"REST" in Bible Discussions

 
  • Richard H Priday - 18 hours ago
    Further insights on my last post on Ezekiel 18.

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

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

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

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

    The few that are sold out for Christ know it and God knows them. Let us press on for the prize ( Philippians 3:14); alone if necessary.
  • Bennymkje - 1 day ago
    Mark-7 Synopsis

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

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

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

    vv.14-16 Jesus preaches gospel to the world and the Spirit gives us a clue as to how it is to be interpreted." If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." St Mark thereafter inserts this verse, "And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable."(v.17) The house is where the Master expounds truth to those who hunger after righteousness."But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear./ For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them./Hear ye therefore." (Matt.13:16-18)
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 1 day ago
    Hey Sonofman1973,

    As S Spencer said, this is an interesting question, just some last thoughts and whether or not we have enough Scripture to know the complete answer. Scripture is relatively silent about the eternal past, even in the New Testament, where the clearest and fullest light of God's revelation shines. Very few passages reach backward in their scope further than the foundation of the world at the beginning of the ages of our time. God's plan was before the foundation of this earth was laid.

    God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all, 1 John 1:5, and we know from Job 38 that the angels and the principalities and powers in heaven were created before Genesis 1. A thought, God created darkness as a place to put the earth outside of the third heaven, the earth was without form and void, this would be empty of all life and covered in surging water of chaos enclosed in total darkness that God's Spirit moved upon and God said let there be light, God called light out of darkness His light moved into the space of darkness.

    God called out of this darkness everything there is below the third heaven and the time we live in. My understanding is different on Lucifer in Isaiah 14, and something happened between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 but that may be for other discussions.

    Thank you for these questions, they inspire study.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • S Spencer - In Reply - 2 days ago
    Hi Sonofman.

    That's a very interesting question! "What came first? Light or darkness?"

    I believe when God created the heavens and the earth he also created "Time" and from our point of view that started with darkness. (And the evening and the morning were the first day.)

    However, there is more to it when considering what they represent spiritually.

    We can gather references out of John 1.

    I haven't gave much thought or study on this but I believe "spiritually or otherwise" one cannot exist without the other.

    Genesis 1:2-4 it reads, "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

    And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

    Here I don't believe darkness and light "being created" is not in these verses but their existence is present. (God spoke and "brought in the Light." and darkness as well already existed. "Again, this is from our point of view and the beginning of time.

    However Spiritually, Psalms 139:10-12 may give us a glimpse of what it's like from God's point of view and spiritually.

    "Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

    Also. Genesis 1:2 can read "And the earth (Became) without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

    I'm interested in your full take.

    Thanks and God bless.
  • Bennymkje - 2 days ago
    Mark 6:45-56

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

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

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

    v.46 " And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."
  • Richard H Priday - 2 days ago
    Why do men hate God?

    When attempting to bring attention to man's deplorable state of heart Wh( Jeremiah 17:9) I have found in my own self examination that it is best to evaluate all that we consider what Phillipians 4:8 states and then look at our own heart and soul carefully.

    When we seek all that men may say is kind; benevolent; compassionate; etc. and try to find pleasure in life apart from God of course we look to other religions and usually end up in a humanistic mentality. We ascribe to others as well who seem to portray such attributes as somehow "enlightened". I can only speak for myself as a man here; but how much of the flesh is appealed to in today's "Christian" music industry? If someone is young; thin and attractive does it move us as much as someone who is a bit overweight and unattractive who performs on stage? Do we favor those in our own social circles or families above others? What are our motives when we serve others?

    Such logic of course often results in men not appreciating what God does provide such as a wife mentioned in Proverbs 18:22.

    To find the "grass greener on the other side of the field" people think it worthwhile to get a new model and get rid of the spouse that they have been granted by covenant; something Malachi 2:15 says we should not do (also see Proverbs 15:18-20). Interestingly Proverbs 15:8 just before that talks about the sacrifice of the wicked being detestable as contrasted to prayers of the righteous.

    Of course many hate God outright; at least being honest about their intentions; accusing God often of being a "killjoy" and sometimes being an admitted Satanist "do as thou wilt" mentality. Of course we have to look at men's obvious evil acts; so we have laws God has set forth to keep order. With all the self professed benefits of "freedom" we see the end result in the fruits of violence and discord in society that many possess or develop as the cultish mentality comes out. Mark 7:21 is the end result.
  • Richard H Priday - 2 days ago
    Job 13:15 states: Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.

    In 1 Kings 13; we see a story of an unnamed prophet who God slayed after disobeying the command not to eat or drink or go back the way he came after a fellow prophet lied to him; later the word of God came through that same prophet foretelling his burial won't be with the other ancestors and he died after leaving the meal; mauled by a lion who then stood next to his natural pray a donkey by the body. It is understood that the Spirit wasn't indwelling as it is today permanently with believers; but it would seem this man was disciplined by the Lord rather than going to hell. The same principle is stated in 1 Corinthians 11:30 where it talks about taking the Lord's supper unworthily (interestingly related to a meal taken wrongly as well).

    My general point here is that there are many out there who claim we can "lose our salvation". We forget the many verses that contradict this which I won't get into right now; because there are so many others that seem to justify this concept. I have already discussed at length many times the idea of God chastising those He loves (and the opposite fact that we are all illegitimate sons if not ( Heb. 12:8).) What I am saying now is that the dying process begins at the day of our salvation and continues throughout our "sanctification" process. The outer evidence of this comes from the fruit in our hearts and is tied into our behaviors; attitudes; words; praises; service; etc. The world has it's own way of "sacrifice" whether as dramatic as "stigmata" or some kind of outer manifestation that appears like the wounds of Christ on their body (certainly demonic); or acts of contrition; service; etc. I don't want to force the terminology realted to the 5 points of Calvin to make my point. I do want to suggest that when God begins a work He completes it. Let us learn the lessons from scripture and take them to heart.
  • Richard H Priday - 3 days ago
    Things didn't work out this time for my trip; won't bore anyone with the details.

    I am meditating on Phillipians 1:12-14

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

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

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

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

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

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

    We're in this together
  • Ronald Whittemore - In Reply - 3 days ago
    Hi Jaz,

    I do not believe is bad to be interested in that, we can study other people's beliefs and understanding of a particular scripture, but we must pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When I discuss anything with a brother or sister on this site a subject that we have different understandings of, I in prayer study to see both views and confirm the truth even if I am wrong the Holy Spirit will show us the truth maybe not that minute but if continue to pray about it the truth will come. All things are not revealed to us like Paul said about milk and meat it is not our time it is God's time.

    I cannot say anyone is bad because of their understanding of prophecy, I can only say my understanding is different if they are willing to sit down together and study for the truth do so. We must not be dogmatic we must do it in love of the truth.

    Salvation is by faith Jesus the Son of God shed His blood for our sins and was raised from the dead, a gift of grace from God His Father who gave Him to die for us in the plan of God that was conceived before the foundation of this world not understanding prophecy.

    I do not know how much you have studied Revelation; you may know this but the events in Revelation are in order but it's not chronological order from start to finish. It is more of a circular order of the same events; John adds more information of parts of the same event in other chapters of what is going on at the same time.

    As in Rev. 11, the two witnesses, parts of Rev. 12 and Rev. 13 show different things going on, but they are happening during the 42 months, a time, and times, and half a time, 3.5 years of Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit, and the false prophet not different times. There are parallels between the visions John wrote down all through Revelation that we must recognize.

    God bless,

    RLW
  • Jaz - In Reply - 3 days ago
    Thank you Brother . Is it bad for me to be interested in this theory ? Are Preterists or partial Preterists bad for believing this ? I'm genuinely ignorant so any help would be good .
  • Jaz - In Reply - 4 days ago
    Hello Brother Adam and thank you for replying to me . I have only recently come across this interpretation and I have read through Revelation with this theory in the back of my mind . It's been very interesting and I can see how it could fit from chapter six up to the end of chapter eighteen . This theory does depend on the reader having some knowledge about the history of the Roman empire so it requires a bit of study . I was just wondering if any brother or sister had heard of this and wondered what they thought . Thank you and God bless .
  • Richard H Priday - 4 days ago
    More speculation on the Mark of the Beast

    I heard some years ago that a Pope predicted that the Antichrist would espouse solar power and be an environmentalist; probably Ratzinger but I am having trouble finding the quote. There are many other interesting statments about dangers of humanism and such that that Pope did say; which I agree with despite disagreeing with Catholic theology. In any event; in light of the prophecy in Revelation 16:10-11 and the first bowl being a blister from the sun; I am postulating that the mark could be empowered from solar energy. That would explain the devastation of the darkness on the land that would put an end to any sort of communication the chip would offer (if that is the mark).

    It is clear now that all medical records could be for a person in such a database; but I believe that there will be a genetic change to the DNA of the beast as part of what makes a person unredeemable. Also I would expect some sort of "high" similar to a drug that electric impulses or some magnetic energy would give to someone that would give them an addictive high. No doubt any food will be in short supply the entire 2nd half of the Tribulation; so these people will be doped up somehow. Once this feeling is suddenly cut off; that will allow the level of desperation to escalate to where the demons released in Revelation 16:13 will have total control.

    We need only to see the rapid decline from the first seal when people will have some sort of false worldwide peace the end of the Tribulation to see how fast men can fall. This can in some ways be compared to the time of Creation and the original fall of man until today; or even how fast people went from Palm Sunday and adoration of Christ to the behaviors less than a week later at the Crucifixion. There is no peace for the wicked at any time as stated several times in Isaiah; and repeated as to no desire for peace in many other verses. Luke 3:7 was in Christ's time but applies today.
  • Momsage - In Reply on Deuteronomy 28 - 4 days ago
    Hello Heir: What you have said is very interesting. It may seem hard to imagine why someone would be willing to forgo the wonderful blessings God promises them for the terrible curses they ended up suffering. But if we look at the way the world has been and how it is now we can see that the human heart is so terribly disobedient to God. Most people don't want to be on that straight and narrow path that takes them to heaven, they would rather be rebellious and have it their way. I do praise God that we are on the path that leads to heaven.

    I noticed you mentioned that you have never heard priests preach on this chapter. Are you a Catholic? I was raised by a Catholic mother but in my experience I found the religion shallow and hypocritical. Please don't be offended. I know there are a lot of Catholics who love Catholicism. The reason I am asking you this is, frankly, I hope your answer will be no because this religion doesn't tell the truth of salvation; that it is by the blood of Jesus Christ ONLY. I hope I hear from you so we can discuss this more. I love you in the Lord and I am hoping you are a child of God. God Bless :)
  • Richard H Priday - 4 days ago
    Mark of the Beast: Time period

    It appears; although there has been some debate on the subject; that the Mark of the Beast comes after the 5th Trumpet; and I have stated that it would seem the apparent resurrection of Antichrist would allow Apollyon to enter in him causing this "resurrection." By the time the wars; famine; and pestilences are over in the seal judgments and the carnage of the first 4 trumpet judgments occur; the world will be fully ready to embrace the mark; especially after 5 months of suffering in the 5th Trumpet which I have said previously likely will be something the Beast himself credits for ending; with the stipulation that taking the mark will alleviate further suffering; and like him will allow for immortality. I just realized something else typing this; that the lack of death as a viable option during that judgment will make that promise all that much stronger; no doubt with promises of some sort of utopian existence with the mark. Perhaps too there will be some sort of allegiance made because people will be made to feel proud for enduring such suffering and thus be given a sort of reward for that.

    I have postulated as well that WE could be considered the aliens; likely categorized as an enemy who is against the freedoms of those "earth dwellers" ( Rev. 11:10 etal). At first the New Age crowd will probably embrace the concept that we have been taken to be reeducated to be made ready for the new world as it were; and hence dropping our old views on morality and sin and such things. The real madness here is that somehow mortal beings think they can defeat an immortal God in Armageddon. The logic proably will be that Christ and the saints were killed once and therefore they can be killed again. This idea of self preservation could perhaps tie in with the "mark of Cain" ( Gen. 4:15) which is even more interesting in the seven fold concept taken on anyone attempting to kill him. Those verses could be invoiked by Antichrist.
  • Jaz - In Reply - 5 days ago
    Hello Brother ! Yes that would be a pleasure for me . Please say what you think feel believe . It's so good for us to talk about the things that pertain to our God and I'm interested in other people's perceptions very much .
  • Bennymkje - 5 days ago
    Mark 5:12-20 "Go home"

    "Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." (v.19)

    Jesus cast out the unclean spirits from the man, who now in his sober mind wanted to follow Jesus. He was not the only one who wanted do it. "Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now?"( John 13:37). Jesus showed him the way to follow him and immediately what Jesus wanted of him was a life of witnessing.. After a life of harrowing what he needed most was rest to his soul. "Take my yoke and learn of me', the hardest part is for the Son to take care.(Matt.11:28-29) Jesus, ever true image of his Father, shows mercy.

    In contrast we have the owners of the swineherds cowering before Jesus. They heard the testimony of the finger of God' and the man ever normal and they could not be but be afraid."And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid."(v.15) The loss of other man's riches did not heal them. The unclean spirit still worked with them and they would rather see the back of Jesus than risk loss of other means of revenue.

    In v.13 we have the number of swines ("they were about two thousand") and were choked in the sea, which is a tag placed by the Spirit. Compare with this verse," And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them." It is cue that God had prepared the four angels for the end times. multiples of 2000 refer to the Alpha and Omega expressed in terms of day of salvation and regeneration- signifying endtimes- white throne judgment.

    John saw them as well as heard the number. To be sure those who rejected Jesus for loss of their wealth shall have them as witnesses. If in the court of law hush money could be cited as proof shall these citizens of Gederanes escape rejecting the prince of life for some swine?
  • 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 3:31-35 "Our Father in heaven" (1 of 2)

    "Who is my mother, or my brethren?"

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

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

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

    This was provisioned for in the covenant. In Ge.1:28-29 we are shown what our Father in heaven had entrusted them with His creation. "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." This was entrusted with man in his Son. It is to this God willed and the covenant exists, and as a proof sent his only begotten Son to the world in fulness of time.

    As the key verse states there is no gender difference. Only those who do the will of God.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 3:25-27 "Strong man's house"

    " No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house."

    Of whose house are we? " But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end." (He.3:6).One whose hope is firm to the end and works are done in faith cannot be a weak vessel. He is instead an overcomer" Jesus Christ has overcome the world and abiding in him all things are possible because he has promised and we know all promiseds of God are yea in his Son. If we have the Son we have the Father as well.

    The verse speaks of anyone who serves God and mammon; like Samson there comes a point in his life that he gets taken like the dumb beast for the slaughter-house. "And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him."(Ju.16:20)

    Parable of Jesus tells how the unclean spirit spoils his house.

    "When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none./ Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished./Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." (Matt.12:43-45)

    When Jesus sent his disciples he authorized them to cast out demons. "And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease."(Matt.10:1) Jesus was among them as a sign; so are believers whose lives identify with it. "And these signs shall follow them,"(16:17). 'In my name'
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Mark 3:1-6

    "And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him."

    Sabbath day was designated as entering into the rest of God who testified, "This is my beloved Son". As a father takes delight in watching his infant takes control of his movements he doted on the Son. Jesus testified, "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."( John 8:29). This rest is two -way street as God testified with a voice from heaven, the Son of man glorified his Father. The rest comes from the two worlds of the Spirit and of the flesh, as two beams of light on a single standard of obedience: of the body to God, a Spirit. This true worship kept both worlds in focus, and sharp. It is thus Satan, he may quote as many words from the Scripture but was to no avail. Jesus well knew his Father having heard from his bosom and he was not fooled..

    As the Word become flesh he did everything that is pleasing in his sight.

    Sabbath signified faith and as logical conclusion of one who was blessed by the Father in his Son (that was stipulated in day Six) would want to enter directly therein. Pharisees stalking every step of Jesus to accuse him breaking the Sabbath reveal that they were of bad seed. " Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it./ And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not."( John 8:44-45)

    Sabbath is for those who has the seed in itself, "And the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good."(Ge.1:12) Day Three is also a command number for the Son. He is the tree of life, fruit of which for man to eat freely. Fall of man began in preferring the tree commended by the serpent.
  • 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 2:14-20 "At the house of Levi"

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

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

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

    It is hard not to feel an impetus to prod on this subject. I am well aware that I don't have a spiritual gift of service and helps.

    There are always needs and we can't live our lives in a vacuum; and that goes for church as well as in the rest of our lives. Perhaps it is doing what is needed rather than endless activities that also matters. I don't personally find it comfortable having a "Game night" at church nor have I been a social "butterfly" in general but these events when accompanied with prayer (and not with sinful activities that so often come about) these events can be edifying. As I stated previously discussions on world events often deviate toward speculation; there are times when scriptures can be discussed; and can be edifying when these discussions go into detail of Bible truths.

    Evangelism

    I probably said sometime in the last few years of posts that prayer is also good accompanying evangelism for anyone genuinely seeking it. I am not into the "sinner's prayer" in initial conversations; once we get to know people and see a genuine conviction that is the time to seek if they are ready to commit their lives to the Lord. We are partially responsible for someone's fate (blood on our hands) if we don't warn people of taking a vow to God flippantly. We should warn that the more we know the more we are responsible for. We should give many warnings as Christ did about it being the "narrow" path not the broad road leading to destruction ( Matthew 7:13-14). We should also give caution on the trials; thorns and temptations that God uses to test us to see if we are true believers ( Matt. 13:22). Such exhortations may filter out some; but I am convinced will in the end have a greater percentage of committed believers who endure to the end. The song by David Meese "You've gotta count the cost if you want to be a believer" isn't exactly the lingo in today's Christian music "industry" and that is to it's shame.
  • Richard H Priday - 1 week ago
    Whole counsel of God: Church membership.

    Here is an issue that can leave us at times with more questions than answers. I may have stated in a past post about a friend of mine in a former church who gladly cleans bathrooms and does other "servile" actions. The definition of that word is interesting because it both encompasses someone who is exuberant about serving others as well as someone often looked down as a low class member of society. Food for thought...

    At any event; this friend of mine along with a sizeable group in my current church more than meet the commitment of those who are considered "members" (in fact they seem to exceed them in many ways). In general their explanation of not being a member when I have inquired is that they feel no need to make a formal commitment to something that is a man made sort of concept. Here are a few summary bullet points.

    WHY WE SHOULD BE A CHURCH MEMBER

    WE MAKE A FORMAL DECLARATION AND ARE HELD TO THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF OUR COMMITMENTS TO SERVICE; PRAYER; SCRIPTURE READING; EVANGELISM AND WHATEVER ELSE IS IN A DENOMINATIONAL "STATEMENT OF FAITH"

    WE ARE IN MANY CASES GIVEN ACCESS TO COMMINION AS WELL AS DECISIONS IN CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS ON FINANCES AND VOTES FOR NEW LEADERSHIP

    Now I am going to go through a couple reasons that we should be cautious about becoming a member. Most pressing in my situation is something I was concerned about before I was made a member; that is those who are taking communion unworthily (either in adultery or fornication in particular). I won't go into the subject again as to how I view remarriage when a spouse is still alive as being adultery. In general though if we are a church member we have a responsibility to hold leadership as well as other laypersons accountable which is often uncomfortable. Clearly we should expect our own conduct to be examined carefully as well; exhortation is said to be a spiritual gift but we rarely see it these days.
  • 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."
  • Chrisdube - 1 week ago
    I have a replica of the 1611 KJV. The Apocrypha is in there. It is tucked in between the Old and New Testaments -- as it should be.

    From what I understand, the Apocrypha covers the time between Malachi and the New Testament.

    Interestingly enough, the commission that translated the Textus Receptus (where the KJV almost exclusively entails), they did NOT remove the Apocrypha. It stayed in the KJV until the late 1800 (around 1880). So, if it were truly "unGodly," they would have NEVER left it in.
  • GiGi - In Reply - 1 week ago
    Suzanne, Happy to pray for you.

    Dear Lord God, we come to You in prayer today asking that You heal Suzannes' back pain as You did mine. I pray that You will bless her with rigorous strength and health for the years to come. I pray that You bless her financially so that her needs will be met well without worry and trouble. You have made us rich in You in all things, and you told us to ask You for our daily needs. So we do that today for Suzanne, and all on this forum. Thank you for the way You have provided for us all of our lives and for Your goodness towards us. You are great and nothing is outside of Your control or providence, so we rest in You today, Maker of heaven and earth. We ask these things of You, Father, in the name of Your wonderful Son. Jesus. Amen.
  • Bennymkje - 1 week ago
    Matt.28 :1-9 "The Lord is risen"

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

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

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

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

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

    "Agape" is grk for "love", no matter where it comes from, God or man. There isn't any specific grk word for God's love.

    "Philautia" is grk for "self love". It comes from the verb "philao" or "philo" which means "to love" and the noun "eautos" which means "self" (masc.). The modern word "auto" comes from this word, which means something that does something by itself, like an automatic machine. "Philao" is used for" love" between friends, hence "philos" is grk for "friend". "Storge" does not mean love but it is something that originates from love. The nearest Engl. word for it is "affection". It includes warm feelings, tenderness, care and love for another person. It is used for members of a family, mainly (if not only) from parents to children.
  • Bennymkje - 2 weeks ago
    Matt.26:46-56 "The hour is at hand"

    There is a sharp change of scene between v.45 and v.46.

    In one he required his disciples to keep watch in his hour of sorrow with him. They failed at it. Now he says," Sleep on now, and take your rest."

    Without their aid he was fortified from above. St Luke mentions that in his agony, of an angel from above being present.( Luke 22:43-44) God makes "his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire." When Jesus warns us not to despise 'these little ones' he is referring to their angels. "That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(18:10-14). It is not for us to know in what manner but God does not leave those who are least esteemed in the eyes of the world without support. "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."(Ps.68:5-6)

    They disciples are let to take ease since his hour was at hand. "For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me."(Ro.15:3) He was about to claim his victory.

    vv.53-54 "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?/ But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?" Lucan Gospel as mentioned earlier introduces the angel in strengthening Jesus in his agony.This helps us to understand the Angel of the Lord sees to the fulfilment of the scriptures. All His promises are 'yea' in his Son. Jesus speaks of legions of angels which are saints battle girt and shall do valiantly in battle. We see them in St John's vision,"And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean."(Re.19:14). They follow the Word of God which is Person specific. Whether one angel or legions of them what comes to our aid is our Savior Lord, who warned us, "Without me you can do nothing." Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever."


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