The Spirit of God translates Fellowship of God with Man in a language man may easily follow. 'Let us create man in our image and after our likeness' which in fulfillment is set down in the narrative as 'male and female created he them." (Ge.1:26-27) Adam thus represents both aspects. This representational reality of the everlasting covenant owes to the eternal word ,-the Law, so we define the church has a body closed up as God did with the rib taken from Adam. "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." Creation of Adam is after the similitude for man to understand the fellowship of God with Man. "And they shall be one flesh" is what we signify by marriage and is sanctified according to the principle of Similitude.(See entry under Rule of Three)
The Church has a body to which every believer, 'brethren' so collectively called and Christ is the head. Christ has of God become wisdom to us. (1 Co.1:30) The Spirit renders the fellowship of God and Man as that of Wisdom with Power of God. Before the worlds began Wisdom has built the House with seven pillars (Pr.9:1) so the symbolism of the House of God cannot be lost to anyone. "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God (He.3:4). "know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?(1 Co.6:19)" What is pertinent here is the name. It has a spiritual meaning.
We have two verses with regards to His name.. "Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh (Je.7:14)". Against this let us consider what God promised King Solomon when he visited second time. (1 Ki.9:2-5) In the lexicon of the Spirit the tag 'forever' refers to the Son. The Church is short has a name Zion, as foretold by Prophet Isaiah.(Is.28:16)
Thank you for that very helpful post , it's good to see it all set out so neatly . I agree with you , we need to keep our eyes on the middle east and pray for the peace of Jerusalem . Israel is going into the realms of vengeance , instead of relying on their God they are relying on the backing of their allies . I suspect that they will go too far and loose a lot of support , when this becomes apparent , the enemies of Israel will seek to take them over . This is the point when God will intervene and save the physical nation of Israel and gather the spiritual Israel ( us Christians ) and the physical Israel , together in Christ . We all need to make sure that we are spiritually awake , not paying too much attention to the things of this life . Let's get our hearts fixed on the Kingdom to Come , Christ is coming and we will all stand ( or fall) before him . If a chance to do some good is put in front of our faces , we must not avert our eyes . I have been facing a dilemma lately , because of my recommendation , some one is out by 800 dollars , I've been weighed down by this incident and desperate to find a way to put it right . As soon as I decided on a course of action , the weight was lifted :) . I'm as light as a feather now , 800 dollars poorer but my conscience towards God and my friend is eased . We must not neglect to put things right , take one for the team and make a sacrifice if necessary . Doing the right thing is never hard when we know that it's what God requires of us .Beware of the temptation to take vengeance ! Stay strong in the Truth , our Saviour is at the door !
Thanks for your reply and explanation of yourself. Good to know.
I agree that we are to share from the Word on this site. And, if we are indeed a fellowship of believers, we are to build one another up and encourage on another ( 1 Th. 5:11; Romans 12:10) through love and supportive words.
Have a good day, Jema. Though we are different in personality, we are one in Christ, thankfully. How wonderful is this that God has called both of us to salvation and into the fellowship of the church!
I'd like prayer because: Prayers are requested for healing Viola-Cleo Bradshaw. Healing needs include: depression, sleep disorder, insomnia,i can't fall asleep due to hearing voices in my space of awareness, and for a broken nose, needs peace, and brainstem healing, and lift up Alan Bruce Bradshaw and Cordelia Vogel, heal their minds, heart trouble and family tree. Include in the pastor's daily prayers and on your prayer chain and list for 6 months.
Based in the Word of God, on GOD's six Days of creation and one Day of rest (a total of seven days) plus the Scriptures that teach that one Day is with the Lord as a thousand years, so MANKIND would go through six GOD Days of 1,000 years each (a total of 6,000 years) plus a Millennium of 1,000 years rest (now a total of 7,000 years).
According biblical Chronology, starting by Genesis 5, as follow:
Adam lived ..............................130 yrs and begat Seth
Seth lived ................................105 yrs and begat Enosh;
Enosh lived ...............................90 yrs and begat Kenan;
Kenanlived.................................70 yrs and begat Mahalalel;
Mahalalellived ............................65 yrs and begat Jared;
Jaredlived ................................162 yrs and begat Enoch;
Enochlived .................................65 yrs and begat Methuselah;
Methuselahlived.........................187 yrs and begat Lamech;
Lamechlived..............................182 yrs and begat Noah;
From Noahs birth until the Flood...600 yrs.
Total of years from Adam to the Flood = 1656 yrs
Notice that the table above is proved by the Word of GOD, Let us study the times until our days by the Word of GOD-the Word is
GOD. So, see the timetable below:
SIX PERIODS OF BIBLICAL TIMES ------------------- DURATION
I- From Adam to the Flood-( Genesis 5)--------------1656 years
II- From the Flood to Abraham-( Genesis 11&12)-----427years
III- From Abraham to Exodus-(Gal.3:17)--------------430 years
IV-From Exodus to king Saul-(1Reis6:1(480-84)-------396 years
V-From Saul to the fall of Jerusalem -------------------508 years
VI-From the fall of Jerusalem to Jesus -----------------587 years
Thus,from Adam to the 1stcoming of Jesus ----------4004 years
From Jesus to our days(Christian Calendar)----------2023 years
Total from Adam to our days --------------------------6027 years
So,we are living in the beginning of the seventh and last millennium
Didn't you understand yet? Around 4000 years after Adam GOD still was working, don't you learn this yet, or don't you believe in the Word of GOD? JOHN 5:17 - Jesus said to the keepers of Sabbath day: My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. By the way, when my Lord JESUS said that to the Jews, it laready was the beginning of the fith GOD's Day, don't you know of this? Why GOD the Father still was working in the turn from the fourth to the fifth GOD's Day? Now, now, it because GOD the Father had established for He Himself, since the beginning, to work 6 Days and to rest in the seventh Day. Now, now, the seventh GOD's Day is now, even now, from now on, understand? From Adam until this current time have passed around 6000 years complete. So, you and everyone who thinks like you, must understand that only now, even now, from now on, will GOD the Father rest from His works. Again: It was still the fourth Day, so, understand, JESUS, the Greater Light, said to the Jews: My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Of course, GOD and my Lord JESUS was working in the fourth Day, GOD the Father and JESUS are One, dispite being two distincts Persons- Hebrews 1:1-3- , and as you know, "without my Lord JESUS was not any thing made that was made"- John 1:3.
Be sure that GOD the Father rests only now in the seventh and last Day, and my Lord JESUS takes command of the Universe and History, in Time and Space, now from this seventh Day onwards. And in the kingdom of GOD- Revelation 11:15 combined with Luke 20:35-36- , which will be established now in the seventh GOD's Day , no seventh-day keeper will come in with his deceptive doctrine, whose doctrine was invented by the seducing spirit of Devil - Genesis 3:1- , and it was sowed through those which departed from the faith- Galatians 3:11, giving heed to doctrines of devils.
Be careful or then get ready
The Word is GOD, what matters and prevails is the Word of GOD, understand? There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Dear Dancan , please start to read your Bible and thank God for the good things in your life . Get to know your Creator through His Word , draw closer to Him and He will draw closer to you . Sexual desire is normal , try very hard not to look at pornography , this is not good for you at all . You can stop drinking alcohol if you really want to , speak to your doctor about getting some help with that . First and foremost you must decide to improve your relationship with your God , the Holy One of Israel . Read the Bible , talk to God about your problems , ask Him to help you through the name of Jesus Christ His Son . Don't despair , don't give up on yourself , with God's help you can do anything but you must make the move towards Him . I hope you find a better way of living soon , it's waiting for you ! He is waiting for you !
Dear Gigi , thank you for your reply to me , I appreciate it . I do think that you and I are very different people , with very different ideas about this site . I am not a person who desires compliments , in fact I deeply mistrust them . To me , this is a Bible site and I want to read posts about the Word of God and maybe learn some thing that I didn't already know , if and when I do , I will compliment the poster on their knowledge / understanding and thank them for enlightening me . If I read a post on here that in some way moves me , I might reply , if I think I can be of some help to the poster . That's it for me , I'm not a complicated person and the only thing that keeps me on this site is the hope that I might learn some thing about the Bible , the actual Word of God or , the chance that I might be able to help some one else with their understanding . I'm as simple as that . I avoid reading some people's posts only because I know that I don't believe the same things as them and I don't want to get into a pointless debate with them , it's not a personal thing . You are correct , we are all brothers and sisters on here and I have genuine affection for every single person on here . But I am only here for the Word , not for compliments and my mistrust of them is why I don't give them to others , unless it pertains to their knowledge of the Word and to thank them for enhancing mine . God and Jesus are my family and I need them both very much , every day . I look to hear from Them on here :) , They might have some thing to tell me , and maybe They will use me to pass a message on to some one else .
Your post reminds me of the same zeal that Judaizers showed in the Church of Galatea w.r.t circumscision. What has the 4th commandment to do with us when the Lord of Sabbath has opened a new and living way? What God gave Moses on stone tables served the time and a context. Moses was a servant and we are called to be coo-heirs with Christ who is the fulfillment of the Law. Decalogue was a digest of the Law which is the Word forever settled in heaven. Seeing that Israel failed to fulfill these shows how superficial it was worn as meaningless as their frontlets and phylacteries. We are called to bear the word on our fleshy tables. We have in the Son the fountain of life. In his light we see the light. So walking therein is entering in God's rest. Sabbath for us everyday service. Not I but Christ who lives in me. When Christ who is our life appear we shall also appear with him in glory. That is our hope.
Christianlady7 Please follow these links and you will find my postings for you. On the website choose discussions, more, discussion by topic and view all. They will be there in order. I look forward to your reply. God Bless :)
Genesis: 2:2-3 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.
"seventh" shebiith: an ordinary number
"rested" sabath: cease, desist, rest
"sanctified, holy qadashconsecrate
"sabbath" sabath intermission
These verses speak of the 4th commandment that God gave (not asked) us to obey to honor Him by resting on that day. God saw this need for us, in order to refresh our bodies, minds and souls. He gave us the other nine, also, for our good. The world, unfortunately, has decided to disregard this commandment so there is no sanctified or consecrated day anymore given only to the Lord to worship Him and for ourselves to enjoy. Believers should recognized that God, not only gave this wonderful commandment to us for our good, but He emphasized it by commanding we remember it. However, He knew it would fall along the wayside. He knew believers would excuse away abstaining from labor on the Sabbath by this and that and the other thing. Believers try to use the scripture to excuse themselves from obeying this commandment but it is just as imperative for a believer to believe and obey this 4th commandment as it is for them to believe and obey the other nine. These commandments are of God. God wrote the them on tablets Himself. After that He gave Moses laws, statues and ordinances to help the people further understanding these commandment. These commandments are the foundation of our walk with God. When God gave All His 10 commands to the race of Adam it was for always.
I do want to say that to have church and fellowship on the first day of the week is not, in any way, wrong because the commandment, again, says only to rest. It just seems to me that fellowshipping and worshiping God with the preaching of His word on our day of rest makes sense. To disregard this sure and steadfast commandment that God intended for our good pleasure is so sad. All of the other commandments are to be obeyed so we will live the holy life God intends for us to live to gain Heaven, but the 4th commandment is for our physical, emotional and spiritual good. It is a gift we try to give back to God and say "no thanks," however, it is also a commandment and God said if we love Him we will obey His commandments because they do not cause us to be burdened. 1 John: 5:3 and Luke 6: 13-14
Some have said, since Jesus is our rest we don't need the 4th commandment and yet, do we "rest" in Jesus at all? Those who believe we not longer need to honor this commandment say the Early Church stopped worshiping on the Sabbath and changed to the first day of the week after the death and resurrection of Christ. These are the two scriptures they usually refer to as showing this.
1 Corinthians 16:2 "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." (Paul is just asking the church to gather donations on the first day of each week for when he comes, it doesn't in any way point to them having to be in church to do this just because he asked them to on the first day of the week)
Romans 14:5 "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." (Modern day churches don't always have fellowship and worship on Sunday. They do it on any day if it's something they want to do, a service besides their normal church on Sunday. So on this Sunday the church just got together to listen to Paul preach because he had to leave the next day. Nothing is said that this is a regular church service for them.)
There are historical quotes that indicate that the Early Church continued to honor the Sabbath until about 100AD when ravening wolves entered in and things kind of got into a mess so Emperor Constantine, at the Laodician Council in 345AD, made it a law that the day of worship was Sunday the first day of the week. By then the wolves were in charge of the church, it was no longer God's, and pretty much went along with it and that's why people do it today. (Except me.:) Here are some of the quotes:
"Constantine published the Edict of Milan, granting freedom of religion in the empire and establishing Sunday a day of worship" Collier Encyclopedia, vol 7, p. 212
"It was the Holy Catholic Church that changed the day of rest form Saturday to Sunday, the first day of the week. And it not only compelled all to keep Sunday, but at the Council of Laodician, AD 364, anathematized (cursed) those who kept the Sabbath and urged all persons to labor on the 7th day under penalty of anathema (excommunication.)" Catholic Priest T. Enright, CSSRR, Kansas city, Mo
"The Bible says remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. The Catholic Church says No! By my divine power I abolish the Sabbath day and command you to keep holy the first day of the week and low the entire civilized world bows down in reverent obedience to the command of the Holy Catholic Church." American Sentinel, Father Enright, 1893
I know the world has made it very hard for true believers to honor the 4th commandment but does that excuse us from disobeying it? Again how do we justify ignoring the 4th commandment and not the other nine? Jesus' rest is a spiritual rest, the commandment is a physical, mental and spiritual rest. One doesn't replace the other. No scripture says that. You say I'm being legalistic? Well, I'm not going to worship another God, or take God's name in vain, or build idols to worship, or to not honor my parents, or to murder, or lie (not even little white ones) or to steal or to be jealous, is that being legalistic? If so then I love being legalistic and obeying God's commandments and that is why I rest on Saturday. Each commandment is clear including the 4th. As you said when we ignore or replace the things of God they diminish as the Sabbath has.
I've been reading this afternoon on this topic of non-canonical books. But it is certainly not necesary to do so.
As you said, it is good to find out how the church in the earliest times understood doctrines and practices passed down to the leaders from the apostles.
"Not wanting to get into the topic of whether or not believers are sinners, since I have never met one believer that has not sinned in some way as a believer. In this way, I did speak that I was a sinner because of what Jema had said about the speech towards you during this thread with you. I was concerned that maybe I had sinned against you in the way she mentioned and repent, apologizing to you and to the members on this site. So, if she can show me any words that Giannis or I used that fit the definition of invective, aggressive, or bullying, I would want to know." Honestly, GiGi, I really don't know what you are referring to. I know that you and Giannis have always been very gracious and respectful in you discussions. I don't really remember responding to a post by Jema, which doesn't mean I didn't, but please don't be concerned. As I said, you and Giannis are truly loving members of this forum. As to the topic of sinning/Christians the only thing I will say is that I believe people who believe in this doctrine do not know the difference between their weakness and faults and real sin. God Bless :)
You have just said in prior post that you have never met one believer that has not sinned in some way as a believer. Here's the great problem of those which justifies themselves as keepers of the Sabbath day according to the letter of the Law, for as said James in his universal epistle- James 2:10- , "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all". What more does the Word of GOD say? Romans 2:12 ->... as many as have sinned in the Law shall be Judged by the Law, therefore, he who sins in the Law becomes guilty of all, then by the Law he will be condemned for sure. Galatians 3:11 - ...no man is justified by the Law in the sight of GOD it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 5:4 - Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law; ye are fallen from grace.(are wretchad)
Galatians 3:8-10
8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that GOD would justify the Gentiles through faith(not by the Law), preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them.
Romans 7:6 - But now we are delivered from the Law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Hebrews 4:
12 For 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.
13 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.
Thank you GiGi for explaining that misunderstanding so clearly. I was desiring to address it, but for certain reasons I know I shouldn't, or cannot, do so.
I sense that there is a reason for holding to a belief, that these letters by certain eminent men should be treated as spurious. When we have the Deuterocanonical (or, Apocrypha) books that are largely accepted by certain churches (including the RCC), we can easily include the writings of Clement, Polycarp, Eusebius, et al as also falling into that category. And many of these men, especially Polycarp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John, were very much involved in the work & growth of the early Church, so their writings have always been a great help to us many centuries later to understand how the Church believed & functioned. Once we can separate these writings (not all the contents of which we might agree with), from the questionable Apocrypha (written many centuries later before & after Christ), we can begin to get to the source of matters such as Sabbath-keeping, etc. But it comes down to the thorny point: what do I want to believe or will support my belief, rather than let the Word speak - and this is something that I constantly assess within myself, lest I too fall into that trap. Hope your discussions with Momsage continue to be engaging & enlightening.
Hi GiGi: This is a summing up of what I have discussed about the Sabbath.
1. The 10 commandments were commands written by God and were for all of mankind to obey until the end. 2. In the 4th COMMANDMENT God only COMMANDED that we "REST" on the seventh day of the week for our physical, mental and spiritual well being. If believers worship and fellowship together on Sunday there is no "sin" or wrong doing in this and if I put forward the idea that I was saying this I apologize. It just seems sensible to do it on the seventh day during our rest. 3. The 10 Commandments are NOT LAWS. All the laws and statues and ordinances that were given to Moses by God were based on these 10 commands of God. The sacrificial rituals were abolished by the beautiful sacrifice of Jesus so they were no more needed but we, as believers, know in our hearts to obey His COMMANDS. Actually, all souls know to obey them because they are a part of the human conscience. Jesus said: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5: 17-18 We cannot pick and choose what commandments to obey. God intended for them all to be obeyed. 4. In the scriptures, from the KJB, I have given a different understanding of the verses that others claim say that the Early Church started worshipping on the first day of the week after Christ died, understandings which are completely possible within the scriptures and some that showed that the early church continued to honor the Sabbath until "ravening wolves" entered in as Paul warned they would. 5. Following the Commands of God/living under the blood of Jesus as a believer are not 2 separate things. They are all part of being a true believer, but, if others don't do it that way, it is not wrong for them until they are convicted of it and then don't obey. God Bless :)
May we be faithful in our belief in the LORD JESUS CHRIST, and carry out GOD'S desire to reach lost souls.
Praying for the peace in Jerusalem, and for the people to receive the gospel of JESUS CHRIST. Let us as believers put on the armor of GOD and go forth into the spiritual battle raging around us.
Let us pray for our leadership, on all levels, to have the mind and heart of the LORD.
May we be blessed and a blessing unto all who the LORD guides to us.
The LORD to shine HIS face on all who trust and believe in HIM.
Thank you for this 7-part teaching on bible study. Many things to consider for all of us.
To speak of my experience over time: when I was young I loved to read the gospels because they show us our Lord Jesus and His life among us, his sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection! I wanted to really know Who He was and what He did.
As a teen, I loved reading the epistles repeatedly as they had so much teaching on how we are to live as believers in an unbelieving world, how we are to relate to one another in fellowship and love, how to apply the lessons of the Old Testament in light of the New Covenant of Christ, how to live a godly life for the Lord even when no one else knows what we are doing, knowing that God always knows and looks upon us as we live moment by moment in His loving gaze.
In College I read specific books as I was in studies with others more often. This was something new for me, as I had always studied the Bible alone before going to college. I was taught in church and private schooling from the Bible, but I had not engaged in group study with peers before.
As an married adult, I have read the Old Testament, New Testament, used the Psalms as devotional helps (as you mentioned), memorized certain verses that were more meaningful at certain times in my life. I have engaged in group Bible studies, studied with my husband (much) and taught our sons biblical themes, stories, and the life of Jesus.
Since we did not have a lot of extra money, I did not have extra biblical helps like the ones you mentioned. I finally got a concordance in the early 2000's and Matthew Henry's Commentary at that time also. I did not have a personal computer until just a few years ago, so learning from the internet is new to me, but also has expanded my access to biblical information as I had never had before. This is the first and only forum I have ever participated in and am daily blessed by it.
I love studying what God has to say to me. So good!
Hey GiGi, by the way, I realize that through "writing" comments and such, things can be somewhat difficult at times to see ones "intent" with full clarity. I have an indignant streak that shows at times, but hey, it's never an argumentative tone. A challenge perhaps, nevertheless I may "earnestly contend for the faith" at times, peace and love in Christ to you.
Thank you for getting back to me. If you were truly only speaking to Giannis in your post about language that is invective, aggressive, or bullying, then I am sorry I chimed in. If you were speaking generally to all on this site, then it is appropriate for me to address the words you used to identify the character of speech used in this discussion with Momsage or other discourse.
I was concerned that perhaps I had said something that you thought was like these three words you mentioned and so I wanted to share the definition here so that if I had spoken wrongly, you could tell me what wording I used that would qualify such characterization according to the definitions I found for the words invective, aggressive, and bullying.
Like you, I do not want any of us to speak this way. And, like you, I think of this forum as a fellowship in which we should speak to each other as we would if in person and discussing a biblical topic with differing viewpoints.
Jema, you do not need to respond back to me if you do not wish to do so. I understand. I just wanted you to know that I thought you were speaking about the wording Giannis and I were using in discoursing with Momsage and would want to know what I may have said that was offensive to her or to you. Be at peace with me here today. we are sisters. It would be good if we take the time now and then to complement one another and encourage each other with our words. We can express our love and genuine care for each other more than we may have in the past. My hope is that we build bridges towards one another, and continue to pray for one another often, as I do for you. We can tell each other how what one of use has said has uplifted us, helped us, and made us grow closer to the Lord.
All of us here are journeying towards the same goal, same heavenly country (as Abraham), to the same inheritance of the saints, to the same eternal bliss with God, to the most awesome, inspiring, beautiful, satisfying, unsurpassed life
The Spirit of God translates Fellowship of God with Man in a language man may easily follow. 'Let us create man in our image and after our likeness' which in fulfillment is set down in the narrative as 'male and female created he them." (Ge.1:26-27) Adam thus represents both aspects. This representational reality of the everlasting covenant owes to the eternal word ,-the Law, so we define the church has a body closed up as God did with the rib taken from Adam. "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." Creation of Adam is after the similitude for man to understand the fellowship of God with Man. "And they shall be one flesh" is what we signify by marriage and is sanctified according to the principle of Similitude.(See entry under Rule of Three)
The Church has a body to which every believer, 'brethren' so collectively called and Christ is the head. Christ has of God become wisdom to us. (1 Co.1:30) The Spirit renders the fellowship of God and Man as that of Wisdom with Power of God. Before the worlds began Wisdom has built the House with seven pillars (Pr.9:1) so the symbolism of the House of God cannot be lost to anyone. "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God (He.3:4). "know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?(1 Co.6:19)" What is pertinent here is the name. It has a spiritual meaning.
We have two verses with regards to His name.. "Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh (Je.7:14)". Against this let us consider what God promised King Solomon when he visited second time. (1 Ki.9:2-5) In the lexicon of the Spirit the tag 'forever' refers to the Son. The Church is short has a name Zion, as foretold by Prophet Isaiah.(Is.28:16)
Thanks for your reply and explanation of yourself. Good to know.
I agree that we are to share from the Word on this site. And, if we are indeed a fellowship of believers, we are to build one another up and encourage on another ( 1 Th. 5:11; Romans 12:10) through love and supportive words.
Have a good day, Jema. Though we are different in personality, we are one in Christ, thankfully. How wonderful is this that God has called both of us to salvation and into the fellowship of the church!
Based in the Word of God, on GOD's six Days of creation and one Day of rest (a total of seven days) plus the Scriptures that teach that one Day is with the Lord as a thousand years, so MANKIND would go through six GOD Days of 1,000 years each (a total of 6,000 years) plus a Millennium of 1,000 years rest (now a total of 7,000 years).
According biblical Chronology, starting by Genesis 5, as follow:
Adam lived ..............................130 yrs and begat Seth
Seth lived ................................105 yrs and begat Enosh;
Enosh lived ...............................90 yrs and begat Kenan;
Kenanlived.................................70 yrs and begat Mahalalel;
Mahalalellived ............................65 yrs and begat Jared;
Jaredlived ................................162 yrs and begat Enoch;
Enochlived .................................65 yrs and begat Methuselah;
Methuselahlived.........................187 yrs and begat Lamech;
Lamechlived..............................182 yrs and begat Noah;
From Noahs birth until the Flood...600 yrs.
Total of years from Adam to the Flood = 1656 yrs
Notice that the table above is proved by the Word of GOD, Let us study the times until our days by the Word of GOD-the Word is
GOD. So, see the timetable below:
SIX PERIODS OF BIBLICAL TIMES ------------------- DURATION
I- From Adam to the Flood-( Genesis 5)--------------1656 years
II- From the Flood to Abraham-( Genesis 11&12)-----427years
III- From Abraham to Exodus-(Gal.3:17)--------------430 years
IV-From Exodus to king Saul-(1Reis6:1(480-84)-------396 years
V-From Saul to the fall of Jerusalem -------------------508 years
VI-From the fall of Jerusalem to Jesus -----------------587 years
Thus,from Adam to the 1stcoming of Jesus ----------4004 years
From Jesus to our days(Christian Calendar)----------2023 years
Total from Adam to our days --------------------------6027 years
So,we are living in the beginning of the seventh and last millennium
Didn't you understand yet? Around 4000 years after Adam GOD still was working, don't you learn this yet, or don't you believe in the Word of GOD? JOHN 5:17 - Jesus said to the keepers of Sabbath day: My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. By the way, when my Lord JESUS said that to the Jews, it laready was the beginning of the fith GOD's Day, don't you know of this? Why GOD the Father still was working in the turn from the fourth to the fifth GOD's Day? Now, now, it because GOD the Father had established for He Himself, since the beginning, to work 6 Days and to rest in the seventh Day. Now, now, the seventh GOD's Day is now, even now, from now on, understand? From Adam until this current time have passed around 6000 years complete. So, you and everyone who thinks like you, must understand that only now, even now, from now on, will GOD the Father rest from His works. Again: It was still the fourth Day, so, understand, JESUS, the Greater Light, said to the Jews: My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Of course, GOD and my Lord JESUS was working in the fourth Day, GOD the Father and JESUS are One, dispite being two distincts Persons- Hebrews 1:1-3- , and as you know, "without my Lord JESUS was not any thing made that was made"- John 1:3.
Be sure that GOD the Father rests only now in the seventh and last Day, and my Lord JESUS takes command of the Universe and History, in Time and Space, now from this seventh Day onwards. And in the kingdom of GOD- Revelation 11:15 combined with Luke 20:35-36- , which will be established now in the seventh GOD's Day , no seventh-day keeper will come in with his deceptive doctrine, whose doctrine was invented by the seducing spirit of Devil - Genesis 3:1- , and it was sowed through those which departed from the faith- Galatians 3:11, giving heed to doctrines of devils.
Be careful or then get ready
The Word is GOD, what matters and prevails is the Word of GOD, understand? There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Your post reminds me of the same zeal that Judaizers showed in the Church of Galatea w.r.t circumscision. What has the 4th commandment to do with us when the Lord of Sabbath has opened a new and living way? What God gave Moses on stone tables served the time and a context. Moses was a servant and we are called to be coo-heirs with Christ who is the fulfillment of the Law. Decalogue was a digest of the Law which is the Word forever settled in heaven. Seeing that Israel failed to fulfill these shows how superficial it was worn as meaningless as their frontlets and phylacteries. We are called to bear the word on our fleshy tables. We have in the Son the fountain of life. In his light we see the light. So walking therein is entering in God's rest. Sabbath for us everyday service. Not I but Christ who lives in me. When Christ who is our life appear we shall also appear with him in glory. That is our hope.
SABBATH
Genesis: 2:2-3 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy.
"seventh" shebiith: an ordinary number
"rested" sabath: cease, desist, rest
"sanctified, holy qadashconsecrate
"sabbath" sabath intermission
These verses speak of the 4th commandment that God gave (not asked) us to obey to honor Him by resting on that day. God saw this need for us, in order to refresh our bodies, minds and souls. He gave us the other nine, also, for our good. The world, unfortunately, has decided to disregard this commandment so there is no sanctified or consecrated day anymore given only to the Lord to worship Him and for ourselves to enjoy. Believers should recognized that God, not only gave this wonderful commandment to us for our good, but He emphasized it by commanding we remember it. However, He knew it would fall along the wayside. He knew believers would excuse away abstaining from labor on the Sabbath by this and that and the other thing. Believers try to use the scripture to excuse themselves from obeying this commandment but it is just as imperative for a believer to believe and obey this 4th commandment as it is for them to believe and obey the other nine. These commandments are of God. God wrote the them on tablets Himself. After that He gave Moses laws, statues and ordinances to help the people further understanding these commandment. These commandments are the foundation of our walk with God. When God gave All His 10 commands to the race of Adam it was for always.
I do want to say that to have church and fellowship on the first day of the week is not, in any way, wrong because the commandment, again, says only to rest. It just seems to me that fellowshipping and worshiping God with the preaching of His word on our day of rest makes sense. To disregard this sure and steadfast commandment that God intended for our good pleasure is so sad. All of the other commandments are to be obeyed so we will live the holy life God intends for us to live to gain Heaven, but the 4th commandment is for our physical, emotional and spiritual good. It is a gift we try to give back to God and say "no thanks," however, it is also a commandment and God said if we love Him we will obey His commandments because they do not cause us to be burdened. 1 John: 5:3 and Luke 6: 13-14
Some have said, since Jesus is our rest we don't need the 4th commandment and yet, do we "rest" in Jesus at all? Those who believe we not longer need to honor this commandment say the Early Church stopped worshiping on the Sabbath and changed to the first day of the week after the death and resurrection of Christ. These are the two scriptures they usually refer to as showing this.
1 Corinthians 16:2 "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." (Paul is just asking the church to gather donations on the first day of each week for when he comes, it doesn't in any way point to them having to be in church to do this just because he asked them to on the first day of the week)
Romans 14:5 "And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." (Modern day churches don't always have fellowship and worship on Sunday. They do it on any day if it's something they want to do, a service besides their normal church on Sunday. So on this Sunday the church just got together to listen to Paul preach because he had to leave the next day. Nothing is said that this is a regular church service for them.)
There are historical quotes that indicate that the Early Church continued to honor the Sabbath until about 100AD when ravening wolves entered in and things kind of got into a mess so Emperor Constantine, at the Laodician Council in 345AD, made it a law that the day of worship was Sunday the first day of the week. By then the wolves were in charge of the church, it was no longer God's, and pretty much went along with it and that's why people do it today. (Except me.:) Here are some of the quotes:
"Constantine published the Edict of Milan, granting freedom of religion in the empire and establishing Sunday a day of worship" Collier Encyclopedia, vol 7, p. 212
"It was the Holy Catholic Church that changed the day of rest form Saturday to Sunday, the first day of the week. And it not only compelled all to keep Sunday, but at the Council of Laodician, AD 364, anathematized (cursed) those who kept the Sabbath and urged all persons to labor on the 7th day under penalty of anathema (excommunication.)" Catholic Priest T. Enright, CSSRR, Kansas city, Mo
"The Bible says remember that thou keep holy the Sabbath day. The Catholic Church says No! By my divine power I abolish the Sabbath day and command you to keep holy the first day of the week and low the entire civilized world bows down in reverent obedience to the command of the Holy Catholic Church." American Sentinel, Father Enright, 1893
I know the world has made it very hard for true believers to honor the 4th commandment but does that excuse us from disobeying it? Again how do we justify ignoring the 4th commandment and not the other nine? Jesus' rest is a spiritual rest, the commandment is a physical, mental and spiritual rest. One doesn't replace the other. No scripture says that. You say I'm being legalistic? Well, I'm not going to worship another God, or take God's name in vain, or build idols to worship, or to not honor my parents, or to murder, or lie (not even little white ones) or to steal or to be jealous, is that being legalistic? If so then I love being legalistic and obeying God's commandments and that is why I rest on Saturday. Each commandment is clear including the 4th. As you said when we ignore or replace the things of God they diminish as the Sabbath has.
It is always good to hear from you.
I've been reading this afternoon on this topic of non-canonical books. But it is certainly not necesary to do so.
As you said, it is good to find out how the church in the earliest times understood doctrines and practices passed down to the leaders from the apostles.
Greetings in Christ JESUS
You have just said in prior post that you have never met one believer that has not sinned in some way as a believer. Here's the great problem of those which justifies themselves as keepers of the Sabbath day according to the letter of the Law, for as said James in his universal epistle- James 2:10- , "whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all". What more does the Word of GOD say? Romans 2:12 ->... as many as have sinned in the Law shall be Judged by the Law, therefore, he who sins in the Law becomes guilty of all, then by the Law he will be condemned for sure. Galatians 3:11 - ...no man is justified by the Law in the sight of GOD it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
Galatians 5:4 - Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the Law; ye are fallen from grace.(are wretchad)
Galatians 3:8-10
8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that GOD would justify the Gentiles through faith(not by the Law), preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the Law to do them.
Romans 7:6 - But now we are delivered from the Law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Hebrews 4:
12 For 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.
13 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.
I sense that there is a reason for holding to a belief, that these letters by certain eminent men should be treated as spurious. When we have the Deuterocanonical (or, Apocrypha) books that are largely accepted by certain churches (including the RCC), we can easily include the writings of Clement, Polycarp, Eusebius, et al as also falling into that category. And many of these men, especially Polycarp, who was a disciple of the Apostle John, were very much involved in the work & growth of the early Church, so their writings have always been a great help to us many centuries later to understand how the Church believed & functioned. Once we can separate these writings (not all the contents of which we might agree with), from the questionable Apocrypha (written many centuries later before & after Christ), we can begin to get to the source of matters such as Sabbath-keeping, etc. But it comes down to the thorny point: what do I want to believe or will support my belief, rather than let the Word speak - and this is something that I constantly assess within myself, lest I too fall into that trap. Hope your discussions with Momsage continue to be engaging & enlightening.
1. The 10 commandments were commands written by God and were for all of mankind to obey until the end. 2. In the 4th COMMANDMENT God only COMMANDED that we "REST" on the seventh day of the week for our physical, mental and spiritual well being. If believers worship and fellowship together on Sunday there is no "sin" or wrong doing in this and if I put forward the idea that I was saying this I apologize. It just seems sensible to do it on the seventh day during our rest. 3. The 10 Commandments are NOT LAWS. All the laws and statues and ordinances that were given to Moses by God were based on these 10 commands of God. The sacrificial rituals were abolished by the beautiful sacrifice of Jesus so they were no more needed but we, as believers, know in our hearts to obey His COMMANDS. Actually, all souls know to obey them because they are a part of the human conscience. Jesus said: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5: 17-18 We cannot pick and choose what commandments to obey. God intended for them all to be obeyed. 4. In the scriptures, from the KJB, I have given a different understanding of the verses that others claim say that the Early Church started worshipping on the first day of the week after Christ died, understandings which are completely possible within the scriptures and some that showed that the early church continued to honor the Sabbath until "ravening wolves" entered in as Paul warned they would. 5. Following the Commands of God/living under the blood of Jesus as a believer are not 2 separate things. They are all part of being a true believer, but, if others don't do it that way, it is not wrong for them until they are convicted of it and then don't obey. God Bless :)
Praying for the peace in Jerusalem, and for the people to receive the gospel of JESUS CHRIST. Let us as believers put on the armor of GOD and go forth into the spiritual battle raging around us.
Let us pray for our leadership, on all levels, to have the mind and heart of the LORD.
May we be blessed and a blessing unto all who the LORD guides to us.
The LORD to shine HIS face on all who trust and believe in HIM.
January 7, 2024
Thanks for getting back to me. May have a very peaceful and blessed day today!
Thank you for this 7-part teaching on bible study. Many things to consider for all of us.
To speak of my experience over time: when I was young I loved to read the gospels because they show us our Lord Jesus and His life among us, his sacrificial death and triumphant resurrection! I wanted to really know Who He was and what He did.
As a teen, I loved reading the epistles repeatedly as they had so much teaching on how we are to live as believers in an unbelieving world, how we are to relate to one another in fellowship and love, how to apply the lessons of the Old Testament in light of the New Covenant of Christ, how to live a godly life for the Lord even when no one else knows what we are doing, knowing that God always knows and looks upon us as we live moment by moment in His loving gaze.
In College I read specific books as I was in studies with others more often. This was something new for me, as I had always studied the Bible alone before going to college. I was taught in church and private schooling from the Bible, but I had not engaged in group study with peers before.
As an married adult, I have read the Old Testament, New Testament, used the Psalms as devotional helps (as you mentioned), memorized certain verses that were more meaningful at certain times in my life. I have engaged in group Bible studies, studied with my husband (much) and taught our sons biblical themes, stories, and the life of Jesus.
Since we did not have a lot of extra money, I did not have extra biblical helps like the ones you mentioned. I finally got a concordance in the early 2000's and Matthew Henry's Commentary at that time also. I did not have a personal computer until just a few years ago, so learning from the internet is new to me, but also has expanded my access to biblical information as I had never had before. This is the first and only forum I have ever participated in and am daily blessed by it.
I love studying what God has to say to me. So good!
I always enjoy your posts and am blessed when we talk here.
Thank you for getting back to me. If you were truly only speaking to Giannis in your post about language that is invective, aggressive, or bullying, then I am sorry I chimed in. If you were speaking generally to all on this site, then it is appropriate for me to address the words you used to identify the character of speech used in this discussion with Momsage or other discourse.
I was concerned that perhaps I had said something that you thought was like these three words you mentioned and so I wanted to share the definition here so that if I had spoken wrongly, you could tell me what wording I used that would qualify such characterization according to the definitions I found for the words invective, aggressive, and bullying.
Like you, I do not want any of us to speak this way. And, like you, I think of this forum as a fellowship in which we should speak to each other as we would if in person and discussing a biblical topic with differing viewpoints.
Jema, you do not need to respond back to me if you do not wish to do so. I understand. I just wanted you to know that I thought you were speaking about the wording Giannis and I were using in discoursing with Momsage and would want to know what I may have said that was offensive to her or to you. Be at peace with me here today. we are sisters. It would be good if we take the time now and then to complement one another and encourage each other with our words. We can express our love and genuine care for each other more than we may have in the past. My hope is that we build bridges towards one another, and continue to pray for one another often, as I do for you. We can tell each other how what one of use has said has uplifted us, helped us, and made us grow closer to the Lord.
All of us here are journeying towards the same goal, same heavenly country (as Abraham), to the same inheritance of the saints, to the same eternal bliss with God, to the most awesome, inspiring, beautiful, satisfying, unsurpassed life