This is John thank you for all the information sorry for taking so long to get back with you I know in the Lord for two decades he's done a lot of wonderful things for me I wish I could have kept a record of all the things that he try to get my attention Jesus Christ but unfortunately the devil came after me too it's been a battle Jesus knows everything when the pandemic happen you found out who your friends and everybody and that's the way it still is thank you again I apologize for all the texts take care
Those who overcome "overcomes" by the blood of Christ and is "overcoming" by the blood of Christ.
Paul says in Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST:
Therefore, the promise is "the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Rec. 3:5.
Yes, I am Italian, but NOT Catholic, I am Christian and I know that the CEI Bible has many inaccuracies and shortcomings but I also found some discrepancies in the KJV.
This case can only be an error of the automatic translator which however can be confusing, the text says:
Siracide 4
23] Non astenerti dal parlare nel momento opportuno,
non nascondere la tua sapienza
[23] Do not refrain from speaking at the right time, do not hide your wisdom ( italian )
il traduttore traduce "And refraine not to speake" = astieniti dal parlare ( ma in realta' e' il contrario )
the translator translates "And refrain not to speak" = refrain from speaking (but in reality it is the opposite)
I hope it's clear, in reality it's simple the translator makes a mistake. Ciao e Grazie
Seems like I've been ambushed here. I am not sure whether I should attempt to answer each question one at a time. God of course is beyond time it only takes an instant for us; He of course predestined us from before the foundation of the world and all souls are His anyway. He came for the elect 2000 years ago so knows us better than we can know ourselves. In general His sheep hear His voice that is sufficient; such as Romans 8:10 if I have the verse right where we confess with our mouth and believe with our heart. That doesn't mean we ARE saved if it is disingenuous; so we shouldn't assume a professed 30 year Christian really believes any more than someone like the thief on the cross. You know them by their fruits in time; Christ knows His sheep instantly.
Your first question is rather complex. I don't ascribe to not following the law at least in terms of universal ones such as murder and divorce (one which is immensly controversial today in terms of remarriage situations but I hold for NOT remarrying when a spouse is alive which got John the Baptist killed for pagans in that situation). Anyway I may have lost your attention at that comment. I look to ceremonial laws as applying to the Jews at the time or possibly the future Temple; and the sabbath day law in some respect goes to Christ who is "Lord of the Sabbath". We don't attempt to do or not do the law only but we do things with the right motives. My point being we can't just say it's ok to break a law; as the Antichrist himself comes as the "lawless one". We can't have overly legalistic standards either. I am not sure what you mean relying on "His will" that should be something we do now or in O.T. times; and peace is something which we should receive at salvation and also is a fruit of the Spirit (love; joy; peace; longsuffering; etc.)
As to His coming; I have theories basically stating that we need to face that 1948 is NOT the beginning of the last generation which is defined roughly by Psalm 90:10 and i cant see it stretched beyond the 70 to 80 years. I think the Psalm 83 event where Israel expands its borders and immediately surrounding nations capitulate will happen as the signpost of the last generation then there has to be a land of unwalled villages before the Ezekiel 38 war. That timing is tricky. All things are set for the Tribulation but it seems only God the Father determines it as we also seem to see from my commentary on Revelation 1.
I sense your enthusiasm and perhaps struggle and your love for Christ. As Jesus said to the Philadelphia church persevere even with little strength as it is hard today. Satan wants to constantly preempt God's timing but obviously we must occupy till he comes. Outta room
Heavenly Father, I pray for young Shelly Bailey, to be healed in the Mighty Name of Jesus Christ. Father God, You sent Your Son Jesus to heal the sick. So, I claim Your word, promises and blessings. Thank You Father God. Amen
I'm proud of and pleased for you , we all have to live in this world but we should not allow the things of it to cling to us and dirty our garments . Luke Ch 16 V 15 .
Possibly the "Book of Life" has to do with God's, election, and predestination of those he has chosen for salvation.
Possibly the "Lamb's Book of Life" is for those outside the realm of election/predestination and have their "chance" at eternal life if they receive Christ hence the Lamb's Book of Life.
The King's English "Conversation" means behavior, citizenship, or both depending on its usage. Let us take a look.
Philippians 3:20 (KJV) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Conversation: behavior, conduct, manner of life, manner of walk, Gk citizenship, commonwealth.
I would lean toward citizenship meaning for this particular passage.
3:20 citizenship. This figure would have been particularly appreciated by the Philippians who were colonists living away from Rome, though citizens of Rome. Similarly, Christians live away from the place of their citizenship, heaven. - Ryrie
Conversation found in Ephesians 2:3 (KJV) 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
I would lean toward the behavior, one's conduct, and manner of walk definition as it is used in Ephesians 2:3.
Countless people have pastored churches, taught Sunday school classes, led Bible studies, sung in choirs, and been involved in every conceivable area of ministry only to one day abandon their ministries and embrace the world. Somehow they stopped resisting the Devil and lost the courage to stand firm. How about you? Is your commitment strong? Are you willing to stand firm for the Lord today?
I ended my last post briefly discussing the Persian; Greek and Roman empires which would all have a part of history when they affected Israel. In the Persian empire Cyrus the Great (see Ezra) would allow the Temple to be rebuilt even though he didn't know the Lord he showed favor to Israel. ( Isaiah 45:4-6). Later Antiochus Epiphanes as a type of Antichrist would during the intertestamental period take over the Temple (actually part of the Syrian empire but also spread Greek cultural ideas). God through the Macabees fought back and eventually they were defeated. Finally; of course the Roman empire would have a tenuous existance with the Jewish nation; and be a part of Christ's crucifixion. They also; (until today's modern version still forming) would be defeated.
We see examples of God working with Nebuchadnezzar to bring about true conversion. We also see examples such as Naaman the Syrian in 2 Kings 5 who God healed; as well as the story of Jonah with the Ninevites who repented and God spared for a time of judgment; but in the book of Nahum God's patience ran out and they were destroyed. We also see examples such as Ruth who was a Gentile that came to believe and became part of the royal lineage and even Rahab in the same light. In general though God winked at certain things in the past but ( Acts 17:30-31) but now in New Testament times there were stricter standards.
Christ would also begin with only ministering to the "lost sheep of Israel". ( Matthew 15:24 but mentioned earlier when the 70 were sent out). In this case a Gentile woman showed great faith and Christ healed her daughter. The plan now was to fulfill the prophecies in Isaiah 42:1-9 about being a light to the Gentiles. This began with Christ spending much time with the Samaritan woman and others possessed by demons which added to crowds from surrounding nations; and showed the lack of faith in his own hometown as a contrast ( Mark 6:4).
The attitude of a believer to the spirit of life is demonstrated in this incident "And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?/ But he(Jesus) turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of./ For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."( Luke 9:54-56) John was for imitating the exploits of Elias while Jesus was for fulfilling the will of God. John and James had to learn which would come by and by, and only after they received the Holy Spirit. As many as are led by the Spirit are the children of God.
Water and fire are two witnesses to which Jesus alluded in Luke 12:54-56
The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control so symbols, emblem and events are all in accordance so God is in control. The fourth beast in the vision of Daniel is about to fulfill in not so distant future. "Even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows". Well my readers say hello to the High Tech! Meet the killer robot and AI he is a little gizmo, little horn that has eyes and mouth to speak. " I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them."(Dan.7:20-21) It is the same spirit of Satan even as he gave the beast power to blaspheme. It came out of the ten horns, which indicate he is under judgment.
Who but a man makes a robot works? He cannot work with wisdom of heaven which is the significance of God being with Moses, "And I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." (Ex.4:12). "Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments./For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods"(Ex.7:11-12) The eternal Word in control.
In my previous section I showed some evidences of God working even early on with nations other than Israel; and how he established their boundaries. I completed the story of the Nephilim and the children among men which ended the earth's population of all the nations as they were before the flood; and how the final giant Goliath (at least from that part of the world) was defeated by David.
As we go forward in time; we see how God worked in great kingdoms; starting with Egypt which I alluded to in the last post as to what was shown to Abraham as to what would transpire 400 years later (see Genesis 15:13). Egypt no doubt had some control over what is now surrounding areas of North Africa; although I am not an expert on that subject. We see time and again how God's people were placed in these foreign lands of significant kingdoms; starting with Moses. We see the suffering that increased after the Joseph was eventually given an exalted position alongside the Pharoah in a sort of coregent arrangement. This eventually led to enslavement of the Israelites and a hatred for them because of their healthy progeny outnumbering the native population. Moses came to deliver His people in the Exodus; a forerunner of Christ delivering His people (which won't be completed until the end of the Tribulation for Israel as a nation once they recognize their true Messiah). After this we have the Assyrians who basically dominated in the 2nd Millennium B.C. God once again reigned supreme in Isaiah 37:36 where a single angel of God killed 185,000 Assyrians and led to the eventual ending of them as a significant enemy. Then came Babylon; which God promised would be used to discipline Israel. Daniel eventually became captive and with his 3 companions was once again exalted and basically also had a coregency with Nebuchadnezzar. God overthew them eventually; and the prophesied Persians; Greeks and Romans came ( Daniel 2:39).
I reluctantly deleted my facebook account just now.I used it for prayer requests like ido here.I was accused of violating their community standards by liking stuff to much.I didnt feel that was reasonable so i just now deleted my account. Please pray i can just stay away from facebook.And read my Bible in place of it.
"O nikon (He who is overcoming/winning or he who is victorious) outos peribaleitai (he will be covered around) en imatiois leukeis (in white garments) ...etc, etc"
If salvation comes when we get to know Jesus and Jesus gets to know us, can you please explain to me when that process took place in the following cases described in the Bible?
The thief crucified next to Jesus.
The Jews on Pentecost.
That eunuch
The Samaritans
Cornelious
The guard in Philippi
Had all the above time to get to know Jesus? Had Jesus time to get to know them?
Example. How long did it take Peter to talk to Cornelious and his own, 15-30 minutes? How much did he say about Jesus? Ok the Bible gives us a summary of what Petr said, but actually how long did it take Peter to talk about Jesus and how much did he say about Him?
Heavenly Father, I pray that You show the path You want Mary to follow. Bless Mary with strength, determinationfor Your honor and glory. Jesus, let Mary feel Your presence. Amen
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."(Ro.8:11)
God framed worlds with his word so faith shall never be out of step with the will of God. "So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear' goes for the natural world as well. Water is formed accordingly from atoms of hydrogen and oxygen. So a mist going out of the ground is not wandering out, freed from its leash. The dog knows his master. "But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." Pendent to this is the characteristic of the soil. Volcanic ash is inert but add water to it is active. It is thus the natural world proves faith and ''Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The Spirit of God working with the waters gives man a hands -on experience of spirit of life. "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."(1 Co.2:11)
The indwelling Spirit serves as the world of the Spirit bringing heavenly realities into the heart of a believer. The same two witnesses are realized in us so to speak. God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. A believer who would be led by the same Spirit that raised up Jesus is in heavenly places, to which the blood of the Lamb is a sign. It serves the same purpose as the slain Lamb before the foundation of the world as an emblem. God rested from his labors on the seventh day and sanctified the day so Jesus made manifest the same faith, and the Lamb of God was led to the slaughter even as the Scriptures indicated. This is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sins.
The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control of symbols, emblem and events.
See James 4:4, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God"
So Jesus refers to people who keep walking in faith. But not quite as Jesus expects them to do.
Secondly, those foolish virgins DO have oil in their lamps, just like the wise ones, but just not adequate. The oil usually represents the Holly Spirit, but I would say it represents a complete christian life where the Spirit has the primar role. The thing is though that being baptized in the Spirit is not enough, one has to be filled with the Spirit, and this doesn't occur on its own. One has to do that while praying etc. Those virgins were careless, they didn't take care to fill themselves with the Spirit. Did they turn to other things instead? Wordly things? They thought that there was time until Jesus comes so they postponed everything for the future? No, they were not waiting for Jesus. And they got up by surprise. Their light was blinking which means that sin often entered their lives. And when the light got off completely they were left out in the darkness of a sinful life. And they were left out.
Actually this is the purpose that Jesus said that parable, to warn us to always be ready for His coming. If those 5 unwise virgins were unbelievers what was the purpose that Jesus said that story? 5 believers go to Heaven and 5 unbelievers go to hell. So what, a new story? We know that. What is the warning in such a case since we all enter heaven?
Jim, the wage of sin is death, nomatter if one is a christian or not, it still remains death.
Ezekiel 18:24,
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
1. You are right about that "Nor could the Lord say to any believer, however unspiritual, "I know you not."
But lets remember that this event described by Jesus takes place on the Judgement Day.
In this life His is our Father. We are His children. Good or bad ones we are still His children, He will do anything to bring us into His Kingdom, even through fire which means repentance at the very last moment of our lives. In this life we may be His prodigal sons and daughters who their Father is waiting patiently to return back home. But after we die we will fall into 2 categories. The saved ones, the ones who successfully finished their course in this life and the ones who failed.
So God is our father in this life and also in the future life as long as we enter His Kingdom. But those who will fail will face Him not as a Father but as a Judge. Those who will be cast out into the lake of fire won't be His childen any more, and He will not be their Father any more. He will ignore their names, since those names will be erased from the Book of Life, which is God's written record (literal or figurative) which includes all the names of all saved people since the creation of mankind. In Matthew 25:41 Jesus calls those people "cursed". Names unknown, just like the name of that rich man in the story of the rich man and Lazarus where Jesus didn't even bother to give us his name. No reason for that, he got lost for ever. Like those who will not finish their course in victory.
2. The parable of the 10 virgins.
Lets gather all points of interest from this parable.
Firstly all of them are virgins, which means christians. Virgins are not married people, like we are now, we are engaged to Jesus and we are waiting for our marriage. There is no way Jesus calls the sinful world virgins, people who commit all sort of sin and adultery and fornication. Can christians commit adulltery (figuratively)?.
"And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven."
The Spirit gives us 'the hour' which is split into two halves. Jesus had warned of it as his earthly ministry was drawing to a close. "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."(Matt.24:41)
The verse preceding it is referring to the earth and the heaven working simultaneously. The worlds of the earth and of the Spirit signifying lower and upper millstones grind to a halt. There is a break. It is what we read when the Lamb broke the seventh seal. "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour."(Re.8:1) This half an hour allows the rapture of 144,000 from the earth. These are the ones who gave glory to the God of heaven. They were part of the left out church in the vision of the Woman clothed With the Sun. They stepped in place of the nation of Israel and redeemed their souls(Re.7:4-8).
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, which is associated with the fall of great Babylon. "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." (Re.14:8) This in turn is taken up in detail in 18:21"And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." The Spirit uses the term a great millstone significance of it will not be lost to any diligent reader.
The tenth part of the city fell indicates it is part of the judgment and great tribulation, for which we shall, if God willing, take up after completing the matter of two witnesses.
God's plan for the nations: Belief in the true God; Israel as focus of God's plan
Genesis 14:18-20 state: 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
The details of the aftermath of a battle with a foreign king where Lot was rescued from captivity aren't the focus in this post; but Melchizedek apparently blessed Abraham; but Abraham gave HIM a tithe (one thenth) of what he had. Hebrews mentions Melchizedek as a type of Christ; he was Gentile of unknown ancestry but apparently a great man of God for Abraham to offer him tithes. It shows that true worship of God was indeed with other nations at least with this individual BEFORE the sacrificial system began in Israel.
God Himself says that He chose Israel (see Deut. 7:6-8). These verses explain the covenant promises and that Israel was not some great nation that would be expected to have God's blessings. His purposes are in all things. God called Abraham from the land of Ur of the Chaldees to travel to the area which would eventually be for his descendants as an inheritance in the Promised Land. ( Genesis 12). Genesis 15:10 shows the actual covenant; which occured when Abram (to be called Abraham afterwards) was in a deep sleep; reminding of us of Adam in a deep sleep. God would be patient with the nations until their iniquity was to the full; then those surrounding nations to Israel's inheritance would be conquered ( Gen. 15:16).
We see how nations would be judged once sin was to the full such as Sodom and Gomorrah; then later Nineveh. The final giant offspring of the Nephilim would be destroyed when Goliath was killed by David ( 1 Samuel 17:50). The flood would destroy many of these offspring; the rest later on ( Gen. 6:4
. "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee."(Matt.17:27). Under another circumstance Jesus sent his disciples and the word concerning had to be fulfilled. "Then sent Jesus two disciples,/ Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me./ And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them./ All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet."(Matt.21:2-5).
Jesus cursed the fig tree for the simple reason that it could not perceive the Son of man was not under curse. God cursed the ground and not the man. When God created the earth it was intended to be inhabited. "For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else."(Is.45:18). The earth and the fulness thereof is not earmarked for the filthy dreamers and foul spirit but for the Son. So there shall come a day when He will shake them out as kind of Spring cleaning His house shaking out the dust of the vermin, -they call it' pursuit of happiness'.
We shall see the series of judgments exactly as God willed it. The two witnesses have to ascend up to heaven in a cloud. Their enemies shall certainly see it. Severe heatwave, signs in the sun and the moon plagues are all waiting to come in. "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."(2 The.2:7)
"And they (the two witnesses) heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them."
First we shall examine what is the significance of the spirit of life. "And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet;"
Spirit of life is written with small s which distinguishes the action of the Spirit of God moving upon the face of waters. Jesus explained it, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."( John 6:63) Fulness of Jesus Christ established his word was from the Spirit of his Father in heaven. Kenosis was demonstrated that he obeyed the eternal word settled in heavens. "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."(Ro. 8:11) This is how these two witnesses were raised. It was same with Lazarus of Bethany. Death has no hold where the word of God is concerned.
"So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning."( Job 42:12) In the land of the living the daughters of Job were already present. So when he gave Job double of everything he had lost, He proved the point. There are no dead in His presence but souls of the wicked shall be consigned to oblivion only after the day of Judgment and it is left to the Son since He desires all his fulness shall dwell in him.
In short the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters giving a word-wide web. It is what we found from the Psalm quote 'the Earth and the fulness thereof' indicates. Ps.24:1-3 When Jesus was demanded of tribute money, classic example of 'other men's riches' Jesus would not soil his hands with it.
And refraine not to speake, when there is occasion to doe good, and hide not thy wisedome in her beautie.
The translation is wrong, in fact it says not to hold back the words, therefore to speak, while it is translated backwards, saying to be silent on that occasion. It's just a translation error, I hope it has the right meaning in English, so TALK and don't miss the opportunity to do so at the right time, Thank you, peace
La traduzione e' sbagliata, dice infatti di non trattenere la parole, quindi di parlare, mentre viene tradotto al contrario, dicendo di tacere in quella occasione.
E' solo un errore di traduzione, spero che in Inglese abbia il significato giusto, quindi di PARLARE e non perdere l'occasione di farlo al momento opportuno, Grazie , pace
Welcome to the site.
Those who overcome "overcomes" by the blood of Christ and is "overcoming" by the blood of Christ.
Paul says in Philippians 1:6
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST:
Therefore, the promise is "the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Rec. 3:5.
God bless.
This case can only be an error of the automatic translator which however can be confusing, the text says:
Siracide 4
23] Non astenerti dal parlare nel momento opportuno,
non nascondere la tua sapienza
[23] Do not refrain from speaking at the right time, do not hide your wisdom ( italian )
il traduttore traduce "And refraine not to speake" = astieniti dal parlare ( ma in realta' e' il contrario )
the translator translates "And refrain not to speak" = refrain from speaking (but in reality it is the opposite)
I hope it's clear, in reality it's simple the translator makes a mistake. Ciao e Grazie
Hope that helps.
Rich P
Your first question is rather complex. I don't ascribe to not following the law at least in terms of universal ones such as murder and divorce (one which is immensly controversial today in terms of remarriage situations but I hold for NOT remarrying when a spouse is alive which got John the Baptist killed for pagans in that situation). Anyway I may have lost your attention at that comment. I look to ceremonial laws as applying to the Jews at the time or possibly the future Temple; and the sabbath day law in some respect goes to Christ who is "Lord of the Sabbath". We don't attempt to do or not do the law only but we do things with the right motives. My point being we can't just say it's ok to break a law; as the Antichrist himself comes as the "lawless one". We can't have overly legalistic standards either. I am not sure what you mean relying on "His will" that should be something we do now or in O.T. times; and peace is something which we should receive at salvation and also is a fruit of the Spirit (love; joy; peace; longsuffering; etc.)
As to His coming; I have theories basically stating that we need to face that 1948 is NOT the beginning of the last generation which is defined roughly by Psalm 90:10 and i cant see it stretched beyond the 70 to 80 years. I think the Psalm 83 event where Israel expands its borders and immediately surrounding nations capitulate will happen as the signpost of the last generation then there has to be a land of unwalled villages before the Ezekiel 38 war. That timing is tricky. All things are set for the Tribulation but it seems only God the Father determines it as we also seem to see from my commentary on Revelation 1.
I sense your enthusiasm and perhaps struggle and your love for Christ. As Jesus said to the Philadelphia church persevere even with little strength as it is hard today. Satan wants to constantly preempt God's timing but obviously we must occupy till he comes. Outta room
Possibly the "Lamb's Book of Life" is for those outside the realm of election/predestination and have their "chance" at eternal life if they receive Christ hence the Lamb's Book of Life.
Philippians 3:20 (KJV) 20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Conversation: behavior, conduct, manner of life, manner of walk, Gk citizenship, commonwealth.
I would lean toward citizenship meaning for this particular passage.
3:20 citizenship. This figure would have been particularly appreciated by the Philippians who were colonists living away from Rome, though citizens of Rome. Similarly, Christians live away from the place of their citizenship, heaven. - Ryrie
Conversation found in Ephesians 2:3 (KJV) 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
I would lean toward the behavior, one's conduct, and manner of walk definition as it is used in Ephesians 2:3.
I ended my last post briefly discussing the Persian; Greek and Roman empires which would all have a part of history when they affected Israel. In the Persian empire Cyrus the Great (see Ezra) would allow the Temple to be rebuilt even though he didn't know the Lord he showed favor to Israel. ( Isaiah 45:4-6). Later Antiochus Epiphanes as a type of Antichrist would during the intertestamental period take over the Temple (actually part of the Syrian empire but also spread Greek cultural ideas). God through the Macabees fought back and eventually they were defeated. Finally; of course the Roman empire would have a tenuous existance with the Jewish nation; and be a part of Christ's crucifixion. They also; (until today's modern version still forming) would be defeated.
We see examples of God working with Nebuchadnezzar to bring about true conversion. We also see examples such as Naaman the Syrian in 2 Kings 5 who God healed; as well as the story of Jonah with the Ninevites who repented and God spared for a time of judgment; but in the book of Nahum God's patience ran out and they were destroyed. We also see examples such as Ruth who was a Gentile that came to believe and became part of the royal lineage and even Rahab in the same light. In general though God winked at certain things in the past but ( Acts 17:30-31) but now in New Testament times there were stricter standards.
Christ would also begin with only ministering to the "lost sheep of Israel". ( Matthew 15:24 but mentioned earlier when the 70 were sent out). In this case a Gentile woman showed great faith and Christ healed her daughter. The plan now was to fulfill the prophecies in Isaiah 42:1-9 about being a light to the Gentiles. This began with Christ spending much time with the Samaritan woman and others possessed by demons which added to crowds from surrounding nations; and showed the lack of faith in his own hometown as a contrast ( Mark 6:4).
The attitude of a believer to the spirit of life is demonstrated in this incident "And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?/ But he(Jesus) turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of./ For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them."( Luke 9:54-56) John was for imitating the exploits of Elias while Jesus was for fulfilling the will of God. John and James had to learn which would come by and by, and only after they received the Holy Spirit. As many as are led by the Spirit are the children of God.
Water and fire are two witnesses to which Jesus alluded in Luke 12:54-56
The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control so symbols, emblem and events are all in accordance so God is in control. The fourth beast in the vision of Daniel is about to fulfill in not so distant future. "Even of that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spake very great things, whose look was more stout than his fellows". Well my readers say hello to the High Tech! Meet the killer robot and AI he is a little gizmo, little horn that has eyes and mouth to speak. " I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them."(Dan.7:20-21) It is the same spirit of Satan even as he gave the beast power to blaspheme. It came out of the ten horns, which indicate he is under judgment.
Who but a man makes a robot works? He cannot work with wisdom of heaven which is the significance of God being with Moses, "And I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." (Ex.4:12). "Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments./For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods"(Ex.7:11-12) The eternal Word in control.
With false teachings like Universalism, and such.....
In my previous section I showed some evidences of God working even early on with nations other than Israel; and how he established their boundaries. I completed the story of the Nephilim and the children among men which ended the earth's population of all the nations as they were before the flood; and how the final giant Goliath (at least from that part of the world) was defeated by David.
As we go forward in time; we see how God worked in great kingdoms; starting with Egypt which I alluded to in the last post as to what was shown to Abraham as to what would transpire 400 years later (see Genesis 15:13). Egypt no doubt had some control over what is now surrounding areas of North Africa; although I am not an expert on that subject. We see time and again how God's people were placed in these foreign lands of significant kingdoms; starting with Moses. We see the suffering that increased after the Joseph was eventually given an exalted position alongside the Pharoah in a sort of coregent arrangement. This eventually led to enslavement of the Israelites and a hatred for them because of their healthy progeny outnumbering the native population. Moses came to deliver His people in the Exodus; a forerunner of Christ delivering His people (which won't be completed until the end of the Tribulation for Israel as a nation once they recognize their true Messiah). After this we have the Assyrians who basically dominated in the 2nd Millennium B.C. God once again reigned supreme in Isaiah 37:36 where a single angel of God killed 185,000 Assyrians and led to the eventual ending of them as a significant enemy. Then came Babylon; which God promised would be used to discipline Israel. Daniel eventually became captive and with his 3 companions was once again exalted and basically also had a coregency with Nebuchadnezzar. God overthew them eventually; and the prophesied Persians; Greeks and Romans came ( Daniel 2:39).
Rev 3:5, from the greek text:
"O nikon (He who is overcoming/winning or he who is victorious) outos peribaleitai (he will be covered around) en imatiois leukeis (in white garments) ...etc, etc"
Ecclesiasticus 4:23 from the greek text of the Septaguint. The title of the Book in the Septuagint is "Wisdom of Sirach"
"Me koleses (Do not object/hinder) logon(word or speech) en emera (in the day) soterias(of salvation).
Since you are obviously of italian origin and probably a Catholic what is the text in Italian or Latin?
One more final point.
If salvation comes when we get to know Jesus and Jesus gets to know us, can you please explain to me when that process took place in the following cases described in the Bible?
The thief crucified next to Jesus.
The Jews on Pentecost.
That eunuch
The Samaritans
Cornelious
The guard in Philippi
Had all the above time to get to know Jesus? Had Jesus time to get to know them?
Example. How long did it take Peter to talk to Cornelious and his own, 15-30 minutes? How much did he say about Jesus? Ok the Bible gives us a summary of what Petr said, but actually how long did it take Peter to talk about Jesus and how much did he say about Him?
"But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."(Ro.8:11)
God framed worlds with his word so faith shall never be out of step with the will of God. "So that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear' goes for the natural world as well. Water is formed accordingly from atoms of hydrogen and oxygen. So a mist going out of the ground is not wandering out, freed from its leash. The dog knows his master. "But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground." Pendent to this is the characteristic of the soil. Volcanic ash is inert but add water to it is active. It is thus the natural world proves faith and ''Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." The Spirit of God working with the waters gives man a hands -on experience of spirit of life. "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him?" In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God."(1 Co.2:11)
The indwelling Spirit serves as the world of the Spirit bringing heavenly realities into the heart of a believer. The same two witnesses are realized in us so to speak. God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. A believer who would be led by the same Spirit that raised up Jesus is in heavenly places, to which the blood of the Lamb is a sign. It serves the same purpose as the slain Lamb before the foundation of the world as an emblem. God rested from his labors on the seventh day and sanctified the day so Jesus made manifest the same faith, and the Lamb of God was led to the slaughter even as the Scriptures indicated. This is the blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sins.
The word-wide web set up by the Spirit of God is ever in control of symbols, emblem and events.
See James 4:4, "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God"
So Jesus refers to people who keep walking in faith. But not quite as Jesus expects them to do.
Secondly, those foolish virgins DO have oil in their lamps, just like the wise ones, but just not adequate. The oil usually represents the Holly Spirit, but I would say it represents a complete christian life where the Spirit has the primar role. The thing is though that being baptized in the Spirit is not enough, one has to be filled with the Spirit, and this doesn't occur on its own. One has to do that while praying etc. Those virgins were careless, they didn't take care to fill themselves with the Spirit. Did they turn to other things instead? Wordly things? They thought that there was time until Jesus comes so they postponed everything for the future? No, they were not waiting for Jesus. And they got up by surprise. Their light was blinking which means that sin often entered their lives. And when the light got off completely they were left out in the darkness of a sinful life. And they were left out.
Actually this is the purpose that Jesus said that parable, to warn us to always be ready for His coming. If those 5 unwise virgins were unbelievers what was the purpose that Jesus said that story? 5 believers go to Heaven and 5 unbelievers go to hell. So what, a new story? We know that. What is the warning in such a case since we all enter heaven?
Jim, the wage of sin is death, nomatter if one is a christian or not, it still remains death.
Ezekiel 18:24,
But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.
I will try to answer your points.
1. You are right about that "Nor could the Lord say to any believer, however unspiritual, "I know you not."
But lets remember that this event described by Jesus takes place on the Judgement Day.
In this life His is our Father. We are His children. Good or bad ones we are still His children, He will do anything to bring us into His Kingdom, even through fire which means repentance at the very last moment of our lives. In this life we may be His prodigal sons and daughters who their Father is waiting patiently to return back home. But after we die we will fall into 2 categories. The saved ones, the ones who successfully finished their course in this life and the ones who failed.
So God is our father in this life and also in the future life as long as we enter His Kingdom. But those who will fail will face Him not as a Father but as a Judge. Those who will be cast out into the lake of fire won't be His childen any more, and He will not be their Father any more. He will ignore their names, since those names will be erased from the Book of Life, which is God's written record (literal or figurative) which includes all the names of all saved people since the creation of mankind. In Matthew 25:41 Jesus calls those people "cursed". Names unknown, just like the name of that rich man in the story of the rich man and Lazarus where Jesus didn't even bother to give us his name. No reason for that, he got lost for ever. Like those who will not finish their course in victory.
2. The parable of the 10 virgins.
Lets gather all points of interest from this parable.
Firstly all of them are virgins, which means christians. Virgins are not married people, like we are now, we are engaged to Jesus and we are waiting for our marriage. There is no way Jesus calls the sinful world virgins, people who commit all sort of sin and adultery and fornication. Can christians commit adulltery (figuratively)?.
The Same Hour
"And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven."
The Spirit gives us 'the hour' which is split into two halves. Jesus had warned of it as his earthly ministry was drawing to a close. "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come."(Matt.24:41)
The verse preceding it is referring to the earth and the heaven working simultaneously. The worlds of the earth and of the Spirit signifying lower and upper millstones grind to a halt. There is a break. It is what we read when the Lamb broke the seventh seal. "And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour."(Re.8:1) This half an hour allows the rapture of 144,000 from the earth. These are the ones who gave glory to the God of heaven. They were part of the left out church in the vision of the Woman clothed With the Sun. They stepped in place of the nation of Israel and redeemed their souls(Re.7:4-8).
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, which is associated with the fall of great Babylon. "Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." (Re.14:8) This in turn is taken up in detail in 18:21"And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." The Spirit uses the term a great millstone significance of it will not be lost to any diligent reader.
The tenth part of the city fell indicates it is part of the judgment and great tribulation, for which we shall, if God willing, take up after completing the matter of two witnesses.
Let us examine Ro.8:11
Genesis 14:18-20 state: 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God 19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
The details of the aftermath of a battle with a foreign king where Lot was rescued from captivity aren't the focus in this post; but Melchizedek apparently blessed Abraham; but Abraham gave HIM a tithe (one thenth) of what he had. Hebrews mentions Melchizedek as a type of Christ; he was Gentile of unknown ancestry but apparently a great man of God for Abraham to offer him tithes. It shows that true worship of God was indeed with other nations at least with this individual BEFORE the sacrificial system began in Israel.
God Himself says that He chose Israel (see Deut. 7:6-8). These verses explain the covenant promises and that Israel was not some great nation that would be expected to have God's blessings. His purposes are in all things. God called Abraham from the land of Ur of the Chaldees to travel to the area which would eventually be for his descendants as an inheritance in the Promised Land. ( Genesis 12). Genesis 15:10 shows the actual covenant; which occured when Abram (to be called Abraham afterwards) was in a deep sleep; reminding of us of Adam in a deep sleep. God would be patient with the nations until their iniquity was to the full; then those surrounding nations to Israel's inheritance would be conquered ( Gen. 15:16).
We see how nations would be judged once sin was to the full such as Sodom and Gomorrah; then later Nineveh. The final giant offspring of the Nephilim would be destroyed when Goliath was killed by David ( 1 Samuel 17:50). The flood would destroy many of these offspring; the rest later on ( Gen. 6:4
. "Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee."(Matt.17:27). Under another circumstance Jesus sent his disciples and the word concerning had to be fulfilled. "Then sent Jesus two disciples,/ Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me./ And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them./ All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet."(Matt.21:2-5).
Jesus cursed the fig tree for the simple reason that it could not perceive the Son of man was not under curse. God cursed the ground and not the man. When God created the earth it was intended to be inhabited. "For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else."(Is.45:18). The earth and the fulness thereof is not earmarked for the filthy dreamers and foul spirit but for the Son. So there shall come a day when He will shake them out as kind of Spring cleaning His house shaking out the dust of the vermin, -they call it' pursuit of happiness'.
We shall see the series of judgments exactly as God willed it. The two witnesses have to ascend up to heaven in a cloud. Their enemies shall certainly see it. Severe heatwave, signs in the sun and the moon plagues are all waiting to come in. "For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way."(2 The.2:7)
Part IV
: Re.11:11-13
The Spirit of Life (1 of 4)
"And they (the two witnesses) heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them."
First we shall examine what is the significance of the spirit of life. "And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet;"
Spirit of life is written with small s which distinguishes the action of the Spirit of God moving upon the face of waters. Jesus explained it, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."( John 6:63) Fulness of Jesus Christ established his word was from the Spirit of his Father in heaven. Kenosis was demonstrated that he obeyed the eternal word settled in heavens. "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."(Ro. 8:11) This is how these two witnesses were raised. It was same with Lazarus of Bethany. Death has no hold where the word of God is concerned.
"So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning."( Job 42:12) In the land of the living the daughters of Job were already present. So when he gave Job double of everything he had lost, He proved the point. There are no dead in His presence but souls of the wicked shall be consigned to oblivion only after the day of Judgment and it is left to the Son since He desires all his fulness shall dwell in him.
In short the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters giving a word-wide web. It is what we found from the Psalm quote 'the Earth and the fulness thereof' indicates. Ps.24:1-3 When Jesus was demanded of tribute money, classic example of 'other men's riches' Jesus would not soil his hands with it.
And refraine not to speake, when there is occasion to doe good, and hide not thy wisedome in her beautie.
The translation is wrong, in fact it says not to hold back the words, therefore to speak, while it is translated backwards, saying to be silent on that occasion. It's just a translation error, I hope it has the right meaning in English, so TALK and don't miss the opportunity to do so at the right time, Thank you, peace
La traduzione e' sbagliata, dice infatti di non trattenere la parole, quindi di parlare, mentre viene tradotto al contrario, dicendo di tacere in quella occasione.
E' solo un errore di traduzione, spero che in Inglese abbia il significato giusto, quindi di PARLARE e non perdere l'occasione di farlo al momento opportuno, Grazie , pace