"EXAMPLE" in Bible Discussions

 
  • Richard H Priday - 7 hours ago
    But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. ( Rev. 21:8)

    Unbelieving: The first verse that comes to mind here is the man with a son that had a demon possessed son who was being thrown into water; etc. That passage is Mark 9:24 and the whole incident is worth reading to understand further how there was rampant lack of faith as well as preparation for casting out the demon. REALIZING we have unbelief results from the Holy Spirit changing us; it is not what is often a false gospel of not having faith enough for a family member to be healed; or some power trip by a ministry more interested in notoriety and ultimately greedy for gain with someone given a title of "healer". We can say at the time of Christ it was indeed foolish not to believe He could work any miracles including bringing one back from death; because it was only rejecting His claim of Divinity that a person could reject Him which shows the depths of blindness of the Pharisees. The core issue which remains the same is the fact that we are all as "filthy rags" ( Isaiah 64:6) and this includes our so called "good deeds".

    Abominable: Luke 16:15 shows what men hold as esteemed is an abomination before God. To esteem something shows a sort of prideful mentality; acclaim and praise is something Christ warned about in numerous passages (see Luke 6:26; another passage in this book as one example). Even calling Christ good implies that he as a mere man or prophet is good; and Christ makes it clear only God alone is good ( Mark 10:18). This is what is so dangerous about anyone who men praise; not only do they almost always practice false theology but we are convinced our own righteousness will justify us in the day of judgment.

    No wonder Satan appearing as an angel of light fools lost souls ( 2 Cor. 11:14).
  • Richard H Priday - 1 day ago
    Further insights on my last post on Ezekiel 18.

    There was a time when we could give many examples of those who were steadfast in the faith; particularly Pastors throughout their career and after passing onto glory no doubt had great reward to look forward to. This was partly because correct doctrines were still more or less practiced and preached in these denominations who had a long history of such to show forth. This was also due to the culture and society that supported basic moral virtues. We shouldn't be so naive as to suppose there weren't rebels and those who found ways to utilize this mindset for their own personal interests for success in this life. In contrast however today we have seen many fall away; whether completely apostatizing; or being found in immorality. It seems the sad downfall of Ravi Zacharias began an acceleration of others away from truth. I won't bother naming names here.

    The sad truth is that someone can go through much of their ministry and lives doing right; and turn away in their last months on earth. This of course is true among the laypersons as well as we see the shocking decline in church attendance; openness to the sexual deviancy and leftist propaganda today; and yes that of the right as well. Again no need to name names here.

    So we can't put confidence in men. Indeed we are reminded of Ezekiel 9:6 where God authorized wholesale slaughter of men; women and children.

    This leads to a lot of sobering thoughts on where we are headed. There are many who think they can side with wickedness and that it helps them be left alone or approved by the world. It is forgotten quickly the adage in Matthew 7:6 on "casting our pearls before swine". You can be sure if and when there is an invasion or full persecution here or anywhere the lukewarm will be the first to suffer loss.

    The few that are sold out for Christ know it and God knows them. Let us press on for the prize ( Philippians 3:14); alone if necessary.
  • Bennymkje - 3 days ago
    Mark 6:41 Two fishes"

    "And the two fishes divided he among them all./And they did all eat, and were filled." Here we have an example of kangaroo words. The two primarily refers to the number of fishes while there were five loaves of bread. What you eat has it way of passage, and as Jesus took pains to explain it is eaten "Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?(7:19). What the heart can do leads to everlasting life while traditions of man, with his table manners in the Roman times often lasted into late hours in suppers where the guests would end under the table in their own vomit. What the Spirit is demonstrating are heaven and earth as two worlds so Jesus " And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them."(v.41)

    Before appointing the twelve he goes up to a mountain, and called them who would. His Sermon on the Mount set the Rock of Ages for a testimony and Mark similarly narrates that Jesus bound the twelve to service so their authority came from heaven as his came. As the master so were the disciples.

    As indicative of their singleness of purpose Jesus took the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them." In short the disciples were partakers of the heavenly calling.(He.3:1). The number of fishes is two and signifies a number of objects each is set in terms of God. God fashions all hearts alike and tries their works. In the Parable of the Talents each servant was bound to give account over them. Number of men in this chapter "And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men".(v.44) In the other,"And they that had eaten were about four thousand: "(8:9). These are set for a purpose.
  • Richard H Priday - 3 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
  • Richard H Priday - 3 days ago
    Things didn't work out this time for my trip; won't bore anyone with the details.

    I am meditating on Phillipians 1:12-14

    12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel;

    13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;

    14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

    There are other verses as well that show God using Paul; such as the story in Acts 16:33-35 where the jailor and his family were baptized.

    There is no doubt that what caused people to grow bolder was Paul's continuing determination under fierce persecution as well as his heartelt love and committment to the churches he founded. Today; it seems with many missionaries in far away countries at least here in the USA people can keep their distance in terms of feeling a close kinship; and in the intensity of prayers. Of course it is reciprocal to some degree as it was with Paul who was encouraged by those who gave which made up for the lack of others. Paul of course was the perfect example of a selfless believer; accepting hunger and thirst when necessary and doing work of menial labor of tentmaking to supplement monies so as not to be a burden.

    Such opportunities do exist today among certain organizations that write to prisoners in restricted countries who are incarcerated due to their faith in terms of written communications with careful restrictions for their own safety as to the contents. God measures every tear in a bottle as ( Psalm 56:8). Psalm 30:5 says For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. This verse is better suited for the explanation of the chastisement of God with Israel and their eventual restoration but also shows that our sufferings in this life are temporal.

    We're in this together
  • Adam - In Reply - 4 days ago
    I didn't read this until after I already posted about people trying to distort the truth. This is a good example of what I was referring to and sure is a creative excuse not to follow God's commands that I've never heard before. If someone wants to please a false god, wokeism, leftism, feminism, or any other religion then follow this advice, but if someone wants to follow God then follow what He says in the Bible.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Concluding thoughts for now on misuse of scripture.

    Remembering the Pharisees shows us a prime example of how not to use scripture. Mark 7:11 is exhibit one in this subject matter; where for financial gain the needs of a parent were said to be avoided and was used in their logic to exonerate themselves for what was "dedicated to God". Psalm 105:15 stating to do no harm to God's anointed ones or prophets has also been mishandled by the "prosperity" preachers in particular and could of course be used by any cult leaders who are false prophets.

    Again we know how much Satan knows scripture. Anything that can be used to tickle men's ears and misused such as God's promises for blessings being boiled down to presumption of financial gain for all of God's people is made even more insane when attempting to justify such logic with other scriptures. Jesus was clearly a man of sorrows as Isaiah prophesied; and was essentially homeless; or at least a full time missionary along with the disciples; fully dependent on God for provisions. If He could state that we shouldn't concern ourselves with food and clothing ( Matthew 6:25) it is more than a stretch to entrust him for a Lamborghinis or jet plane. Note that Jesus didn't even mention SHELTER; and also indicated that the Son of Man has no place to lay His head ( Matt. 8:20). No point going further on that subject!

    A further consideration ties in with what I mentioned about the Pharisees in regard to making scriptures legalistic to maintain pride. This used to be more popular when parents were strict with children two and three generations ago. It still occurs in some denominations today under a guise of "holiness" but seen for what it is when Christ's love isn't on display. We can list all day long what we don't do or don't permit; but we also need to realize that it is the love of Christ that constrains us and draws people in ( 2 Cor. 5:14; John 12:32).

    in short; scripture is truth unless used for another agenda
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Further insight on how not to approach scripture

    There are things in scripture despite all of it being of value that shouldn't be emulated; this would include Satan's tactics in twisting the Word for his own benefit or all the examples of individuals including true saints of God falling into patterns of sin.

    Truly we can say the Bible gives a true account of what sinners did but we don't want to follow after their footsteps.

    I would also contend that sections such as Genesis 6 and others about the Nephilim and descendants of the giant races shouldn't evolve into an obsession which often leads us to the Apocrypha and other spurious writings (such as about the "watchers" that can lead us down a rabbit trail leading to our own destruction). Hidden wisdom and such is something we need to be wary of; along with texts from other religions. This all; of course evolves from what was released when the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was tampered with by our first ancestors.

    We are told also not to be caught up in "endless geneologies" ( 1 Tim. 1:4). The study of the origin of the Patriarchs certainly can be edifying; but of course such nonsense as the descendants of Cain being extrapolated as meaning all dark skinned races are cursed is obviously twisting scripture beyond where it is intended. Just the fact that all the old world was wiped out and started anew with Noah should dispel that idea; let alone the fact that we all are descendants of Adam and all related. Those who were not truly men; that is the sons of the giants may be "men of renown" ( Gen. 6:4); but we aren't to make huge idols of them like the pagans did.

    Scripture also shouldn't be used to push our own agenda; whether "Christian nationalism" that purports to be a theocracy like ancient Israel with a Dominionism mentality that we will make the world suitable for Christ to return or other such malarky. The Word has been interpreted incorrectly through cherry picking as well.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 3:31-35 "Our Father in heaven"

    Jesus was ever dutiful Son who would while hanging on the cross entrusted the care of his mother to John, "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!/Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."( John 19:26-27). By literal approach how false teachers consistently strip passages of their pith and serve the husks instead. This is one example. Covenant between God and Man entrusts man with His creation and does he care?

    God had prepared a worm as he a great fish to instruct Prophet Jonah. At the end of the book He tells Jonah,"And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?"( Jonah 4:11) Family of man is incomplete without this same care for His creation. The Four beasts in heaven is a memorial.

    Pilgrims in 1630 settled in the Americas to make a New Canaan. However it was like sewing old garment to the new in the manner the divine Will was shortchanged. Salt crystal is made up of chlorine and sodium which by themselves have their distinctive characteristics. Sodium is metal, and corrosive while chlorine is a gas and poisonous. How billions of these atoms are precisely arranged by force keeping the formation gives the table salt its savor. In the manner culture wars have dogged the country tells making a family or nation without fulfilling the will of the Father is a non-starter. "And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."(2:22)
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Part 2 on Tribulation and trials to come

    The Laodicean church is what many consider to typify the last stages or phase of church history. It is clear from that passage that only a few there are worthy; as we see in Revelation 3:4 with the church of Sardis as well. The general state is one of a pitiful state of spiritual poverty which the outer adornment; much like the Pharisees cleaning the outer parts of their vessels which appear to be showing opulence. Matthew 25:9 reminds me of those who need to pay the price for receiving the refreshing of the Holy Spirit as it will be with the fiery trial and mass martyrdom of the Tribulation. I see this as an example of those who have patiently waited for the Lord and now receive their reward because of enduring much as Lot did until the Lord rescued him from the disaster to come (see 2 Tim. 4:8). Those who are in a Laodicean church aren't putting themselves or anyone else into persecution as all those who are godly in Christ Jesus suffer ( 2 Tim. 3:12). Whether they are truly saved or not ultimately will be determined by God; I tend to see the Rapture as a reward issue but if I'm wrong then rewards will be lost for those backslidden ( Rev. 3:11); and it is certain many aren't truly saved now but many will wake up on the other side of the rapture; whether left behind people who professed Christ beforehand or new converts.

    As to the second part of my study on the Jews suffering Tribulation first; we can of course see that pattern in many Old Testament passages as well as the many wars in history; the most obvious recent one of worldwide significance being World War two. This current Hamas battle also started with an attack causing suffering to Jews. These verses would show the military campaigns that will occur prior to Armageddon as well when God finally defends His people ( Zech. 14:2) and then the nations are dealt with. The various judgments will be centered on Israel as well.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Romans 2:9 states: There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile..

    (NIV); but says tribulation and anguish in the KJV. There is another verse stating that judgment begins at the house of God. ( 1 Peter 4:17).

    Just as not all Israel is Israel ( Romans 9:6); not all the "professing" church is the possessing church; that is possessing the Holy Spirit and true salvation. Jesus made that perfectly clear to those who thought because they were the physical descendants of Abraham that gave them some sort of benefit were sadly mistaken ( John 8:39-44). Those who had seen Christ; knew the prophecies about the Messiah and yet rejected Him would in fact be worse off than Sodom and Gomorrah in their punishment. ( Matt. 11:21-24). We see similar warnings for those who have knowledge of the truth and become reprobate; in that it would be better not to have known it in the first place ( 2 Peter 2:21).

    Testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith is sadly lacking today among professing believers; or we would see a reality check in the fruits of many lives. ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). We can glibly see this example as a carnal bunch of people and think that being steeped in our own religious training or theology that we are automatically exempt from this test. I have said before that there are dangers in any extreme that is lacking the balancing attribute; such as with loving people and warning them of judgment to come ( John 16:8). We see in the Ephesian church everything being done properly but their first love somehow becoming distant in their hearts. Look at 1 Corinthians 13:6; love rejoices in the truth. The basic fact that man's heart is desperately wicked ( Jeremiah 17:9) and that our sin makes us enemies of God ( James 4:4) means that there is a wall between opposing parties and yes God is angry with the wicked (i.e. us) every day. ( Psalm 7:11). Having our heads in the sand doesn't help anyone.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 2:14-20 "At the house of Levi"

    "When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

    Jesus as the Son of God knew what was in the mind of man. But he did not make it a point to separate man according to his profession or morals before he condescended to sit with him or sup in any convivial company. But when he say faith among them he responded. It was thus at the house he came to heal the man with palsy what struck him was the faith of four who took trouble to bring him to the fore. "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."(2:5).He understood man was sinful so how sinful the matter of degrees did not interest him. The word of his Father was sent out calling all unto repentance. It was potent enough to enthuse the good to hear the call and make peace with God. For example St Luke speaks of Simeon of Jerusalem who was just and devout,"waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him./And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ./ And he came by the Spirit into the temple."( Luke 2:25-27). God let him see his heart's desire before he died. Then there was Anna the prophetess. It is of them Jesus meant when he referred the righteous. They were led by the Spirit of Christ and the anointing of the Holy Ghost would come only after hid resurrection.

    But sinners whom came as in the case of Levi or the man with palsy did not came across him by coincidence,- but the call had gone forth before the worlds began and went to the ends of the world; it was their faith in exercising completed the calling and election sure. vv.15-16 The house of Levi was a microcosm of the world. So many were saved as there were many who went away as they came in because of their disbelief.
  • BJGibson on 1 Timothy 3:2 - 1 week ago
    being Sober

    "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" 1 Timothy 3:2 KJV

    A sober person is serious person (making and doing what is important, taking the gospel of Jesus Christ seriously. Since as in the office of a Bishop, God is the supervisor of this office, if you will, and God is a spirit. Being able to have a knowing of the unseen presence of God at all times. (all believers should have a God consciousness)

    A sober person is a solemn person (being able to perform sacred ceremonies or worship rituals with great importance and in a highly serious manner.

    In order for a Bishop to perform this their thinking has to be sober, and not experiencing uncontrolled thoughts, having complete focus and be in charge of his thoughts and thinking on purpose. During times of holy ceremonies a Bishop needs to be fully reverencing God and the things of God, with his heart and mind open to God and not things of the flesh during sacred times and events.

    Because all believers need to be serious also and participate in solemn ceremonies a Bishop is needed to be an example of a sober minded person. A Bishop is needed to teach about such things as well.

    Respectfully submitted in the name of our precious Lord and Saviour Jesus, the Christ.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 16:18 The revealed word

    The Spirit in organizing the Alpha and Omega aspects of the Son brings out the word of God as true which is validated in his Son. The world made flesh and the word revealed by the humanity works equally well with all those who believe in him. An example we have in the Gospel of St Mark. In the last chapter the risen Christ gives the signs that shall follow the believers. It is valid only, 'in my name' for example "They shall take up serpents." ( Mark 16:18), the Spirit adds "And it shall not hurt them."

    The Spirit gives us an example in the case of St Paul on the isle of Malta.

    "And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand./And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live./And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm./Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god." (Ac.28:3-6)

    From lack of understanding with regards to the Holy Spirit and the purpose of the scripture there are some children of Belial in our times who handle serpents as a test of their spiritual prowess. Is God to be tempted by serpent handling?
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Matt.28 :1-9 "The Lord is risen"

    v.1 End of sabbath and beginning of the Lord's Day.

    Jesus' claim, "The Son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath" is shown to be true. (12:8) The Lord of the heavenly and he returns to the rest as was before. With regards to the Alpha and Omega provisions the scripture was fulfilled in him. "Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." (He.4:11).He is the forerunner and our faith must be stedfast to enter into His rest.

    v.2 "And, behold, there was a great earthquake" Angel descent from heaven has its consequential effect. Jesus gave up his Spirit while on the cross and the result was evident:the vail of the temple was torn from top to bottom.. A worldly man given to the ways of the world believe only his rational mind and the error of it we find in the conspiracy theories. The Spirit expressly gives evidence to the pre-eminence of the Son in the earthquake. No different than the darkness at noon at the hour of crucifixion. St Paul says, "And by him all things consist," and yet how man shall believe our report? "Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?"

    vv.2-3 "And came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it./ His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow" The Angel of the Lord or His presence refers to the same: the Word revealed. "But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee"(26:32) More or less what Jesus had mentioned earlier. This is how the Spirit of Christ worked with holy men of old,- and the angel and man constitute a single measurement by truth.(Re.21:17) Thy word is truth, It is now demonstrated before the woman who were present that morning.

    vv.8-9 They obeyed the angel and went back to tell the disciples, "behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him."
  • Giannis - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Richard, 2/2

    A good example is likening God to a tap of water. We drink as much as we wish. We turn the tap as much as we want, The tap is there, the water is there, but we drink as much as we turn that tap. The more we turn it the more we drink. It is up to us. God is always there. As simple as that.

    About the kids brother, the problem with kids nowadays is not only a matter of overprotectiveness and lack of punishment. I think it is mainly of what people teach to their children. On top of that nowadays kids get their standards in life, not from the family, or the church and the Word of God, but mostly from the internet. Often from the rich and famous, the celebrities, who usually are drug or alcohol addicts, violent (don't you see how the gangsters are heroized on TV?) with broken families where fornication and adultery are the usual thing. Sex and violence is what the Kkids eat nowadays. As there is no censorship on the net, kids see and learn all sort of weird things there and then spread them to others.

    And as there are no borders nowadays the sin is propagating from one country to another very easily. Sin is like a virus, a spiritual covid, that goes from a place to another easily if there is nothing to stop it. And nowadays there is nothing to stop it. It is written that the people of the end times will be the worst of all times. And we see that in our countries, don't we?

    Wel,l maybe I say the same thing as you do but with different words. GBU
  • BJGibson - 2 weeks ago
    Vigilant.

    "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" 1 Timothy 3:2 KJV

    vigilant means alert (not disillusioned about reality); able to avoid danger (having the wisdom to keep God's people safe).

    An example of thinking and doing right, a good decision maker.
  • BJGibson - 2 weeks ago
    "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" 1 Timothy 3:2 KJV

    Being blameless means having the ability and capacity to be responsible to duties and obligations; and be an example for others on how a responsible person should act or carry themselves.

    Earlier in I Timothy 3 it states that if one desires the office of a Bishop. "This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." 1 Timothy 3:1 KJV. Any good desires a man (or woman) has comes from God. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:17 KJV The desire itself to become a Bishop comes from God. According to scripture only men (or males) can become Bishops.

    A Bishop must be blameless (responsible).
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.27:8-10 "The field of blood"

    "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value;/And gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed me."(vv.9-10)

    Here St Matthew refers to a quote from the book of Zechariah. In order to give them its proper context we shall consider the v.10. "And I took my staff, even Beauty, and cut it asunder, that I might break my covenant which I had made with all the people.' This covenant with Israel refers to the Law of Moses. Beauty symbolic sign for Jesus ("For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?"- Luke 23:31) In cutting off the Son they were repudiating the covenant and God. Jeremiah then smashing the potter's vessel at the east gate in Je.19 was a public event. Now the crucifixion was going to be a public event.

    The inspired writing of the Evangelist did not err, an example of which we have seen in the preceding chapter. The verse"that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled" referred both Isaiah and Zechariah.(26:56) The Spirit presented the potter's vessel as a sign for the Son and where Prophet Jeremiah had begun we have Prophet Zechariah leading to the field, which in general sense signifies the whole land. "The land is mine" and the divine potter "O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel."(Je.18:6)
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:56-75 "Jesus in the hands of his tormentors"

    v.56 "But all this was done, that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled."

    Here we have a reference to Ze.13:7 "smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones."" As a result 'all the disciples forsook him and fled." The passage where Peter denying Jesus owes to the specific saying of Jesus. "Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice."(v.34) Why single out Peter? In following verse, "Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples".

    Zechariah tells us in vv.8-9 what must occur. Number Three refers to the Son. "And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein./And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God." This points to the end times.

    The third part refers to what is left in Palestine. What occurs in Gaza must like a boil must burst open till 'all the land' their wound is cleansed and healed. Mal.3:2-3

    Peter's problem was that he relied on his powers as a man. "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall."(1 Co.10:11-12) What happened to St Peter and Israel are examples, "and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."

    v.67 "Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him" is a fulfillment of Isaiah verse." I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting."(50:6-8). The key verse v.56 referred to the prophets and Matthew meant Zechariah and Isaiah.
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:38-39 "A little further" (2 of 2)

    We see a variation to the upper room in the Acts. "Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour." His falling into a trance and the vision that was about to unfold had a great import on the course of the early church. So the Spirit isolates Simon Peter to make him prepared. There are few other examples which is not germane to the topic of the prayer of Jesus.

    Lastly the prayer of Jesus recorded by John is the transcription of the Holy Spirit putting to words 'the unspoken' prayer ( John 17) which as St Paul explains, "but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered./And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Ro.8:26-27) The Spirit is not narrating the life of Jesus as with biographies of the secular literature in a linear fashion but it is rendered for our spiritual instruction from both worlds of the Spirit and of the flesh. (2 Ti.3:16-17)

    "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established."(2 Co.13:1)
  • Richard H Priday - 2 weeks ago
    Necessary doctrines: Prophecy

    The subject of prophecy never seems to be an issue in one regard among those who generally hold to proper scriptural interpretation in one sense; that is of PAST fulfillment. A Reformed church and many other traditional denominational assemblies hold onto belief that the Prophets accurately predicted specific events; in particular relating to the first coming of Christ. When it comes to future prophecies related to the nation of Israel and the Millennium there is often confusion as to what is taken literally and what is meant figuratively. Thus; again sometimes it is claimed that we can't understand certain things; or perhaps more insidious that because of an isolated doctrinal stance we can't pigeonhole something being literally fulfilled because it threatens that doctrine. Needless to say if our doctrines are truly Biblical and we take scripture literally unless clearly indicated as figurative we can make a lot more sense of things.

    We need to remind ourselves that when Christ came the first time He was; by and large not received by His own ( John 1:11). We also need to realize that no matter how much prophecy we read if we are not written in the Book of life we are ultimately going to be deceived to the point that ALL who aren't there will worship the Antichrist (Beast) mentioned in Revelation 13:8.

    As I have commented numerous times in the past few years at this site; by the sixth seal it is clear there are no more Atheists; nonetheless many will continue to live in open rebellion and follow Satan to their doom at Armageddon after damning themselves and taking the Mark of the Beast. Despite these factors; there are some who have reservations as to the Eschatology of a Millennium period; for example who I still fellowship with despite disagreeing with their interpretations.

    A bigger issue is those who think God is done with Israel; a common verse used is Romans 9:6 as well as Galatians 3:7.

    I will discuss this further.
  • 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 - 2 weeks ago
    Matt. 21:10-13 "Who is this?"

    "And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?"And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee." Evangelist Matthew reports after he cleansed the temple Jesus introduces himself as " My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves." (v.13) Compare how John treats the same cleansing of the temple, " And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise."(John2:17). John places the emphasis on "My Father's house." It is in this gospel we have this citation, "I and my Father are one."( John 10:30). In the Gospel of Matthew the book introduced Jesus as the son of Abraham and son of David. (Matt.1:1) St John having presented the logos aspect of Jesus Christ gives us a concrete example in this cleansing. My house is as valid as My Father's house. John continues the Alpha aspect of Jesus by the next verse, "And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up."(v.17)

    This just shows each Gospel has its inner logic and what drives them as one is the Alpha Omega aspect of the Son hitched to the word.

    John 2:18-23

    Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?/Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up./Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?/But he spake of the temple of his body."

    "Temple of the body" how marvelously the Spirit gives us a concrete image of the Word become flesh? We are made kings and priests into Jesus Christ and the church as his body must witness this aspect of our Savior Lord. (Re.1:6)

    Levitical priesthood was set for the Israelites as befitting their bootcamp, while Order of Melchizadec is forever.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:27-28 (2 of 2) "Coming of the Son"

    "so shall also the coming of the Son of man be."

    Jesus refers to his coming at the end of v.28. The Spirit inserts the outbreak of the Tribulation which has been going before we have in v.30 "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven." This narrative mode of Parenthesis we have seen in other places, for example in the vision of Daniel, we have one week isolated from the Seventy Weeks. (9:24-27). We shall come to that anon.

    The point is the east and west mentioned in v.27 is with reference of cardinal direction while Judgment in the Spirit's parlance is with regards to divine Judgment. Pride of Satan said,"I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north."(Is.14:13). God raises the Gentile nations from the north to punish Israel. (Je.1:14). "The beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit" who would kill the two witnesses, spiritually is labeled as the son of perdition. The lament over the king of Tyre sets him as another son of perdition. "Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God." (Ez.28:13-15)"Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." The fallen man is a son of perdition and king of Tyre and so many of his ilk belong to the Gentile nations. Pride is the DNA of the beast while Jesus revealed humility and faith proved he was the Son of God.

    "But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" (8:23-27)When Jesus stilled the storm it was a proof that the Lord has set his throne over the floods."So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."(Is.59:19) This is the sign Jesus is referring to.
  • Bennymkje - In Reply - 3 weeks ago
    Gigi,

    You are free to form your conclusions whichever way you want. I used the example of the US to explain my passages and not the other way about.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:8 "For the elect sake"

    " All these are the beginning of sorrows"

    One peculiar characteristic of this chapter is beginning of sorrows have different emphases and signs for nations and for the elect When Jesus sent the twelve he warned them of sorrows that shall visit them. Wherever they were rejected they were to shake the dust off their feet for a witness.(10:14-15) Here is what we are interested in.(vv.17-22) Not only cities they were to beware of men. "And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death./ And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (vv.18-22). In 24:23 "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Jesus isolated their case separate from the sorrows that shall come upon globally. They also have a label: the church of Philadelphia covers them. "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth." (3:10)

    Second feature of this chapter is of the great tribulation. Time is shortened or reconstituted time, which is the parlance of the Spirit to make it bearable. We have an example in the world of the flesh. Jacob's love for Rachel made seven years pass like a few days. (Ge.29:20). Here s another where the world of the Spirit also takes a hand. " And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him./And being in an agony (Jesus) he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground" Luke 22:44-45). The world of the Spirit comes to rescue. Jesus shall help those in need though for others it is a great tribulation. "Such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.23: 10-13 "Master Servant Fix" (1 of 2)

    "Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ./But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant./And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted."

    Jesus as he delivered the doctrine of his Father he had as a man no place to lay his head. But God chose him as the Savior of the whole world. His holiness is founded not any world seen or in externals but on an quality, which is the DNA of the Father Son relationship. Faith is accordingly based on the Word which is eternal, and is the Law. He assured that his Father would never let go his divine nature. " Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?"(6:26) 'Behold' in this verse tells man to think of the word as already sent out and it is as good as done. So faith is what man would require as His children to take a lesson from the fowls. Similarly ants. Their worlds are organized vastly different from what we have devised so faith exercised by them no less true that we understand the term. Faith is one as the Gospel is. Holiness of God covers His creation.

    Jesus set an example with his life so at every turn we read that at Bethphage he sent out for his carriage, "All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,/Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."(21:4-5). His itinerary had been set even before the worlds began so word concerning would never change. Faith is thus serves every believer so there is no Master servant considerations to go into. He is sent exactly as he sent his disciples and everything concerning their ministry is thus arranged so any conditions demanded would be inappropriate.
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.22:30-33 "Doctrine of Christ"

    "For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."

    We need examine v.30 in detail since the gospel presented the doctrine of God in the Man. John testified that he was the Word (he 'was made flesh) "And we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father. God is a Spirit so his glory in the world of the Spirit was translated when he delivered the Sermon on the Mount, in real time so to speak. John also refers the glory of the Word, "full of grace and truth."

    So what shall we make of the mountain in the back drop? ("And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain.") This mountain is set as an emblem indicating the glory of the Word which is eternal. The cloud of witnesses attest that he presented the doctrine of God in his Person. It is truth. "(Thy word is truth") His voice likewise carried the voice of the Lord, full of grace. It is very similar to the voice from heaven witnessing. "While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him."(17:5).

    Jesus compares the witnesses in the cloud as angels of God in heaven. In the transfiguration Jesus made manifest the spiritual body he carried in his Person which was to come into its own after his resurrection. He wanted his disciples to keep it a secret. Without death there was no resurrection/ It applied to his humanity. The glory of God in his resurrection therefore had bearing on the cloud as well as on his disciples. His doctrine gives us few examples. God is the God of the living. Death belongs to the world of the flesh and blood.

    31 But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying,

    32 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.
  • Bennymkje - 1 month 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)


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