Hello Brother Adam , I believe that you are a Christian so I shan't talk about why we die because you already know that . When you and I were born we were not Christians , we spent some part of our lives as atheists . Remember what we were afraid of ? The same thing atheists are still afraid of , death . A lack of faith in , and knowledge of , God , is a terrible way to live . To live and die in darkness and ignorance is terrible , nothing to look forward to other than death . That's what atheists are facing every day , they watch their loved ones die and see their own end approaching . No wonder so many of them live for the pleasures of this world , because they have nothing else to look forward to .
We know that nothing at all would even be alive if it wasn't for the grace of God , we know that God is kind to atheists every day . Life is God's gift , He is the source and sustainer of it and He can give and He can take away as Job says .
God puts a difference between His children and the atheists . We are in a covenant relationship with Him , they are outside of that . Christ is the door . As long as we are in Christ we need not fear the death of our bodies . Atheists live in faithless fear , insecurity and misery . Desperately trying to fill the void that can only be filled by the Truth . Here are some references that illustrate what I'm trying to say . Exodus chapter 23 v 31-33 , Ex Ch 34 v 10-17 , Lev Ch 20 v 22-26 , Deut Ch 10 v 17-19 , Deut Ch 20 v 10-18 , Deut Ch 32 v 39. Ezekiel Ch 18 v 32 , Eze Ch 33 v 11, Luke Ch 13 v 1-5 . John Ch 17 , Jesus's prayer and finally , what does God want for all of us ? Deuteronomy Ch 5 v 29 . Atheists do not accept God's Sovereignty , they think that they have ' rights' . They don't realise that anything and everything that they have had in the past , have today and will have tomorrow , is only because of God's mercy and kindness . They think they do things themselves and can create their own lives and destinies etc .
Error: In my last post I meant the second wife of MOSES. In questioning this she not only could be said to be discriminating RACIALLY; but also it involved cultural assimilation which she was stubborn about. The big point as well would be Moses and his authority which was questioned in Numbers 12. She felt that herself and Aaron should have more say; and we can remember the verse "rebellion is as witchcraft" in such actions ( 1 Samuel 15:23). It makes one wonder what went down when Aaron was honoring the golden calf when Moses was in the mountains the first 40 days and nights as to the silence of Miriam with such disgraceful condescension; again a warning to women in leadership.
Your words on this site are so helpful for me. You put into words some thoughts I have but have never heard them discussed.
It also causes me to check myself. I can be narrow-minded at times. ( Not intentionally)
Like when a group chose the rainbow as their color. I said,
"Oh my Lord! They taking God's token of the covenant between him and Noah , ("God's people right?), to represent one Group of
People." This is is so wrong."
Well, I read Genesis 9:16 again!
and got a different understanding.
The scripture clearly says,
" And the bow shall be in the cloud. I shall look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting Covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh
upon the earth."
"all flesh" and it never said anything about "God's people."
Again in verse 17:
It was important enough to say it twice.
Was I surprised!!!
Keep up the good work.
You also offer thoughts on how churches can, "check themselves" to make sure they have the clear mission of the Church as a place that prepares us for ministry.
You mentioned a truthful relationship between parents and children.
And that Worship is to be more important than the "House" we worship in. Amen!
PUNISHMENT OF THE ANCIENT AND CORRUPT CHURCH OF ROME FROM NOW ON -THE ANTICHRIST'S CRADLE
Revelation 18:1-5
1And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven,having great power;and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2And he cried mightily voice,saying,Babylon the great is fallen,is fallen,and is become the habitation of devils,and the hold of every foul spirit,and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird
3For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies
4Come out of her,my people,that ye be not partakers of her sins,and that ye receive not of her PLAGUES
5For her sins have reached unto heaven,GOD hath remembered her iniquities
In my foresee,I wrote in another site at April 19,2021-Death of Pope Francis-it must happen soon,until 2024 at the latest,no more.
- The Beast of the earth(of Israel-the clay-Is.64:8)with two horns LIKE A LAMB rises up-Re.13:11
-Election of the a new Pope-his nickname may be Paulus VII(?)
-The Beast of the earth LIKE A LAMB manifests himself as God in Israel;in fact a false messiah,an esoteric,and kabbalistic and spiritist false messiah; John 5:43-47
-The kabbalistic false messiah of the Jews,Beast of the earth, makes great signs and wonders of lie,even makes fire come down to the earth before men;(things of spiritism)
-The Pope(Paulus VII?)will meet the Beast like lamb;
-Both will develop a union between the RCC and Judaism,iron with clay-Dan.2:41-43,but they shall not cleave one to another, as iron is not mixed with clay;
-A religious and universal satanic Empire will be build by both religious leaders;Re.11:1-2;
-The esoteric Beast of the earth will make a deal with the Beast of sea and will give to the Beast of sea his Power,his Throne and great Authority-Re.13:2.The Antichrist's Empire is conceived by both Beasts.Then begins the last week-Dan.9:27
26I beheld,and the fruitful place was a wilderness(place where JESUS preached the Gospel,it was fruitful until 70AD),and all the cities thereof were broken down(even the Temple in LITERAL fulfillment of GOD's Word),at the presence of the Lord(yes)by His fierce anger.
27The Lord said,The whole land(Israel)shall be desolate;yet will I not make a full end(there shall be great tribulation,such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time,no,nor ever shall be).
28For this shall the earth(Israel)mourn,and the heavens above be black(the 1st & 2nd heavens-Eph.1:3-8-,i.e.the OT and NT will no longer be valid,
for that which decayes and waxes old is ready to vanish,so the 3rd will still be established from now on),for I have spoken it,I have purposed it,and will not repent,neither will I turn back from it.(the heavens(the first two heavens)and the earth(current Israel),which are now,by the same Word are kept in store,reserved unto fire against this Day of Judgment(the Judgment Seat of Christ)and perdition of ungodly men.
Is.65:17-I create NEW heavens(the 3rd)and a NEW earth(ISRAEL)and the former shall not be remembered,nor come into mind.
Je.4:23-25
23I beheld the earth(Israel)...without form,and void;and the heavens(Eph.1:3-8)they had no light
24I beheld the mountains...they trembled,the hills moved lightly
25I ...there was no man,and all the birds of the heavens were fled
Re.6:12-17
12When he opened the sixth seal,lo,there was a great earthquake;sun became black...the moon as blood;
13The stars of heaven(angels)fell unto the earth shaken of a mighty wind(Re.12:4).
14And heaven departed...;every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15Kings of earth,and great men,rich men,chief captains,the mighty men hid themselves in the dens and rocks;
16Saying to the mountains and rocks,Fall on us,hide us from the face of Him that sits on the throne,and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17The great Day of His WRATH is come;who shall be able to stand?
God is good. Love my City job. Absolutely. Will never leave Utah again. Well unless God finds me a Godly man in need of a Godly women.! My son isn't speaking to me. He needs prayer. Remember, last year, he said he could no longer deny Christ? Well, he may not be satanic anymore yet his belief system is out of wack. For one, he isn't for Trump, he wants to move to Brazil to get away from 5g towers (what ever that is) & he is a flat earther.! Prayers for sure. If your ever on YTube I go by Texsistwister. Yet only watch Godly sites for most part. Pray all's well w/you.!
Dear Sister your desires are commendable . Read Matthew chapter six verses five through to fifteen . Prayers should always be from your heart and always remember to thank God for every good thing in your life .
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."(v.31) Jesus Christ as the same yesterday today and forever, warns the four disciples what must happen hereafter. "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."(v.23)
The second Temple of Herod shall not stand."Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."(v.2) Parallel to this he also warns of his death. "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./When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."( John 2:19-22)
In order to be certain that we are not taken with the perishing Jesus introduced the sign of the end times. His body was broken up so shall everything in heaven and the earth. "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven./Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain."(He.12:26-27). The Word of God has set the warning from the beginning. What occurred at Mount Sinai was one such warning, and when the end shall come is not for us to know.
"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father./Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.:(vv.32-33)
Than you Brother for your messages . It's sad to say this but the ' church ' whichever one is ran by men and they have always had a shoddy reputation with regard to their treatment of their very own sisters in Christ . As we can read in the Gospels that this has always been the case and very shameful it is too . Our Lord loves male and female equally and ladies are to be treated as equals in his love if not able to perform all church tasks . This does not negate his love for them and shouldn't be seen as a denigration of the weaker vessel . Many men including I'm sad to say even brethren feel very threatened by knowledgeable sisters and feel some strange need to dominate them either openly or surreptitiously . We brethren need to always remember that Our Lord sees our actions towards all of our family in Christ and expects us especially if we hold any position of authority in our congregation to show much love towards the ladies in our care . We are not to be partial if we have to judge a matter between a brother and sister . In my own congregation a sister left because a brother was pestering her romantically and the brethren took his side completely and did not believe her or take her complaint at all seriously . It was a shameful incident which I am thankful I was not part of but I held no office at the time and had no influence at all . He is still a member and she has been gone from us for over twenty years and it still grieves me but doesn't seem to bother any of the other members . We shall have to answer for that I'm sure .
Mr. Priday, Qs..this is on a different subject however. I've been asked why I feel that anyone that reads & or follows any other book besides the Bible, are wrong. I remember reading that God's word is the only true word yet can't find it. If you know we're it is, please can you help me? Thnx, Texsis
I did not mean to appear doubtful of your post, if you took it that way, I am sorry I do not want to offend. My reply to Momsage was just to explain how chronologies can vary in years, I probably did not do that very well. My study of chronology from Adam was years ago. If I may, this is from my study and I am not saying mine is right and yours is wrong, please do not take it that way. We both agree the flood was 1656 years from Adam from the KJV, the Greek Septuagint has the flood at 2256 years from Adam 600 years difference. Some use this because of Shem.
The year born from the flood, Arphaxad was 2 years Salah was 37 years Eber was 67 years Peleg was 101 years Rue was 131 years Serug was 163 years Nahor was 193 years Terah was 222 years Abram, if Terah was 70 years old Abram would be born 292 years from the flood 2123 years from Adam or if Terah was 130 years old Abram would have been born 352 years from the flood 2183 years from Adam. This is from the KJV. I would have to dig up my study to give what year from Adam it is to today.
In your other post about the 240-year difference. The only thing I found when I was studying chronology if I remember correctly the Jewish chronology puts Adam around 3760 BC. On YouTube there is The Jewish Calendar 240 Missing Years this may or may not be what you are looking for, not sure I saw it but did not watch it.
I love the story of Job, very inspiring ever since I lost my grandpa. I always try to remember that God had a plan for my life and that plan is perfect no matter how hard or easy it may get I will always have the lord in my heart. In Philippians chapter 4 verse 13 it states " I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" I think about this verse in every aspect of what I do, even though I struggle to believe it at times, I always know that the lord knows the problems I'm going through and what I need help with when I don't mention it during prayer. I'm so grateful for the life that the lord has given me even though I go through many hardships.
"Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."
Salt is compared to life which could be lived to no purpose or to life abundant. The word of God warned Lot and his family to go forward but Mrs Lot would rather live in the past. "Remember Lot's wife," serves as a warning to all those who holds no vision as Abraham has had. "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." He.11:10. So living in tents as pilgrims and sojourners his vision ever led him forth so much so heaven in the Parable of Jesus is compared to Abraham's bosom.
In vv28-50 the Spirit mentions the house as separate from the world. "And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?" As with parables the mysteries were not for those who had no appreciation for the saltiness of their soul. Killing time in mindless pursuits is what they call as having good time. From the edge of their lost contents they may sent postcards telling,'wish you were here!'. In the house the disciples would press their masters for answers so they did have a sound base upon which they could build up, "Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."
vv.33-34 There was oneupmanship among them. How often did they forget that they could nothing without their master? The house is a synonym for abiding life as in the Parable of the 'I am the true vine.' ( John 15:3) They were yet to understand the principle of Association. Charity of giving a glass of water is in the connection between the one in need and God in heaven. "Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me." False shepherds wax eloquent over 1 Co.13 and let not their Jesus talk fool anyone. Without abiding life in Christ it is for their own glory.
Thanks. Not sure at times if anyone is reading this stuff. It is good practice looking up verses on google that I am familiar with for my own edification and I don't need recognition but still want to be able to encourage someone.
I am in a season where I need to live with and serve parents in their 90's. Not sure if I need at some point to break away so that they get more care they need before things get worse physically for them and mentally. They don't know Christ either although my church family is praying for them daily. With that and my part time job; errands; and church activities I am limited as to outreach and evangelism at present. Hoping really to be able to perhaps find employment or volunteer perhaps in writing stuff as I am not gifted nor have pastorial formal education and training. Feel free to pray for me if you wish.
Don't remember seeing you here before. Thought maybe I'd inquire if there is any scriptural subject matter which you wanted to discuss-I have been told in the past trying to publish stuff that I'm too "preachy". Any suggestions on how to improve my posts are helpful as well (I have stuff from the last 2 years at least on here; whether in the Gospel of John and Revelation or on various subjects like predestination. Some of my stuff is controversial; particularly as I view divorce and remarriage. Strange to say things I expect controversy on don't always materialize. Am very blessed in general to have this forum and that I haven't been shut down as yet.
There are many churches who are going to detail the last week of Christ's earthly ministry before His death on the cross from Palm Sunday's exaltation and praise to the Passover meal; betrayal and all the sufferings in Gethsemane followed by those leading up to his death in the mock trials involving the Jews and Roman authorities; and finally of course what He endured on the cross.
Following Passover (which happens to be off a month due to a leap year concept) we have the approximate time of the year correct as to when these things take place; of course now removed nearly 2000 years since the event. We naturally want to deviate from all the pagan rituals of Easter (derived from "Ishtar") along with the celebrations of fertility around the equinox and the variants related to eggs; bunnies and consuming ham. It is doubtful today that we are finding some sinister idol worship when it comes to an egg hunt or consuming certain foods but for those whose conscience doesn't allow that; along with those who won't celebrate Christmas which admittedly has become even more perverted everyone should respect the decisions of others whether abstaining or not (unless somehow we are truly involved with some New Age or occult practices).
At any event; my main concept involves realizing the deliverance of the Exodus with Passover and of course how blood on the doorposts is symbolic of our Lord and His atonement for us with the perfect sacrifice as an unblemished lamb ( 1 Peter 1:19).
Remembering that this week is the culmination of the life of our Lord and not isolating the event from all the other perfect acts He did throughout His ministry needs to be taken into consideration along with the fact that He "ever lives to intercede for us now" ( Heb. 7:25). We must remember the sacrificial love He showed in our relations with others. There is no greater love than giving our life for our friends ( John 15:13). That is one day at a time until the end.
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
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.
Jesus in the house Bethany is a private world of the larger world to which God sent his Son. He loved the world so he sent him as only begotten meaning the word was literally in the house. It is in this sense Jesus accosted Zachaeus," This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."( Luke 19:9). Simon the leper is of the same weight as Zachaeus in that God made man a living soul equally. Truth makes every man born of woman in need of salvation.
Jesus commended the woman "for she hath wrought a good work upon me.". Those who had no business to criticize did for no good reason. She brought the alabaster box and broke it in order to wrought a good work upon him. Jesus understood her service was spot on. This explain the Parable in the preceding chapter.
Jesus was there in his humanity, which St Luke emphasizes in his version. His host is Simon and a Pharisee. So the short colloquy in vv.40-47 establishes this human interaction between the host and him. John's Gospel gives us a clue to his deity instead. "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany" The event and Passover is thus established. The Gospel of Mark sets his version closely similar to that of Matthew. " She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying./Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."( Mark 14:8-9). The importance of service a believer does to another is tantamount to serving the Lord directly. All four gospels include this event. How do we erect memorials in heaven?
"Let brotherly love continue./Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares./Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (He.13:1-3)
"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.
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.
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.
Some people grow up very bothered and resentful that their parents spanked them growing up. But this is not true of all.
Personally, I knew that my parents loved me and wanted my to grow in obedience to them and God. The spankings I do remember I deserved, for I had sinned and punishment was appropriate. I never was angry or resentful or critical of my parents for spanking me.
Though some, like you, are very against spanking, I do not think that the Scriptures prohibit it as a means to discipline children. It is legitimate for believers to use it in training up their children in the way they should go. It is also legitimate for parents to choose to not spank and employ other means.
As I stated in my response to Confuzzled, spanking is not to be used as an outlet for adult emotions such as anger, frustrations, etc. It is a teaching tool, not a way of dominating a child. We do want to steer them from behaviors that are not good for them or others and those that can grow into behaviors that are very disturbing if left unchecked.
I appreciate that you have expressed how you view spanking. But it is not a fact that spanking children will automatically cause them to be angry and resentful of their parents.
Before we come to coinage that runs through hands and make a sound of splash when it is put on the counter there comes up a question, "Is this legal or is it counterfeit? Jesus wanted to make sure when a penny was brought to him, "Whose is this image and superscription?" It is so elemental that we buy and sell without realizing the entire authority of the powers- that-be has made it valid. So much so for a world given to changes. God has invested in faith so everlasting covenant validates our interaction with our brethren as well as with God. Blood of Jesus validates our act of faith so when we say Amen at the end of the Lord's Prayer we are making our requests in his Son.
We read of God tempting Abraham and Isaac because of this covenant existing between God and his Son. As the name says this value shall never change. Both sides of the coin are placed on the line before God. When the Spirit writes, "And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth." (Ge.9:16) it is not about memory but the covenant between heaven and the earth already in existence. His blessings running on continually ever since the sixth day is manifestation of His holiness. God is love. It also tells the perverseness of imposter church to exegete passages without sticking to this covenant where both sides, world of the Spirit and of the body has to be addressed. So my faith is addressing my Father which art in heaven in his Son. Without it it is neither here nor there.
Look at Science? Without including God as the creator what it speaks is merely how things work in such and such manner. After Galileo everything must be proved by hypothesis. So steady state theory of cosmology may give over to something else. It is how flase shepherd have treated the word of God. Why things work can only be made real by faith."Thy word is truth."
Minds that devise nuclear bombs refer to the mind of man. It is all caught up in ideas, and cutting short time and motion. Such reliance on reason than morality takes line of least resistance. His foresight does not match hindsight. So we have micro-plastics even in oceans and in our bodies. Space junk not to mention the garbage left behind the Himalayas and so on. Then we have forever chemicals.
Since you mentioned history Nazi Germany was well advanced onto making a nuclear bomb as well as Japan. One of the last acts of the former was to send all that enriched uranium through a sub- 325 if I remember correctly, to Tokyo which en route was intercepted by the US before Canada could. On the way Germany had surrendered to the Allies. So the crew of the sub readily surrendered to the US. At that time the US were run by decent and morally upright men like FDR,Truman George Marshall. FDR politically savvy could not have got his New Deal through so he packed the Supreme Court with social minded Justices like Brandeis and few others. The same idea in our times have created way for the present impasse. In whichever case God is in control. No nation has been given a blank check to do what it will. Man takes shortcuts while history runs slowly so man often fails to see the connection. Have you seen any policies run to its happy outcome? Did the Civil war free the slaves and the people lived happily ever after?
In your post to Chris you did make more than one small sarcastic remark. You even disparaged God in it.
I was not lying in wait for you to error so I could point out your sin. But your remarks prompted me to enter the conversation. I was not angry with you, just sad that you said what you did in a conversation that was centered on whether one can come to the point of being sinless in this lie, as you asserted about yourself. In speaking sarcastically as you did, you were not merely making a point to support your position or to show the error of Chris' view, in my opinion.
I am sorry that you have made the choice to eliminate conversation with some of us here. That is sad to me. I thought you considered me a friend, and I value that. But friends should be able to be honest in gentle ways for the purpose of helping one another, even if it involves showing where we sin against one another.
I hope that you will change your mind and also remember that if you post on this forum, anyone can reply to what you say, so even if you do not wish to speak to me or Adam or Chris, we are free to speak to what you post here. I pray that
God will bring healing and restoration between us as well as help us all to be open when someone identifies sin in what we say here, as I did in your case. The best thing you can do is examine yourself before God and confess yourself a sinner before Him as I and most on here do when we realize that we have sinned, even though our "new man" does not want to sin, as Paul says so well in Romans 7.
Thank you for reminding us of how your wife is abusing you. Will be praying for you.
I will advise you the same way I would advise a woman who is being physically abused-leave the abuser. Get yourself into a situation where you are removed from her so that she cannot physically hit you anymore. That is good for you and also for her. If you are not around her, she will not be allowed to continue behavior that is sinful and harmful to you and your relationship. I would recommend that you get away from her sooner than later. If you need to stay in the home, then document the times she hits you for a week or so and then file a restraining order that will require her to leave the home. it is healthy for both of you to not continue interacting in this way. I will remember you and her in my prayers today.
" Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other."
This verse recalls the Father Son relationship in the godhead. Holiness of God is eternal because of the Law."Thy word is truth." Consequently mercy and truth can be rephrased as thus:"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The Spirit informs us truth and what as from the beginning.
God is qualified as the Father of all mercies.(2 Co.1:3)sent his Son and in his logos aspect it is grace that he revealed. So grace is what allows the blessings of God work abundantly. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him./ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust".(Ps.103:13-14). Jesus in his humanity carried the voice of the Lord so people marveled at his words, which the Spirit qualifies as the word of his grace. By the same token when Jesus Christ is risen he is said to be' And upholding all things by the word of his power.'In short grace and power are the means to establish the everlasting covenant between Mercy and Truth.
This is the word of truth witnessing in our heart, a spiritual space. Accordingly the cloud of witnesses are not merely any ornament one adds to his person to add dignity or honor but the truth: Mercy and truth are met together.
"Righteousness and peace have kissed each other."
We received Jesus by faith and we confess that he is in us. If we hate our brother as the word of God says that we are in darkness. And we made him a liar. "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; 1 John 2:9-11) We are called to be as was in heaven, Righteoussness of God and Christ, who of us is peace so when we keep peace between brethren Christ is in our midst. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."(Matt.18:19-20)
"And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city," Martyrdom of two witnesses lying in the street is a sign. We have Jesus telling his disciples how to respond to the cities where they were not received. "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet./Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."(Matt.10:14-15). When Jesus concludes his 'woe to ye' indictment he says,"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (Matt.23:38). This was a sure indication that the house was not worthy since they had rejected the prince of peace. "And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you." Israel shall never be at rest till they receive him, "For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."(23:39). The two witnesses lying in the street of the great city is to be spiritually understood. They serve as a sign of doom of disasters that shall visit upon them. The names of cities are interchangeable. The stone that angel cast down signals the fall of Babylon (Re.18:21) and it could be applied to all cities of the world.
The sign of his coming is sure of the day of judgment for these cities. "For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities./Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works."(Re.18:5-6) We see it even now. 'Globalism' was the watchword of nations living deliciously and' Greed is good was their mantra. Now it is dead. The beast who shall appear is part of long line of powers- that-be and they shall do evil. " And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition."(17:11)
In my last post; I discussed the concern over graven images in Catholicism; but in reality this is evident in Greek and Russian Orthodox and many other denominations as well. A key factor here is to consider that all which is worthy in regard to any true saint of God is Christ Himself who has taken up residence. This does tie into an individual soul and spirit submissive to that authority and rewarded for faithfulness accordingly; but we cannot adequately represent that either. Going beyond saints who are in scripture or designated by man we have those who keep images; whether pictoral or sculptural of deceased loved ones; whether professing believers in life or not. Those who are not have no chance whatsoever of bringing the true God into the equation when we focus on remembering their lives or "sensing their presence." That at best is our imagination; and oftentimes are demons who trigger these memories and try to control us. I have not found it beneficial or edifying to always bombard people who have such keepsakes but don't think much about it but nonetheless the danger is very real. And objects that are directly correlating to demon gods or goddesses of course are going to invite evil to fill a household with all the curses inherent with such things. Getting into an exhaustive list of all these items is beyond the scope of this post; but this would include anything with "supernatural powers" such as scapulars; holy water; images; etc.
In witnessing; therefore we must be attentive in particular to cultures from Eastern religions that have these sorts of things tied in with family possessions. This of course involves those who practice polytheism in this countryu and ranges from seemingly innocuous items with New Age mystics to overtly Satanic items actually used in rituals.
In the next post I will discuss the idols of this culture as to media magnates; rock stars and entertainers.
Thank you!
I have to remember the scripture
you sent. John 16:33
The other post had a misspelled word.
Sorry.
We know that nothing at all would even be alive if it wasn't for the grace of God , we know that God is kind to atheists every day . Life is God's gift , He is the source and sustainer of it and He can give and He can take away as Job says .
God puts a difference between His children and the atheists . We are in a covenant relationship with Him , they are outside of that . Christ is the door . As long as we are in Christ we need not fear the death of our bodies . Atheists live in faithless fear , insecurity and misery . Desperately trying to fill the void that can only be filled by the Truth . Here are some references that illustrate what I'm trying to say . Exodus chapter 23 v 31-33 , Ex Ch 34 v 10-17 , Lev Ch 20 v 22-26 , Deut Ch 10 v 17-19 , Deut Ch 20 v 10-18 , Deut Ch 32 v 39. Ezekiel Ch 18 v 32 , Eze Ch 33 v 11, Luke Ch 13 v 1-5 . John Ch 17 , Jesus's prayer and finally , what does God want for all of us ? Deuteronomy Ch 5 v 29 . Atheists do not accept God's Sovereignty , they think that they have ' rights' . They don't realise that anything and everything that they have had in the past , have today and will have tomorrow , is only because of God's mercy and kindness . They think they do things themselves and can create their own lives and destinies etc .
Your words on this site are so helpful for me. You put into words some thoughts I have but have never heard them discussed.
It also causes me to check myself. I can be narrow-minded at times. ( Not intentionally)
Like when a group chose the rainbow as their color. I said,
"Oh my Lord! They taking God's token of the covenant between him and Noah , ("God's people right?), to represent one Group of
People." This is is so wrong."
Well, I read Genesis 9:16 again!
and got a different understanding.
The scripture clearly says,
" And the bow shall be in the cloud. I shall look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting Covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh
upon the earth."
"all flesh" and it never said anything about "God's people."
Again in verse 17:
It was important enough to say it twice.
Was I surprised!!!
Keep up the good work.
You also offer thoughts on how churches can, "check themselves" to make sure they have the clear mission of the Church as a place that prepares us for ministry.
You mentioned a truthful relationship between parents and children.
And that Worship is to be more important than the "House" we worship in. Amen!
I look forward to reading your writing.
Revelation 18:1-5
1And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven,having great power;and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2And he cried mightily voice,saying,Babylon the great is fallen,is fallen,and is become the habitation of devils,and the hold of every foul spirit,and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird
3For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies
4Come out of her,my people,that ye be not partakers of her sins,and that ye receive not of her PLAGUES
5For her sins have reached unto heaven,GOD hath remembered her iniquities
In my foresee,I wrote in another site at April 19,2021-Death of Pope Francis-it must happen soon,until 2024 at the latest,no more.
- The Beast of the earth(of Israel-the clay-Is.64:8)with two horns LIKE A LAMB rises up-Re.13:11
-Election of the a new Pope-his nickname may be Paulus VII(?)
-The Beast of the earth LIKE A LAMB manifests himself as God in Israel;in fact a false messiah,an esoteric,and kabbalistic and spiritist false messiah; John 5:43-47
-The kabbalistic false messiah of the Jews,Beast of the earth, makes great signs and wonders of lie,even makes fire come down to the earth before men;(things of spiritism)
-The Pope(Paulus VII?)will meet the Beast like lamb;
-Both will develop a union between the RCC and Judaism,iron with clay-Dan.2:41-43,but they shall not cleave one to another, as iron is not mixed with clay;
-A religious and universal satanic Empire will be build by both religious leaders;Re.11:1-2;
-The esoteric Beast of the earth will make a deal with the Beast of sea and will give to the Beast of sea his Power,his Throne and great Authority-Re.13:2.The Antichrist's Empire is conceived by both Beasts.Then begins the last week-Dan.9:27
26I beheld,and the fruitful place was a wilderness(place where JESUS preached the Gospel,it was fruitful until 70AD),and all the cities thereof were broken down(even the Temple in LITERAL fulfillment of GOD's Word),at the presence of the Lord(yes)by His fierce anger.
27The Lord said,The whole land(Israel)shall be desolate;yet will I not make a full end(there shall be great tribulation,such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time,no,nor ever shall be).
28For this shall the earth(Israel)mourn,and the heavens above be black(the 1st & 2nd heavens-Eph.1:3-8-,i.e.the OT and NT will no longer be valid,
for that which decayes and waxes old is ready to vanish,so the 3rd will still be established from now on),for I have spoken it,I have purposed it,and will not repent,neither will I turn back from it.(the heavens(the first two heavens)and the earth(current Israel),which are now,by the same Word are kept in store,reserved unto fire against this Day of Judgment(the Judgment Seat of Christ)and perdition of ungodly men.
Is.65:17-I create NEW heavens(the 3rd)and a NEW earth(ISRAEL)and the former shall not be remembered,nor come into mind.
Je.4:23-25
23I beheld the earth(Israel)...without form,and void;and the heavens(Eph.1:3-8)they had no light
24I beheld the mountains...they trembled,the hills moved lightly
25I ...there was no man,and all the birds of the heavens were fled
Re.6:12-17
12When he opened the sixth seal,lo,there was a great earthquake;sun became black...the moon as blood;
13The stars of heaven(angels)fell unto the earth shaken of a mighty wind(Re.12:4).
14And heaven departed...;every mountain and island were moved out of their places.
15Kings of earth,and great men,rich men,chief captains,the mighty men hid themselves in the dens and rocks;
16Saying to the mountains and rocks,Fall on us,hide us from the face of Him that sits on the throne,and from the wrath of the Lamb:
17The great Day of His WRATH is come;who shall be able to stand?
"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."(v.31) Jesus Christ as the same yesterday today and forever, warns the four disciples what must happen hereafter. "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."(v.23)
The second Temple of Herod shall not stand."Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."(v.2) Parallel to this he also warns of his death. "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./When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said."( John 2:19-22)
In order to be certain that we are not taken with the perishing Jesus introduced the sign of the end times. His body was broken up so shall everything in heaven and the earth. "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven./Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain."(He.12:26-27). The Word of God has set the warning from the beginning. What occurred at Mount Sinai was one such warning, and when the end shall come is not for us to know.
"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father./Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.:(vv.32-33)
I did not mean to appear doubtful of your post, if you took it that way, I am sorry I do not want to offend. My reply to Momsage was just to explain how chronologies can vary in years, I probably did not do that very well. My study of chronology from Adam was years ago. If I may, this is from my study and I am not saying mine is right and yours is wrong, please do not take it that way. We both agree the flood was 1656 years from Adam from the KJV, the Greek Septuagint has the flood at 2256 years from Adam 600 years difference. Some use this because of Shem.
The year born from the flood, Arphaxad was 2 years Salah was 37 years Eber was 67 years Peleg was 101 years Rue was 131 years Serug was 163 years Nahor was 193 years Terah was 222 years Abram, if Terah was 70 years old Abram would be born 292 years from the flood 2123 years from Adam or if Terah was 130 years old Abram would have been born 352 years from the flood 2183 years from Adam. This is from the KJV. I would have to dig up my study to give what year from Adam it is to today.
In your other post about the 240-year difference. The only thing I found when I was studying chronology if I remember correctly the Jewish chronology puts Adam around 3760 BC. On YouTube there is The Jewish Calendar 240 Missing Years this may or may not be what you are looking for, not sure I saw it but did not watch it.
God bless,
RLW
"Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."
Salt is compared to life which could be lived to no purpose or to life abundant. The word of God warned Lot and his family to go forward but Mrs Lot would rather live in the past. "Remember Lot's wife," serves as a warning to all those who holds no vision as Abraham has had. "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." He.11:10. So living in tents as pilgrims and sojourners his vision ever led him forth so much so heaven in the Parable of Jesus is compared to Abraham's bosom.
In vv28-50 the Spirit mentions the house as separate from the world. "And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?" As with parables the mysteries were not for those who had no appreciation for the saltiness of their soul. Killing time in mindless pursuits is what they call as having good time. From the edge of their lost contents they may sent postcards telling,'wish you were here!'. In the house the disciples would press their masters for answers so they did have a sound base upon which they could build up, "Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."
vv.33-34 There was oneupmanship among them. How often did they forget that they could nothing without their master? The house is a synonym for abiding life as in the Parable of the 'I am the true vine.' ( John 15:3) They were yet to understand the principle of Association. Charity of giving a glass of water is in the connection between the one in need and God in heaven. "Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me." False shepherds wax eloquent over 1 Co.13 and let not their Jesus talk fool anyone. Without abiding life in Christ it is for their own glory.
I am in a season where I need to live with and serve parents in their 90's. Not sure if I need at some point to break away so that they get more care they need before things get worse physically for them and mentally. They don't know Christ either although my church family is praying for them daily. With that and my part time job; errands; and church activities I am limited as to outreach and evangelism at present. Hoping really to be able to perhaps find employment or volunteer perhaps in writing stuff as I am not gifted nor have pastorial formal education and training. Feel free to pray for me if you wish.
Don't remember seeing you here before. Thought maybe I'd inquire if there is any scriptural subject matter which you wanted to discuss-I have been told in the past trying to publish stuff that I'm too "preachy". Any suggestions on how to improve my posts are helpful as well (I have stuff from the last 2 years at least on here; whether in the Gospel of John and Revelation or on various subjects like predestination. Some of my stuff is controversial; particularly as I view divorce and remarriage. Strange to say things I expect controversy on don't always materialize. Am very blessed in general to have this forum and that I haven't been shut down as yet.
Agape. Rich P
There are many churches who are going to detail the last week of Christ's earthly ministry before His death on the cross from Palm Sunday's exaltation and praise to the Passover meal; betrayal and all the sufferings in Gethsemane followed by those leading up to his death in the mock trials involving the Jews and Roman authorities; and finally of course what He endured on the cross.
Following Passover (which happens to be off a month due to a leap year concept) we have the approximate time of the year correct as to when these things take place; of course now removed nearly 2000 years since the event. We naturally want to deviate from all the pagan rituals of Easter (derived from "Ishtar") along with the celebrations of fertility around the equinox and the variants related to eggs; bunnies and consuming ham. It is doubtful today that we are finding some sinister idol worship when it comes to an egg hunt or consuming certain foods but for those whose conscience doesn't allow that; along with those who won't celebrate Christmas which admittedly has become even more perverted everyone should respect the decisions of others whether abstaining or not (unless somehow we are truly involved with some New Age or occult practices).
At any event; my main concept involves realizing the deliverance of the Exodus with Passover and of course how blood on the doorposts is symbolic of our Lord and His atonement for us with the perfect sacrifice as an unblemished lamb ( 1 Peter 1:19).
Remembering that this week is the culmination of the life of our Lord and not isolating the event from all the other perfect acts He did throughout His ministry needs to be taken into consideration along with the fact that He "ever lives to intercede for us now" ( Heb. 7:25). We must remember the sacrificial love He showed in our relations with others. There is no greater love than giving our life for our friends ( John 15:13). That is one day at a time until the end.
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
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.
Jesus in the house Bethany is a private world of the larger world to which God sent his Son. He loved the world so he sent him as only begotten meaning the word was literally in the house. It is in this sense Jesus accosted Zachaeus," This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham."( Luke 19:9). Simon the leper is of the same weight as Zachaeus in that God made man a living soul equally. Truth makes every man born of woman in need of salvation.
Jesus commended the woman "for she hath wrought a good work upon me.". Those who had no business to criticize did for no good reason. She brought the alabaster box and broke it in order to wrought a good work upon him. Jesus understood her service was spot on. This explain the Parable in the preceding chapter.
Jesus was there in his humanity, which St Luke emphasizes in his version. His host is Simon and a Pharisee. So the short colloquy in vv.40-47 establishes this human interaction between the host and him. John's Gospel gives us a clue to his deity instead. "Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany" The event and Passover is thus established. The Gospel of Mark sets his version closely similar to that of Matthew. " She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying./Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her."( Mark 14:8-9). The importance of service a believer does to another is tantamount to serving the Lord directly. All four gospels include this event. How do we erect memorials in heaven?
"Let brotherly love continue./Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares./Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body." (He.13:1-3)
"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.
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.
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.
Some people grow up very bothered and resentful that their parents spanked them growing up. But this is not true of all.
Personally, I knew that my parents loved me and wanted my to grow in obedience to them and God. The spankings I do remember I deserved, for I had sinned and punishment was appropriate. I never was angry or resentful or critical of my parents for spanking me.
Though some, like you, are very against spanking, I do not think that the Scriptures prohibit it as a means to discipline children. It is legitimate for believers to use it in training up their children in the way they should go. It is also legitimate for parents to choose to not spank and employ other means.
As I stated in my response to Confuzzled, spanking is not to be used as an outlet for adult emotions such as anger, frustrations, etc. It is a teaching tool, not a way of dominating a child. We do want to steer them from behaviors that are not good for them or others and those that can grow into behaviors that are very disturbing if left unchecked.
I appreciate that you have expressed how you view spanking. But it is not a fact that spanking children will automatically cause them to be angry and resentful of their parents.
Before we come to coinage that runs through hands and make a sound of splash when it is put on the counter there comes up a question, "Is this legal or is it counterfeit? Jesus wanted to make sure when a penny was brought to him, "Whose is this image and superscription?" It is so elemental that we buy and sell without realizing the entire authority of the powers- that-be has made it valid. So much so for a world given to changes. God has invested in faith so everlasting covenant validates our interaction with our brethren as well as with God. Blood of Jesus validates our act of faith so when we say Amen at the end of the Lord's Prayer we are making our requests in his Son.
We read of God tempting Abraham and Isaac because of this covenant existing between God and his Son. As the name says this value shall never change. Both sides of the coin are placed on the line before God. When the Spirit writes, "And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth." (Ge.9:16) it is not about memory but the covenant between heaven and the earth already in existence. His blessings running on continually ever since the sixth day is manifestation of His holiness. God is love. It also tells the perverseness of imposter church to exegete passages without sticking to this covenant where both sides, world of the Spirit and of the body has to be addressed. So my faith is addressing my Father which art in heaven in his Son. Without it it is neither here nor there.
Look at Science? Without including God as the creator what it speaks is merely how things work in such and such manner. After Galileo everything must be proved by hypothesis. So steady state theory of cosmology may give over to something else. It is how flase shepherd have treated the word of God. Why things work can only be made real by faith."Thy word is truth."
Minds that devise nuclear bombs refer to the mind of man. It is all caught up in ideas, and cutting short time and motion. Such reliance on reason than morality takes line of least resistance. His foresight does not match hindsight. So we have micro-plastics even in oceans and in our bodies. Space junk not to mention the garbage left behind the Himalayas and so on. Then we have forever chemicals.
Since you mentioned history Nazi Germany was well advanced onto making a nuclear bomb as well as Japan. One of the last acts of the former was to send all that enriched uranium through a sub- 325 if I remember correctly, to Tokyo which en route was intercepted by the US before Canada could. On the way Germany had surrendered to the Allies. So the crew of the sub readily surrendered to the US. At that time the US were run by decent and morally upright men like FDR,Truman George Marshall. FDR politically savvy could not have got his New Deal through so he packed the Supreme Court with social minded Justices like Brandeis and few others. The same idea in our times have created way for the present impasse. In whichever case God is in control. No nation has been given a blank check to do what it will. Man takes shortcuts while history runs slowly so man often fails to see the connection. Have you seen any policies run to its happy outcome? Did the Civil war free the slaves and the people lived happily ever after?
In your post to Chris you did make more than one small sarcastic remark. You even disparaged God in it.
I was not lying in wait for you to error so I could point out your sin. But your remarks prompted me to enter the conversation. I was not angry with you, just sad that you said what you did in a conversation that was centered on whether one can come to the point of being sinless in this lie, as you asserted about yourself. In speaking sarcastically as you did, you were not merely making a point to support your position or to show the error of Chris' view, in my opinion.
I am sorry that you have made the choice to eliminate conversation with some of us here. That is sad to me. I thought you considered me a friend, and I value that. But friends should be able to be honest in gentle ways for the purpose of helping one another, even if it involves showing where we sin against one another.
I hope that you will change your mind and also remember that if you post on this forum, anyone can reply to what you say, so even if you do not wish to speak to me or Adam or Chris, we are free to speak to what you post here. I pray that
God will bring healing and restoration between us as well as help us all to be open when someone identifies sin in what we say here, as I did in your case. The best thing you can do is examine yourself before God and confess yourself a sinner before Him as I and most on here do when we realize that we have sinned, even though our "new man" does not want to sin, as Paul says so well in Romans 7.
Thank you for reminding us of how your wife is abusing you. Will be praying for you.
I will advise you the same way I would advise a woman who is being physically abused-leave the abuser. Get yourself into a situation where you are removed from her so that she cannot physically hit you anymore. That is good for you and also for her. If you are not around her, she will not be allowed to continue behavior that is sinful and harmful to you and your relationship. I would recommend that you get away from her sooner than later. If you need to stay in the home, then document the times she hits you for a week or so and then file a restraining order that will require her to leave the home. it is healthy for both of you to not continue interacting in this way. I will remember you and her in my prayers today.
" Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other."
This verse recalls the Father Son relationship in the godhead. Holiness of God is eternal because of the Law."Thy word is truth." Consequently mercy and truth can be rephrased as thus:"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." The Spirit informs us truth and what as from the beginning.
God is qualified as the Father of all mercies.(2 Co.1:3)sent his Son and in his logos aspect it is grace that he revealed. So grace is what allows the blessings of God work abundantly. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him./ For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust".(Ps.103:13-14). Jesus in his humanity carried the voice of the Lord so people marveled at his words, which the Spirit qualifies as the word of his grace. By the same token when Jesus Christ is risen he is said to be' And upholding all things by the word of his power.'In short grace and power are the means to establish the everlasting covenant between Mercy and Truth.
This is the word of truth witnessing in our heart, a spiritual space. Accordingly the cloud of witnesses are not merely any ornament one adds to his person to add dignity or honor but the truth: Mercy and truth are met together.
"Righteousness and peace have kissed each other."
We received Jesus by faith and we confess that he is in us. If we hate our brother as the word of God says that we are in darkness. And we made him a liar. "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; 1 John 2:9-11) We are called to be as was in heaven, Righteoussness of God and Christ, who of us is peace so when we keep peace between brethren Christ is in our midst. "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."(Matt.18:19-20)
"And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city," Martyrdom of two witnesses lying in the street is a sign. We have Jesus telling his disciples how to respond to the cities where they were not received. "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet./Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city."(Matt.10:14-15). When Jesus concludes his 'woe to ye' indictment he says,"Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (Matt.23:38). This was a sure indication that the house was not worthy since they had rejected the prince of peace. "And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you." Israel shall never be at rest till they receive him, "For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."(23:39). The two witnesses lying in the street of the great city is to be spiritually understood. They serve as a sign of doom of disasters that shall visit upon them. The names of cities are interchangeable. The stone that angel cast down signals the fall of Babylon (Re.18:21) and it could be applied to all cities of the world.
The sign of his coming is sure of the day of judgment for these cities. "For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities./Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works."(Re.18:5-6) We see it even now. 'Globalism' was the watchword of nations living deliciously and' Greed is good was their mantra. Now it is dead. The beast who shall appear is part of long line of powers- that-be and they shall do evil. " And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into perdition."(17:11)
In my last post; I discussed the concern over graven images in Catholicism; but in reality this is evident in Greek and Russian Orthodox and many other denominations as well. A key factor here is to consider that all which is worthy in regard to any true saint of God is Christ Himself who has taken up residence. This does tie into an individual soul and spirit submissive to that authority and rewarded for faithfulness accordingly; but we cannot adequately represent that either. Going beyond saints who are in scripture or designated by man we have those who keep images; whether pictoral or sculptural of deceased loved ones; whether professing believers in life or not. Those who are not have no chance whatsoever of bringing the true God into the equation when we focus on remembering their lives or "sensing their presence." That at best is our imagination; and oftentimes are demons who trigger these memories and try to control us. I have not found it beneficial or edifying to always bombard people who have such keepsakes but don't think much about it but nonetheless the danger is very real. And objects that are directly correlating to demon gods or goddesses of course are going to invite evil to fill a household with all the curses inherent with such things. Getting into an exhaustive list of all these items is beyond the scope of this post; but this would include anything with "supernatural powers" such as scapulars; holy water; images; etc.
In witnessing; therefore we must be attentive in particular to cultures from Eastern religions that have these sorts of things tied in with family possessions. This of course involves those who practice polytheism in this countryu and ranges from seemingly innocuous items with New Age mystics to overtly Satanic items actually used in rituals.
In the next post I will discuss the idols of this culture as to media magnates; rock stars and entertainers.
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