Year 2001.GOD was/is in control of history,nothing random happens.USA was the single largest economy on the planet,followed by EU. Humanity had just entered a new millennium,from the sixth to the seventh,according Scriptures at the turn of a new Day( 2Peter 3:8), seventh and last Day or seventh and last millennium.
The material things are figures of spiritual things.The parables of JESUS are good examples.The World Trade Center was built with two higher towers.Materially it signifies nothing,nothing more than two large and gigantic buildings.But analysing deeply,we cannot ignore a great mystery:The two towers of the WTC signified the most two powerful Economies of the Earth,the Economies of USA and EU.
Building two towers specifically for the significative WTC made a certain sense,as was built the old Tower of Babel.Biblically,the invisible side of the construction of the two towers of the WTC is that it would represent two largest economies on the Planet.
The WTC's towers's fall signified both Economies would fall in ruin day after day,in the days to come,and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity;Men's hearts failing them for fear,and for looking after the things which are coming on the earth.And this generation shall not pass away,till all be fulfilled.After fall of the WTC in the year 2001,there was a sucession of terrible significatives events:
1st-The beginning of a New Millennium,seventh and last millennium, then the World would not be the same from 2001 ahead;
2-Consequently,another great and simultaneous event occurred,GOD Father ENTERED on His rest as He planned since the beginning of Creation,and JESUS,who was sat at right hand of the Father,did sit immediatly on the throne of Him- Psalm 97-and JESUS assumed the government of the whole Universe.Since then JESUS is in control of History,nothing random happens,the Judgment Seat of Christ was/is established to Judge and punish all the nations,idolaters and wicked nations;
Is.30:27-Behold,the name of the Lord cometh from far,burning with his anger,and the burden thereof is heavy:His lips are full of indignation, His tongue as a devouring fire:
Is.13:6-13
6Howl ye;for the day of the Lord is at hand;it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty
7Therefore shall all hands be faint,and every man's heart shall melt:
8And they shall be afraid:pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth:they shall be amazed one at another;their faces shall be as flames
9Behold,the day of the Lord cometh,cruel both with wrath and fierce anger,to lay the land desolate:and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it
10For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light
11And I will punish the world for their evil,and the wicked for their iniquity;and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease,and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible
12I will make a man more precious than fine gold;even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir
13Therefore I will shake the heavens,and the earth shall remove out of her place,in the wrath of the Lord of hosts,and in the Day of His fierce anger.
Is.33:10-15
10Now will I rise,saith the Lord;now will I be exalted;now will I lift up myself.
12And the people shall be as the burnings of lime:as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.
13Hear,ye that are far off,what I have done;and,ye that are near, acknowledge my might.
14The sinners in Zion are afraid;fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
15He that walks righteously,and speaks uprightly;he that despiseth the gain of oppressions,that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes,that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood,and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.
4I also will choose their delusions,and will bring their fears upon them;because when I called,none did answer;when I spake,they did not hear...
2Thes.2:8-12
8And then shall that Wicked be revealed,whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth-His Word-,and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:
9Even him,whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;because they received not the love of the truth,that they might be saved.
11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,that they should believe a lie:
12That they all might be DAMNED who believed not the Truth- believed not in JESUS-,but had pleasure in unrighteousness
Mat.24:15-25
15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,spoken of by Daniel the prophet,stand in the holy place,(whoso readeth,let him understand)
PRIOR ADVICE OF OUR LORD
16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains
17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house
18Neither let him which is in the field return back...
ABOUT STRONG PUNISHMENT
21For then shall be great tribulation,such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time,no,nor ever shall be.
22And except those days should be shortened,there should no flesh be saved:but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened
GREAT DANGER EVEN FOR THE ELECTS-THE FALSE MESSIAH
23Then if any man-Pastors,and Bishops,Evangelists,Missionaries, among others-shall say unto you, Lo,here is Christ,or there;BELIEVE IT NOT
24For there shall arise false Christs,and false prophets-FALSE PREACHERS OF THE WORD OF GOD-2Cor.11:13-15,and shall shew great signs and wonders;insomuch that,if it were possible,they shall deceive(even)the very elect
The dire/horrible/heinous/hair-raising picture of the current world of Devil,as you so well have described,it is the reflection the wicked and devilish nations of the Devil's world are already descending into hell as a whole,by the power of the Word of GOD,except the sons of GOD- John 1:12-13-of course,in LITERAL fulfilment of Malachi 4:1-3:->1For, behold,the Day cometh(seventh and last GOD's Day or seventh and last millennium),that shall burn as an oven;and all the proud,yea, and all that do wickedly,shall be stubble:and the day that cometh shall burn them up,saith the Lord of hosts,that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;and ye shall go forth,and grow up as calves of the stall( Isaiah 43:2) .
3And ye shall tread down the wicked;for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the Day(seventh)that I shall do this,saith the Lord of hosts( 1Corinthians 15:24-26).
As you know,JESUS in His prayer to the Father,said: John 17:9-10 and 15-17:
9I pray for them:I pray not for the world,but for them which thou hast given me;for they are thine.
10And all mine are thine,and thine are mine;and I am glorified in them.
15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16They are not of the world,even as I am not of the world.
17Sanctify them through thy truth:thy Word is Truth.
Malachi 3:16-18
16Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
17And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that Day when I make up my JEWELS;and I will spare them,as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18Then shall ye return,and discern between the righteous and the wicked,between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
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.
Simple rule for a Christian is to know he is not obliged to answer every atheist. Now as a believer understand the verse "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (He.2:17) Without shedding of blood there is no redemption. God did not spare His own Son and his death for for the redemption of all mankind. A Christian is one who believes in his death and resurrection. His faith and works are not apart from him but is in him "Without me you can do nothing." Thus we die to the world so we may live with him forever. From this what do you think of Godly kill? He did it because He is Love. And this kill released man from his bondage to sin and death. So the kill the atheists talk about and what God speaks of are entirely two different things.
Now what is a Thanksgiving dinner without a turkey? Turkey lives off little creatures and these little 'critters; on something else.
Laws of nature show every life-form lives off another. This is at the bottom level. Whereas the Son made himself as an intercessor for the world so whoever partook him in faith has abundant life. As God made manifest His love we are to place ourselves even as he did. This is shown in the example of Seth stepping in place of Abel who was murdered by the wicked Cain.
Hello, I'm reposting this question I've had previously for new input. It's the question atheists often ask and I don't feel I have an adequate response for.
Atheists often ask why God kills or asks others to kill, despite "do not kill".
The world generally views people dying as "bad" and people living as "good", even if its extremely wicked people.
How do you defend God and the Bible when someone asks this question?
As it was in days of Noah,so it will be in the days of the Son of man.They ate,drank,married,gave in marriage,until the day Noah entered the ark,the flood came and destroyed them all.So"This was the"modus vivendi" in Noahs'days.
We would say it was the same 'modus vivendi' of society in recent times,say around 1950-1985,it was similar to society in the days of Noah.It was common to eat and drink with development of large malls around the world at that time,it was common the celebration of weddings,existence of strong family ties,but as time went by,it began to deteriorate morally as in the time of Noah,when the sons of GOD mixed their seed with seed of the evil ones,giving rise to a corrupt and evil society- Genesis 6:2-3, due to the proliferation of adulterers and adulteresses.And the punishment came,yes,the flood came and only 8 people were saved by the Ark.
Comparing the society of Noah's days with a posterior society of Sodom and Gomorrah,at the time of Lot,let's see the differences,according Scriptures:
Luke 17:28-30 reveal:
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day (in the current time) when the Son of man is revealed.
society of Noah's day..........................society of Sodom/Gomorrah
they ate and drank ..............................they ate and drank
they married and gave in marriage ....they bought and sold,they planted and built
Men of Sodom were wicked,immoral exceedingly,and sinners before the Lord- Genesis 13:13.There was no marriage,society was polluted of prostitutes,sodomites/ effeminate(gays),society was infested of prostitution and great sinners. The same occurs today. Lot was vexed with filthy conversations seeing and hearing their unlawful deeds- 2Peter 2:7-8 & Jude 1:6-7.
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.
I may have discussed this topic in a previous post. Whether or not we consider "free will" to be a factor or not as to our immediate future; there is no doubt that things will end up with the Tribulation; the Millennium rule and final judgment followed by the eternal state. It is clear scripturally that almost all prophecy is conditional in some way; the fact that God does nothing without warning by one or more Prophets ( Amos 3:7). A prime example of this is with Israel and Judah who more often than not missed the mark whether it was the kings; prophets; priests or everyone else in society. Psalms is rife with examples of God's chastisement of the righteous ( Psalm 107 is one good example of this). We even see it with the other nations such as the Amorites and later in the book of Jonah the Ninevites who were given a lengthy respite of several generations before judgment finally came down as mentioned in the book of Nahum.
The statements in the New Testament such as the prophecy of Agabus shown in Acts 11 and 21 showed famine to come and later Paul's imprisonment. In the first case it has been brought to my attention that perhaps that famine either didn't occur or perhaps less severe because of preparations or repentance. That was what my former Pastor stated; not sure if anyone knows the history better than I do. As to the second circumstance; Paul was constrained to be obedient and bold. There wasn't a mandate it seemed for him going to Jerusalem although it seemed he was aware of it being part of God's plan. Perhaps the implication was martyrdom; after all Paul was no stranger to prison.
I tend to look at the "reap what you sow" context works as a sort of guarantee; like prophecy you can be certain that sin will bring forth punishment and trouble even in this life as the end of Proverbs 13:15 indicates. For God's children in rebellion it is only He who can bring real change but the wicked are lost.
Re.6:2-And I saw,and behold a white horse:and he that sat on him had a BOW;and a CROWN was given unto him(He is a Prince of GOD):and he went forth conquering,and to conquer.
Thine ARROWS are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies (enemies of JESUS,anti-JESUS,Antichrist;whereby the people fall under thee- Psalm 45:5.
Isaiah 7:22-24
22...he shall eat butter:for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land(the remnant-144K) Question:The rebel Israel was banned from their land and was spread around the whole world from year 70 AD until 1948,but from now on?being ruled by a false God,a false messiah?- Revelation 13:11-18).
23 And it shall come to pass in that day(the current seventh and last Day,seventh and last millennium)that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings,it shall even be for briers and thorns.(because are good for nothing)
24 With ARROWS and with BOWS shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
Isaiah 45:2
2Thou art fairer than the children of men:grace is poured into thy lips:therefore GOD hath blessed thee for ever.
3Gird thy Sword upon thy thigh,O most MIGHTY, with thy glory and thy majesty.(He's a Prince of GOD)
4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness;and thy right hand shall TEACH thee terrible things.
6Thy throne,O God(GOD the Father, GOD Son and(God of the earth- Revelation 11:4),is for ever and ever:the sceptre of thy kingdom is a RIGHT sceptre.
7Thou lovest righteousness,and hatest wickedness:therefore God(God the Father/God the Son),thy God,has ANNOINTED thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Zech.4:11-14
What are these two olive trees upon the right and left side of the candlestick?
What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
Knowest thou not what these be?
These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth
GOD is light, and in Him is no darkness at all-1Jo.1:5.The Word is GOD from everlasting to everlasting,self-executing.
The Word of GOD is quick,and powerful,and sharper than any twoedged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,and of the joints and marrow,and is a DISCERNER of the THOUGHTS and INTENTS of the heart-the Word is GOD-, neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight:but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we must render an account-Heb.4:12-13.
By the way,Jeremiah says:The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:who can know it?I the Lord search the heart,I try the reins,even to give every MAN according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings-Jer.17:9-10.
The Word made flesh,the Word is GOD,self-executing,He who calls Himself JESUS,He Himself said:...that which cometh out of the mouth,this defileth a man-Mt.15:11.Death and life are in the power of the tongue-Prov.18:21.
JESUS said more:Mt.15:18-19:
18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart;and they defile the man.
19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,false witness, murders,adulteries,fornications,thefts,blasphemies:
For meditation and testify:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
We could or can understand that everyone dies through the mouth.
Compare this deep mystery of the death with Romans 3:12-18, combined with James 3:1-12,mainly verses 5to8.
But what does the Word of GOD say?1Cor.15:26->The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.Now, now, the death is an ENEMY,
so we must fight against this ENEMY and be transformed, knowing that the sting of death is sin- Matthew 15:19;the strength of sin is the Law. Yes, transformed and be changed( Philippians 3:20-21),for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality,understand?
But thanks be to GOD, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now for a completely different discussion. Christians have argued about whether we should use humor or if God has a sense of humor. Given the verses about God laughing at the calamity of the wicked (such as Psalm 2); we need to be careful if we ask the Lord this question as well as with our intentions.
My experience (hitting the big THREESCORE this month) shows me that humor may be best served to lighten the burdens of our everyday annoyances; and SOMETIMES certain situations involving others can show the folly of this life. It is often better not to know the individual mentioned. Prayer is crucial as the most important thing we can do for others; and we need others to hold us accountable if we are ill advised in opening our mouths. The focus must be on the mission field; first and foremost. It is almost always best to let others bring up something humerous; because as with any other "liberties" someone may be easily offended and perhaps tempted to sin when they are the butt of a joke; no matter how "innocent" it may seem.
Few seem to categorize humor as something related to a joyful heart or spirit especially these days. It seems unheard of today in my life to think of someone who is that joyful who even smiles but maybe I am jaded in that mindset. Even laughing at ourselves can be wrong if we are constantly badmouthing ourselves. I had to rebuke brothers in the Lord who were too "hypercalvinistic" to the point where thy seemed boastful about what "worms" they were.
We then have the situation regarding nonbelieving friends and co-workers. Often I have found the best thing to do is either say nothing or excuse myself and try to say; eat my lunch elsewhere. I have in the past found family squabbles and the meetings involved when my former law firm I was employed at split up hilarious at times. Again; we shouldn't focus on character assasssination or take sides in these events but can't say humor is always wrong.
I have touched on several good devotional sources in posts last year; namely Oswald Chambers "utmost for the Highest" and Daily Bread. This site also is helpful when highlighting a daily Bible verse for the surrounding text to consider.
If I have the terminology correct Expository preaching is systematic reading of a book chapter by chapter. There is another term for topical studies that I am sure someone here knows. For a new believer it is hard to argue with the standard approach of beginning in the Gospels (usually John is picked) and then transitioning to Paul's Epistles. Scripture memory is helpful for two reasons particularly for new believers; one for edification and second to have verses to explain the hope within us in Christ when witnessing. Taking the example of John 3:16 for instance we have the assurance of eternal life but if we read the surrounding text we see in verse 18 that he who does NOT believe in Him is condemned already. This is one danger of "cherry picking" an isolated verse that gives us "positive vibes" and not comprehending God's Word as to repetitive themes; in this case blessings for obedience and faith and cursings for not believing. This contrast between good and bad is throughout scriptures; whether we look at warnings in Deuteronomy as to conditions affecting the entire nation because of disobedience vs obedience; Psalms and Proverbs related to characteristics of righteous and wicked and books of Chronicles and Kings as to righteous and unrighteous kings.
We are to be cautious; therefore with any devotionals that always have "encouraging" verses or if the author is skewed in that direction. The opposite could be said of the Oswald Chambers as some have accused it of being works oriented too much; they certainly are challenging unlike anything I've read. In terms of scripture memory; it is useful but internalizing the Living Word through meditation and application also.
In the world post-rapture (as I see things in Eschatology) God will begin to use the Jewish people as the primary agent for the Spirit to utilize once again to bring upon "Jacob's trouble" to bring national repentance that only comes to full fruition right
before Armageddon according to verses in Zechariah. Once the church is gone; truly faith will be hard to find on the earth ( Luke 18:8).
Before discussing the mark given to these individuals; we should consider the fact that they are God's servants as these verses indicate. I won't go into various considerations of what the term "virgins" means except to say morally and spiritually these are uncompromised individuals "sold out" for Christ. There will be many "religious" people in the harlot religion at this time which
I suspect is a hybrid of Christianity and mystical elements of other religions tied into the One World Government for the first half of the Tribulation. THESE individuals I believe will cause the greatest persecution at that time; to be replaced later on after the mark of the Beast comes forth that will readily identify the wicked and those who will be damned.
No doubt anyone who is a servant of God rather than an adherant to the false religion which no doubt will bring an expectation of continuing wealth during the seal judgments will go after anyone who loves the Lord like this; which may be only the 144,000 at first then those of the countless multitude saved afterwards mentioned later on in this chapter. I would doubt the seal of the righteous is readily identified by eyesight but certainly seen in the spiritual plane as an identifier. The fact that during the trumpet judgments (which seems to be the time period related to harm to the earth and sea after this sealing) that these individuals won't be touched will make any mystery as to who they are go out the window. They will be no doubt hated by the world and the mark of the beast will be the rebel response for "protection".
"And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words."Earlier when John the Baptist arrived at the scene, stirring up great many people who came to be baptized at his hand we read,"And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?" John categorically rejected any notion that he was the Christ. It did not stop there."Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us."( John 1:19-22). Now the chief priests scribes and various sects who came to Jesus, "and they wanted to catch him in his words" firstly simulated fear for God, "They say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth" the same method that Satan employed to tempt Jesus and he also began," he said, If thou be the Son of God, command". The playbook of Satan is for whosoever who would want to be a power player in the world and the Herodians were one such in the time of Jesus, and in our times we have their ilk appearing in droves behind their candidate and sets Christian Visibility Day for other reason than they are sent. It is the spirit of wickedness at work, "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."(2 The.2:8). For those who abide in Christ and seek to see the light in his light does Christian visibility Day make any sense? St Paul is clear in warning, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."(2 Co.4:4)
Jesus warned of this wicked and adulterous generation. Evangelicals want a sign and and Jesus refers to the son of perdition,Matt.24:15. the sign of our times Desolation is sure to come
St Mark cites Jesus referring the quote from the Psalm (118:22-23) which is identical in the gospel of St Matthew. The parable of rock is with direct reference to the judgment which we have it executed by an angel from above causing the fall of Babylon.(Re.18:21) Israel's failure is symptomatic of the wicked nations that have no interest in giving glory to the sovereign Lord of heaven and the earth. So they shall be judged with all other nations for their failure to produce fruits thereof. When they least expect God shall take the vineyard from the miserable husbandmen and give to others, Thus the parable centers about the Son who also is the Rock of Ages. In his rejection Israel committed a fatal error and it is to which the above mentioned quote from the Psalm alludes.
"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?/Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." (Matt.21:42-43)
Mark gives us the answer of Jesus, "What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others"(v.9). St Matthew sets him as a symbol, as the rock of offense and as the stone of stumbling. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." (21:44)
"And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way." (v.12) The chief priests scribes and the Pharisees would try to destroy Jesus somehow.
In response to you request, my Bible is written in Portuguese, translated by Joo Ferreira de Almeida, printed by Imprensa Bblica Brasileira, created in 1940, adding a system of biblical references, and a concise or compact biblical dictionary translated from English by Dr. S.L. Watson and wife, Mrs Ana, former missionaries in Brazil.
I'm from Brazil, I live in the south of Brazil, close to Argentina, now it's 1.05 AM here.
As for the Jewish calendar, I agree with you, saying, "Being a Jew does not make his calendar correct", and That's exactly what I tried to demonstrate in my post yesterday, asking the following question: How to explain the difference of exactly 240 years in the Jewish calendar? In my understanding, I find this difference in the calendar of a genuinely biblical people created and developed by GOD very strange.
So I suggested three specifics events at facts that are a stain on the nation's history of Israel , actually shameful events in the history of Israel as probable causes of the difference between the Jewish calendar and the Biblical Chronology. The three events are:
1-The Jewish Calendar begins in Seth, not in Adam, so we have less 130 years here;
2-Jews do not consider their 40 years of wandering in the desert, from Egypt to the promised land;
3-They do not consider also their shameful 70 years of captivity in Babylon.
What other explanation could there be that would justify this difference of exactly 240 years?
NOTE:Not only their calendar is a nonsense,biblicaly uncorrect,as we all can see,but also a devilish colection of fictitious GOD's NAMES that they added in the Jewish Bible by their esoteric, and kabbalistic and spiritist spirit, even calling GOD's name through four capital letters YHWH or YHVH among other nine pseudo names,which are not named by the Holy Spirit,but by the spirit of the Evil,the Wicked- John 8:44.The true and only NAME of GOD is revealed, for example, in Acts 4:11-13 and Hebrews 1:8.
Having set forth a few warnings on how NOT to read scripture I will continue with some further analysis but thought I would begin discussion on how we should read it.
1. First and foremost; we need to be DEAD serious as to the eternal ramifications of our spiritual condition which is a result of our sinful inheritance through Adam as well as the acting out of our sins through commission of acts or omission of things the Lord has made clear result in judgment. One can quibble as to details of the description of hell; but it's reality and eternal finality are not options to disregard. To put it in simple terms those that believe in the Biblical heaven never seem to debate as to whether it lasts forever; and rarely that it is a literal place. Given the same descriptions of the finality of hell we have no reason from the text alone to debate the fact that there is a place of eternal torment for the wicked. The only caveat is that the current "holding cell" status of hell ends at the Great White Throne judgment; where all wicked are cast into their eternal existance in the lake of fire to continue their suffering in an eternal physical body that cannot be extinguished. There is hardly anything we can read or ponder on that has anything remotely resembling the urgency of the Bible. Our temporal earthly existence and our faith or lack thereof determines our eternal destiny; as well as degrees of reward or punishment based on actions on earth. Our life therefore is either in ourselves on the throne or God. Either Satan or God is our master and as the usurper of all earthly riches it is no wonder that the Babylon the Great economic system makes the love of money the root of all evil. ( 1 Tim. 6:10). What we see with human eyes at best is a dim reflection in Creation of God's glory. What is unseen is what we must believe; as every knee shall bow before Him someday ( John 20:29; Phillipians 2:10-11; Isaiah 45:23).
Reading scripture concluding thoughts to introduction
The Bible as a whole; as is no surprise to anyone who examines it even briefly goes from earthly bliss to the rapid fall and judgment of the "Antidiluvian" age; to a few chosen individuals whose descendants are given covenant promises and eventually through hundreds of years are freed from bondage and enter into the Promised Land. After a short lived dominance in the world Israel spent long intervals of time in exile due to God's often direct judgments upon their sins; in particular of idolatry and specifically related to direct disobedience intermarrying and subsequently adopting people of pagan cultures and religions.
After Malachi was penned as the last Old Testament book several hundred years passed; without any prophets in the land then suddenly as that book stated Messiah appeared. Jesus came; ministered and was largely rejected by His own people; crucified; buried and risen from the grave; went back to heaven and after the "church age" will return to rule and reign for 1000 years until heaven comes down on earth and the final judgment occurs. At that time eternity comes for the wicked and righeous; forever sealed with the fate of their state; so to speak.
There are those who are staunch evolutionists who often don't consider that for any mahem in the animal kingdom there is nothing CLOSE to the killings of the fellow "species" like man does. Those who consider man basically good clearly have deliberately blinded themselves to the countless wars where HUNDREDS of millions have died and all the other wickedness on earth. The only logical explanation is Jeremiah 17:9 on the wickedness of the human heart; and the fact that Satan himself is the god of this world shouldn't be all too surprising as to who inspires and drives men to think they are going to find themselves following the lusts in their heart that never brings satisfaction. I will discuss next how NOT to read the Bible.
"Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine." Genesis 20:7 KJV
(even in the midst of Abraham's deceit God intervened and protected both him and his wife Sarah)
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17 KJV
(my learning from this is to trust God, as in the scriptures:)
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 KJV
"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." Psalms 62:8 KJV
"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." Proverbs 28:26 KJV
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 KJV
The Gospel of St Mark is especial for the reason that the life of Jesus is set as the validation of the Messianic prophecies, for instance the divine Will,"Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies,"(Ps.110:1-3). Accordingly God has prepared everything to augur success in his ministry which is to be accomplished both in his humanity but also in heaven. Consequently his entry into Jerusalem is designated as a triumphal entry. At the heart of his ministry is the eternal word. So the evangelist piles up several instances underpinning the assertion of Jesus," Before Abraham was, I am." . We shall study this chapter from this angle.
"And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him." Jesus sent two disciples to Bethphage and the colt was to be found 'in a place where two ways met,' This resonates in his affirmation "I am the way". The colt has never been tried on and it has been reserved for the master's service. The mention of the door evokes the saying of the Good Shepherd. "I am the door."( John 10:7,9)
St Mark informs us in.v.11 that he went to the temple first time and saw for himself and second visit was to cleanse the temple itself. (vv.15-17) This runs parallel with his own advent and he shall slay the wicked when he appears second time. ("and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."-Is.11:3-4;Re.19:15) Only Mark gives two visits to the temple foreshadowing two Advents where the second is as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
In vv.13-14 we have Jesus cursing the fig tree. Only Mark gives this,"and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet." Is it out of sync with rest of the narrative?
God made his Son in charge "And every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." (Ge.1:28)
"And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us./ But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me./For he that is not against us is on our part." Lucan gospel also gives this incident.( Luke 9:48-50)
Principle of Association is reconciling all things in heaven and on earth. "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;/And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."(Col.1:10) The Mind of Christ is to see in his light so his name is preeminent whether persons places or events, whichever is named is subject to him. For this reason he rebuked Peter who was viewing his master as one who must be protected from all harm. "Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."(7:33)
Jesus Christ was anointed the Christ above all others." Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre./Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."(Ps.45:6-7) As a Son he chose all those who were called and as the Son of man he made manifest grace and truth. So he would after transfiguring before the three disciple tell them, "And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead."(v.9)
The disciples did not understand its significance. They had to go a longway in their discipleship.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Death is an enemy; and verse 26 of this chapter indicates that it will eventually be eliminated. Jesus was the "first of the firstfruits" so to speak; which extends through the Rapture/Resurrection event of the righteous; through the Revelation 14:4 event of the translation of the 144,000. After this we will have the Second Coming when those that survive until that time physically will survive to repopulate the earth in the Millennial period; followed by the time the Heavenly Jerusalem comes down and God the Father dwells with men (v. 24).
It is hard to comprehend let alone understand all the mysteries of His death; burial and resurrection. It is as a grand play on stage; except that the pathos is real; and His atonement was sufficient for us all to deliver our sins as far as the east is from the west. ( Psalm 103:12). He ever lives to intercede for His people ( Hebrews 7:25). He first rose from the dead and we shall likewise. He who believes in Him will never die ( John 11:25-26) even though he dies physically in reality it is only the body that sleeps as we see about Lazarus earlier in that chapter. We have hope unlike the world for those "fallen asleep" ( 1 Thess. 4:14-18).
All of creation also is awaiting the change and groans until now ( Romans 8:23). For those who believe the last scene of this real life drama is glorious and never ending; while there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; etal). Let that sink in as the world in its ignorance turns this glorious day into a mockery.
"Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?/ Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. The Gospel of St Mark sets his sights on the Gospel with the Son of man in the glory of his Father with his holy angels.So emphasis is on nations, of light and of the darkness. Nation of Israel and of the Gentiles are besides the point.
The healing of the blind was a case in point. He would be taken apart from Bethsaida, a disbelieving town as Jesus joining his disciples in the ship was a signal to calm the seas. Similarly as with the symbolism of the house, the vessel was separate from the boisterous sea, a metaphor for the wicked world. The blindness of the man shall be only cleared when he saw the holy angels as men set apart in the world of the Spirit. Breath of God is the expression of the eternal word so his divine will is a sign for the truth set in his inward parts. Soul is the inner man for which he is accountable to Him.
In the night vision of Daniel the Spirit refers to the Son"and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven." One like the Son of man considering it was a night vision we can be certain that we are looking at the everlasting covenant when "the judgment was set, and the books were opened."(Dan.7:11,13). The Gospel sets with the generation of Jesus Christ those who are his and those who rejected it as belonging 'in this adulterous and sinful generation'. So predestination merely refers to the calling and we who are his, are warned to make our calling and election sure.
Jesus would yet preach in Bethesda so his obedience to the Word overrode everything else. "woe unto thee, Bethsaida!,"(Matt.11:21-22)
"And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him./ And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town"
In Ch.6 :45 we find that after Feeding the Five Thousand Jesus sent his disciples by a ship on the sea of Galilee while he took time out to pray. The miracle of walking on water occurs here. Bethsaida may be the epitome of wicked and adulterous generation Jesus refers to in Ch.8:11-13 "And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him./ And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation." This also happens about the same lake. St Mark uses the stilling of the boisterous sea by Jesus for a purpose. "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased." (6:51) The troubled sea refers to the wicked world and Bethsaida was condemned for their rejection of the Son. For this reason Jesus laid the blind man out of the town.
So what lesson do we take from the healing of the blind? He looks up and saw men walking as trees; isn't this how false teachers declare prosperity and their active faith the means to make them richer? "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."(8:15). Man of flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. So Christ lays his hand again upon him,"After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." When we see Christian nationalism and culture wars about us be certain their blindness is no less.
Bethsaida was renamed as Julia as a sop to the Imperial Rome by the grandson of Herod but it's was condemned to be wiped off from the face of the earth. It is just another name for the cities so judged and named in Re.11:8.
This is my THIRD attempt as I keep wiping myself off the screen. I won't place the warning supporting verses here but will leave a short comment instead.
I will state first off that none of us can afford to be glib about this subject. Even God Himself has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (let the reader look that one up in Ezekiel; don't want to lose this page again searching myself....)
We can't comprehend the horror of hell; nor tolerate even the thought. We are; nonetheless according to the end of Isaiah 66 going to find an abhorrance of those in punishment; whether that represents the Millennial viewpoint or that in the eternal lake of fire. Again there are no words to express this state of the wicked upon death; we can only look to Christ and be thankful knowing what we are saved from.
Sin is like a progressive disease; and so is abandonment of correct doctrine such as denying the literal hell and then cherry picking what seems best to us from the Bible and disregarding the rest. That technically makes us a DEIST; much the same as Benjamin Franklin who I believe cut pages out from scripture that didn't suit his mindset. Even as believers we can't ultimately stop physical death; which is a secondary result of our sinful nature; even though we are transformed and in the process of sanctification until receiving new bodies we are only as a vapor in our earthly tabernacle.
Anyway before I forget I am going to say to everyone have a blessed commemoration of Christ's death and celebration of the Resurrection this Sunday.
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. ( Revelation 21:8)
These verses at the end of the Bible and representing the end of the wicked is the end result of those who won't heed to warnings such as 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; see also Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:5 and many other scriptures on the subject. We do well to heed to what was said in the last verse of 1 Corinthians 6 of this reference (v. 11) where it states that some were this but they have been sanctified and justified.
There are several issues here that I feel need to be addressed. First is the difference between a sinful lapse; a sinful habit and a sinful lifestyle. All three of these behaviors could be attributed to nonbelievers; albeit in today's society there would be few that would care about a slip up except perhaps some atheists who hold to what they consider a moral standard superior to much of society. Clearly as a Christian we shouldn't play games with God with any type of sin. The third category; however is something that must be abandoned; otherwise there is no fruit of our salvation. Also we undestand that breaking the law in one area makes us guilty of breaking it all ( James 2:10). Often one sin leads to another; whether it is abuse or abandonment of a family due to the greed of a gambling addiction (something which is being advertised currently in local media); or murder stemming from the bad fruit of adultery or fornication that usually is also tied to greed or jealousy; etc.
The word "fearful" in Revelation 21:8 is in many translations "cowardly". It results when men fear man over God which we are to have a healthy fear of and ignores ( Proverbs 29:25). Wanting the praise of men is at least equally if not worse because it compromises our bold witness against sin ( John 12:43).
There was a time when we could give many examples of those who were steadfast in the faith; particularly Pastors throughout their career and after passing onto glory no doubt had great reward to look forward to. This was partly because correct doctrines were still more or less practiced and preached in these denominations who had a long history of such to show forth. This was also due to the culture and society that supported basic moral virtues. We shouldn't be so naive as to suppose there weren't rebels and those who found ways to utilize this mindset for their own personal interests for success in this life. In contrast however today we have seen many fall away; whether completely apostatizing; or being found in immorality. It seems the sad downfall of Ravi Zacharias began an acceleration of others away from truth. I won't bother naming names here.
The sad truth is that someone can go through much of their ministry and lives doing right; and turn away in their last months on earth. This of course is true among the laypersons as well as we see the shocking decline in church attendance; openness to the sexual deviancy and leftist propaganda today; and yes that of the right as well. Again no need to name names here.
So we can't put confidence in men. Indeed we are reminded of Ezekiel 9:6 where God authorized wholesale slaughter of men; women and children.
This leads to a lot of sobering thoughts on where we are headed. There are many who think they can side with wickedness and that it helps them be left alone or approved by the world. It is forgotten quickly the adage in Matthew 7:6 on "casting our pearls before swine". You can be sure if and when there is an invasion or full persecution here or anywhere the lukewarm will be the first to suffer loss.
The few that are sold out for Christ know it and God knows them. Let us press on for the prize ( Philippians 3:14); alone if necessary.
The material things are figures of spiritual things.The parables of JESUS are good examples.The World Trade Center was built with two higher towers.Materially it signifies nothing,nothing more than two large and gigantic buildings.But analysing deeply,we cannot ignore a great mystery:The two towers of the WTC signified the most two powerful Economies of the Earth,the Economies of USA and EU.
Building two towers specifically for the significative WTC made a certain sense,as was built the old Tower of Babel.Biblically,the invisible side of the construction of the two towers of the WTC is that it would represent two largest economies on the Planet.
The WTC's towers's fall signified both Economies would fall in ruin day after day,in the days to come,and upon the earth distress of nations with perplexity;Men's hearts failing them for fear,and for looking after the things which are coming on the earth.And this generation shall not pass away,till all be fulfilled.After fall of the WTC in the year 2001,there was a sucession of terrible significatives events:
1st-The beginning of a New Millennium,seventh and last millennium, then the World would not be the same from 2001 ahead;
2-Consequently,another great and simultaneous event occurred,GOD Father ENTERED on His rest as He planned since the beginning of Creation,and JESUS,who was sat at right hand of the Father,did sit immediatly on the throne of Him- Psalm 97-and JESUS assumed the government of the whole Universe.Since then JESUS is in control of History,nothing random happens,the Judgment Seat of Christ was/is established to Judge and punish all the nations,idolaters and wicked nations;
continues next post
Is.30:27-Behold,the name of the Lord cometh from far,burning with his anger,and the burden thereof is heavy:His lips are full of indignation, His tongue as a devouring fire:
Is.13:6-13
6Howl ye;for the day of the Lord is at hand;it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty
7Therefore shall all hands be faint,and every man's heart shall melt:
8And they shall be afraid:pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth:they shall be amazed one at another;their faces shall be as flames
9Behold,the day of the Lord cometh,cruel both with wrath and fierce anger,to lay the land desolate:and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it
10For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light
11And I will punish the world for their evil,and the wicked for their iniquity;and I will cause the arrogancy of the proud to cease,and will lay low the haughtiness of the terrible
12I will make a man more precious than fine gold;even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir
13Therefore I will shake the heavens,and the earth shall remove out of her place,in the wrath of the Lord of hosts,and in the Day of His fierce anger.
Is.33:10-15
10Now will I rise,saith the Lord;now will I be exalted;now will I lift up myself.
11Ye shall conceive chaff,ye shall bring forth stubble:your breath,as fire,shall devour you.
12And the people shall be as the burnings of lime:as thorns cut up shall they be burned in the fire.
13Hear,ye that are far off,what I have done;and,ye that are near, acknowledge my might.
14The sinners in Zion are afraid;fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites.Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
15He that walks righteously,and speaks uprightly;he that despiseth the gain of oppressions,that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes,that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood,and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil.
Isaiah 66:4 - 2Thessalonians 2:8-12 - Matthews 24:15-25:
Isa.66:4:
4I also will choose their delusions,and will bring their fears upon them;because when I called,none did answer;when I spake,they did not hear...
2Thes.2:8-12
8And then shall that Wicked be revealed,whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth-His Word-,and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming:
9Even him,whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish;because they received not the love of the truth,that they might be saved.
11And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion,that they should believe a lie:
12That they all might be DAMNED who believed not the Truth- believed not in JESUS-,but had pleasure in unrighteousness
Mat.24:15-25
15When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation,spoken of by Daniel the prophet,stand in the holy place,(whoso readeth,let him understand)
PRIOR ADVICE OF OUR LORD
16Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains
17Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house
18Neither let him which is in the field return back...
ABOUT STRONG PUNISHMENT
21For then shall be great tribulation,such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time,no,nor ever shall be.
22And except those days should be shortened,there should no flesh be saved:but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened
GREAT DANGER EVEN FOR THE ELECTS-THE FALSE MESSIAH
23Then if any man-Pastors,and Bishops,Evangelists,Missionaries, among others-shall say unto you, Lo,here is Christ,or there;BELIEVE IT NOT
24For there shall arise false Christs,and false prophets-FALSE PREACHERS OF THE WORD OF GOD-2Cor.11:13-15,and shall shew great signs and wonders;insomuch that,if it were possible,they shall deceive(even)the very elect
25Behold,I have told you before
Greetings in Christ
The dire/horrible/heinous/hair-raising picture of the current world of Devil,as you so well have described,it is the reflection the wicked and devilish nations of the Devil's world are already descending into hell as a whole,by the power of the Word of GOD,except the sons of GOD- John 1:12-13-of course,in LITERAL fulfilment of Malachi 4:1-3:->1For, behold,the Day cometh(seventh and last GOD's Day or seventh and last millennium),that shall burn as an oven;and all the proud,yea, and all that do wickedly,shall be stubble:and the day that cometh shall burn them up,saith the Lord of hosts,that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
2But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;and ye shall go forth,and grow up as calves of the stall( Isaiah 43:2) .
3And ye shall tread down the wicked;for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the Day(seventh)that I shall do this,saith the Lord of hosts( 1Corinthians 15:24-26).
As you know,JESUS in His prayer to the Father,said: John 17:9-10 and 15-17:
9I pray for them:I pray not for the world,but for them which thou hast given me;for they are thine.
10And all mine are thine,and thine are mine;and I am glorified in them.
15I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16They are not of the world,even as I am not of the world.
17Sanctify them through thy truth:thy Word is Truth.
Malachi 3:16-18
16Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.
17And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that Day when I make up my JEWELS;and I will spare them,as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.
18Then shall ye return,and discern between the righteous and the wicked,between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not.
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.
Simple rule for a Christian is to know he is not obliged to answer every atheist. Now as a believer understand the verse "Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people." (He.2:17) Without shedding of blood there is no redemption. God did not spare His own Son and his death for for the redemption of all mankind. A Christian is one who believes in his death and resurrection. His faith and works are not apart from him but is in him "Without me you can do nothing." Thus we die to the world so we may live with him forever. From this what do you think of Godly kill? He did it because He is Love. And this kill released man from his bondage to sin and death. So the kill the atheists talk about and what God speaks of are entirely two different things.
Now what is a Thanksgiving dinner without a turkey? Turkey lives off little creatures and these little 'critters; on something else.
Laws of nature show every life-form lives off another. This is at the bottom level. Whereas the Son made himself as an intercessor for the world so whoever partook him in faith has abundant life. As God made manifest His love we are to place ourselves even as he did. This is shown in the example of Seth stepping in place of Abel who was murdered by the wicked Cain.
Atheists often ask why God kills or asks others to kill, despite "do not kill".
The world generally views people dying as "bad" and people living as "good", even if its extremely wicked people.
How do you defend God and the Bible when someone asks this question?
Luke 17:26-27
As it was in days of Noah,so it will be in the days of the Son of man.They ate,drank,married,gave in marriage,until the day Noah entered the ark,the flood came and destroyed them all.So"This was the"modus vivendi" in Noahs'days.
We would say it was the same 'modus vivendi' of society in recent times,say around 1950-1985,it was similar to society in the days of Noah.It was common to eat and drink with development of large malls around the world at that time,it was common the celebration of weddings,existence of strong family ties,but as time went by,it began to deteriorate morally as in the time of Noah,when the sons of GOD mixed their seed with seed of the evil ones,giving rise to a corrupt and evil society- Genesis 6:2-3, due to the proliferation of adulterers and adulteresses.And the punishment came,yes,the flood came and only 8 people were saved by the Ark.
Comparing the society of Noah's days with a posterior society of Sodom and Gomorrah,at the time of Lot,let's see the differences,according Scriptures:
Luke 17:28-30 reveal:
28 Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded;
29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all.
30 Even thus shall it be in the day (in the current time) when the Son of man is revealed.
society of Noah's day..........................society of Sodom/Gomorrah
they ate and drank ..............................they ate and drank
they married and gave in marriage ....they bought and sold,they planted and built
Men of Sodom were wicked,immoral exceedingly,and sinners before the Lord- Genesis 13:13.There was no marriage,society was polluted of prostitutes,sodomites/ effeminate(gays),society was infested of prostitution and great sinners. The same occurs today. Lot was vexed with filthy conversations seeing and hearing their unlawful deeds- 2Peter 2:7-8 & Jude 1:6-7.
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.
I may have discussed this topic in a previous post. Whether or not we consider "free will" to be a factor or not as to our immediate future; there is no doubt that things will end up with the Tribulation; the Millennium rule and final judgment followed by the eternal state. It is clear scripturally that almost all prophecy is conditional in some way; the fact that God does nothing without warning by one or more Prophets ( Amos 3:7). A prime example of this is with Israel and Judah who more often than not missed the mark whether it was the kings; prophets; priests or everyone else in society. Psalms is rife with examples of God's chastisement of the righteous ( Psalm 107 is one good example of this). We even see it with the other nations such as the Amorites and later in the book of Jonah the Ninevites who were given a lengthy respite of several generations before judgment finally came down as mentioned in the book of Nahum.
The statements in the New Testament such as the prophecy of Agabus shown in Acts 11 and 21 showed famine to come and later Paul's imprisonment. In the first case it has been brought to my attention that perhaps that famine either didn't occur or perhaps less severe because of preparations or repentance. That was what my former Pastor stated; not sure if anyone knows the history better than I do. As to the second circumstance; Paul was constrained to be obedient and bold. There wasn't a mandate it seemed for him going to Jerusalem although it seemed he was aware of it being part of God's plan. Perhaps the implication was martyrdom; after all Paul was no stranger to prison.
I tend to look at the "reap what you sow" context works as a sort of guarantee; like prophecy you can be certain that sin will bring forth punishment and trouble even in this life as the end of Proverbs 13:15 indicates. For God's children in rebellion it is only He who can bring real change but the wicked are lost.
Thine ARROWS are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies (enemies of JESUS,anti-JESUS,Antichrist;whereby the people fall under thee- Psalm 45:5.
Isaiah 7:22-24
22...he shall eat butter:for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land(the remnant-144K) Question:The rebel Israel was banned from their land and was spread around the whole world from year 70 AD until 1948,but from now on?being ruled by a false God,a false messiah?- Revelation 13:11-18).
23 And it shall come to pass in that day(the current seventh and last Day,seventh and last millennium)that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings,it shall even be for briers and thorns.(because are good for nothing)
24 With ARROWS and with BOWS shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
Isaiah 45:2
2Thou art fairer than the children of men:grace is poured into thy lips:therefore GOD hath blessed thee for ever.
3Gird thy Sword upon thy thigh,O most MIGHTY, with thy glory and thy majesty.(He's a Prince of GOD)
4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness;and thy right hand shall TEACH thee terrible things.
6Thy throne,O God(GOD the Father, GOD Son and(God of the earth- Revelation 11:4),is for ever and ever:the sceptre of thy kingdom is a RIGHT sceptre.
7Thou lovest righteousness,and hatest wickedness:therefore God(God the Father/God the Son),thy God,has ANNOINTED thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Zech.4:11-14
What are these two olive trees upon the right and left side of the candlestick?
What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
Knowest thou not what these be?
These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth
The Word of GOD is quick,and powerful,and sharper than any twoedged sword,piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,and of the joints and marrow,and is a DISCERNER of the THOUGHTS and INTENTS of the heart-the Word is GOD-, neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight:but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we must render an account-Heb.4:12-13.
By the way,Jeremiah says:The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked:who can know it?I the Lord search the heart,I try the reins,even to give every MAN according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings-Jer.17:9-10.
The Word made flesh,the Word is GOD,self-executing,He who calls Himself JESUS,He Himself said:...that which cometh out of the mouth,this defileth a man-Mt.15:11.Death and life are in the power of the tongue-Prov.18:21.
JESUS said more:Mt.15:18-19:
18But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart;and they defile the man.
19For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts,false witness, murders,adulteries,fornications,thefts,blasphemies:
For meditation and testify:
Death and life are in the power of the tongue.
We could or can understand that everyone dies through the mouth.
Compare this deep mystery of the death with Romans 3:12-18, combined with James 3:1-12,mainly verses 5to8.
But what does the Word of GOD say?1Cor.15:26->The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.Now, now, the death is an ENEMY,
so we must fight against this ENEMY and be transformed, knowing that the sting of death is sin- Matthew 15:19;the strength of sin is the Law. Yes, transformed and be changed( Philippians 3:20-21),for this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality,understand?
But thanks be to GOD, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now for a completely different discussion. Christians have argued about whether we should use humor or if God has a sense of humor. Given the verses about God laughing at the calamity of the wicked (such as Psalm 2); we need to be careful if we ask the Lord this question as well as with our intentions.
My experience (hitting the big THREESCORE this month) shows me that humor may be best served to lighten the burdens of our everyday annoyances; and SOMETIMES certain situations involving others can show the folly of this life. It is often better not to know the individual mentioned. Prayer is crucial as the most important thing we can do for others; and we need others to hold us accountable if we are ill advised in opening our mouths. The focus must be on the mission field; first and foremost. It is almost always best to let others bring up something humerous; because as with any other "liberties" someone may be easily offended and perhaps tempted to sin when they are the butt of a joke; no matter how "innocent" it may seem.
Few seem to categorize humor as something related to a joyful heart or spirit especially these days. It seems unheard of today in my life to think of someone who is that joyful who even smiles but maybe I am jaded in that mindset. Even laughing at ourselves can be wrong if we are constantly badmouthing ourselves. I had to rebuke brothers in the Lord who were too "hypercalvinistic" to the point where thy seemed boastful about what "worms" they were.
We then have the situation regarding nonbelieving friends and co-workers. Often I have found the best thing to do is either say nothing or excuse myself and try to say; eat my lunch elsewhere. I have in the past found family squabbles and the meetings involved when my former law firm I was employed at split up hilarious at times. Again; we shouldn't focus on character assasssination or take sides in these events but can't say humor is always wrong.
I have touched on several good devotional sources in posts last year; namely Oswald Chambers "utmost for the Highest" and Daily Bread. This site also is helpful when highlighting a daily Bible verse for the surrounding text to consider.
If I have the terminology correct Expository preaching is systematic reading of a book chapter by chapter. There is another term for topical studies that I am sure someone here knows. For a new believer it is hard to argue with the standard approach of beginning in the Gospels (usually John is picked) and then transitioning to Paul's Epistles. Scripture memory is helpful for two reasons particularly for new believers; one for edification and second to have verses to explain the hope within us in Christ when witnessing. Taking the example of John 3:16 for instance we have the assurance of eternal life but if we read the surrounding text we see in verse 18 that he who does NOT believe in Him is condemned already. This is one danger of "cherry picking" an isolated verse that gives us "positive vibes" and not comprehending God's Word as to repetitive themes; in this case blessings for obedience and faith and cursings for not believing. This contrast between good and bad is throughout scriptures; whether we look at warnings in Deuteronomy as to conditions affecting the entire nation because of disobedience vs obedience; Psalms and Proverbs related to characteristics of righteous and wicked and books of Chronicles and Kings as to righteous and unrighteous kings.
We are to be cautious; therefore with any devotionals that always have "encouraging" verses or if the author is skewed in that direction. The opposite could be said of the Oswald Chambers as some have accused it of being works oriented too much; they certainly are challenging unlike anything I've read. In terms of scripture memory; it is useful but internalizing the Living Word through meditation and application also.
before Armageddon according to verses in Zechariah. Once the church is gone; truly faith will be hard to find on the earth ( Luke 18:8).
Before discussing the mark given to these individuals; we should consider the fact that they are God's servants as these verses indicate. I won't go into various considerations of what the term "virgins" means except to say morally and spiritually these are uncompromised individuals "sold out" for Christ. There will be many "religious" people in the harlot religion at this time which
I suspect is a hybrid of Christianity and mystical elements of other religions tied into the One World Government for the first half of the Tribulation. THESE individuals I believe will cause the greatest persecution at that time; to be replaced later on after the mark of the Beast comes forth that will readily identify the wicked and those who will be damned.
No doubt anyone who is a servant of God rather than an adherant to the false religion which no doubt will bring an expectation of continuing wealth during the seal judgments will go after anyone who loves the Lord like this; which may be only the 144,000 at first then those of the countless multitude saved afterwards mentioned later on in this chapter. I would doubt the seal of the righteous is readily identified by eyesight but certainly seen in the spiritual plane as an identifier. The fact that during the trumpet judgments (which seems to be the time period related to harm to the earth and sea after this sealing) that these individuals won't be touched will make any mystery as to who they are go out the window. They will be no doubt hated by the world and the mark of the beast will be the rebel response for "protection".
"And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words."Earlier when John the Baptist arrived at the scene, stirring up great many people who came to be baptized at his hand we read,"And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?" John categorically rejected any notion that he was the Christ. It did not stop there."Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us."( John 1:19-22). Now the chief priests scribes and various sects who came to Jesus, "and they wanted to catch him in his words" firstly simulated fear for God, "They say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth" the same method that Satan employed to tempt Jesus and he also began," he said, If thou be the Son of God, command". The playbook of Satan is for whosoever who would want to be a power player in the world and the Herodians were one such in the time of Jesus, and in our times we have their ilk appearing in droves behind their candidate and sets Christian Visibility Day for other reason than they are sent. It is the spirit of wickedness at work, "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."(2 The.2:8). For those who abide in Christ and seek to see the light in his light does Christian visibility Day make any sense? St Paul is clear in warning, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."(2 Co.4:4)
Jesus warned of this wicked and adulterous generation. Evangelicals want a sign and and Jesus refers to the son of perdition,Matt.24:15. the sign of our times Desolation is sure to come
St Mark cites Jesus referring the quote from the Psalm (118:22-23) which is identical in the gospel of St Matthew. The parable of rock is with direct reference to the judgment which we have it executed by an angel from above causing the fall of Babylon.(Re.18:21) Israel's failure is symptomatic of the wicked nations that have no interest in giving glory to the sovereign Lord of heaven and the earth. So they shall be judged with all other nations for their failure to produce fruits thereof. When they least expect God shall take the vineyard from the miserable husbandmen and give to others, Thus the parable centers about the Son who also is the Rock of Ages. In his rejection Israel committed a fatal error and it is to which the above mentioned quote from the Psalm alludes.
"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?/Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." (Matt.21:42-43)
Mark gives us the answer of Jesus, "What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others"(v.9). St Matthew sets him as a symbol, as the rock of offense and as the stone of stumbling. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." (21:44)
"And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way." (v.12) The chief priests scribes and the Pharisees would try to destroy Jesus somehow.
In response to you request, my Bible is written in Portuguese, translated by Joo Ferreira de Almeida, printed by Imprensa Bblica Brasileira, created in 1940, adding a system of biblical references, and a concise or compact biblical dictionary translated from English by Dr. S.L. Watson and wife, Mrs Ana, former missionaries in Brazil.
I'm from Brazil, I live in the south of Brazil, close to Argentina, now it's 1.05 AM here.
As for the Jewish calendar, I agree with you, saying, "Being a Jew does not make his calendar correct", and That's exactly what I tried to demonstrate in my post yesterday, asking the following question: How to explain the difference of exactly 240 years in the Jewish calendar? In my understanding, I find this difference in the calendar of a genuinely biblical people created and developed by GOD very strange.
So I suggested three specifics events at facts that are a stain on the nation's history of Israel , actually shameful events in the history of Israel as probable causes of the difference between the Jewish calendar and the Biblical Chronology. The three events are:
1-The Jewish Calendar begins in Seth, not in Adam, so we have less 130 years here;
2-Jews do not consider their 40 years of wandering in the desert, from Egypt to the promised land;
3-They do not consider also their shameful 70 years of captivity in Babylon.
What other explanation could there be that would justify this difference of exactly 240 years?
NOTE:Not only their calendar is a nonsense,biblicaly uncorrect,as we all can see,but also a devilish colection of fictitious GOD's NAMES that they added in the Jewish Bible by their esoteric, and kabbalistic and spiritist spirit, even calling GOD's name through four capital letters YHWH or YHVH among other nine pseudo names,which are not named by the Holy Spirit,but by the spirit of the Evil,the Wicked- John 8:44.The true and only NAME of GOD is revealed, for example, in Acts 4:11-13 and Hebrews 1:8.
GOD bless
Having set forth a few warnings on how NOT to read scripture I will continue with some further analysis but thought I would begin discussion on how we should read it.
1. First and foremost; we need to be DEAD serious as to the eternal ramifications of our spiritual condition which is a result of our sinful inheritance through Adam as well as the acting out of our sins through commission of acts or omission of things the Lord has made clear result in judgment. One can quibble as to details of the description of hell; but it's reality and eternal finality are not options to disregard. To put it in simple terms those that believe in the Biblical heaven never seem to debate as to whether it lasts forever; and rarely that it is a literal place. Given the same descriptions of the finality of hell we have no reason from the text alone to debate the fact that there is a place of eternal torment for the wicked. The only caveat is that the current "holding cell" status of hell ends at the Great White Throne judgment; where all wicked are cast into their eternal existance in the lake of fire to continue their suffering in an eternal physical body that cannot be extinguished. There is hardly anything we can read or ponder on that has anything remotely resembling the urgency of the Bible. Our temporal earthly existence and our faith or lack thereof determines our eternal destiny; as well as degrees of reward or punishment based on actions on earth. Our life therefore is either in ourselves on the throne or God. Either Satan or God is our master and as the usurper of all earthly riches it is no wonder that the Babylon the Great economic system makes the love of money the root of all evil. ( 1 Tim. 6:10). What we see with human eyes at best is a dim reflection in Creation of God's glory. What is unseen is what we must believe; as every knee shall bow before Him someday ( John 20:29; Phillipians 2:10-11; Isaiah 45:23).
The Bible as a whole; as is no surprise to anyone who examines it even briefly goes from earthly bliss to the rapid fall and judgment of the "Antidiluvian" age; to a few chosen individuals whose descendants are given covenant promises and eventually through hundreds of years are freed from bondage and enter into the Promised Land. After a short lived dominance in the world Israel spent long intervals of time in exile due to God's often direct judgments upon their sins; in particular of idolatry and specifically related to direct disobedience intermarrying and subsequently adopting people of pagan cultures and religions.
After Malachi was penned as the last Old Testament book several hundred years passed; without any prophets in the land then suddenly as that book stated Messiah appeared. Jesus came; ministered and was largely rejected by His own people; crucified; buried and risen from the grave; went back to heaven and after the "church age" will return to rule and reign for 1000 years until heaven comes down on earth and the final judgment occurs. At that time eternity comes for the wicked and righeous; forever sealed with the fate of their state; so to speak.
There are those who are staunch evolutionists who often don't consider that for any mahem in the animal kingdom there is nothing CLOSE to the killings of the fellow "species" like man does. Those who consider man basically good clearly have deliberately blinded themselves to the countless wars where HUNDREDS of millions have died and all the other wickedness on earth. The only logical explanation is Jeremiah 17:9 on the wickedness of the human heart; and the fact that Satan himself is the god of this world shouldn't be all too surprising as to who inspires and drives men to think they are going to find themselves following the lusts in their heart that never brings satisfaction. I will discuss next how NOT to read the Bible.
"Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine." Genesis 20:7 KJV
(even in the midst of Abraham's deceit God intervened and protected both him and his wife Sarah)
"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17 KJV
(my learning from this is to trust God, as in the scriptures:)
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 KJV
"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." Psalms 62:8 KJV
"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." Proverbs 28:26 KJV
"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 KJV
The Gospel of St Mark is especial for the reason that the life of Jesus is set as the validation of the Messianic prophecies, for instance the divine Will,"Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies,"(Ps.110:1-3). Accordingly God has prepared everything to augur success in his ministry which is to be accomplished both in his humanity but also in heaven. Consequently his entry into Jerusalem is designated as a triumphal entry. At the heart of his ministry is the eternal word. So the evangelist piles up several instances underpinning the assertion of Jesus," Before Abraham was, I am." . We shall study this chapter from this angle.
"And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him." Jesus sent two disciples to Bethphage and the colt was to be found 'in a place where two ways met,' This resonates in his affirmation "I am the way". The colt has never been tried on and it has been reserved for the master's service. The mention of the door evokes the saying of the Good Shepherd. "I am the door."( John 10:7,9)
St Mark informs us in.v.11 that he went to the temple first time and saw for himself and second visit was to cleanse the temple itself. (vv.15-17) This runs parallel with his own advent and he shall slay the wicked when he appears second time. ("and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."-Is.11:3-4;Re.19:15) Only Mark gives two visits to the temple foreshadowing two Advents where the second is as the King of kings and Lord of lords.
In vv.13-14 we have Jesus cursing the fig tree. Only Mark gives this,"and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet." Is it out of sync with rest of the narrative?
God made his Son in charge "And every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." (Ge.1:28)
"And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us./ But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me./For he that is not against us is on our part." Lucan gospel also gives this incident.( Luke 9:48-50)
Principle of Association is reconciling all things in heaven and on earth. "For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;/And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven."(Col.1:10) The Mind of Christ is to see in his light so his name is preeminent whether persons places or events, whichever is named is subject to him. For this reason he rebuked Peter who was viewing his master as one who must be protected from all harm. "Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."(7:33)
Jesus Christ was anointed the Christ above all others." Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre./Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."(Ps.45:6-7) As a Son he chose all those who were called and as the Son of man he made manifest grace and truth. So he would after transfiguring before the three disciple tell them, "And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead."(v.9)
The disciples did not understand its significance. They had to go a longway in their discipleship.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Death is an enemy; and verse 26 of this chapter indicates that it will eventually be eliminated. Jesus was the "first of the firstfruits" so to speak; which extends through the Rapture/Resurrection event of the righteous; through the Revelation 14:4 event of the translation of the 144,000. After this we will have the Second Coming when those that survive until that time physically will survive to repopulate the earth in the Millennial period; followed by the time the Heavenly Jerusalem comes down and God the Father dwells with men (v. 24).
It is hard to comprehend let alone understand all the mysteries of His death; burial and resurrection. It is as a grand play on stage; except that the pathos is real; and His atonement was sufficient for us all to deliver our sins as far as the east is from the west. ( Psalm 103:12). He ever lives to intercede for His people ( Hebrews 7:25). He first rose from the dead and we shall likewise. He who believes in Him will never die ( John 11:25-26) even though he dies physically in reality it is only the body that sleeps as we see about Lazarus earlier in that chapter. We have hope unlike the world for those "fallen asleep" ( 1 Thess. 4:14-18).
All of creation also is awaiting the change and groans until now ( Romans 8:23). For those who believe the last scene of this real life drama is glorious and never ending; while there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; etal). Let that sink in as the world in its ignorance turns this glorious day into a mockery.
Maranatha. Lord come soon!
Agape.
"Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?/ Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. The Gospel of St Mark sets his sights on the Gospel with the Son of man in the glory of his Father with his holy angels.So emphasis is on nations, of light and of the darkness. Nation of Israel and of the Gentiles are besides the point.
The healing of the blind was a case in point. He would be taken apart from Bethsaida, a disbelieving town as Jesus joining his disciples in the ship was a signal to calm the seas. Similarly as with the symbolism of the house, the vessel was separate from the boisterous sea, a metaphor for the wicked world. The blindness of the man shall be only cleared when he saw the holy angels as men set apart in the world of the Spirit. Breath of God is the expression of the eternal word so his divine will is a sign for the truth set in his inward parts. Soul is the inner man for which he is accountable to Him.
In the night vision of Daniel the Spirit refers to the Son"and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven." One like the Son of man considering it was a night vision we can be certain that we are looking at the everlasting covenant when "the judgment was set, and the books were opened."(Dan.7:11,13). The Gospel sets with the generation of Jesus Christ those who are his and those who rejected it as belonging 'in this adulterous and sinful generation'. So predestination merely refers to the calling and we who are his, are warned to make our calling and election sure.
Jesus would yet preach in Bethesda so his obedience to the Word overrode everything else. "woe unto thee, Bethsaida!,"(Matt.11:21-22)
"And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him./ And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town"
In Ch.6 :45 we find that after Feeding the Five Thousand Jesus sent his disciples by a ship on the sea of Galilee while he took time out to pray. The miracle of walking on water occurs here. Bethsaida may be the epitome of wicked and adulterous generation Jesus refers to in Ch.8:11-13 "And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him./ And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation." This also happens about the same lake. St Mark uses the stilling of the boisterous sea by Jesus for a purpose. "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased." (6:51) The troubled sea refers to the wicked world and Bethsaida was condemned for their rejection of the Son. For this reason Jesus laid the blind man out of the town.
So what lesson do we take from the healing of the blind? He looks up and saw men walking as trees; isn't this how false teachers declare prosperity and their active faith the means to make them richer? "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."(8:15). Man of flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. So Christ lays his hand again upon him,"After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." When we see Christian nationalism and culture wars about us be certain their blindness is no less.
Bethsaida was renamed as Julia as a sop to the Imperial Rome by the grandson of Herod but it's was condemned to be wiped off from the face of the earth. It is just another name for the cities so judged and named in Re.11:8.
This is my THIRD attempt as I keep wiping myself off the screen. I won't place the warning supporting verses here but will leave a short comment instead.
I will state first off that none of us can afford to be glib about this subject. Even God Himself has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (let the reader look that one up in Ezekiel; don't want to lose this page again searching myself....)
We can't comprehend the horror of hell; nor tolerate even the thought. We are; nonetheless according to the end of Isaiah 66 going to find an abhorrance of those in punishment; whether that represents the Millennial viewpoint or that in the eternal lake of fire. Again there are no words to express this state of the wicked upon death; we can only look to Christ and be thankful knowing what we are saved from.
Sin is like a progressive disease; and so is abandonment of correct doctrine such as denying the literal hell and then cherry picking what seems best to us from the Bible and disregarding the rest. That technically makes us a DEIST; much the same as Benjamin Franklin who I believe cut pages out from scripture that didn't suit his mindset. Even as believers we can't ultimately stop physical death; which is a secondary result of our sinful nature; even though we are transformed and in the process of sanctification until receiving new bodies we are only as a vapor in our earthly tabernacle.
Anyway before I forget I am going to say to everyone have a blessed commemoration of Christ's death and celebration of the Resurrection this Sunday.
Agape; RIch P
These verses at the end of the Bible and representing the end of the wicked is the end result of those who won't heed to warnings such as 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; see also Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:5 and many other scriptures on the subject. We do well to heed to what was said in the last verse of 1 Corinthians 6 of this reference (v. 11) where it states that some were this but they have been sanctified and justified.
There are several issues here that I feel need to be addressed. First is the difference between a sinful lapse; a sinful habit and a sinful lifestyle. All three of these behaviors could be attributed to nonbelievers; albeit in today's society there would be few that would care about a slip up except perhaps some atheists who hold to what they consider a moral standard superior to much of society. Clearly as a Christian we shouldn't play games with God with any type of sin. The third category; however is something that must be abandoned; otherwise there is no fruit of our salvation. Also we undestand that breaking the law in one area makes us guilty of breaking it all ( James 2:10). Often one sin leads to another; whether it is abuse or abandonment of a family due to the greed of a gambling addiction (something which is being advertised currently in local media); or murder stemming from the bad fruit of adultery or fornication that usually is also tied to greed or jealousy; etc.
The word "fearful" in Revelation 21:8 is in many translations "cowardly". It results when men fear man over God which we are to have a healthy fear of and ignores ( Proverbs 29:25). Wanting the praise of men is at least equally if not worse because it compromises our bold witness against sin ( John 12:43).
There was a time when we could give many examples of those who were steadfast in the faith; particularly Pastors throughout their career and after passing onto glory no doubt had great reward to look forward to. This was partly because correct doctrines were still more or less practiced and preached in these denominations who had a long history of such to show forth. This was also due to the culture and society that supported basic moral virtues. We shouldn't be so naive as to suppose there weren't rebels and those who found ways to utilize this mindset for their own personal interests for success in this life. In contrast however today we have seen many fall away; whether completely apostatizing; or being found in immorality. It seems the sad downfall of Ravi Zacharias began an acceleration of others away from truth. I won't bother naming names here.
The sad truth is that someone can go through much of their ministry and lives doing right; and turn away in their last months on earth. This of course is true among the laypersons as well as we see the shocking decline in church attendance; openness to the sexual deviancy and leftist propaganda today; and yes that of the right as well. Again no need to name names here.
So we can't put confidence in men. Indeed we are reminded of Ezekiel 9:6 where God authorized wholesale slaughter of men; women and children.
This leads to a lot of sobering thoughts on where we are headed. There are many who think they can side with wickedness and that it helps them be left alone or approved by the world. It is forgotten quickly the adage in Matthew 7:6 on "casting our pearls before swine". You can be sure if and when there is an invasion or full persecution here or anywhere the lukewarm will be the first to suffer loss.
The few that are sold out for Christ know it and God knows them. Let us press on for the prize ( Philippians 3:14); alone if necessary.
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