132:13-15).

    "I will satisfy her poor" explains the relationship of the little ones with the bread from heaven.
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.18:10 "Angels"

    "That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."

    There are two worlds of the Spirit and of the body where angels signify the cloud of witnesses. Whereas the body points to the same spiritual body prepared for the Son. Glory of God makes the cloud bright and as the spiritual body,- "we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." We are called into one hope of our calling so every saint redeemed from the earth is part of this body or a building. so what do we call fellow believers headed towards the same direction? "So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." brothers here and now have their witnesses, and they are called angels.

    Jesus Christ "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person" relates to us as the glory of God in the knowledge,, it is compared to a light, as in this verse, "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ". This is his glorious gospel and shown as doable. So what we bear in our vile bodies is the kind of glory that the angels in heaven get to see directly.

    Jesus tells that these little ones do always behold the face of my Father. So the power of the word in us is knowledge based and our faith is not merely lip-service but faith that can move mountains.

    Having said this much how do we reconcile the vv.8-9 "And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out,"? Does it put to rest the lust of eye, caused by sin, since the law of sin is what tempts the eye to sin? Jesus offers the only cure: "Without me you can do nothing."( John 15:3) Faith with works is when you rest from your own labor and self-will and fall back upon for his grace to have a perfect working in your life. Father of all mercies showed the glorious gospel of his Son as doable. Knowledge of the glory of God in holding on to grace and truth.
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.17:19-20

    "Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?/ And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief."

    Before we examine the second event we need see the role of faith in integrating the two worlds of the Spirit and of the body. The body is prepared for the Son to do his will. Psalmist David refers to it. When we abide in Christ who is the Word become flesh the spirit of Christ has given us insight into the truth. Jesus chose the twelve and gave them power to cast out demons. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was yet to come. So the spirit of Christ worked in their ministry. "My Father worketh hitherto and I work" explains at one level the Spirit of the Father works at tandem with the Son of man so the twelve disciples were his associates as well. The cloud of witnesses is associated with the Father, "For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." (10:20). We are thus constituted with access to both worlds at the same time while we are in our vile bodies. Apostle John refers to it, "but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."(1 John2:23). Faith without works is dead. Without abiding in these two worlds faith does not produce fruits an example of which we see in the failure to cast out demons from the child. Jesus reduces them to the level of their generation since their faith did not work. How apt is our generation where the churches soft pedal on issues like faith and culture wars? "O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you?(17:17)

    American Right and Christian nationalism are the tares choking the good seed. The former do not take the Spirit of the Father or the word of the Spirit. "For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.17:24-27 "Seventh day"

    "Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?/ Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free." (vv.25-26)

    Before we go into the topic let us fix the context within which we are to interpret the three events mentioned here.

    First event: Transfiguration of Jesus took place on the seventh day.

    v.1 " And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,"

    This is pendent on the last verse of the preceding chapter. "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom." (16:28) It refers to the Son and his kingdom. Taking the two verses together the word 'apart' tells the event was a private preview.

    The mountain mentioned in 5:1 is high mountain here. The adjective is placed to indicate farther in time. Jesus set forth the doctrine of his Father where the rock symbolized Zion which is founded on the stone.(Is.28:16) High mountain is to indicate the glory of the Word become flesh. Jesus is referring to the selfsame glory introduced in v.28 "There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death", indicating the outpouring of the upon all flesh." This matter was shared with the three indicating the representational nature of the Son tagged by the command number Three. The testimony of Jesus was to be made by a public event and the proof of which was in his resurrection. As the word become flesh the self same glory was freely bestowed through the Son. As the firstborn from all dead, his disciples/associates were all free born. This is what was stipulated in the everlasting Covenant. This is the point of the key verse.

    On earth the kings spare their sons from the taxes of the realm. Similarly the anointing of the Spirit makes the saints freed from the law of sin. Seventh days refers Ge.2:3
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    Matt.17:12-13 "Elijah and John the Baptist"

    But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them./Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist."

    Are they the two witnesses that Jesus refers to? Firstly ask how credible are the disciples to zoom them in their crosshairs when as the following passage reveals that they were still novices,- Jesus explains,"And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief:"(v.20). Their faith was yet to be steadfast without which all their mental gyrations as to the identity of two witnesses would fall flat. One proof was in their failure to cast out the demon that afflicted the boy in vv. 14-20.

    We shal examine Re.11:3-4 for clues.

    " And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth./ These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."

    And I will give power" this is what the risen Jesus promised his disciples/ associates in (Matt.28:18-20). Ze.4:14 refers them as "These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth". Lo I am with you always is another promise by the risen Christ. Besides 'a thousand two hundred and threescore days' is a tag set by the Spirit to indicate two witnesses could be any two appointed by God. In short these two witnesses are chosen from both worlds of the Spirit and the body as one. Without which the interpretation falls flat.
  • Bennymkje - 4 weeks ago
    St Matt.17:9-13 "Two witnesses"

    And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

    Transfiguration took place against an high mountain, again the mountain of the Lord referred in Is.2. As with the Sermon on the Mount, here the Spirit highlight the glory of the spiritual body awaiting the saints who have received the Man sent from Above. Moses Elias in their flesh doubled for the One to come. Here we have Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today. The transfiguration was, therefore a pointer to the glory which is to come. (He.13:8). This also explains why Jesus warned his disciples to keep the matter a secret.

    10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

    11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

    12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

    13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.


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