We think mainly of Jesus dying on the cross as the Passover Lamb. But how about all the other animal sacrifices that the law required? If we look closer, we can see what all Jesus fulfilled that day. This Passover day started when the sun went down and Jesus and His 12 gathered together for the Last Supper.
After midnight they went into the garden of Gethsemane from there Jesus was betrayed by a friend, Psalm 41:9 and more, taken to Annas and then Caiaphas, and then early that morning to Pilate to be judged where no fault was found in Him.
At the same time, a priest was selected to carry a wooden beam on his shoulders up the ramp to light the fire of the altar of sacrifice. The first Tamid lamb was brought up and tied to the altar and inspected to make sure it did not have any blemishes.
Jesus was nailed to the cross and stood up on the 3rd hour 9 AM, Mark 15:25, the first Tamid lamb was sacrificed and put on the altar of sacrifice on the 3rd hour 9 AM the first hour of prayer. All the sacrifices of the people were placed on top of the first Tamid lamb. The 2nd hour of prayer is the 6th hour, noon, Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
The 3rd hour of prayer coincided with the evening sacrifice, at the 9th hour 3 PM when the last Tamid lamb was sacrificed and put on top of all the sacrifices of the people done that day. This was the exact time Jesus cried out and said it was finished Mark 15:34John 19:30.
God told Abraham to sacrifice his son and just before he did, God provided a ram for Isaac, and on that day the 14th of Nisan God provided Himself another Lamb, His only begotten Son sacrificed for us. Jesus also carried the wood for his sacrifice. Jesus fulfilled all the sacrifices, not just down to the day, but to the very hour itself.
Thank you Brother for your reply to me . I am aware of the daily sacrifice it's also in Leviticus chapter 6 verses 8-13 , I didn't know that it was called the Talmid , Im ignorant of the Jewish names for things so thanks for enlightening me on that . Any more information you have would be of great interest to me , I don't know much about Jewish names and traditions etc so would enjoy learning more , thank you .
I do not believe Joseph or Jesus had anything to do with the crucifixion crosses, Jesus had been 3.5 years in His ministry. There is something else you may be interested in studying that relates to the binding of Isaac which is the Tamid. The Tamid is the morning and evening daily sacrifice of Exodus 29:38-42. It parallels the day Jesus was crucified not just the day but to the hour of that day and I feel Jesus fulfilled it. They saw the Tamid/daily sacrifice as a kind of reiteration of the sacrifice of Isaac.
You may know about the Tamid and if so let me know. If not, I will try to get back to you soon maybe tomorrow with more on it.
Romans 5:12 says Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
The fact is that we are all born with Adam's sin and hence at enmity with God. Our hearts are as Jeremiah 17:9 says "desperately wicked." No one does good ( Romans 3:10-12 and in Psalms); and we are estranged from the womb ( Psalm 58:3). So the first issue is the thought that anyone is "good" which inevitably comes from comparing ourselves to another "worse" person like Hitler (unless we are that bad ourselves and we can't appeal to anyone worse; in that case we probably wouldn't want to concern ourselves with doing good deeds. Our deeds also; BTW are evil; even our best deeds as "filthy rags". ( Isaiah 64:6). This "grace Gospel" as it is known is obviously taken from Romans as a primary source but reflects many scripture verses. Or as someone once said "a hundred percent sinner needs a hundred percent savior" (can't seem to find this entire phrase quoted by anyone).
Now death; of course in the law comes in two ways; MURDER or justifiable killing whether to exact a punishment "a life for a life" (part of Deuteronomy 19:21). It also is involved with the wars and conquests of Israel with the admittedly hard verses about exterminating entire peoples including women and children in certain circumstances. The understandable aspect of this is when the descendents of the Nephilim (or angels with women producing giant hybrid offspring) were exterminated; being an aberrant being without and eternal soul perhaps the proper interpretation of Isaiah 26:14. That is a deep study; but no doubt this is easier than explaining extermination of human beings. Those nations which were conquered had common practices of child sacrifice with idol worship; therefore it could have saved the children from a worse death. Genesis 15:16 shows how God waits until iniquity is full before utter destruction.
Dear Brothers and Sisters I am reading Genesis at the moment and have just read the account of Abraham taking Isaac to offer him as a sacrifice to God . As I read where Abraham chopped the wood and laid it on Isaac's back for him to carry , I of course thought about God Himself giving His Only Begotten to atone for our sins but another thought struck me . What was Joseph's occupation ? Mary's husband was a carpenter . I don't know this for sure but I can imagine that he would have been compelled to do work for the Romans and I wondered , is it possible that Joseph made wooden crossed for the Romans to crucify people on ? Is it possible that Joseph made the cross that his wife's son was crucified on ? Many believe that Jesus too was probably a trained carpenter , is it possible that Jesus made his own cross ? If anyone has any thoughts on this it would be good to hear them .
Today we covered a book (by Ryrie called Balancing the Christian Life") and the chapter about Satan. There was too much to cover in one study; indeed I could see how a half dozen studies would be needed to examine just the main avenues the enemy of our souls uses to afflict us. The scripture on him coming to steal; kill and destroy was mentioned; along with his techniques.
As the "accuser of the brethren" ( Rev. 12:10) there is no doubt that accusations have been something he has lengthy experience on as it is first observed in the book of Job. (See Job 16:2 where he calls his friends "miserable comforters"). It isn't just coincidence or happenstance that Satan pummeled Job so mercilessly. As was also brought out in the study which we should all know Satan can do nothing without God's permission. The book generally talks about people who think too little and those too obsessed with the wiles of the enemy. The fact that he could assail Paul an Apostle of God; and get into Peter's mind when our Lord had to rebuke him and say "get behind me SATAN" ( MAtt. 16:23) should be a reality check that anyone can be taken out by the enemy should God allow it.
Of course the concept of the "legal power of attorney" that Christ has based on His blood sacrifice and atonement for His children gives us assurance of salvation; but often the Lord uses the enemy to test our faith in this wicked world system.
There is danger of those having false assurance of salvation which is evidenced by bad fruit ( Matt. 7:16); however when a Christian sins the enemy will plant all sorts of terror; accusations; insecurities; etc. in our minds. Godly sorrow leads to repentance ( 2 Cor. 7:10); but if we don't go to the Lord when we first sin the enemy is given free reign more or less to mess with our minds. Thus in my experience even if I went headlong into sin knowing the torment the enemy would cast my way is strong incentive to stay away.
Jesus was Prophet; Priest and King. He fulfilled roles which no other individual was allowed to do in scripture. David acted as Priest when needed when he was a king; but only due to his own sin. Solomon had to complete building the Temple because David was disallowed according to scripture because of certain acts of violence (I am guessing partly due to having Uriah killed off to get Bathsheeba). Even though Solomon commissioned men to do the work on the Temple we see no direct priestly action by him; only a dedication of the nation of Israel and prayers lifted up and the beginning of the operations there. Generally kings were not allowed to offer sacrifices; a Levite was needed first off. This disqualified Saul's attempt when he presumptuously went ahead with it rather than waiting for the right person to do the job and that resulted in being dethroned and his life started to fall apart. Prophets also kept away from sacrifices; but in the case of Christ He fulfilled the prophecies Himself by BEING our sacrifice and hence exalted by the Father to rule and reign as King on the earth in the Millennium.
The Bible describes many kings along with exhaustive lists of their actions which sadly were predominantly evil. The length of their reign as well as the fate of the nation at large was tied into blessings and cursings. Transgressions would cause a downfall; and in the case of the few righteous kings it exalted the nation ( Proverbs 14:34). After Solomon compromised he forfeited his own length of life as well as the nation being able to rule permanently without being under the thumb of other nations. In Ecclesiastes his conclusion after discussing all his own vanity and of life in general was to "fear God and keep his commandments" at the end of chapter 12. Through Christ alone can we fulfill the law because we are grafted in to the true vine inheriting His righeousness because of His victory.
Scripture Interpretation: Part 2 on introduction to the law and differences in Old and New Testaments
A general concept as pointed out in my last post is that the Old Testament law and sacrifices had temporal methods and sufficiency and were based on behaviors of Israel as to whether blessings or cursings resulted. The Spirit of God was more transient and was no guarantee of salvation such as seen in the example of Saul's prophesying as well as Baalam's repeated attempts to curse Israel and being overtaken to make proclamations under the influence of the Holy Spirit. David even asked God not to remove His Holy Spirit as apparently happened with Saul who needed David to play music for a temporary "fix" to his bizarre disorders.
John 16:8 essentially gives indication of permanent residence of the Father and Son in a believer and thus sealing them until the Day of Redemption. What we cannot do is glibly assume we are saved without testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith; and certain behaviors especially illustrated in Corinthians show the result of sickness and death with communion taken unworthily and the case of the man sleeping with his father's wife. There is always hope of repentance if someone is alive; but we cannot continue a LIFESTYLE of sin and be presumptuous thinking God will overlook our sin as an exception to His rule for the rest of mankind.
Matthew 5:17 states that Christ came not to abolish but fulfill the law and the prophets. This is a segway into the second theme in this introduction: Prophecy...
INTRO.
Prophecy begins with Genesis 3:15 in the garden with the serpent being told that he would receive a deadly wound and that Christ would recieve a wound on the heel (the seed of the woman representing the virgin Birth and the wound that of His piercing on the cross). Jesus was the end of Prophecy as THE Prophet; but in real time we still see Him as the Alpha and Omega in Revelation 1; and we still see 2 Prophets in Rev. 11.
The Bible as a whole gives a systematic and cohesive narrative clearly describing certain truths; at least all necessary for instruction and teaching in righteousness ( 2 Tim. 3:16). The idea of the law of God is intermingled in the Genesis story; with the first covenant of God being established with the marriage of Adam and Eve which was instituted by God Himself. There was apparently the concept of a sacrifice long before the laws that were in Exodus; Leviticus and Deuteronomy as indicated by the offerings brought forth by Abel and Cain. And we also have the mysterious Melchizedek who was a true priest of God but not under known lineage in the line of the Jews.
The law; of course comes in Exodus and Deuteronomy with the basic 10 Commandments; as well as the 600 odd other laws releting to various national laws; moral laws and ceremonial laws specific to Israel as well as to mankind in whole. Those who would question that need to carefully read the Old Testament where we see passages such as God describing the Amorites ( Gen. 15:16); as well as the destruction of other nations; even Nineveh after God spared it due to repentance for a time in the time of Jonah. Verses about marriage in regard to Abraham and Isaac as well as John the Baptist clearly indicate the law was recognized by the Egyptians as well as with Herod having his brother's wife ( Mark 6:18) which led to his beheading indirectly after imprisonment. We see in Amos 1:13-14 scripture where Ammon was to be destroyed for what is described as mutilating pregnant women (a nice way to say it). There are other verses as well where people are given back punishment based on what they've done similar to this; it fits in basically to an "eye for an eye". We even see special healing given to a Gentile (Naaman the Syrian) in the Old Testament.
This concept of the law shows exceptions to basic principles of God's actions in the O.T and N.T.
St Mark sets the Healing of Bartimaeus with him joining Jesus with this line,"and followed Jesus in the way." In this chapter we see the eternal word forever settled in heaven meeting the way he took 'in the way." So the now meeting the eternal aspects of the word is stated in rather obvious manner, so how we approach the triumphal entry of Jesus cannot go wrong. Jesus sends two of his disciples to fetch the colt already provided for. "And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met." Where the two ways meet is a direct way of the scripture, of what is written of me' being fulfilled. We need not ask how the colt shall be provided for the Son as he passed through Jerusalem and as Isaiah says, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."(Is.55:11)
Here below are the citations from the prophets of old which also ought to convince us that there was nothing in Jerusalem that kept him there. He was among his own as the word become flesh but the nation of Israel showed themsselves unworthy for the grace and truth which made Jesus of Nazareth as the only begotten Son.
vv.1-11
Here we have the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy in the Book of Psalms. "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord."(Ps.118:26)
vv.12-17
"Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people."(Is.56:7)
" Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord."(Je.7:11)
The consistency of the Bible and uniqueness of Christ
In my last post I describe how the incident in John 9 set apart Christ as doing something new; that only God could perform.
This wasn't something the religious Pharisees could deal with; as the lengthy account of this incident makes painfully clear.
We also see Jesus' claims to be able to forgive sins as something unique; yet the many prophecies in Isaiah should have been enough to convince the Jews that this indeed was the true Messiah. There were references there to healing the blind; ministry reaching out to the Gentiles; as well as things such as Isaiah 61 that Jesus quoted and then cut off before the next verse got into the Second Coming and establishing His Kingdom on the earth at that time.
In the analysis of the "Old" and "New" covenants it is better to say that the New one developed the full meaning of the Old.
It certainly doesn't eliminate moral expectations in regard to murder; adultery and covetousness in the original 10 Commandments; we can look to Colossians 2:16 as to the exception of a mandate for "Holy days" as to not enforcing Saturday as the day of rest. This is a hotbed of controversy for some so I won't elaborate further. It is clear ceremonial laws changed; in regard to foods eaten the Cornelious episode makes that abundantly clear. ( Acts 10).
Christ became the sacrifice for our sins so no further sacrifice is needed. ( Psalm 40:6-8). Clearly the grace of the N.T. is seen in the Old Testament; particularly in regard to the sacrifice of a contrite and broken heart as seen in Psalm 51 and many other places. God Himself at some point abhorred the sacrifices due to the hypocrisy ( Isaiah 1:14). Many call Isaiah the Gospel of the O.T. and it is needed reading to understand prophetic things to come regarding Christ and God's call to the Gentiles.
Many places appear to show Christ before He came on earth physically; it is an interesting study in itself. So is the Godhead.
Continuing on the Revelation 21:8 warnings of those in hell we see this category. This would no doubt encompass ALL types of sexual immorality; whether fornication or adultery which are two categories deliberately separated in many scriptures as different types of sin. I am not going to use this forum to go into in length my viewpoint on adulterous marriages; but will say that unless that is what is referred to it seems a lot harder to categorize a lifestyle of sin as committing adultery than it would to say someone likes to fornicate a lot (sleep around). There may be a few sick folks who deliberately want the thrill of having a fling with a married person but for the sake of their own security and simple convenience they probably will find it easier much of the time having relatinships with unmarried or "available" women. Therefore I have to deduce it is indeed adulterous marriages referred to; and that of a state of continuing sin as long as a relationship isn't a true covenant before God. I'll leave it to the readers to study the verses on the subject and the so called "exception or escape clause"; something I have studied in great detail but don't want to raise friction with on this site. Before moving on; I will note that adultery meant an instant death penalty in the Old Testament according to the law (if proven by witnesses and both parties should be present hence invalidating the presentation of John 8:1-11.) Fornication is a different penalty in O.T. law. Also there can be people who are prostitutes or just generally immoral as related to the term "whoremongers". The end result of LIFESTYLES of any of these sins is hell; which is a warning to someone calling themselves a believer who doesn't turn away from sin when making a verbal confirmation of repentance. Of course ANY sin leads us to hell; hence we are all doomed without His atoning sacrifice. Therefore all lost fit into one or more of these descriptions in Revelation 21:8
When surveying the different dispensations (or eras for those who don't like that term) we see the same God granting grace and forgiveness even with different roles of the Holy Spirit; different methods of worship based on the old or new covenant(s) and in general a frequent transition from times of relative peace to turbulent wars; famines; and pestilences. One of the great mysteries is how man couldn't sin when in Eden before the fall; and yet how we can't go back to that state but must go through the cross and the "second Adam" in order to obtain righteousness and good standing once again with the Lord ( 1 Cor. 15:45).
The origin of sin itself came with what some may call "esoteric" knowledge (knowing the difference between good and evil). Violence and murder were to come quickly with Cain and it necessitated the first death of an animal in order to cover Adam and Eve. If all of nature was as it is stated in Isaiah 11 (focusing on verses 6-9) which is the description of the Millennium on God's Holy Mountain then death and slaying something would not be anywhere on earth before that time. This of course pointed to Christ's sacrifice and the prophecy of Genesis 3:15 was to come immediately after man's fall as well.
We see again during the Millennium period a time with man learning the art of war no more ( Isaiah 2:4); and of course Satan is said to be bound in that period according to Revelation 20. At the end of that time; however he is loosed as Revelation 21 states to deceive the WHOLE WORLD. This shows the utter hoplelessness of unregenerate man even with Christ ruling and reigning on earth at that time with the glorified saints (us). There are many instances of men in their distress calling out to the Lord in Psalms; etc. so God often can get men's attention that way; but there are times He will not respond and destruction and death commences. We dare not play with God thinking we can wait to the end to repent.
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.
John 6:54 states: Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
There are two views on the subject; the "transubstantiation" argument of the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions and the purely symbolic or metaphorical doctrines we find in many Protestant churches. In the first view we have to hold to an abhorrent view that there is an ongoing or perpetual reinstitution of Christ's sacrifice at every communion; clearly contrary to where Christ stated "it is finished" on the cross and Hebrews 9:28 speaking of His one time sacrifice for many. The Protestant viewpoint; however can tend to treat communion and in fact many other rites or ceremonies as merely symbolic and thus be calloused to verses such as 1 Corinthians 11:30 which states that many have become sick and died (fallen asleep) due to taking communion unworthily.
Communion therefore is something which each individual is held accountable for but also involves a union in the Body of Christ through the function of the Holy Spirit. We certainly can't isolate these warnings just for communion; for instance we have no business being baptized without a proper confession of faith and marriages also need to be taken seriously in regard to the covenant vows. The New Covenant brings the blood ATONEMENT which essentially exchanges His life for our own as our spiritual sustenance; along with His broken body. He purchased us with the cost of His life and redeemed us from death and hell by taking our place on the cross of Calvary. Such a detestable imagery of a snake on a pole was an early representation of this Numbers 21. A man was cursed when hung on a tree ( Deut. 21:22-23). We are then partakers in Christ and His sufferings ( 1 Peter 4:13); see also Hebrews 3:14 on enduring to the end.
In terms of eternal physical life; we of course have the tree of life as mentioned in the Garden. We also will be raised incorruptible if we are in Him.
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.
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.
There are several speculations on what the mark may be, a literal mark, a computer chip, symbols, and more but the mark of the beast will be based on worship. It is the false prophet, the second beast who causes people to worship the first beast and his image. The number 666 goes back to Babylon, the 36 gods numbered 1 through 36, 6 columns and 6 rows the numbers were arranged in such a way that the sum of any given row, column, or diagonal was 111, and therefore the sum of all six rows or all six columns was 666, like 18+20+22+21+17+13 =111, 1+2+3 to 36=666.
We are told to have faith and patience Luke 21:19Hebrews 6:12 and hear in Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:11 that if we are strong in our faith and patience we will have the steadfastness and endurance (the meaning of patience) to not give into the temptation of the three who is to come, Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit and the beast who will be the false prophet, even if we face death, the hour of temptation, Rev. 3:10.
Something like this was done in the past in the Decian persecution in 250 AD. The decree ordered sacrifices be performed in the presence of a Roman magistrate, it was a signed and witnessed certificate, issued to that effect. People had to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods and the well-being of the emperor.
Christians were put to death for refusing to perform the sacrifices, many others apostatized and performed the ceremonies, and others went into hiding. Those who compromised were able to prosper economically. By way of contrast, those who did not have the certificate were unable to buy or sell and suffered economic hardship. Buying and selling was done in marketplaces ruled by Rome. This may be similar to what is coming but a mark instead of a certificate.
Introdution: According to 1 Thessalonians 5:9 we are not appointed to wrath. Romans 9:22 seems to indicate that there are indeed "vessels of wrath" doomed for destruction which seems to fulfill what some call "double predestination" or wicked destined for hell. We do know that all those who are NOT written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world will accept the Mark of the Beast and in fact worship him. ( Rev. 13:8; 17:8 and also in chapter 20). Whether we just play out what is already determined; or God knows ahead of time what we will choose is something we can argue about.
Since this Antichrist is indeed the "man of sin" ( 2 Thess. 2:3) and we can also call the son of perdition in John 17:12 as representing Judas Iscariot who also was destined to betray God and be lost according to the prophecy in Psalm 55 along with the same fate for this Beast from these and other passages; we once again see God's hand in this. God is the one according to Thessalonians that sends "strong delusion" ( 2 Thess. 2:11). That is because people loved sin so much that they didn't want to repent; and we see this with the behaviors that occur during the Trumpet judgments in particular.
These facts are sobering; we know that if it weren't for His grace we would never see clearly our sin nature and hence we all would fall for this false Messiah. This world system has nothing to offer; nor does any man who is unregenerate to give lasting peace. Neither sacrifices of animals or man's own sufferings procure any justification or forgiveness of sins; and God is not impressed with any of our accomplishments. Self gratification no doubt will be a large part of the universal appeal; along with self preservation that eventually leads to the acceptance of this infamous mark. Luke 12:12 may have double fulfillment; both for the Apostles facing martyrdom and the end time saints who refuse the mark.
When I consider that the righteousness of Jesus is the righteousness of God lived out in the incarnation of His Son, then I am awed by how great must be the pure and holy way Jesus lived on this earth in His lifetime here. He must have stood out among all other people because NO ONE could lay any charge against Him of wrongdoing or ill-will or disobedience to God or offense against any man. he was completely and divinely pure and holy, without any taint of sin, no corruption of soul, no part of his human nature in rebellion against His Father or divine nature. In Him was perfect harmony of God and man without any conflict or dissonance. He as altogether righteous and because He was God in the flesh, His righteousness was infinitely immense enough to cover the sins of every person who every lived or will live.
We can know that all of our own sin can be covered by His righteousness and that His perfect sacrifice was infinitely sufficient to save my from my sins, death, hell, and the devil. His righteousness provides me with justification before God and awards me salvation and eternal life with him and the Father and the Holy Spirit forever. What a priceless treasure and gift God has given us. he gave us Himself. Hallelujah!
Mt. 1:23 quotes Is 7:14 as being fulfilled in Jesus. He is "Emmanuel, God with us"
John 20:28 Thomas calls Jesus, "My Lord and my God" and Jesus did not tell Thomas that that was NOT true.
1Peter 1:1 says our righteousness comes from God, and it comes to us in Jesus our Savior. The righteousness
of Jesus is the righteousness of God because He is God.
Is. 9:6 says that Jesus is the "Mighty God"
Rev.1: Jesus says that He is the "Almighty"
Col. 2:9-10 says that in Jesus the fulness of the Godhead dwelled bodily. He is Emmanuel, God with us. God revealed bodily.
Jesus is worshipped by believers (only God is to be worshipped) and Jesus accepted this worship.
Mt. 2:1-2 (by the magi)
Mt. 28:8-9, 17 (by the apostles)
In Rev.5:13 we read of the worship of God in heaven. Both the Father and the Lamb (Jesus) are given worship and it is said that this worship is to be given to both forever.
it is important for us to realize that only God is righteous enough to be our Redeemer, and that He became man in order that his holy blood could be shed for us as a sacrifice. No other blood would cleanse but the blood of God the Son. In His divinity, God has no blood because the divine nature is Spirit, but in His humanity as God in the flesh, He had divine blood to shed.
Jesus is the most unique person in all of creation and in God's transcendent realm, being both God and man in one person.
I have heard this quote often, don't know the author, but it is worth pondering (this is not a direct quote)
If Jesus is not God, then there is no Christianity and those who worship Jesus are nothing but idolaters. But if He is God, then those who deny He is God are blasphemers in the worst sense of the word, because they believe in another Jesus than what Scripture presents to us.
God's Word is truth. He revealed Himself to mankind in Scriptures so that we can know the truth about Him: what He is in His divine nature and who He is in His Persons.
OK getting back to my postings about God's attributes:
"R" GOD IS RIGHTEOUS
He always does what is good and right. He never deviates from being sinless. He always thinks, says, and does everything righteously from pure and holy motives. There is no shadow of "darkness" in Him as to evil. His righteousness is far above whatever righteousness man can perform because even our righteousness is tainted by sin.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" In all of history, there has never been and strictly human person who is sinless. so, there has never been a strictly human person who is able to save himself from the condemnation of sin let alone anyone else.
Because of the complete and utter fallenness of mankind, there can be no redeemer from among humanity. There is no one whose righteousness is so pure and complete to be efficacious for the removal of God's judgment upon ALL of mankind.
It takes the righteousness of God to save mankind and God determined that his righteousness would come to save mankind by His divine Son becoming a man, righteous in every way, since He is God and cannot be unrighteous, and dying as our sacrifice.
The divine Son of God was incarnated, as John says in John 1:1, 14, ad became man for our sake. As God said in the OT, it is God alone who is Savior (Is 43:1, 11; 45;21; Hos 13:4) therefore, Jesus is God who is our Savior. If He is not God, then He is not our Savior because no strictly human man can save anyone. It is God who saves, who, though God the Son, took on human flesh and nature to be the only Kinsmen Redeemer who can take a way our sin, be a perfect, worthy, and more than sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, and to be able to bear the complete wrath of God for mankind for all their sins. No mere human can do that,
In Titus 2:13 Jesus is called our "Great God and Savior"
The Parable clearly lays out total sanctification for those who are called to be kings and priests. " For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;/And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself."(Col.1:17-20). Receiving a prophet "in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward." But kingdom of God lays out the preceding verse as the rule: "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."(10:40). Consequently without 'Christ in me' by faith, charity is merely lip service.(1 Co.13). Laws of nations create a system and those who know it escape from justice reserved for lawbreakers. Sheep on the right speaks of the nation of light. They are those who saw the light in the true light. (Ps.36:9)
As kings our judgment must be fair. "A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes."(Pr.20:8) abiding in Christ we ought to train ourselves which explains faith with works. So one cannot serve mammon as well as serve God. As priests "Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity."(He.5:2). Having a beam in the eye one need to be circumspect before he wants to remove the mote in someone else's eye.
"And by him all things consist," Priestly garments of righteousness are of God we put on in our daily walks. We bear the burden of others which denote the breastplate and judgment, evokes the urim and thummim. Hearts can be very treacherous if let so by the light of the word we conduct our lives in all humility so grace may have perfect working in us. "Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."(Ro.12:16,1-2) Our bodies are living sacrifices, "holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
Necessary doctrines: God's covenants with Israel and the church.
The question that arises is this; since we are "grafted in" hence Jews and Gentiles are part of God's elect in this age as we see illlustrated in Romans 11. If we continue to verse 23; however we see that even Jews are grafted in once they believe in the truth about Jesus. ( Romans 11:25). We also see this principle in Luke 21:24 as well as various Old Testament scriptures about the Resurrection of all saints ( Daniel 12:13) and King David himself ruling with Christ ( Daniel 7:27 and other passages). There are those who stubbornly only consider these promises to be fulfilled in the church and say God is done with Israel. This helps to discount a millennium as something which is symbolic of the church (even though that has lasted almost 2000 years now since Pentecost). I would say that we need to draw the line if there is a display of antisemitism; for instance with a superiority complex developing because of these theories. Admittedly there is much evil among all; including those Jews who are living in unbelief when we see; for instance Tel Aviv and the abominations of those living out a lifestyle like Sodom ( Revelation 13:16-17). We also need to seek out individuals whether Jew or Gentile to preach the Good News; without partiality to anyone. Finally; there is difficulty with some in regard to sacrifices actually occurring in the Millennium; deeming them an abomination as Christ has already fulfilled all things necessary. That would depend on the purpose of these; as to commemorating God and having a ceremonial purification; for instance. Such activity would help to bring all to worship in Israel; fulfilling prophecies such as Isaiah 56:7 and Zechariah 14:17. Despite all this; I wouldn't consider this essential doctrine to break fellowship but important nonetheless to get a correct grip on the rest of scriptures to avoid what could be bigger error of essential truths.
To know Christ and to make Him known is the theme of the Navigators ministry and correlates with 1 John and other passages.
This is a good summary of understanding the personal meaning of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for atonement as well as our duties fulfilling our part in the Great Commission.
I imagine most here know the necessary doctrines of believing Christ is a member of the Godhead and thus Divinity Himself who was the only one who could atone for sins (as the sinless spotless Lamb of God) by becoming a man as we are without sin and remaining so throughout His earthly ministry; then dying on the cross and resurrecting from the dead 3 days later. Finally; He is to return once again physically to rule and reign on the earth.
2 Timothy 2:8 and 2 Thessalonians 2:2 show we should avoid the error of stating that the resurrection has already occurred or the day of the Lord is at hand. Matthew 24:26 states that the Lord hasn't come yet for those who say He is hiding somewhere and also states the likeness of His arrival as lightning in the very next verse. This should be enough to disclaim what Preterists state that the Lord has already come. Therefore I would contend that full Preterists that state this are far enough off in doctrine that we should avoid fellowship with them.
Assuming we have the essentials of salvation straightened out; there are many other warnings and admonitions in scripture such as testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith would involve ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). We need to accept that doctrines aren't just what is required to be saved; but also what is necessary to prove that we are bringing fruits worthy of repentance ( Matthew 3:8 and many other similar verses). We are not subject to the law in some sense IF we are truly dead to sin ( Romans 6:11) in one sense; because we have a new nature; but in the same token we DESIRE to obey Christ and love and serve Him as Lord; Master and Savior.
Hello Jpiegaro. This is a subject that has been debated often & it really boils down to how one approaches & understands God's Word on this matter, as also with other subjects.
My understanding on this, indeed on all matters pertaining to Israel, is that the Ten Commandments which includes the necessity of keeping the Sabbath Day holy was wholly incumbent upon Israel & Israel alone. No other people received the Decalogue, as also with circumcision, the festivals, sacrifices, priestly functions, other laws, etc. Unfortunately, when the Jew turned to Christ, as also with the Gentile, the knowledge they had or we received from the Old Testament are presumed to be automatically passed onto & applied to those now In Christ. We readily acknowledge the laws concerning our relationship to God & to one another, as given in the OT, but then imply that Sabbath-keeping must also apply to us. We do so in ignorance.
Shabbat (Hebrew, from the root, Shin-Bet-Tav), being the seventh day, means 'to cease, to end, to rest', & Israel was to sanctify (set apart) this day for cessation from all activity, even as the LORD Himself hallowed it ( Exodus 20:10,11). There could be no transposition of this Sabbath Day to any other day; hence, it was never 're-converted' to become a Sunday, thus the term 'Christian Sabbath' really is a misnomer. One can use the 7th day, or any day, as a day of rest as desired, but I don't ever see it as a requirement for those who are In Christ Jesus, as those now under a new Law given us (even, imputed in us) by the Holy Spirit ( Romans 8:2) & also being led of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:18). When we look at the Gospels & the Acts of the Apostles, we find many references to the Sabbath Day, since either the Law was still in force (pre-Cross) or the apostles took advantage of the day for ministry to the Jews in synagogues (in Acts). But in NT Church practise, they met on the 1st Day of the Week, with no reference to the old Law of Sabbath(s).
MotherMac, I've just copied your response (hereunder) into this thread, or else our comments will be all over the place. You just need to hit the Reply button at the end of the comment you're replying to, rather than starting a new comment. So you wrote:
"Thank you for your reply. I certainly do want to avoid leading someone wrong. God forbid. In chapter 12, verse 1, I am reading
we also are Those words speaks to me as the time in which he was living."
When the writer of this letter was sent to the Hebrews who resided outside of Israel (it's been suggested, Italy, or thereabouts), he was certainly encouraging them to keep their eyes set on Jesus, patiently running the race of faith in Christ. So yes, as the Hebrews in Italy (?) were being encouraged, so are we to be when reading it.
But if thinking of 'the carnal view or divine view of Christ', apart from verse 2, where the writer encourages us to only look to 'Jesus, the Author & Finisher of our faith', I can't see where one sees Christ from a carnal viewpoint. But if you're thinking that in verse 1, the cloud of witnesses (as those mentioned in chapter 11), were without knowledge of a coming Divine Christ, their Redeemer, then their view was according to the knowledge given them. But if their love for God & faith in Him to keep & deliver them held strong, the merits of the Coming One's Sacrifice would avail for them as well. In other words, their ignorance (carnal view?) of what was to come, would not preclude them from sharing in what we post-Cross have received through Jesus' Sacrifice for our sins. So, I'm unsure whether I've really understood your thoughts here, so I apologize if I haven't & thus your unsatisfied reading of all this.
Hello MotherMac. I'm unsure whether you're addressing someone specifically here, or who the "two (?) clouds of witnesses' might be you're referring to, but just to throw an answer in here: the 'great cloud of witnesses' (as referred to in Hebrews 12:1), are those faithful witnesses mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11.
So when I read Hebrews 12:1, I always get the sense that since those who have gone on way before us & stand in the Presence of God, their lives & faithfulness, in spite of many odds against them, should also be an impetus for us to 'run the race of Christian living & testimony'; a race, not who gets there first, but one that requires patience & endurance reaching the finishing line & the prize - just as those of old did.
But the Hebrews writer doesn't want us to only focus on those saints of old, but to look to Jesus, the Author & Finisher of our Faith (the One Who completed and perfected our faith before God): for He alone is the reason for our salvation, our power & joy to live this life, & Who will receive us into Glory at the appointed time. That 'cloud of witnesses' might have had a good testimony for us to be encouraged to do likewise, but only Jesus could author saving faith & perfect it & us before God by virtue of His great Sacrifice for us & the supreme example He set before us in godly living.
About perfectness. I think the Bible uses this word with various meanings
1. Lets see as Richard says Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.". Now the verb "be" in grk (esesthai) is in the future tense and denotes an expectation. So what Jesus is actually saying here (as I understand it) is that He expects us to become perfect like God is. Well this is impossible, isn't it? So what He means is that He expects us to strive to be like God (in character). And how is that to be done? By following His commandments, which commandments reveal the character of God to us. And since one aspect (and probably the most important) of God's character is love Jesus asks us to love each other like God does. This is something gradual, isn't it? It is something that we keep aquiring through our whole life.
If we compare it with Hebrews 5:8,9, "8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Here Jesus iwas made perfect by obeying God's commandments.
So perfectness again here means a whole route/course that we follow in our lives during which, by following God's commandements/directions we keep growing spiritually and getting to be like God in character more and more.
2. But in Hebrews 10:14, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified", the word perfect has a different meaning. It means the one who has no sins. So we were perfected by Jesus' Blood, that is we are righteous through His sacrifice.
3. In Hebrews 11:38-40 says, "39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
Here perfectness is something that we will aquire in Heaven when we will be dressed up with our new spiritual body, completely freed from sin, death etc
God knows who are his and shall delver them who keep the truth. Long ago I belonged to a cult group that taught that there shall be animal sacrifices as before. Their reasoning was that God never errs in His commandments. It was a mismatch of so many doctrines of man. They wanted to control the minds by mind-numbing 'tarrying' meetings for the Holy Spirit Their true intent was to enforce their will- worship (Touch not, taste not and in their dress ) over their congregants by enforcing themselves as the Levites under the Order of Aaron. As a Sunday school teacher the more I began studying the word of God by myself, the scales fell of my eyes as it were, and I left their Assembly.
Shortly thereafter they sent two of their two brethren to ask me what 'speaking in tongues' meant for me, intending to say it was of devil if I were to leave them. I admitted I was mistaken and the truth has freed me. They tried to frighten by saying that I would go back to them on my knees within two years. i simply laughed them out. There are many such e false shepherds out there and it is none of our business to meddle with them. God's promises are always yea in his Son.
Earlier I placed this reply which was shoddy having written half-awake and after posting my conclusion on Is.2. It gave me a sleepless night so I first tackled what needed to be written down and this is same and cleaned up of typos
We think mainly of Jesus dying on the cross as the Passover Lamb. But how about all the other animal sacrifices that the law required? If we look closer, we can see what all Jesus fulfilled that day. This Passover day started when the sun went down and Jesus and His 12 gathered together for the Last Supper.
After midnight they went into the garden of Gethsemane from there Jesus was betrayed by a friend, Psalm 41:9 and more, taken to Annas and then Caiaphas, and then early that morning to Pilate to be judged where no fault was found in Him.
At the same time, a priest was selected to carry a wooden beam on his shoulders up the ramp to light the fire of the altar of sacrifice. The first Tamid lamb was brought up and tied to the altar and inspected to make sure it did not have any blemishes.
Jesus was nailed to the cross and stood up on the 3rd hour 9 AM, Mark 15:25, the first Tamid lamb was sacrificed and put on the altar of sacrifice on the 3rd hour 9 AM the first hour of prayer. All the sacrifices of the people were placed on top of the first Tamid lamb. The 2nd hour of prayer is the 6th hour, noon, Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.
The 3rd hour of prayer coincided with the evening sacrifice, at the 9th hour 3 PM when the last Tamid lamb was sacrificed and put on top of all the sacrifices of the people done that day. This was the exact time Jesus cried out and said it was finished Mark 15:34 John 19:30.
God told Abraham to sacrifice his son and just before he did, God provided a ram for Isaac, and on that day the 14th of Nisan God provided Himself another Lamb, His only begotten Son sacrificed for us. Jesus also carried the wood for his sacrifice. Jesus fulfilled all the sacrifices, not just down to the day, but to the very hour itself.
God bless,
RLW
I do not believe Joseph or Jesus had anything to do with the crucifixion crosses, Jesus had been 3.5 years in His ministry. There is something else you may be interested in studying that relates to the binding of Isaac which is the Tamid. The Tamid is the morning and evening daily sacrifice of Exodus 29:38-42. It parallels the day Jesus was crucified not just the day but to the hour of that day and I feel Jesus fulfilled it. They saw the Tamid/daily sacrifice as a kind of reiteration of the sacrifice of Isaac.
You may know about the Tamid and if so let me know. If not, I will try to get back to you soon maybe tomorrow with more on it.
God bless.
RLW
Romans 5:12 says Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
The fact is that we are all born with Adam's sin and hence at enmity with God. Our hearts are as Jeremiah 17:9 says "desperately wicked." No one does good ( Romans 3:10-12 and in Psalms); and we are estranged from the womb ( Psalm 58:3). So the first issue is the thought that anyone is "good" which inevitably comes from comparing ourselves to another "worse" person like Hitler (unless we are that bad ourselves and we can't appeal to anyone worse; in that case we probably wouldn't want to concern ourselves with doing good deeds. Our deeds also; BTW are evil; even our best deeds as "filthy rags". ( Isaiah 64:6). This "grace Gospel" as it is known is obviously taken from Romans as a primary source but reflects many scripture verses. Or as someone once said "a hundred percent sinner needs a hundred percent savior" (can't seem to find this entire phrase quoted by anyone).
Now death; of course in the law comes in two ways; MURDER or justifiable killing whether to exact a punishment "a life for a life" (part of Deuteronomy 19:21). It also is involved with the wars and conquests of Israel with the admittedly hard verses about exterminating entire peoples including women and children in certain circumstances. The understandable aspect of this is when the descendents of the Nephilim (or angels with women producing giant hybrid offspring) were exterminated; being an aberrant being without and eternal soul perhaps the proper interpretation of Isaiah 26:14. That is a deep study; but no doubt this is easier than explaining extermination of human beings. Those nations which were conquered had common practices of child sacrifice with idol worship; therefore it could have saved the children from a worse death. Genesis 15:16 shows how God waits until iniquity is full before utter destruction.
Today we covered a book (by Ryrie called Balancing the Christian Life") and the chapter about Satan. There was too much to cover in one study; indeed I could see how a half dozen studies would be needed to examine just the main avenues the enemy of our souls uses to afflict us. The scripture on him coming to steal; kill and destroy was mentioned; along with his techniques.
As the "accuser of the brethren" ( Rev. 12:10) there is no doubt that accusations have been something he has lengthy experience on as it is first observed in the book of Job. (See Job 16:2 where he calls his friends "miserable comforters"). It isn't just coincidence or happenstance that Satan pummeled Job so mercilessly. As was also brought out in the study which we should all know Satan can do nothing without God's permission. The book generally talks about people who think too little and those too obsessed with the wiles of the enemy. The fact that he could assail Paul an Apostle of God; and get into Peter's mind when our Lord had to rebuke him and say "get behind me SATAN" ( MAtt. 16:23) should be a reality check that anyone can be taken out by the enemy should God allow it.
Of course the concept of the "legal power of attorney" that Christ has based on His blood sacrifice and atonement for His children gives us assurance of salvation; but often the Lord uses the enemy to test our faith in this wicked world system.
There is danger of those having false assurance of salvation which is evidenced by bad fruit ( Matt. 7:16); however when a Christian sins the enemy will plant all sorts of terror; accusations; insecurities; etc. in our minds. Godly sorrow leads to repentance ( 2 Cor. 7:10); but if we don't go to the Lord when we first sin the enemy is given free reign more or less to mess with our minds. Thus in my experience even if I went headlong into sin knowing the torment the enemy would cast my way is strong incentive to stay away.
Jesus was Prophet; Priest and King. He fulfilled roles which no other individual was allowed to do in scripture. David acted as Priest when needed when he was a king; but only due to his own sin. Solomon had to complete building the Temple because David was disallowed according to scripture because of certain acts of violence (I am guessing partly due to having Uriah killed off to get Bathsheeba). Even though Solomon commissioned men to do the work on the Temple we see no direct priestly action by him; only a dedication of the nation of Israel and prayers lifted up and the beginning of the operations there. Generally kings were not allowed to offer sacrifices; a Levite was needed first off. This disqualified Saul's attempt when he presumptuously went ahead with it rather than waiting for the right person to do the job and that resulted in being dethroned and his life started to fall apart. Prophets also kept away from sacrifices; but in the case of Christ He fulfilled the prophecies Himself by BEING our sacrifice and hence exalted by the Father to rule and reign as King on the earth in the Millennium.
The Bible describes many kings along with exhaustive lists of their actions which sadly were predominantly evil. The length of their reign as well as the fate of the nation at large was tied into blessings and cursings. Transgressions would cause a downfall; and in the case of the few righteous kings it exalted the nation ( Proverbs 14:34). After Solomon compromised he forfeited his own length of life as well as the nation being able to rule permanently without being under the thumb of other nations. In Ecclesiastes his conclusion after discussing all his own vanity and of life in general was to "fear God and keep his commandments" at the end of chapter 12. Through Christ alone can we fulfill the law because we are grafted in to the true vine inheriting His righeousness because of His victory.
A general concept as pointed out in my last post is that the Old Testament law and sacrifices had temporal methods and sufficiency and were based on behaviors of Israel as to whether blessings or cursings resulted. The Spirit of God was more transient and was no guarantee of salvation such as seen in the example of Saul's prophesying as well as Baalam's repeated attempts to curse Israel and being overtaken to make proclamations under the influence of the Holy Spirit. David even asked God not to remove His Holy Spirit as apparently happened with Saul who needed David to play music for a temporary "fix" to his bizarre disorders.
John 16:8 essentially gives indication of permanent residence of the Father and Son in a believer and thus sealing them until the Day of Redemption. What we cannot do is glibly assume we are saved without testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith; and certain behaviors especially illustrated in Corinthians show the result of sickness and death with communion taken unworthily and the case of the man sleeping with his father's wife. There is always hope of repentance if someone is alive; but we cannot continue a LIFESTYLE of sin and be presumptuous thinking God will overlook our sin as an exception to His rule for the rest of mankind.
Matthew 5:17 states that Christ came not to abolish but fulfill the law and the prophets. This is a segway into the second theme in this introduction: Prophecy...
INTRO.
Prophecy begins with Genesis 3:15 in the garden with the serpent being told that he would receive a deadly wound and that Christ would recieve a wound on the heel (the seed of the woman representing the virgin Birth and the wound that of His piercing on the cross). Jesus was the end of Prophecy as THE Prophet; but in real time we still see Him as the Alpha and Omega in Revelation 1; and we still see 2 Prophets in Rev. 11.
The Bible as a whole gives a systematic and cohesive narrative clearly describing certain truths; at least all necessary for instruction and teaching in righteousness ( 2 Tim. 3:16). The idea of the law of God is intermingled in the Genesis story; with the first covenant of God being established with the marriage of Adam and Eve which was instituted by God Himself. There was apparently the concept of a sacrifice long before the laws that were in Exodus; Leviticus and Deuteronomy as indicated by the offerings brought forth by Abel and Cain. And we also have the mysterious Melchizedek who was a true priest of God but not under known lineage in the line of the Jews.
The law; of course comes in Exodus and Deuteronomy with the basic 10 Commandments; as well as the 600 odd other laws releting to various national laws; moral laws and ceremonial laws specific to Israel as well as to mankind in whole. Those who would question that need to carefully read the Old Testament where we see passages such as God describing the Amorites ( Gen. 15:16); as well as the destruction of other nations; even Nineveh after God spared it due to repentance for a time in the time of Jonah. Verses about marriage in regard to Abraham and Isaac as well as John the Baptist clearly indicate the law was recognized by the Egyptians as well as with Herod having his brother's wife ( Mark 6:18) which led to his beheading indirectly after imprisonment. We see in Amos 1:13-14 scripture where Ammon was to be destroyed for what is described as mutilating pregnant women (a nice way to say it). There are other verses as well where people are given back punishment based on what they've done similar to this; it fits in basically to an "eye for an eye". We even see special healing given to a Gentile (Naaman the Syrian) in the Old Testament.
This concept of the law shows exceptions to basic principles of God's actions in the O.T and N.T.
St Mark sets the Healing of Bartimaeus with him joining Jesus with this line,"and followed Jesus in the way." In this chapter we see the eternal word forever settled in heaven meeting the way he took 'in the way." So the now meeting the eternal aspects of the word is stated in rather obvious manner, so how we approach the triumphal entry of Jesus cannot go wrong. Jesus sends two of his disciples to fetch the colt already provided for. "And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met." Where the two ways meet is a direct way of the scripture, of what is written of me' being fulfilled. We need not ask how the colt shall be provided for the Son as he passed through Jerusalem and as Isaiah says, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."(Is.55:11)
Here below are the citations from the prophets of old which also ought to convince us that there was nothing in Jerusalem that kept him there. He was among his own as the word become flesh but the nation of Israel showed themsselves unworthy for the grace and truth which made Jesus of Nazareth as the only begotten Son.
vv.1-11
Here we have the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy in the Book of Psalms. "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord."(Ps.118:26)
vv.12-17
"Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people."(Is.56:7)
" Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord."(Je.7:11)
In my last post I describe how the incident in John 9 set apart Christ as doing something new; that only God could perform.
This wasn't something the religious Pharisees could deal with; as the lengthy account of this incident makes painfully clear.
We also see Jesus' claims to be able to forgive sins as something unique; yet the many prophecies in Isaiah should have been enough to convince the Jews that this indeed was the true Messiah. There were references there to healing the blind; ministry reaching out to the Gentiles; as well as things such as Isaiah 61 that Jesus quoted and then cut off before the next verse got into the Second Coming and establishing His Kingdom on the earth at that time.
In the analysis of the "Old" and "New" covenants it is better to say that the New one developed the full meaning of the Old.
It certainly doesn't eliminate moral expectations in regard to murder; adultery and covetousness in the original 10 Commandments; we can look to Colossians 2:16 as to the exception of a mandate for "Holy days" as to not enforcing Saturday as the day of rest. This is a hotbed of controversy for some so I won't elaborate further. It is clear ceremonial laws changed; in regard to foods eaten the Cornelious episode makes that abundantly clear. ( Acts 10).
Christ became the sacrifice for our sins so no further sacrifice is needed. ( Psalm 40:6-8). Clearly the grace of the N.T. is seen in the Old Testament; particularly in regard to the sacrifice of a contrite and broken heart as seen in Psalm 51 and many other places. God Himself at some point abhorred the sacrifices due to the hypocrisy ( Isaiah 1:14). Many call Isaiah the Gospel of the O.T. and it is needed reading to understand prophetic things to come regarding Christ and God's call to the Gentiles.
Many places appear to show Christ before He came on earth physically; it is an interesting study in itself. So is the Godhead.
Continuing on the Revelation 21:8 warnings of those in hell we see this category. This would no doubt encompass ALL types of sexual immorality; whether fornication or adultery which are two categories deliberately separated in many scriptures as different types of sin. I am not going to use this forum to go into in length my viewpoint on adulterous marriages; but will say that unless that is what is referred to it seems a lot harder to categorize a lifestyle of sin as committing adultery than it would to say someone likes to fornicate a lot (sleep around). There may be a few sick folks who deliberately want the thrill of having a fling with a married person but for the sake of their own security and simple convenience they probably will find it easier much of the time having relatinships with unmarried or "available" women. Therefore I have to deduce it is indeed adulterous marriages referred to; and that of a state of continuing sin as long as a relationship isn't a true covenant before God. I'll leave it to the readers to study the verses on the subject and the so called "exception or escape clause"; something I have studied in great detail but don't want to raise friction with on this site. Before moving on; I will note that adultery meant an instant death penalty in the Old Testament according to the law (if proven by witnesses and both parties should be present hence invalidating the presentation of John 8:1-11.) Fornication is a different penalty in O.T. law. Also there can be people who are prostitutes or just generally immoral as related to the term "whoremongers". The end result of LIFESTYLES of any of these sins is hell; which is a warning to someone calling themselves a believer who doesn't turn away from sin when making a verbal confirmation of repentance. Of course ANY sin leads us to hell; hence we are all doomed without His atoning sacrifice. Therefore all lost fit into one or more of these descriptions in Revelation 21:8
When surveying the different dispensations (or eras for those who don't like that term) we see the same God granting grace and forgiveness even with different roles of the Holy Spirit; different methods of worship based on the old or new covenant(s) and in general a frequent transition from times of relative peace to turbulent wars; famines; and pestilences. One of the great mysteries is how man couldn't sin when in Eden before the fall; and yet how we can't go back to that state but must go through the cross and the "second Adam" in order to obtain righteousness and good standing once again with the Lord ( 1 Cor. 15:45).
The origin of sin itself came with what some may call "esoteric" knowledge (knowing the difference between good and evil). Violence and murder were to come quickly with Cain and it necessitated the first death of an animal in order to cover Adam and Eve. If all of nature was as it is stated in Isaiah 11 (focusing on verses 6-9) which is the description of the Millennium on God's Holy Mountain then death and slaying something would not be anywhere on earth before that time. This of course pointed to Christ's sacrifice and the prophecy of Genesis 3:15 was to come immediately after man's fall as well.
We see again during the Millennium period a time with man learning the art of war no more ( Isaiah 2:4); and of course Satan is said to be bound in that period according to Revelation 20. At the end of that time; however he is loosed as Revelation 21 states to deceive the WHOLE WORLD. This shows the utter hoplelessness of unregenerate man even with Christ ruling and reigning on earth at that time with the glorified saints (us). There are many instances of men in their distress calling out to the Lord in Psalms; etc. so God often can get men's attention that way; but there are times He will not respond and destruction and death commences. We dare not play with God thinking we can wait to the end to repent.
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.
There are two views on the subject; the "transubstantiation" argument of the Catholic and Eastern Orthodox traditions and the purely symbolic or metaphorical doctrines we find in many Protestant churches. In the first view we have to hold to an abhorrent view that there is an ongoing or perpetual reinstitution of Christ's sacrifice at every communion; clearly contrary to where Christ stated "it is finished" on the cross and Hebrews 9:28 speaking of His one time sacrifice for many. The Protestant viewpoint; however can tend to treat communion and in fact many other rites or ceremonies as merely symbolic and thus be calloused to verses such as 1 Corinthians 11:30 which states that many have become sick and died (fallen asleep) due to taking communion unworthily.
Communion therefore is something which each individual is held accountable for but also involves a union in the Body of Christ through the function of the Holy Spirit. We certainly can't isolate these warnings just for communion; for instance we have no business being baptized without a proper confession of faith and marriages also need to be taken seriously in regard to the covenant vows. The New Covenant brings the blood ATONEMENT which essentially exchanges His life for our own as our spiritual sustenance; along with His broken body. He purchased us with the cost of His life and redeemed us from death and hell by taking our place on the cross of Calvary. Such a detestable imagery of a snake on a pole was an early representation of this Numbers 21. A man was cursed when hung on a tree ( Deut. 21:22-23). We are then partakers in Christ and His sufferings ( 1 Peter 4:13); see also Hebrews 3:14 on enduring to the end.
In terms of eternal physical life; we of course have the tree of life as mentioned in the Garden. We also will be raised incorruptible if we are in Him.
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.
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.
There are several speculations on what the mark may be, a literal mark, a computer chip, symbols, and more but the mark of the beast will be based on worship. It is the false prophet, the second beast who causes people to worship the first beast and his image. The number 666 goes back to Babylon, the 36 gods numbered 1 through 36, 6 columns and 6 rows the numbers were arranged in such a way that the sum of any given row, column, or diagonal was 111, and therefore the sum of all six rows or all six columns was 666, like 18+20+22+21+17+13 =111, 1+2+3 to 36=666.
We are told to have faith and patience Luke 21:19 Hebrews 6:12 and hear in Revelation 13:10 and Revelation 14:11 that if we are strong in our faith and patience we will have the steadfastness and endurance (the meaning of patience) to not give into the temptation of the three who is to come, Satan, the beast out of the bottomless pit and the beast who will be the false prophet, even if we face death, the hour of temptation, Rev. 3:10.
Something like this was done in the past in the Decian persecution in 250 AD. The decree ordered sacrifices be performed in the presence of a Roman magistrate, it was a signed and witnessed certificate, issued to that effect. People had to perform a sacrifice to the Roman gods and the well-being of the emperor.
Christians were put to death for refusing to perform the sacrifices, many others apostatized and performed the ceremonies, and others went into hiding. Those who compromised were able to prosper economically. By way of contrast, those who did not have the certificate were unable to buy or sell and suffered economic hardship. Buying and selling was done in marketplaces ruled by Rome. This may be similar to what is coming but a mark instead of a certificate.
Hope this helps.
God bless,
RLW
Introdution: According to 1 Thessalonians 5:9 we are not appointed to wrath. Romans 9:22 seems to indicate that there are indeed "vessels of wrath" doomed for destruction which seems to fulfill what some call "double predestination" or wicked destined for hell. We do know that all those who are NOT written in the Book of Life before the foundation of the world will accept the Mark of the Beast and in fact worship him. ( Rev. 13:8; 17:8 and also in chapter 20). Whether we just play out what is already determined; or God knows ahead of time what we will choose is something we can argue about.
Since this Antichrist is indeed the "man of sin" ( 2 Thess. 2:3) and we can also call the son of perdition in John 17:12 as representing Judas Iscariot who also was destined to betray God and be lost according to the prophecy in Psalm 55 along with the same fate for this Beast from these and other passages; we once again see God's hand in this. God is the one according to Thessalonians that sends "strong delusion" ( 2 Thess. 2:11). That is because people loved sin so much that they didn't want to repent; and we see this with the behaviors that occur during the Trumpet judgments in particular.
These facts are sobering; we know that if it weren't for His grace we would never see clearly our sin nature and hence we all would fall for this false Messiah. This world system has nothing to offer; nor does any man who is unregenerate to give lasting peace. Neither sacrifices of animals or man's own sufferings procure any justification or forgiveness of sins; and God is not impressed with any of our accomplishments. Self gratification no doubt will be a large part of the universal appeal; along with self preservation that eventually leads to the acceptance of this infamous mark. Luke 12:12 may have double fulfillment; both for the Apostles facing martyrdom and the end time saints who refuse the mark.
Part 3.
When I consider that the righteousness of Jesus is the righteousness of God lived out in the incarnation of His Son, then I am awed by how great must be the pure and holy way Jesus lived on this earth in His lifetime here. He must have stood out among all other people because NO ONE could lay any charge against Him of wrongdoing or ill-will or disobedience to God or offense against any man. he was completely and divinely pure and holy, without any taint of sin, no corruption of soul, no part of his human nature in rebellion against His Father or divine nature. In Him was perfect harmony of God and man without any conflict or dissonance. He as altogether righteous and because He was God in the flesh, His righteousness was infinitely immense enough to cover the sins of every person who every lived or will live.
We can know that all of our own sin can be covered by His righteousness and that His perfect sacrifice was infinitely sufficient to save my from my sins, death, hell, and the devil. His righteousness provides me with justification before God and awards me salvation and eternal life with him and the Father and the Holy Spirit forever. What a priceless treasure and gift God has given us. he gave us Himself. Hallelujah!
Pt. 2
Mt. 1:23 quotes Is 7:14 as being fulfilled in Jesus. He is "Emmanuel, God with us"
John 20:28 Thomas calls Jesus, "My Lord and my God" and Jesus did not tell Thomas that that was NOT true.
1Peter 1:1 says our righteousness comes from God, and it comes to us in Jesus our Savior. The righteousness
of Jesus is the righteousness of God because He is God.
Is. 9:6 says that Jesus is the "Mighty God"
Rev.1: Jesus says that He is the "Almighty"
Col. 2:9-10 says that in Jesus the fulness of the Godhead dwelled bodily. He is Emmanuel, God with us. God revealed bodily.
Jesus is worshipped by believers (only God is to be worshipped) and Jesus accepted this worship.
Mt. 2:1-2 (by the magi)
Mt. 28:8-9, 17 (by the apostles)
In Rev.5:13 we read of the worship of God in heaven. Both the Father and the Lamb (Jesus) are given worship and it is said that this worship is to be given to both forever.
it is important for us to realize that only God is righteous enough to be our Redeemer, and that He became man in order that his holy blood could be shed for us as a sacrifice. No other blood would cleanse but the blood of God the Son. In His divinity, God has no blood because the divine nature is Spirit, but in His humanity as God in the flesh, He had divine blood to shed.
Jesus is the most unique person in all of creation and in God's transcendent realm, being both God and man in one person.
I have heard this quote often, don't know the author, but it is worth pondering (this is not a direct quote)
If Jesus is not God, then there is no Christianity and those who worship Jesus are nothing but idolaters. But if He is God, then those who deny He is God are blasphemers in the worst sense of the word, because they believe in another Jesus than what Scripture presents to us.
God's Word is truth. He revealed Himself to mankind in Scriptures so that we can know the truth about Him: what He is in His divine nature and who He is in His Persons.
"R" GOD IS RIGHTEOUS
He always does what is good and right. He never deviates from being sinless. He always thinks, says, and does everything righteously from pure and holy motives. There is no shadow of "darkness" in Him as to evil. His righteousness is far above whatever righteousness man can perform because even our righteousness is tainted by sin.
Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" In all of history, there has never been and strictly human person who is sinless. so, there has never been a strictly human person who is able to save himself from the condemnation of sin let alone anyone else.
Because of the complete and utter fallenness of mankind, there can be no redeemer from among humanity. There is no one whose righteousness is so pure and complete to be efficacious for the removal of God's judgment upon ALL of mankind.
It takes the righteousness of God to save mankind and God determined that his righteousness would come to save mankind by His divine Son becoming a man, righteous in every way, since He is God and cannot be unrighteous, and dying as our sacrifice.
The divine Son of God was incarnated, as John says in John 1:1, 14, ad became man for our sake. As God said in the OT, it is God alone who is Savior (Is 43:1, 11; 45;21; Hos 13:4) therefore, Jesus is God who is our Savior. If He is not God, then He is not our Savior because no strictly human man can save anyone. It is God who saves, who, though God the Son, took on human flesh and nature to be the only Kinsmen Redeemer who can take a way our sin, be a perfect, worthy, and more than sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world, and to be able to bear the complete wrath of God for mankind for all their sins. No mere human can do that,
In Titus 2:13 Jesus is called our "Great God and Savior"
John 1:1 calls Jesus God:" the Word was God"
The Parable clearly lays out total sanctification for those who are called to be kings and priests. " For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;/And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself."(Col.1:17-20). Receiving a prophet "in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward." But kingdom of God lays out the preceding verse as the rule: "He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me."(10:40). Consequently without 'Christ in me' by faith, charity is merely lip service.(1 Co.13). Laws of nations create a system and those who know it escape from justice reserved for lawbreakers. Sheep on the right speaks of the nation of light. They are those who saw the light in the true light. (Ps.36:9)
As kings our judgment must be fair. "A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes."(Pr.20:8) abiding in Christ we ought to train ourselves which explains faith with works. So one cannot serve mammon as well as serve God. As priests "Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity."(He.5:2). Having a beam in the eye one need to be circumspect before he wants to remove the mote in someone else's eye.
"And by him all things consist," Priestly garments of righteousness are of God we put on in our daily walks. We bear the burden of others which denote the breastplate and judgment, evokes the urim and thummim. Hearts can be very treacherous if let so by the light of the word we conduct our lives in all humility so grace may have perfect working in us. "Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits."(Ro.12:16,1-2) Our bodies are living sacrifices, "holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
The question that arises is this; since we are "grafted in" hence Jews and Gentiles are part of God's elect in this age as we see illlustrated in Romans 11. If we continue to verse 23; however we see that even Jews are grafted in once they believe in the truth about Jesus. ( Romans 11:25). We also see this principle in Luke 21:24 as well as various Old Testament scriptures about the Resurrection of all saints ( Daniel 12:13) and King David himself ruling with Christ ( Daniel 7:27 and other passages). There are those who stubbornly only consider these promises to be fulfilled in the church and say God is done with Israel. This helps to discount a millennium as something which is symbolic of the church (even though that has lasted almost 2000 years now since Pentecost). I would say that we need to draw the line if there is a display of antisemitism; for instance with a superiority complex developing because of these theories. Admittedly there is much evil among all; including those Jews who are living in unbelief when we see; for instance Tel Aviv and the abominations of those living out a lifestyle like Sodom ( Revelation 13:16-17). We also need to seek out individuals whether Jew or Gentile to preach the Good News; without partiality to anyone. Finally; there is difficulty with some in regard to sacrifices actually occurring in the Millennium; deeming them an abomination as Christ has already fulfilled all things necessary. That would depend on the purpose of these; as to commemorating God and having a ceremonial purification; for instance. Such activity would help to bring all to worship in Israel; fulfilling prophecies such as Isaiah 56:7 and Zechariah 14:17. Despite all this; I wouldn't consider this essential doctrine to break fellowship but important nonetheless to get a correct grip on the rest of scriptures to avoid what could be bigger error of essential truths.
To know Christ and to make Him known is the theme of the Navigators ministry and correlates with 1 John and other passages.
This is a good summary of understanding the personal meaning of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for atonement as well as our duties fulfilling our part in the Great Commission.
I imagine most here know the necessary doctrines of believing Christ is a member of the Godhead and thus Divinity Himself who was the only one who could atone for sins (as the sinless spotless Lamb of God) by becoming a man as we are without sin and remaining so throughout His earthly ministry; then dying on the cross and resurrecting from the dead 3 days later. Finally; He is to return once again physically to rule and reign on the earth.
2 Timothy 2:8 and 2 Thessalonians 2:2 show we should avoid the error of stating that the resurrection has already occurred or the day of the Lord is at hand. Matthew 24:26 states that the Lord hasn't come yet for those who say He is hiding somewhere and also states the likeness of His arrival as lightning in the very next verse. This should be enough to disclaim what Preterists state that the Lord has already come. Therefore I would contend that full Preterists that state this are far enough off in doctrine that we should avoid fellowship with them.
Assuming we have the essentials of salvation straightened out; there are many other warnings and admonitions in scripture such as testing ourselves to see if we are in the faith would involve ( 2 Corinthians 13:5). We need to accept that doctrines aren't just what is required to be saved; but also what is necessary to prove that we are bringing fruits worthy of repentance ( Matthew 3:8 and many other similar verses). We are not subject to the law in some sense IF we are truly dead to sin ( Romans 6:11) in one sense; because we have a new nature; but in the same token we DESIRE to obey Christ and love and serve Him as Lord; Master and Savior.
My understanding on this, indeed on all matters pertaining to Israel, is that the Ten Commandments which includes the necessity of keeping the Sabbath Day holy was wholly incumbent upon Israel & Israel alone. No other people received the Decalogue, as also with circumcision, the festivals, sacrifices, priestly functions, other laws, etc. Unfortunately, when the Jew turned to Christ, as also with the Gentile, the knowledge they had or we received from the Old Testament are presumed to be automatically passed onto & applied to those now In Christ. We readily acknowledge the laws concerning our relationship to God & to one another, as given in the OT, but then imply that Sabbath-keeping must also apply to us. We do so in ignorance.
Shabbat (Hebrew, from the root, Shin-Bet-Tav), being the seventh day, means 'to cease, to end, to rest', & Israel was to sanctify (set apart) this day for cessation from all activity, even as the LORD Himself hallowed it ( Exodus 20:10,11). There could be no transposition of this Sabbath Day to any other day; hence, it was never 're-converted' to become a Sunday, thus the term 'Christian Sabbath' really is a misnomer. One can use the 7th day, or any day, as a day of rest as desired, but I don't ever see it as a requirement for those who are In Christ Jesus, as those now under a new Law given us (even, imputed in us) by the Holy Spirit ( Romans 8:2) & also being led of the Spirit ( Galatians 5:18). When we look at the Gospels & the Acts of the Apostles, we find many references to the Sabbath Day, since either the Law was still in force (pre-Cross) or the apostles took advantage of the day for ministry to the Jews in synagogues (in Acts). But in NT Church practise, they met on the 1st Day of the Week, with no reference to the old Law of Sabbath(s).
"Thank you for your reply. I certainly do want to avoid leading someone wrong. God forbid. In chapter 12, verse 1, I am reading
we also are Those words speaks to me as the time in which he was living."
When the writer of this letter was sent to the Hebrews who resided outside of Israel (it's been suggested, Italy, or thereabouts), he was certainly encouraging them to keep their eyes set on Jesus, patiently running the race of faith in Christ. So yes, as the Hebrews in Italy (?) were being encouraged, so are we to be when reading it.
But if thinking of 'the carnal view or divine view of Christ', apart from verse 2, where the writer encourages us to only look to 'Jesus, the Author & Finisher of our faith', I can't see where one sees Christ from a carnal viewpoint. But if you're thinking that in verse 1, the cloud of witnesses (as those mentioned in chapter 11), were without knowledge of a coming Divine Christ, their Redeemer, then their view was according to the knowledge given them. But if their love for God & faith in Him to keep & deliver them held strong, the merits of the Coming One's Sacrifice would avail for them as well. In other words, their ignorance (carnal view?) of what was to come, would not preclude them from sharing in what we post-Cross have received through Jesus' Sacrifice for our sins. So, I'm unsure whether I've really understood your thoughts here, so I apologize if I haven't & thus your unsatisfied reading of all this.
So when I read Hebrews 12:1, I always get the sense that since those who have gone on way before us & stand in the Presence of God, their lives & faithfulness, in spite of many odds against them, should also be an impetus for us to 'run the race of Christian living & testimony'; a race, not who gets there first, but one that requires patience & endurance reaching the finishing line & the prize - just as those of old did.
But the Hebrews writer doesn't want us to only focus on those saints of old, but to look to Jesus, the Author & Finisher of our Faith (the One Who completed and perfected our faith before God): for He alone is the reason for our salvation, our power & joy to live this life, & Who will receive us into Glory at the appointed time. That 'cloud of witnesses' might have had a good testimony for us to be encouraged to do likewise, but only Jesus could author saving faith & perfect it & us before God by virtue of His great Sacrifice for us & the supreme example He set before us in godly living.
About perfectness. I think the Bible uses this word with various meanings
1. Lets see as Richard says Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.". Now the verb "be" in grk (esesthai) is in the future tense and denotes an expectation. So what Jesus is actually saying here (as I understand it) is that He expects us to become perfect like God is. Well this is impossible, isn't it? So what He means is that He expects us to strive to be like God (in character). And how is that to be done? By following His commandments, which commandments reveal the character of God to us. And since one aspect (and probably the most important) of God's character is love Jesus asks us to love each other like God does. This is something gradual, isn't it? It is something that we keep aquiring through our whole life.
If we compare it with Hebrews 5:8,9, "8Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" Here Jesus iwas made perfect by obeying God's commandments.
So perfectness again here means a whole route/course that we follow in our lives during which, by following God's commandements/directions we keep growing spiritually and getting to be like God in character more and more.
2. But in Hebrews 10:14, "For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified", the word perfect has a different meaning. It means the one who has no sins. So we were perfected by Jesus' Blood, that is we are righteous through His sacrifice.
3. In Hebrews 11:38-40 says, "39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect."
Here perfectness is something that we will aquire in Heaven when we will be dressed up with our new spiritual body, completely freed from sin, death etc
God knows who are his and shall delver them who keep the truth. Long ago I belonged to a cult group that taught that there shall be animal sacrifices as before. Their reasoning was that God never errs in His commandments. It was a mismatch of so many doctrines of man. They wanted to control the minds by mind-numbing 'tarrying' meetings for the Holy Spirit Their true intent was to enforce their will- worship (Touch not, taste not and in their dress ) over their congregants by enforcing themselves as the Levites under the Order of Aaron. As a Sunday school teacher the more I began studying the word of God by myself, the scales fell of my eyes as it were, and I left their Assembly.
Shortly thereafter they sent two of their two brethren to ask me what 'speaking in tongues' meant for me, intending to say it was of devil if I were to leave them. I admitted I was mistaken and the truth has freed me. They tried to frighten by saying that I would go back to them on my knees within two years. i simply laughed them out. There are many such e false shepherds out there and it is none of our business to meddle with them. God's promises are always yea in his Son.
Earlier I placed this reply which was shoddy having written half-awake and after posting my conclusion on Is.2. It gave me a sleepless night so I first tackled what needed to be written down and this is same and cleaned up of typos
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