"KINGDOM" in Bible Discussions

 
  • Bennymkje - 1 day ago
    Mark 7:1-9 Doctrinal war"

    God framed the worlds by the word of God. So the Word lays down the constitution of His kingdom where both unseen and what was made to appear are complete in his Son Jesus Christ. (He.11:3; Col.1:19). Of him we received grace for grace which empowers us to not only believe in him and enjoy the liberty of producing the fruits of the Spirit. Besides the blessings of his Father in him also has given us the peace which is not as the world can give so death signifies only dissolution of our vile bodies. Everlasting life that comes with faith shall continue.

    Mark narrates how the Pharisees and the scribes coming from Jerusalem were offended at the disciples of Jesus. "Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?"(v.5). How did the tradition of the elder become the Law without God permitting doctrine of men supersede his word? Recent news illustrates the same dilemma. Is Constitution of a nation and their Bill of Rights are to be given same sanctity and worshiped? Jesus did drive out those who made it a business, "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."(Matt.21:13). There is a place where state's business are transacted and when we pray it has to be done with all our heart our soul and might. This is how tradition of the elders where money is to be made becomes a doctrine. Where does it come from? Not from unwashed hands but from the heart of man. " For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,/Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:/All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."(vv.21-23)

    What goes into the mouth shall find their own passage while what comes out of heart can be very deceptive. So love of God is either whole hearted for his glory or none at all.
  • Bennymkje - 5 days ago
    Mark 5:1-20 "My country" (2 of 2)

    Mark in his gospel presents the Son in control so the earth obeyed the Will of his Father, By presenting the doctrine in the form of parables where the earth admits no other shortcuts but must follow just as faith of man would require steps in obedience."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./For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."(4:26-29). Between sowing and harvest nothing else would hinder the reapers. So the earth admits no other sovereign authority than of his Father. So when he stilled the storm and calmed the sea so "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Faith held both world's together. (4:39-41)

    5:8 When Jesus cast out he did on the authority of the Spirit of his Father, " Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit." In healing the man it was manifest that the unclean spirit did not belong to the kingdom but was an usurper.

    Why? For the simple reason that the spirit took over the man so his soul of man did not reveal the truth.. It lay under the shadow of the devil. Recently a pig's kidney replaced the damaged kidney of a man. The soul of man is still under the grace of his Father so his faith shall serve his Will. His creation still declares His glory because the man is created in 'our image and in our likeness.'
  • 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 - 6 days ago
    Mark 4:1-3 Introduction

    "St Mark presents the parables of Jesus as mysteries so 'his doctrine' explains the familial relationship of the Father Son in terms of the earth."

    "And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,/Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow"

    Here we see what makes the Gospel of St Mark distinct from others, especially that of St Matthew to which it has more affinity an others. In three chapters St Mark having revealed the power of the Son in healing of demons states the concept of family with God as the only Father includes both heaven and the earth on single standard: faith.

    The significance of the Parable of the Sower owes to the faith which incorporates both heaven and the earth as one entity: the kingdom of God.

    Before the worlds began God sent forth his word which shall not return to him void. So the harvest at the end ought to teach us the one world at a time as interpreted by false teachers is not from God. Satan has spread his tares so denying deity to Jesus the word become flesh by some is from bad motives. "But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come."(v.29)

    The seed is good as the ground which is good. So we have the yield. "And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred."(v.8). The variation in yield shows up the nature of heart, a spiritual space. God formed all hearts alike and tries their works. :He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.:(Ps.33:15)

    St Matthew presents the Sermon on the Mount, which in order to give a context of the Alpha and Omega aspect of the Son is set against the mountain. St Marks presents 'his doctrine' in terms of the two worlds framed by his word. So the earth is not to be detached from heaven where the word sown , fruit of which are yet to collected as well.
  • Bennymkje - 6 days ago
    Mark 4:26-29 "Mystery"

    Mystery of heaven or of the earth is not in itself but is in the Son. Mystery of his Father was in his Will and consequently it as the unseen world was made to appear. God framed the worlds by his world and this mystery can only be explained by what is made to appear. (He.11:3). This being the case the Spirit gives us this line, " If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."(v.23). The key is faith, nothing else. So Jesus employed parables mystery of the kingdom of God can only be opened by faith and enter therein with the help of the Son. All other vain exercises, are temporal and not from God. So the world and how the system works so any fool may aspire to the highest office and sit there is temporal. "while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."(2 Co.4:18) So when we saw a dictator like Joseph Stalin striding like a Colossus for some 30 years, there was this mystery of divine Will also at work. Having caused some 20 million deaths he went out like a flesh. What was he but a flash in the pan! What is seen is temporal. Crooks fools innocents saints and all, have had their day. But the earth abides forever because the mystery of the Will is in lockstep with the Son fulfilling it. It is to this the key text refers. "He (man) knoweth not how./For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." It is as deep calls unto the deep.

    In an astonishing cosmic cycle that occurs every 2.4 million years, Mars' gravitational pull is shifting Earth's path around the sun, warming its climate and increasing vigorous deep ocean circulation, according to a new study published a week ago in the journal Nature Communications. God is in charge, for sure. So nations beat the drum, instead of joy what it brings, destruction! The Soviet empire collapsed within 8 decades.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Ge.1Mark 4:1-11 "Unto you given" (1 of 2)

    "And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables" Mark gives us mystery of the family as is in heaven and on earth where God is one. He has set his throne which is the throne of sovereignty. He blessed all in his Son and the mystery is of his Will.

    St Paul makes his sovereignty as the central plank so his good pleasure in his Son extended to all who received him in faith:

    1:"hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." This refers to the everlasting covenant where on day Six God expresses "behold, it was good"(Ge.1:31). This covenant is inclusive so it is not any nation but whosoever received the Son should have adoption, of children as stated in the next:

    2: "as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, "unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,(Ep.1:3-6). So the man is adopted to himself so he is 'the Father who art in heaven.'

    3: everlasting life is conditional so John's Gospel assures us "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."( John 3:16). Today is the day of salvation is now while we are in our vile bodies and it refers our world of flesh and blood. Simultaneously the day refers in heaven as long as the Alpha and Omega mode of Jesus Christ extends and it is not for us to know. The point is we are saved according to the covenant, when we died to the world and to sin. We have a building of God, a spiritual body awaiting us. (2 Co.5:1)

    Mark tells us in the next verse those who have dismissed this mystery shall not benefit from parables. "That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."(4:12). Heresies did not occur happenstance.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 3- Conclusion

    "Who is my mother, or my brethren?"

    The question is all the more striking since Jesus does not include his father. Jesus never had doubt as to where he came from or was going to. St Luke informs us, "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"( Luke 2:49). His Father was in heaven and he knew his deity was still entwined in his Father's bosom. So the words that he spoke as he heard while in heaven and what he put in his mouth. So the conclusion? Man can only be part of their relationship by acknowledging that he has to fulfill the will of the Father which art in heaven while in flesh and blood. No other shortcuts.

    "For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

    God breathed in the nostrils of man so everyone of us is represented in Adam. The spirit of God breathed into us must be for entering into the rest of God. The kingdom of God rules over all so His sovereignty is what makes His creation bask in his power and glory.(Ps.103:19). We shall understand the power of the Spirit in controlling movements. Murmuring of starling is fascinating to watch. As they sway en masse and form clouds no one can be identified in the multitude. One may be any where and yet nowhere. They flit and float without any mishap. How do they do it? There is a skill the spirit of God has given them, the wherewithal so they prosper.

    The same power of God and glory and the fall of man shows where he differs from the birds of the air. Instead of being sustained by the grace from the throne of God he speaks of culture as Jews would wave 'the traditions of their fathers' that brought condemnation from Jesus. Without acknowledging God as the Father and doing his will perfectly no nations shall survive.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 3:19-27 "Besides himself"

    Jesus formally chose the twelve "And they went into an house." Here we a curious passage,"And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread./And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself."(vv.20-21).

    Fame of the new prophet we read earlier in the Gospel of Mark was no different than of John the Baptist. "And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee."(1:28) Jesus having seen the masses who were as sheep without a shepherd.(Matt.9:36) began to preach of the gospel while his cousin before him aroused much speculation and curiosity. "Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan." to hear his message.(Matt.3:5) " And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?"( John 1:19). His testimony was received and they saw him as well. "The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." Here we have an unvarnished look at fame or celebrity status. The ear hears so much as eye sees so often yet Jesus was an unknown quantity to his friends. "He is possessed!" summed up their report. The Spirit gives us the instance of his mother, "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart."( Luke 2:19).

    Hearing without faith is a dumb thing to do and it is how Jesus became so many things to so many. She heard with her ear of faith and digested over it. What many have witnessed or heard are good seed sown into the heard but it poves to be no man's land."When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side."(Matt.13:19). Is it strange to hear that some believers do not believe in trinity?
  • GiGi - 1 week ago
    For "S"

    GOD IS SUPREME OVER ALL

    The supremacy of God is unrivaled. All that is belongs to Him. " Ps. 24:1 the earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof, the world and all that dwell therein".

    1 Chr.29:11 "Thine O, Lord is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, and thou art exalted as head above all."

    God reigns as the supreme sovereign of all creation. He is the maker of heaven and earth, all that is seen and unseen, even the powers, principalities, dominions, rulers in high places are ruled by Him.

    In the consummation when Jesus returns, ALL things will be given to Jesus and then Jesus will conquer the final enemy death, and then He will turn ALL things over to His Father for a reign that lasts forever. ( 1 Cor 15:24-28)

    I love this doxology often added at the end of the Lord's prayer.

    "For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory forever and ever Amen."

    It is foolish for anyone to think they can or try to thwart God's will and purposes. Satan was foolish and continues in his folly forever because he did not wanted to be ruled by God. We should be careful not to fall into rebellion against God's rule in our lives. It is for our best that we submit to Him in everything in every way. We are really powerless in light of His greatness. And we know that He is the "only wise God" and the only one who is truly good.

    So we can trust Him and not lose heart when things are allowed to happen in our lives that are painful, difficult, perplexing, or cause us to despair or doubt. We remember that Jesus is familiar with our weakness and infirmities and is our great High Priest, perfect in every way to not only mediate for us but is perfect and can help us in the best way in all circumstances.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 2:27-28 "Sabbath" (2 of 2)

    It is thus approaching the Bible with out the aid of the Spirit heresies have come unrestrained. John's epistle speaks of those who have the Son has also the Father. Jesus defended his disciples "And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn."

    Under the provision of the Covenant the seven days refer to the MOU and the Word is ultimate authority not to be confused by legal terms of the ungodly world. Holiness of God cannot deny himself.

    So on Day 6 God blessed man in the Man component.(Ge.1:28)

    "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." God allowed the Man to fulfill according what they covenanted in the triune godhead.

    "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre./Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."(Ps.45:6-7)
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 2:27-28 Sabbath (1 of 2)

    Luke and Matthew also give the context and the quote, "And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath."( Luke 6:5;12:8) The everlasting covenant is between two equals so the eternal word is the Law backed by the kingdom of the Father. In case of faith we have the basis of these two worlds (He.11:3) which we shall leave aside for the moment. What are the equal entities here? They are Power on the part of God Wisdom on the part of Man. St Paul separates Man as the Lord of heaven, from man who is the earthy. "The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven."(1 Co.15:47-48)

    When Jesus was born of woman his deity was never in jeopardy since he is the Word become flesh and sent with the divine Mandate. ( John 3:16)

    When Jesus spoke "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" it is this Word was God it refers.( John 1:1; 5:17-23)

    Speaking of the context Mark 2:24 we have the Pharisees questioning "For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him."

    Next point of Sabbath is that the day Seven. God has decree the day which touches his Alpha Omega aspect. " I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee./Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession."(Ps.2:7-8) There is no sanctity for observing Sabbath without the Son element incorporated in our lives. This heresy has arisen because the Christians interpret the word of God literally and assume it is the seventh day of a week. It is an error. It is thus approaching the Bible with out the aid of the Spirit. John's epistle speaks of those who have the Son has also the Father.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 2:2-22 Old and New (2 of 2)

    New wine in new bottles refer to the new creation. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."(2 Co.5:17). Abiding in Christ is new altogether because it is fruits of the Spirit we are discussing. "I am the true vine" Jesus said and new vine refers to the newness of the palate. When Jesus promised to sup with a believer it is a reference to drinking new in the kingdom of his Father. "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."(Matt.26:29;Re.3:20)

    Luke 5:38-39

    "But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved." Jesus assured us "Without me you can do nothing"( John 15:3) Jesus as the Word become flesh promised to drink with us in his Father's kingdom. We are new and in our spiritual bodies we are the new bottles referred in this quote. The wine is of vintage quality that is same yesterday, today and forever. In v.39 it is 'the old'.

    Unlike other two gospels St Luke extends the meaning of the parable further.

    39 No man also having drunk old wine straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
  • 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 1:12-15

    "And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness./ And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him."

    Matt.4:1-2 refers to the same which however is to present the temptation, in detail while Mark skips it altogether. His version of the Gospel to give us a digest of the deity and humanity for his audience mostly from the pagan world. (5:41;7:3)

    14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,/ And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."

    vv.16-22. Marks reports of the disciples as much as of their master. Jesus chose for instance the brothers Andrew and Simon "or they were fishers."

    vv.17-20 "And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men./And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him./And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets./And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him." Here we can gather that Zebedee was a man of means having servants.

    Another curious feature is how the Evangelist keeps fast pace, using straightway or immediately as shorthand as it were, so doctrinal matters he has left for the other three gospel writers to fill in. It is how each gospel is self-contained in terms of its purpose but also dependent on the rest.

    vv.21-22 "And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught./ And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes."
  • Bennymkje - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Hi Ronald

    Neither the Spirit has told us how to breathe but we do it naturally through our nostrils. When God breathed through the nostrils of man we understand God a Spirit made us a living soul. The soul establishes His authority.There is more to life than existing.

    We have body spirit and soul which corresponds with the 'us' in God's commandment "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness."(Ge.1:26) Likeness gives a body, spirit and soul which is after the similitude existing in heaven.

    "A body hast thou prepared me"(He.10:5) a glorious body for the Son consequently must hold true for us, is it not? It is to this spiritual body St Paul refers,"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."(2 Co.5:1) Glory of body is as what God gives. Adam was earthy, since from the ground he was formed. For those have born again as a new creation, the body is glorious as that of Christ who is the Lord of heaven. Thus glory of body differs as those of earth and of heaven differs.

    We breathe merely as natural man. Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven. So as new creation we breathe as indwelling Spirit equipped us, seeking the perfect will of God. It is a matter of faith. Either you breathe so your soul shall escape condemnation when called to account Or you breathe till you body hit the dust, awaiting judgment.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Gospel of St Matthew-Conclusion (2 of 2)

    Apart from the symbolic aspect of the gifts that the three wise men presented before infant Jesus the Gospel is replete with symbols so the similitude works as principle. "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven,"in the Lord's prayer sets the rock compare heaven with the earth. Matthew presents the rock as a witness while Jesus presented the Sermon on the mount. He compares it to himself. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder."(21:44) Parable of the wise builder is about the kingdom building to which his words bring those blessed of his Father before the foundation of the world. "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock." (7:24)

    The rock hewn tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea was foreordained. This Alpha aspect of Christ we can find Isaiah referring, "And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death."(Is.53:9). God refused Moses his request instead he showed the cleft in the rock and it refers the brightness of his Glory in his Son. Isaiah annotates why 'backparts' instead. It is the difference between the hole and the pit. "Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged." His glory was for those new creation who were buried with his Son and who live by faith.(Is.51:1;Ex.33:21-23)

    In so many ways Gospel of St Matthew resonates with the everlasting covenant entered between God and Man than with his Jewish sensibilities as often made by Bible scholars.

    For this reason Matthew begins the Book referring to the generation of Jesus Christthat is pendent on Ge.2:4. So when he tells, it is to the generation of vipers "Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation."(23:36)
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Gospel of St Matthew- Conclusion (1of 2)

    1:1 The first line encapsulates the generation of Jesus Christ which delineates the Alpha and Omega mode of the holiness of God. As provided for man his blessings surely are let in his Son. So he is the son of Abraham whom God blessed. (Ge.12:3). He is also the son of David whom God blessed by equal measure,"and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever."(2 Sa.7:12). These blessings did not begin with Abraham but from the everlasting covenant. It is set down as the driver so both Gentiles and Israel are to be allowed in the Fellowship of God with Man.(Ge.1:28) This universality of the Word become flesh we see in the arrival of the Magi and his attitude towards the Gentile centurion. (8:10) He was looking for faith in the world before whom he appeared as the Apostle.

    The Sermon on the Mount presents him state the holiness of His Father as perfect. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."(5:48) He shall prove with his life that it was doable. Blessings presented in this discourse carry for those who refused it. In Ch.23 his discourse 'Woe to ye' was condemnation to the nation that shortchanged Mercies of his Father for the traditions of their fathers. "Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers./Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?"(23:30-31) The parables are a literary devise that the Spirit uses with telling effect to separate the chaff from the good seed. "And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them."(21:45)

    Fulfillment of the Scriptures is a notable feature of the Gospel so Alpha and Omega aspects of the kingdom of heaven keep the Son of man in the crosshairs from beginning till the end. Jesus began his ministry where the quote from isaiah served as a cue. "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."(4:14-17)
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Matt.18:10-20 The eternal word" (2 of 2)

    "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth"

    Jesus came to fulfill the law. He was the Word become flesh. When he presented the doctrine of his Father he was presenting himself as its fulfillment. He said with vehemence what he as the Man the message would do. "For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." His death was in dishonor but in his resurrection he proved the Power of the Word Simon Peter addressing men of Israel speaks,"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:/Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."(Ac.2:23-24). He opened a new way, the path of righteousness. "But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."(1 Co.1:30). All who followed him shall have a standard which is affixed by faith and not by praditions or by precepts of men. "For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."

    This is the power given to men.

    "And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Here we have a demonstration of what one means by Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and forever. Mark 16:18 supplied us signs and 'in my name' what happen. "They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them." St Paul in Malta proved the viper did not hurt him in fulfillment of the word. Elisha in Gilgal was told by sons of the prophets, "O thou man of God, there is death in the pot." They were not hurt because Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of the Law or the Word. (2 Ki.4:38-41) "I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending."
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Matt.28:10-20 "Jesus Christ the same" (1 of 2)

    "And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day."

    Hypocrisy of the chief priests and elders is vile in that they profess faith, without backing it with their whole heart. "Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men." (Is.29:13) They covenanted with Judas for a sum to destroy an innocent man. But they would not take what he returned. Knowing money as blood money they use it yet to buy silence from soldiers. Their respect for money was learned from the precepts of men. If this nation was a bundle of prejudices and shallow opinions what they really believed in? Their heart was like "a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" with least attention span to commune with God in truth and quietness, As soon as Moses turned his back they were urging Aaron "Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him."(Ex,32:1) . When the ten spies brought back an evil report, they were so overwrought, "And wherefore hath the Lord brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt?/And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."(Nu.14:3-4)

    'Until this day' refers to the Son so what is written of him must be fulfilled as well as the kingdom appointed for him fill both heaven and the earth. " For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;/ And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."(Col.1:19-20)

    "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth"
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Matt.27:57-60 "The rock hewn tomb"

    "He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered." Joseph would have no need to seek permission to be buried in his own tomb. He walked an extra mile to revere the body of of his master. He was a believer with firm conviction. His action was similar to Mary who anointed the body of Jesus in preparation for burial.

    The Spirit has in so many ways and in several instances what anyone did good because the word bore fruit in them. 'This seed in itself' (Ge.1:11) in the process brings the glory that Moses sought to the pit from which all saints in light owe, to use a mathematical term, their locus for their everlasting life.

    "Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek theLord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged."(Is.51:1). Isaiah refers the natural man, who is earthy to have been dug up from a hole; on the hand whoever is created new in his Son is said to be hewn from the rock.

    "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground:(Ge.1:7) Flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. So their locus is entirely different. Dust to dust and ashes to ashes is their testament. For those who are buried with Jesus in faith and abides with him the pit carries yet another inscription on their headstone:"And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."( Job 19:26).

    59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

    60 And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:17-30 Bread and wine" (2 of 2)

    "This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead."( John 21:14)

    Now we shall go back to the key text:

    "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body." Jesus speaks of bread as my body.' He is referring to the act of breaking,- and his spiritual body is never to be broken, and the sacrament was to be done in memory of him. "this do in remembrance of me."(1 Co.11:24)

    Similarly the wine refers to his blood. "For this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins."(v.28) From v.29 the Spirit clues us in what sense we are to interpret the bread and wine. The bread and wine they drink foreshadowing the everlasting covenant shall continue in the day of regeneration as well. The newness of heaven and the earth refers to their regeneration. Same testament but their spiritual bodies shall make it all new. "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."(v.29) until I drink it 'new' ought to make it clear the testament is not the subject but the creation. That day is the day of regeneration. Alpha and Omega aspect both hinge on the day decreed as the covenant. Unto this day and that day refers to the Son.
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:12-13 "Our memorial"

    "For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial."

    Faith with works in the case of Jesus was perfect."And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven." Col.1 19-20) "Reconciling all things unto himself" is explained in the episode in the house of Bethany. In him is the fulness so the king in the Parable rewarded " Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."(25:40)

    "Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker." Pr.17:5. In our times so much anger and ill-will that has spawned a whole lot of platforms where those who espouse their grievances converge. Domestic terrorism is bred on social platforms so who spreads as well as listens are equally to blame. "A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue." It is thus nations have advanced with good seed and the tares intermingled. There shall be a day of judgment where the separation shall be strictly between the goats and the sheep. Many are called but few are chosen.

    This being the case there are no sheep or goats preserved by geographical borders or by doctrine of men. Every man shall give account of himself.

    Needless to say, Satan has deceived the man who believes in his country above others. He may call the migrants as 'vermin' because his color is not right, neither is his culture. He is wicked no less. "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all."(Jas.2:10). When he invokes from a position of authority, as the pope of yore who invoked people of faith to crusade he is guilty. "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven:"(Matt.5:19)
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.25:40-46 "You did not unto me"

    The Parable clearly lays out total sanctification for those who are called to be kings and priests. " For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;/And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself."(Col.1:17-20). Receiving a prophet "in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward." But kingdom of God lays out the preceding verse as the rule: "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."(10:40). Consequently without 'Christ in me' by faith, charity is merely lip service.(1 Co.13). Laws of nations create a system and those who know it escape from justice reserved for lawbreakers. Sheep on the right speaks of the nation of light. They are those who saw the light in the true light. (Ps.36:9)

    As kings our judgment must be fair. "A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes."(Pr.20:8) abiding in Christ we ought to train ourselves which explains faith with works. So one cannot serve mammon as well as serve God. As priests "Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity."(He.5:2). Having a beam in the eye one need to be circumspect before he wants to remove the mote in someone else's eye.

    "And by him all things consist," Priestly garments of righteousness are of God we put on in our daily walks. We bear the burden of others which denote the breastplate and judgment, evokes the urim and thummim. Hearts can be very treacherous if let so by the light of the word we conduct our lives in all humility so grace may have perfect working in us. "Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."(Ro.12:16,1-2) Our bodies are living sacrifices, "holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.25:34 Alpha Omega-glory (2 of 2)

    Earlier we quoted,"Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people"(He.2:17)" This glory sets Jesus Christ as the Apostle as well as the high priest of our profession. Alpha aspect gives us the decree. "The Lord hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek." (110:4). The Spirit gives us a clue how he has organized the Bible narrative in the encounter between Abraham and Melchizedek. The High Priest of the Most High is meeting Abraham from whom the lineage of Jesus Christ springs from according to his humanity. He.7:9 annotates the Alpha and Omega in the encounter. "And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth." (Ge.14:19). Earlier God blessed Abraham which sets all families in the earth which is confirmed by Melchizedek. (Ge.12:3). The bread and wine symbolizes the spiritual significance of our glory. "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,/And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever." (Re.1:5-6). Every believer is called to be kings and priests, nothing less.

    Coming back to the key verse the right hand indicates holy angels with him include us. "on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.25:34." Alpha and Omega (1 of 2)

    " Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world"

    "When the Son of man shall come in his glory," v.31 must be understood in its correct setting. Jesus in his humanity emptied himself of the glory so in all things he shall like men, -namely of the seed of Abraham. Matt.1:1 so begins as the son of Abraham; "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people"(He.2:17) Nevertheless the Holy Spirit enumerates generation of Jesus as following those of heavens. (Ge.2:4)

    Here we shall examine the glory factor related to the Alpha Omega aspect of the Son. In his prayer to his Father he speaks of it. "And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."( John 17:5). This glory is based on the word. "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him./And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." The cloud of witnesses were thus part of his glory. and sanctified by truth. So Jesus prays, "Sanctify them by truth: thy word is truth" (John17:10)

    In his transfiguration on the mount the three disciples were present. Jesus wanted them to hold it a secret till he had completely perfected the will of his Father. From the above we see how man trivializes this glory by playing to the gallery and for the praise of men? In our Savior we are assured of life eternal. "that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Instead of truth how false teachers make Jesus with limited salvation. Such doctrine of man shall do much worse. "And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold."
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.25:32 "All Nations"

    In our time and place we endure temptation and are ridiculed and treated as fool but nevertheless we are enduring these for righteousness sake. It is thus Jesus Christ who of God has become righteousness connects us into his Alpha Omega aspect.

    "then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory"

    When we received Jesus Christ as our savior we heard the knock on the door. Supping with him signaled heavenly places (Re.3:20) and abiding life would mean that at one level Alpha mode of the Son, we were assured of life everlasting. God telling the Son " rule thou in the midst of thine enemies" was included as well. (Ps.110:1-2). When the enemies came down like a flood the Spirit raised the standard or the emblem. The bow in heaven signified it.(Is.59:19-20)

    As with other emblems mentioned earlier we have the bow in heaven associated with the throne of the Lamb. " And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones."(Re.21:18) These 12 stones are to be seen from the new earth. This serves as rainbow. Science would it as a bow owing to gravitation lensing. The main point that New Jerusalem is hung up aloft in midair serving as sign for the everlasting covenant.

    "And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:."(Re. 21:24)

    What do we make of nations? Alpha aspect of the Son separated light from darkness. (Ge.1:4) The White Throne Judgment casts out the children of disobedience (goats) from children of light (sheep).

    "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."(v.34)
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.25:32 "All nations" (1 of 2)

    "And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goat."

    It is remarkable that there is a time appointed and several other events also should occur in conjunction with it. "When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:"(v.31) The cloud of witnesses come into their own because the apotheosis of Jesus Christ means the emblem which was in the divine Will of the Father has become the throne of glory. The slain Lamb before the foundation of the world was an emblem. (Re.13:8). Right hand of the most high mentioned in the epistle to the Hebrews is no long determined by left or right but by the throne. "My Father and I are one" Jesus said in his humanity. It also shall be established. Thus we have the Throne of God and of the Lamb.(Re.22:1)

    Jesus promised his disciples, "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me." While he delivered the doctrine of his Father against the backdrop of 'a mountain' as witness he stated, "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."(5:3; Luke 22:29). All the promises of God are yea in the Son. We are looking at the Alpha and Omega aspect of the Son so the word spoken before the worlds establish the beginning and in him was fulfilled in every case. Similarly God blessed us before the worlds began. (Ep.1:3-4) The holy angels in v.31 refer to what St Paul refers," According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love." We have been held in the Alpha aspect from the beginning. Because we endured with him in his temptations we have set throne. " Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."(5:10; 1 Pe.5:10)
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.25: 14-30 "The parable" (2 of 2)

    The mind of the Lord lent his capital to the wicked servant in good faith but wickedness of the servant was his reasonable faculties took the line of least resistance. The Lord envisioned, as in the fable of the Collier and the Fuller, a clean environment while the servant was letting out the grounds for colliery. It is thus faith and reason are ever at odds when we consider the kingdom building.

    Has Christianity made the name of Jesus Christ redound to glory of God since St Paul took leave of the elders of Ephesus?

    "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

    For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock./Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them./ Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears./ And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Ac.20:28-32)

    Sects allowing only limited salvation and honor as a teacher denying his deity in full measure are sign of the times. Overseers which preach another Jesus is laying out another gospel. Blasphemy against Holy Ghost St Paul warned then. The single culprit for this is the manner the false teachers have cherry picked the word of God to impose doctrines of men rather.

    25:28-29 speaks of a church that is so feeble that they fall upon nationalism as their last refuge.
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.25:14-30 "Unprofitable servant" (1 of 2)

    The Parable is with regards to managing the kingdom of God. "And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability." The Lord entrusted his goods to his servants in a casual haphazard manner but with careful manner. In his estimation he made manifest his grace. "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith./For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office." (Ro.12:3-4).

    The servants who prospered added five talents and two talents respectively tapped on their understanding of the Lord's way of doing business and made use of his contacts and traded on his behalf. So they were concerned with pleasing their Lord acording to the measure of faith. Faith is power and its increase is in applying the skills learned in their association with their master. Whether five or two their industry brought joy unto him. "His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

    The servant who was given one talent was called to account in his turn. He used his reason than faith which made the Lord make available 'as though his hands' were for him the initial capital to the market place. It was as good as gold, his liquid assets ready to work. His rational faculties made him fear. Returning the one talent back he said, "And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine."(v.25)

    His wickedness was to think with his reason where faith was required. Injury he did to 'the hand of the lord' by hiding it in the ground. He calls him therefore, "Thou wicked and slothful servant."
  • Bennymkje - 3 weeks ago
    Matt.24:29-52 Recap. (2 of 2)

    v.30 "And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory."

    The sign of the Son of man appearing in heaven is distinct as the Son of man appearing in the clouds of heaven. In the first it is what the Spirit raises aloft. The bow in heaven declares what Isaiah referred in 59:19. The war in heaven has its consequence on earth. In the preceding verse full armor of God is referred to and we can understand the connection it has with the vision of St John,"And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer."(Re.6:2). The Spirit is referring to the bow in heaven. It has a bearing on Noah as well as for us."When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him."

    The second part deals with the Son of man appearing in heaven to collect his saints. These are in a series after their order."even so in Christ shall all be made alive./ But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming./Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power."(1 Co.15:22-24). Remember that God is the God of the living.

    " And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.:(v.31)

    It is to this these verses refer, "I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree."(Re.7:1) For the left out church time has come to redeem itself and through much tribulation. And a remnant of the Jews shall be saved.


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