Discuss Luke 1


Luke 1 KJV Bible discussions
 
  • Bennymkje - 1 day ago
    Mark-7 Synopsis

    In vv.3-4 Mark explains for the non Jewish converts about the tradition of the elders. Similarly he quotes the words and supplies its meaning. "Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise."(5:41)

    In vv. 5:40 "And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying." The world would not know the distinction between sleeping and dying. In the land of the living Jesus knew his Father better than they all. He is the God of the living. So he did not want the disbelieving world in the house where he was present.

    Another interesting feature of the gospel is in the manner the Evangelist uses the tag of the house to designate two worlds. In the raising of the dead Jesus goes into the house and in healing the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman he rewarded her implicit faith by sending her off,"And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed."(7:30).In both cases the house has to have belief for its own sake. "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"( Luke 18:8). The earth abides forever because it belongs to the Son.

    vv.14-16 Jesus preaches gospel to the world and the Spirit gives us a clue as to how it is to be interpreted." If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." St Mark thereafter inserts this verse, "And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable."(v.17) The house is where the Master expounds truth to those who hunger after righteousness."But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear./ For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them./Hear ye therefore." (Matt.13:16-18)
  • Bennymkje - 2 days ago
    Mark 6:45-56

    v.10 "And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place." St Mark also designates the twelve as the associates so the principle of Association is stated indirectly. Those who rejected them was tantamount to reject him who sent them.(v.11a) Compare Matt.10:40; Luke 10:16. The cities stood in judgment and were not part of the house. This explains that Jesus was not aware of the fate of John the Baptist, who would remain within as Erasmus would not join with Luther when broke away from the Mother Church.In his case it did not work, either. Within a century of his death religious wars broke out widening the rift farther. Honor of Herod, the unclean spirit was working among princes of the church. Both Calvin and Luther were not behind in their maneuvering.

    v.31 "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while." Jesus had no interest in news of the day and it was no different than what we hear these days. Dog eats dog and ungodly men make a mountain of molehill of them. Their conspiracy theories are ropes they hang themselves with. So Jesus took them apart after they had completed their mission.

    vv.39-40 " And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass./ And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties".In the multiplying of loaves those who present were to form file and rank and the order within the house speak of worship with a sober mind and peace. Peace of God is the characteristic of the house where they lodged. Rumors of war, accidents famine plagues that assail us from news media tells the world where Satan has them in thrall and what does he flash before their eyes? Honor of a Herod and worth is it? By not giving glory an angel would strike him instantly. What price was his glory? (Ac.12:22-23)

    v.46 " And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."
  • Richard H Priday - 2 days ago
    The last part of the first stanza of the song "He knows my name" from the 2014 "If We're Honest" album of Francesca Battestelli states this:

    True to who You are

    You saw my heart

    And made

    Something out of nothing

    We really can't disengage the concept of the comprehension that we have nothing to offer but a "broken and contrite heart" as Psalm 51:8 states when we first come to a saving faith. God Himself grants repentance ( 2 Tim. 2:25 and 2 places in Acts) but this results in our heartfelt plea for God's mercy. In the same logic salvation isn't a one way street. Realizing our own unworthiness and helplessness is what unregenerate man cannot or will not concede in this lifetime as we see illustrated in Jeremiah 18:12. Man finds ways to justify demon worship as giving them something; of course we see a perfect example in Acts 19:25-28 for example where a whole town spent an afternoon rioting; or in 1 Kings 18:28 with the so called "prophetic contest" between idols and the true and living God.

    This illustration of what theologians title "Irresistable Grace" (not my favorite term) seems to fit here. Some could say that our response of realization of our sins; along with a verbal affirmation ( Romans 10:9-12) is a choice we make; rather than a response to the Spirit's prompting. I would agree as to the general search for truth that some have may come first for many; although we can't rule out a "Damascus Road" sort of conversion today either. In the mindset of unregenerate man; to be controlled or "possessed" by the Holy Spirit which results in a predictable response makes us robots and is a frightening concept in "losing our individual freedom of choice"; etc. Man's logic doesn't consider that our Creator should have ownership or mastery over His own created beings and of course we can struggle even as believers in trusting God to see us through the trials of life. This ties into the verse in Luke 17:33-37 in regard to really living when we lose our life
  • Bennymkje - 3 days ago
    Mark 6:36-45 "Multiplying loaves" (2 of 2)

    Jesus Christ as the Lord is the Lord of heaven so he is heavenly. All the prophets until John served the Son as the double for Jesus Christ. "The law and the prophets were until John."( Luke 16:16)

    "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,/Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son" (He.1:1-3). It is of him Moses had warned,"The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken."(De.18:15). Moses stood as a stand-in for him. So did every prophet. He is the heir so seven days in the covenant in which seven is a kangaroo word.

    The Spirit gives us multiplying of loaves 8:7-9 "And he (Jesus) blessed, and commanded to set them also before them./So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets./And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away." Here we seven baskets of the broken meat which stands as the testimony of the Son to his Father. Generally speaking the command numbers are incorporated in the God document to distinguish which is which. Considering the manner imposter church has let them proliferate shows the enemy is within the house. Jesus would soon clear his house of the Canaanites. "and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of theLordof hosts."(Ze.14:21)
  • Bennymkje - 3 days ago
    Mark 5:36-45 Multiplying loaves (1 of 2)

    While studying the significance of the command numbers Twelve and Seven respectively their place in the body of Scriptures is to fix the role of the Son as the heir of all things and the Son of man who is the Word become flesh. It is in the latter role whose humanity sets the doctrine of God as the good news since he died and rose again. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."(He.2:9). So he appointed the twelve in obedience to the Word who was with God.( John 1:1). By healing two, where twelve years are a reminder of the word of God stated in Ge.6:3. As the Word become flesh he obeyed the word of God. Similarly when virtue went out Jesus it was the Spirit's way of reminding that he was anointed for his ministry. He was the Servant-Messiah, fulfilling what was spoken of him by the prophets, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."(Matt.8:17)

    For this reason the Spirit gives us the number of baskets as twelve, which serves as a testimony to God. "And they did all eat, and were filled./And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes."(vv.42-43)

    The Holy Spirit tags the entities who made the everlasting covenant as the Father and the Son. Of the latter John says,"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made./In him was life; and the life was the light of men."(John1:3-4). Fulfilling the divine Will of the Father we have the tag Seven which is Perfect number. Seven provisions in the covenant therefore are seven days. Thus when the angel warns "for the hour of his judgment is come" the hour is set in heaven and it is not as we count earth time. Ministry of Jesus is from heaven so what role did all the prophets until John did? ( Luke 16:16)
  • Richard H Priday - 4 days ago
    The Mark of the Beast: What we need to know

    Introdution: According to 1 Thessalonians 5:9 we are not appointed to wrath. Romans 9:22 seems to indicate that there are indeed "vessels of wrath" doomed for destruction which seems to fulfill what some call "double predestination" or wicked destined for hell. We do know that all those who are NOT written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world will accept the Mark of the Beast and in fact worship him. ( Rev. 13:8; 17:8 and also in chapter 20). Whether we just play out what is already determined; or God knows ahead of time what we will choose is something we can argue about.

    Since this Antichrist is indeed the "man of sin" ( 2 Thess. 2:3) and we can also call the son of perdition in John 17:12 as representing Judas Iscariot who also was destined to betray God and be lost according to the prophecy in Psalm 55 along with the same fate for this Beast from these and other passages; we once again see God's hand in this. God is the one according to Thessalonians that sends "strong delusion" ( 2 Thess. 2:11). That is because people loved sin so much that they didn't want to repent; and we see this with the behaviors that occur during the Trumpet judgments in particular.

    These facts are sobering; we know that if it weren't for His grace we would never see clearly our sin nature and hence we all would fall for this false Messiah. This world system has nothing to offer; nor does any man who is unregenerate to give lasting peace. Neither sacrifices of animals or man's own sufferings procure any justification or forgiveness of sins; and God is not impressed with any of our accomplishments. Self gratification no doubt will be a large part of the universal appeal; along with self preservation that eventually leads to the acceptance of this infamous mark. Luke 12:12 may have double fulfillment; both for the Apostles facing martyrdom and the end time saints who refuse the mark.
  • Bennymkje - 5 days ago
    Mark 5:1-20 "my country" (1 of 2)

    "And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country." (v.10)

    Mark sets Jesus crossing" the other side of the sea into the country of the Gadarenes."The sea mentioned here is the lake of Galilee on the south. Lucan gospel explains the location so we may conclude that Jesus with his disciples arrived there from Galilee. ("which is over against Galilee".-8:26) Gadara is not directly named in the scripture but was a walled city where the Gentiles lived mostly and was a part of the Decapolis. The point of location we need note to our intent and purpose is this: geographically Gadarenes is situated on the east of the Jordan river. Crossing of the Jordan river in spiritual terms signifies death.

    Jesus cast out the many demons from the man. They all had a request:"And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

    "For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit."/And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many./And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country."(vv.8-10)

    Unclean spirits require a body which is impossible for Satan to create. He is the father of lies and not of life. For this reason he used a serpent to beguile Eve and being cast out they had unanimously chose the herd of swine.

    "All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds."(1 Co.15:38-40). Here we have a country separate from the land of Galilee. In the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man, the latter had a place while Galilee signified the blessed state of the beggar. The other man's riches come in all forms and weights. Sheep, cattle and swines are part contributing to the wealth, and the rich man who wished Lazarus to visit him had chosen his own country. His cry came too late. ( Luke 16:24)
  • Ronald Whittemore - 6 days ago
    Traditions part 2

    In John 12:1-16 this is 6 days before Passover and Jesus rides into Jerusalem the next day which would be the 10th, the day the lambs are taken up five days before Passover day which is called today Palm Sunday.

    Each day is recorded in Matthew 21 through Matthew 27:56 Mark 11:1 through Mark 15:41 Luke 19:28 through Luke 23:49 John 12:1 through John 19:37.

    On the 1st day of the week, we call Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem and returned to Bethany in the evening to lodge.

    The second day shows Jesus going to Jerusalem and returning to Bethany.

    The third day is two days before Passover Matthew 26:2 Mark 14:1.

    On the fourth day, Judas makes the deal to betray Jesus and toward the end of the day, the disciples ask him where he wants them to prepare to eat the Passover. God commanded it to be eaten inside the city walls but they did not eat the Passover, Luke 22:15-16.

    When the sun went down the fourth day what we call Wednesday is the beginning of Passover day the 14th of Nisan the day the Passover lambs are killed, Mark 14:12 Luke 22:7. What confuses things is then and now Passover day and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is referred to as an eight-day feast. Passover day is a preparation day for the seven-day feast of Unleavened Bread not part of the seven-day feast.

    The lambs were killed on the 14th in the evening, the time when the sun starts to go down, any time after noon and before the sun sets. The Passover is eaten the night of the 15th the first day of the seven-day feast which is a holy convocation/Sabbath Exodus 12:8 the same night they went out of Egypt not on Passover day.

    The Lord's Supper and the crucifixion were on Passover day the fifth day from when Jesus rode into Jerusalem which would make that the 5th day of the week we call Thursday.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Bennymkje - 6 days ago
    Mark.4:30-32 "Parable of the mustard seed"

    "It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth."(v.31). Mark is referring to the same as intended in the Gospel of Matthew.However emphases differ. 'The little one' in Matthew is compared to a grain. It is less than all the seeds in the earth. However it is not the same when Matthew says it was "which a man took, and sowed in his field.". He refers to their position as it is set in heaven. "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."(Matt.18:10). Matthew is serving the parable in terms of Jesus Christ on Alpha and Omega mode. The field is the world.(Matt.13:38)

    Mark sets the parable in terms of heaven and the earth so the grain of mustard despite of its physical 'littleness" is empowered by the Spirit of God.

    "t groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."(v.32) Compare the tree in the king's dream, "the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof" (Dan.4:12). The shadow as the Spirit has indicated in several places signify the authority of God. For instance people brought their sick," Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them."(Ac.5:15) Mark is consistent in setting the Power of God casting its shadow so that the fowls of the air may under the shadow of it. "And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;/And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how." (4:26-27)

    Luke is closer to the parable in which it is cast into his garden.( Luke 13:19)

    For significance of the fowls of the heaven, Re.19:17-18)
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 4:1-11 "Unto you given" (2 of 2)

    Heresies did not occur happenstance; but their knowledge of good and evil is still where the fall of man left it. Eve let truth given to her aside and let the counsel of the serpent, that seemed better' decide. She let the context determine if it is good or evil. Thus the context of glory of this world has created in them a contextual truth so they serve both God and mammon. If Adam was not trustworthy with the glory and true riches let him as the Parable of the Shred Steward tells,"for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light./And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations./ He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."( Luke 16:8-11)
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 3:31-35 "Our Father in heaven" (1 of 2)

    "Who is my mother, or my brethren?"

    In this passage the Spirit is setting two sets of families each representing the world of the Spirit and of the body. In the former world familial relationship is pendent to the covenant between God and Man, The latter is symbolic of heaven but in keeping with the body formed of the dust, it is the union of dust to dust and ashes to ashes. "For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven."(12:25; Matt.22:30). Resurrection of the dead is restoration of the covenant to its former glory where Power and glory of God renders the Man his throne so "and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."(Re.21:3)

    Thus the saying of Jesus refers to the world of the Spirit,"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren./And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."(Matt.23:8-9)

    In marriage man and woman leave their parents and they shall be one flesh, "And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?"( Luke 16:12; Ge.2:23)

    This was provisioned for in the covenant. In Ge.1:28-29 we are shown what our Father in heaven had entrusted them with His creation. "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, 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." This was entrusted with man in his Son. It is to this God willed and the covenant exists, and as a proof sent his only begotten Son to the world in fulness of time.

    As the key verse states there is no gender difference. Only those who do the will of God.
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 week ago
    GiGi,

    Part 3 Trinity discussion,

    Do you believe the Son is a created being?

    What is the meaning of created? Does it mean something that is made out of nothing? I would have to say no, Jesus is the Son of God who was conceived in the womb of Mary, Matthew 1:20 Luke 1:35, I do not think I would say He was created.

    If so, when did He come into existence?

    In God's plan before anything and physically when He was conceived in Mary's womb.

    Do you believe that the Son is only human in nature?

    Jesus is the Son of God fully human but without sin same as the first Adam, Scripture is clear when Jesus was baptized, He was anointed with the Holy Ghost/Spirit without measure, John 3:34. All the works of Jesus were done by the Spirit of God, Matthew 4:16 Matthew 12:28 Acts 10:38.

    Do you believe that Jesus became "the Christ" during His lifetime (Adoptionism)?

    I had never heard of Adoptionism until now, I had to look it up, it's false. Christ and Messiah are the same; Jesus was anointed by the Spirit of God after He was baptized by John, He then was made the Messiah/Christ fulfilling the prophecy in Daniel 9:25. Jesus is the Son of God conceived in the womb of Mary by the Holy Ghost/Spirit.

    Do you believe Jesus ever aquired a divine nature in His earthly life?

    If you mean a divine nature is to have all the attributes that make God who He is I would have to say no. If so, Jesus could not sin or be tempted, Matthew 4:1 Hebrews 4:15. If so, Jesus living a perfect life without sin is meaningless. Jesus could not have died; Jesus was given the power of the Holy Spirit when He was anointed the Messiah. After He rose from the dead God gave Jesus all power in heaven and on earth, Matthew 28:18. God raised and placed Jesus on His right side, Ephesians 1:21-23. Jesus did not return to where He was before, God the Father placed everything under Jesus God's only begotten Son's feet and Jesus will reign until the last enemy is destroyed, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28.

    See part 4.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 1:41-45 "As soon as he had spoken"

    "And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean./ And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed." Here we see the word prospering in its round. (Is.55:11) It shall never return to God in void. "God sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.(Ps.107:20) explains the healing of the leper. Mark lays emphasis on the aspect of the word as God's work. So "immediately" refers to the word of God the Father; secondly of the Son. So 'as soon as he had spoken' defines the second aspect of the Trinity. He 'put forth his hand, and touched him' refers to 'the finger of God' the word become flesh ( Luke 11:20). The kingdom of God coming unto you is fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. In short the Will of the Father is fulfilled by the Son in this healing. Third office of the Spirit is the witnessing spirit otherwise Mark would have no reason to record it unless he himself was present there.

    "And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away;/And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." (vv.43-44) Jesus tells him not to give glory which is due to his Father. He did not teach the leper to break the Law of Moses. Instead he advised him to present himself to the priest. As a sign he was a testimony to man and his Father in heaven.

    45 But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 1 :1-11 The word of God-sound and sign (2 of 2)

    v.5 " And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins"

    The great revival 'in all the land of Judaea and they of Jerusalem' was not because of John's austerity or of his person but the voice of the Lord worked with men as he 'shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.". Hinds calve as surely men see a great light dawning on them.(Ps.29:8-9). Here also Isaiah saw ahead ,"The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up."(Matt.4:14-16). The same voice that inspired Isaiah did enthuse John's Father. The Angel of the Lord is how the sound becomes a sign. St Luke report of it, "And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God./And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."( Luke 1:16-17) At first Zecharias would not believe and his temporary dumbness was a sign. As surely as calves of a hind.

    v.11 "And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Here we have both word as a sound as a sign.

    Compared to other gospels Mark tells us salient features of the Advent of the Son with great economy of words. "And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness."(v.12)
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:8-13 "In the house of Bethany"

    Jesus in the house Bethany is a private world of the larger world to which God sent his Son. He loved the world so he sent him as only begotten meaning the word was literally in the house. It is in this sense Jesus accosted Zachaeus," This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."( Luke 19:9). Simon the leper is of the same weight as Zachaeus in that God made man a living soul equally. Truth makes every man born of woman in need of salvation.

    Jesus commended the woman "for she hath wrought a good work upon me.". Those who had no business to criticize did for no good reason. She brought the alabaster box and broke it in order to wrought a good work upon him. Jesus understood her service was spot on. This explain the Parable in the preceding chapter.

    Jesus was there in his humanity, which St Luke emphasizes in his version. His host is Simon and a Pharisee. So the short colloquy in vv.40-47 establishes this human interaction between the host and him. John's Gospel gives us a clue to his deity instead. "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany" The event and Passover is thus established. The Gospel of Mark sets his version closely similar to that of Matthew. " She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying./Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."( Mark 14:8-9). The importance of service a believer does to another is tantamount to serving the Lord directly. All four gospels include this event. How do we erect memorials in heaven?

    "Let brotherly love continue./Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares./Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (He.13:1-3)
  • Richard H Priday - 2 weeks ago
    Necessary doctrines: Heaven and hell.

    There is only one time that I am aware of where a literal heaven was spoken against; in this case a book on Postmillenialism. I don't have the book with me at present (it may be buried in a box somewhere). I should note that one good point was in that book; namely that many of the PreMil camp tend to state or act as though the gates of hell are too powerful; rather than holding out to the promises that they will not prevail until the end ( Matthew 16:18). In the proper context (as opposed to a Dominioninsm mentality) this is a valid criticism of many who are hiding out waiting for the Rapture and not occupying until He comes ( Luke 19:13).

    In regard to hell; however of course there are many more professing believers who have convinced themselves that it is merely a symbolic statement. Such often tend to hold on to a cessation mentality; that is of a human soul before the final Resurrection presumably at the end of the Millennium or at least the Rapture. They think that someone will simply wake up thinking it was just a moment before that they died at the Resurrection; thus making the suffering of the lost delayed into the future to assuage their conscience (often if not for their own fate for that of their loved ones at present who have died). Of course; in light of verses such as 2 Corinthians 5:8; and Hebrews 9:27 among others this seems like a ridiculous concept. I would argue this point of a belief in literal hell is important enough that we cannot consider fellowship with other believers who don't agree at least in our own place of corporate worship. Again; we can try to witness to them the truth. This is needed doctrine because we need to explain the grave state of the lost; and that there is NO peace for the wicked. ( Isaiah 48:22 and many other passages). Hell not being literal is due to a misunderstanding of the meaning for the grave and sheol (the land of the dead).
  • Richard H Priday - 2 weeks ago
    Necessary doctrines: Fulfilling the Great Commission

    In Matthew 25; starting in verse 14 we see the Parable of the talents. The first two individuals are rewarded with eternal rewards far greater than invested in this life but in accordance to their faithfulness now. The last servant of course lost it all including apparently his soul. There is a slightly different viewpoint in the parallel Parable in Luke 19 where reward is lost; but it would appear hell would be for those who wouldn't have Christ rule over them which is mentioned after the example of this servant at the end of the Parable. Either way; Jesus made it clear that we are commanded to go out and spread the Good News of the Gospel. A true believer therefore is in danger of losing rewards in heaven; making it in through the "skin of their teeth" ( 1 Cor. 3:15); while a professing Christian may not even be saved if they are not recognized by Christ as a true believer as we see in the Parable of the 5 unwise virgins. We see a similar pattern in the admonition that anyone who teaches others to break one of the "least commandments" ( Matthew 5:19) will be the least in heaven (i.e. loss of rewards). This makes one consider what happens for a greater commandment and how that is defined. This would be of course a "damnable heresy" ( 2 Peter 2:1) and clearly indicates damnation for such individuals in hell.

    The great difficulty we have here is if we try to define what is necessary doctrine or unnecessary is that all of scripture is connected so that we are in danger of "cherry picking" what we want to follow rather than what is needed. We also have to look at the attitude of the heart. In the tale of Ananias and Sapphira; it is often overlooked that the problem was not that only a portion of what was sold was brought to the church offering; but that they had lied about their commitment or vow that was made to give all. The other issue is what people say is hard to understand. More to come..
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:29-51 Recap (1 of 2)

    v.29 "and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken." In Re. Ch.12 we see the reason why."And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels,/And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven."(Re.12:7-8) Jesus had warned, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."(12:28) This war result in Satan cast down. "for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."(Re.12:12b.) Jesus ses it happening." And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."( Luke 10:18) These seventy other disciples indicate the latter end of 'everlasting gospel' mentioned in Re.14:6-8). Jesus is on the earth and yet he see what must yet happen! In the passage one angel speaks 'his hour of judgment is come. In the next verse the second angel announces, "Babylon is fallen' which in chapters 17 and 18 are in detail shown. To our intent and purpose the discourse of Jesus in vv.29-51 cover Babylon, both Jews and the Gentiles. vv.16-20 owe to the Roman army almost at the doors.(v.33)

    "'This generation shall not pass' refer to the generation of Jesus Christ. (Matt.1:1) It covers both Abraham and David. Son of Abraham sets him as the Word become flesh. (Before Abraham was, I am- John 8:58) We shall explain the shortening of Great tribulation from this logos aspect. Heaven and earth is set in terms of time on a single scale of Alpha Omega aspect. "that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.(2 Pe.3:8) As the lord from heaven Jesus sends the twelve disciples must integrate the everlasting gospel preached by the 70 other disciples as well. The war in heaven casts out Satan to the earth and he knows 'that he hath but a short time.'. Great tribulation is on reconstituted time vv.21-22
  • Richard H Priday - 3 weeks ago
    Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

    ( Psalm 37:4).

    I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

    ( Luke 18:8).

    The issue of our heart relates to our affections and the ownership of such. When we are crucified with Christ ( Galatians 2:20) His life takes over and our vessel (body) becomes His tabernacle where the Spirit dwells. Since the Lord is eternal; along with the spirit in which God has created us we perceive these things ( Ecclesiastes 3:11). Whether in the body or out of it we are part of Christ's Body and we shall stand in His presence; we are already "seated in heavenly places" ( Ephesians 2:6).

    Such affections draw us close to our brothers and sisters in the faith; and indeed we are COMMANDED to love one another; both from the Gospels and later quotes from John ( John 15:12; 1 John 3:23). This should be a springboard for time; money and effort to be poured out for the ministries and missions of the church and unity among the brethren. Agape love is the only love which can love anyone unconditionally; and therefore it also extends to the lost who we are commissioned to reach.

    Often people complicate things when it comes to relationships; prayer certainly is helpful as I have seen personally a brother finding his wife to be 2 days after praying to find someone; along with another missionary friend of mine from many years ago when overseas. Still; there are some things which may not come to fruition until the Lord returns (primarily finding justice on the earth in places which have for a long time now featured persecution). Since we have a NEW heart; however we can find joy in seeing others being blessed; and seeing people come to faith even during times when we are struggling in our lives.

    We often look at Christ's death as the ultimate love; but let us not forget His whole ministry especially toward His Disciples.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.23:10-13 "The Master Servant Fix"

    In 2016 we heard a televangelist asking for a Jet Falcon for his missionary tours. His explanation was, "I really believe that if Jesus was physically on the Earth today he wouldn't be riding a donkey," he said. "Think about that for a minute. He'd be in an aeroplane preaching the gospel all over the world." Jesus explained the quality of servants, "So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do."( Luke 17:10) We are commanded to do a certain task and we set out to do them trusting fully in His promises.

    The Gentile kings have a custom, and it perpetuates the master servant distinction. Regarding the tribute money Jesus posed this question,"What thinkest thou, 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." (17:25-26) The earth lieth in wickedness because Satan's ploy has worked well with man who would serve both God and mammon with little success. Jesus set the reward of everlasting life for those who are led by the Spirit.

    "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord./It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord." (10:24-25). Simon Peter towards the end wanted to know, " Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?/And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration 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."(19:27-28)
  • Bennymkje - 1 month 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 - 1 month 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 - 1 month 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 - 1 month 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 - 1 month 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 - 1 month 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 - 1 month ago
    Matt.17:5 "Hear ye him" (2 of 2)

    "And behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."

    The Spirit uses the expression, "behold" which is not solely addressed to the natural ear but also to the ear of faith. This is the significance of the bright cloud,- they have heard and woe to ye if you pretend not to hear it. The scribes and Pharisees were good at this hypocrisy, "Saying The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:/All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not."(23:2) Similarly whosoever speaks of justification and have no faith in works he is a liar. "f we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." ( 1 John 1:10). His word is not in them is what Apostle John says to them. God witnessed 'Hear ye him" and the cloud of witnesses representing the world of the Spirit is in each of us witnesses the truth. Hypocrisy of the Evangelicalism is to deny the works. "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."(John6:29)

    Elisha would thus know beforehand the plan of King of Syria, and as the servant tells, "None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber." (2 Ki.6:12). This is precisely what Jesus meant, "Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops."( Luke 12:3). Psalmist David calls the cloud of witnesses as the great congregation. (Ps.40:9) This is the reason that I spare not myself to reveal what the Spirit has instructed me, despite of my age and infirmities because this shall be read and become the mainstream as and when God shall decide. So patience and faith makes my labour of love as for His glory. Amen
  • Richard H Priday - 1 month ago
    Reading the Word (part 2).

    Today in Sunday school someone mentioned that before prayer it is good to say "Lord I don't love you; or other people (fill in the blank). Alas some with a spiritual gift of compassion would find what I am saying repulsive. We all can apply this principle to scripture reading as well "help me with my unbelief" ( Mark 9:24); or "God be merciful to me a sinner" ( Luke 18:13).

    Since we are reading the "living Word" ( John 1:1) it behooves us to focus on our Lord and Savior and how much He suffered for our benefit. It also is important that we trust the Lord and also His Word as being truth and something we can lean on. Trusting in the Lord and not our own understanding ( Proverbs 3:5-6) is something we need to discuss in more detail.

    Assuming we have a legitimate faith and basic understanding that the Bible is the truth and we live on that premise we could say that we trust the Lord. That of course is easier said than done; we can suddenly find ourselves overwhelmed by circumstances and allow our emotions to dictate through either a "fight or flight" mentality. This is true if we face martyrdom or serious persecution; but as with anything else the Lord usually leads us through the valleys of everyday trials and stresses to teach us to trust Him more for those big things. We can look at scripture for these examples with the 12 Apostles and their growth through Christ's earthly ministry then after Pentacost; or look at the kings of Israel with all their sins exposed for us to see.

    There are a few who don't have sins mentioned; it is noteworthy that only Moses seems to be a Prophet whose sins were mentioned and the consequence of not being able to enter the Promised Land. David technically prophesied as well about the Messiah in the Psalms in particular and his personal sins and immediate consequences out the for us to see. These; of course are examples for us all ( 1 Cor. 10:11).

    Having a healthy fear of God (to come part 3
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Luke 12:14-15 " A man's life" (2 of 2)

    "And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth".

    Jesus as the Son is called the prince of life. In his resurrection he also established the way to life abundant, which is not same as abundance of things. Mammon another name for the devil holds riches as his ace in his sleeve to destroy the unwary and fools. The Parable of the Rich Fool gives us a look of one who was not rich towards God. He was a fool to believe only in a world the other man's riches have blinded his eye of faith. For them there is no remedy. The man who had great possession could not get over it in order to follow Jesus. He heard how to be perfect but abundance of the other man's wealth closed his ear of faith. "But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."(Matt.19:21-22). Without faith one cannot be perfect where the grace of God makes both worlds of the body and of the Spirit in harmony.

    Grace of God works through his Son so He makes a way open before His children. The fish that supplied the tribute money is a case in point. We have false shepherds cheating IRS to conceal their ill-gotten coins but Jesus showed how to navigate both worlds at the same time. "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee." (Matt.17:22)

    All promises of God are yea in his Son. So what was the point of God blessing 'them' on the sixth day? (Ge.1:28-30)Blessings mentioned on each day in the Abstract work together so God's commandment to "subdue' is to create over-comers and not fools whose art of deal come unstuck in spectacular fashion at the end of their lives.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month ago
    Luke 12: 14 "Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?" (1 of 2)

    Here we have question and it is asked by Jesus who is the fulfillment of the Law. The quarrel over inheritance on the basis of the Law of Moses did not interest him. Moses himself could have supplied his bitter experience. He had tried to intervene in the quarrel of his fellowmen and what was the result? "And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known."(Ex.2:14). His own hands were not clean, enough. Jesus knew no sin and did no sin so he could have cast the first stone on man who transgressed according to the law. " He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."( John 8:7)

    Jesus was among as the Word made flesh to prove that the Law was doable and not dabble in the justice system that only dealt with one world. As the Law that he represented covered both worlds, the present and the worlds to come. So he stood outside their petty squabbles over wealth which was 'other man's riches' meaning it was devil's business.

    One may ask Does God condone capital punishment?

    All Authority come from God. "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God./ Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." Those who are in power are themselves subject to God.

    Law of sin is not from God. Man chose knowledge of good and evil over the commandment of God so he is servant to sin from the greatest to the lowest. So whatever name one calls, President or Caesar are servants to sin and their laws are accordingly sinful. Rather than ask if capital punishment is good or bad, ask yourself under what law you come: under the Law of the Spirit or under law of sin? (Ro.8:1)"


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