The disciples were looking for the Messiah to set up the kingdom hereonearth. ( which is yet future)
As mentioned Isaiah 40:1-5 is one of the scriptures is why they expected this order of events.
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED, AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE IT TOGETHER: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
( This haven't happened yet. )
This concerns the restoration of Israel when Christ sits on David's Throne.
Matthew 17:11-12 "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. ( Still future. )
But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. ( John the baptist was the forerunner. He was to announce the King.) They rejected John and they rejected their King. ( John 19:15.)
During the tribulation they will be driven to seek their Messiah and he shall come. ( Matthew 23:37-39.)
In Matthew 17:11-12 Jesus pretty much says it all.
Vs 11. "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
( Meaning yet future)
Vs 12. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. ( Speaks of John the Baptist Earlier ministry)
alex1939...Hi Lollyman 7...Good question But i don't think that Jesus was refering to any man being a 2 nd Elijah...Or another John the baptist...God cannot put any trust in man...John the baptist doubted in the end sending 2 of his disciples to ask Jesus if he were the Christ or look for we for another...John doubted...And i dont judge that great man of God...But this last Elijah has to be the H.G. As Jesus said in John 16:13 When he the spirit of truth is come ( the H.G. ) he will guide you into all truth...He cannot speak of himself simply b/c he has to be born in us...He is just a spritual infant and infants cannot speak for a while...Only God the HG. can lead us into all truth Thus this 2 nd Elijah has to be the Spirit of truth...As Jesus is saying in John 16:13 that is gona lead the whole world....Reprove the whole world of sin and Righteousness and judgement...No man cd fulfill that task it wd have to be God himself...Isaiah said he looked this way and that way but he found no man thus his own arm brought him salvation etc
Fierce opposition may be something in this country that we are not normally accustomed to but one has to ask why in light of 2 Timothy 3:12-17; John 15:18-21; 2 Corinthians 11:26 etc.
Perhaps I made this statement earlier in the Psalms discussion; but we need to distinguish between unconditional love and the fact that "enemies" still exist. Romans 5:10 and apparently 29 other verses show that indeed we all are enemies of God prior to our conversion; hence all unregenerate remain in that state.
There is something to be said for the O.T. times when the mindset was more "an eye for an eye"( Exodus 21:24). In terms of today; Christ demonstrated no personal condemnation for a particular individual; but He certainly spent chapters excoriating the Pharisees and others which caused multiple attempts at His life along the constant persecution.
Again as I stated in other Psalms regarding David's multiple hiding periods from Saul he showed respect for him by preserving his life multiple times when he could have ended it; and also he mourned over his death when the Lord finally made Saul reap what he sowed. When someone tries to kill you 21 times as Saul was said to do (not to mention other enemies of his); then we can understand a desire to see justice. Christ alluded to judgment with unbelief among the places that had seen mighty works such as Matthew 11:21 (the "woe to you" term was also used with the Pharisees).
Individual judgment to come or the fate of nations is not something we should gloss over. We as watchmen are responsible to sound the alarm ( Isaiah 52:8 and other verses in Jeremiah; etc). In evangelism warning of a national fate seems to be generally disregarded as opposed to warning individuals as to the wrath to come. I can't see studying how Christ preached that it can be ignored. We can study scripture and history to see how Isaiah and Jeremiah for instance were martyred for such messages.
alex1939..Hi Lollyman 7..Good Question..But i think they are both right...Jesus was speaking in the Spiritual realm of a heavenly Elijah which is the H.G. that is gonna turn folks hearts to the Children which are spirits...Jesus said that the good seed are the Children of the Kingdom...And that which is born of the spirit is spirit which are the Children of Promise which are born in us via his good seeds...Thats y he has to know us...Our hearts need to be turned to the H.G. the Child of Promise...Jesus was still on the cross when he was calling for Elijah... Matthew 27:46...But some said he was calling for God...Which is the H.G. that heavenly Elijah that will lead us into all truth...When he that spirit of truth is come ( the H.G. ) He will lead you into all truth...
..... Zechariah 13:7...Smite the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered...The Cross ...His death..Then i will turn my hand to the little ones his Children...When a seed dies it multiplies thus his Children of Promise...Behold me and the Children the Lord has given me...Are they not for signs and wonders Which are spirits as he said that that which is born of the spirit is spirit which are his Children...Our New Heart and New spirit...Its God himself that wants to turn our hearts to the Children which is the H.G...God swore by his very self when he made that promise of multiplication...Thus the Children the H.G. that is gona be born in our hearts and minds...But all this was hid from the wise and prudent but is gona be revealed unto babes...the H.G...When that BOOK is opened that has the words of life...That he wrote with his own blood...Plz note the Kingdom does not come till the Woman is in Child birth ( the Children that are gona be born in our hearts)...Unless you receive the KINGDOM as a lil Child you will in no wise enter there in...And whosoever receiveth one such child in MY NAME receiveth me...There is a CHILD in your future which is the H.G. That Child of Promise...An Israel of God The H.G..
One of the interesting facets of the ways that God works is that He tends to buck tradition in order to work out His plans. This could be perhaps a message to the enemy (Satan) that no matter how clever his schemes the Lord has the upper hand. It also shows the folly and vanity of man about his own plans to accomplish a set goal (such as choosing the king of Israel with the story of David).
There are certain things that seem to parallel or intersect among what we may call prudent planning in a "worldly" sense and applying scripture with the same admonitions in our everyday lives and decisions and plans that we make. This is something which seems to be ignored; for instance the blessing of a marriage ( Prov. 18:22) being a cross cultural thing it applies to everyone; the same could be said for long term planning of finances. The flipside is that those who disobey such things are basically under a curse. Children are said to be a blessing from God ( Psalm 127:3-4); and those who would attempt to terminate a pregnancy (leaving aside what some would call extreme circumstances for now) would be under wrath. Thankfully any and all sins once confessed and repented of can be forgiven.
One thing our "politically correct" mindset has done is negate the importance of a work ethic. Hence; the poor and disadvantaged are generally not looked at as those who can tenaciously survive with whatever skills God has given them.
This attitude of course also affects immigrants; and in fact is clearly insulting those who have taken the time to use the proper legal means toward citizenship. The whole situation now also makes it convenient to never come to agreement to allow any increase or specific number of legal immigrants to be stipulated. Passing off money and making people dependent is at best a short time solution; and with the level of graft and waste basically is a band aid on the conscience of those giving.
I had done a commentary on this 7 months ago. In systematically studying the Psalms I am reflecting today on my own life. In assessing old habits; old hobbies and other things I realize that all things that I do now if they aren't motivated by Christ and the new life in me then they are still being desired by the old sin nature. As part of the "congregation" in verse 1 (the confessing church) I need to make sure that indeed I am working out of the possession of the Holy Spirit; as nothing can ever be improved in the old nature. Thus comes the warning about the demon leaving someone and coming back with 7 worse after there is a veneer of "cleaning house" as it were. ( Matthew 12:43-45).
Nothing is done well in isolation in our Christian walk. We need the balance of others in order to hold us accountable; exhort and encourage. Nonetheless; it is up to us to take time for personal devotionals and to heed to the voice of the Lord in regard to instruction. If we aren't listening to Him when alone then we are not likely to heed to the instruction and wisdom from above that He ministers to us through others.
There are references here to the wicked in regard to physical and spiritual (eternal) judgments (v. 6-9). Verses 10-11 show how the righteous will rejoice and "wash their feet in the blood" of the wicked (v. 10). (see also Malachi 4:3). This demonstrates that even now we should desire our own death; while still hoping for the soon Rapture/Resurrection of the saints. We need to heed the message in regard to Lot's wife and not have our hearts till turned to the world and away from the Lord. This takes daily discipline and is a struggle as long as we remain in this fleshly existence. This also demonstrates who is truly saved and who is not as there is no real love for Christ for those pretenders. May we examine our hearts today and daily. ( 2 Cor. 13:5).
I have enjoyed your posts on this subject very much thank you for them . It's an interesting subject . For me the two greatest examples of humbling in the Bible are Job and of course , our Saviour , Jesus Christ . Something not mentioned , the Romans were excellent torturers and enjoyed finding people's weaknesses and using them against their victims . They would know that nakedness was a big no no in Jewish culture and so I think that they would have made sure that all Jews were crucified naked . This might explain why many people at first stood afar away from Jesus , including his mom . Jesus is an example of both being humbled and submitting to God's humbling process . As Christians we may not always realise this but maybe , just maybe , God might use the things and people of this world to humble us . I am a person who is very very ordinary . I don't have a great job , I'm not handsome or rich or clever or creative . I don't have many of the things that people , Christians and non Christians have and maybe take for granted every day . As a child I was humbled from a young age by my parents . Non of this bothers me one bit . I take it all as God moulding me into who He wants me to be . He is righteous , He knows what kind of chastening I need and I glory in it . It is an expression of His love and care for me .He will make me His forever . I can do nothing to save myself or make myself acceptable to Him . Submission . It's the key , for me at least .
Hi Lollyman7. There are several Scriptures that speak of this 'coming of Elijah'. Those which you quoted: John 1:19-28 and Matthew 11:14. You can also see this in the earlier prophecy of Elijah, found in Malachi 4:5,6, & then we see Elijah with the Lord & Moses in Matthew 17:1-8, with the answer to this dilemma found in Luke 1:13-17. And to quote this in part: "And he (John) shall go before him (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elias (Elijah), to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
So, as we consider these Scriptures in entirety, we should conclude that John the Baptist wasn't the physical Elijah who was earlier translated instead of dying & then in those days appeared with the Lord Jesus. But John was the one selected & prepared of God to receive the same spirit that was found in Elijah to speak to the people with prophetical authority & drive & to be the "voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias (Isaiah)." ( Isaiah 40:3). So, John the Baptist could never say that he was a resurrected Elijah, whom the leaders were expecting, but his message & authority came with the same strength & prophetical voice as that of Elijah.
Hello Dorothy. From what you've written, I would say, No. Demon possession will always show clear manifestations & would generally happen if one relinquinshes one's mind & body to such evil powers. I don't have much knowledge or experience with this, apart from a couple of instances of what seemed to be a demonic possession, and in both cases, there were outward manifestations.
Observances of a type of schizophrenia behavior, mutterings, body-shaking, violent actions, vile or blasphemous language, would be indications of such possession. And those who do not belong to Christ, or allow themselves to drift away from Him (backslide), & turn to activities that are clearly demonic, open themselves up to this evil & its oppressions.
But if one has grown lukewarm in their faith & not given priority to matters of Bible reading, prayer, & Christian fellowship, he/she will need to take stock of their present condition. If they realize that this is the case, I would see here the first steps to sorrow & repentance for their departure & maybe denial of Christ. 2 Corinthians 7:10 reads, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." When there is a true (godly) sorrow in the heart for the life lived apart from Jesus, that leads to true repentance leading to salvation. But the 'remorse' that the ungodly world might feel yet without repentance, will never give them forgiveness & eternal life. Judas Iscariot was one such when he betrayed his Lord, when Satan filled his heart to do what he did. But if one has back-slid & there being no evidence of evil manifestations, except for a life unworthy of the Lord's Love, I don't believe that demon possession would be evident. By turning heart, mind & body over to the Lord, all evil forces will scatter - this soul has been redeemed, saved & secured by the all-powerful Blood of the Lamb of God. Nothing nor anyone can withstand that.
Thank you for your reply. To answer your question, I will just say that if you see no difference in who's doing the humbling, whether it be yourself, or God, it's not my intent to convince you otherwise.
I do believe there is a difference. I think we would both agree that humbleness is a good quality? We both agree that we can humble ourselves, meaning our flesh is humbling itself, and that God can also humble us.
The only place I think we differ on is there being a difference between who's doing the humbling.
Here's why I see a difference, and please know that I am not trying to change your mind if you see no difference. I am just going to apply this to myself.
If I'm humbling myself, that means my flesh is doing the humbling. God will not reward me for anything I do in the flesh. Now, if I submit myself to His humbling process, I believe He will recognize that and reward that. Besides, My flesh will never humble itself before the Lord. I can humanly in the flesh humble myself towards other people but not towards God.
If I'm humble towards God, it is only because He has humbled me, and in my spirit, I submitted to His humbling.
In my original post, I mentioned 1 Peter 5:6 and gave the literal translation. Our English Bible says humble yourself, but it is literally "be humbled."
I mentioned it was in the passive, and I believe you responded and said it was not passive. We'll, I took another look at the Greek Text (Textus Receptus), and the word used is Tapeinothete, and it is aorist tense, passive voice, imperative mood, second person, plural, meaning it is God doing the humbling, with us being the recipient.
It's not telling us to humble ourselves, but to be humble (God doing the humbling).
In your example of the prodigal son, if we choose to go our own way and come back to the Lord humbled, we come back because of the conviction that God puts on our heart, and it's that conviction which causes us to be humbled by God.
and the ones who removed the carcasses are to wash themselves and his clothes and put on clean clothes before returning to the tabernacle that evening.
This ceremony was done on the 10th day of Tishri every year in perpetuity in order to atone for the sins of the people for the preceding year.
Yom Kippur is the Holy Day that typifies Christ so vividly. Not only is Jesus the High Priest that entered the Holy Place to make atonement upon the mercy seat of heaven, but it was His blood that was sprinkled on the heavenly mercy seat, and this was done once and for all, doing away with the rites mentioned in this chapter. And also, Jesus remains in the Holy of Holies in heaven to every intercede for us.
On the cross, Jesus was the bull offered for Himself, who became sin for us, and the goat who was offered for the sins of the whole world, and the scapegoat, who took our sins from us and put them away in a far place never to return to us. In Jesus all that was required of God to expiate, propitiate, atone, forgive, remove, and cleanse us from our sins, sinfulness, transgressions and impureness before God. He took the wrath of God for us. He died for us, In the tomb He the sins of the world were released from Him and left in the grave. In the resurrection He justified us making us alive to God and presenting us to God in His righteousness. In all of this, along with His sinless perfect human life and perfect eternal all sufficient divine life He broke the curse of sin on all of mankind and opened the way to paradise and eternal life eternally.
Those who believe this is true indeed receive all of the merits, promises, and treasures of the work of Christ in His incarnation. Those who refuse to believe this is all true cannot have these things appropriated to themselves and will die in their sins and spend eternity in hell. So sad for them. Yet so overjoyed for the elect of God in Christ! The salvation of God is immeasurable and completely sufficient!
Considering that the deaths of his sons Nadab and Abihu are mentioned in verse 1, drives home this point of not adding to or substituting anything not proscribed by YHWH in this service. Nothing was mentioned about tying a rope to the ankle of the priest and Him having bells on the bottom hem of his garment for the purpose of determining if he survived this rite in the Holy of Holies. So, I do not know when this was included nor if it was taught by YHWH or not.
After performing the atoning rites for himself, the High Priest then exits the Holy of Holies and 2 goats are brought to him. having previously cast lots as to which one would be killed for an offering for sin and which one would be the scapegoat to run off into the wilderness with the sins of the people imputed on it. The High Priest will be present the two goats before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle, not inside it, first the one to be sacrificed. He will slay it and place it on the altar on top of the bull. He will then take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat anoint the horns on the altar of sacrifice and, thus cleansing it from the impureness and sin of the people who brought their sinfulness to be atoned for. Next, Aaron took the live goat and placed both hands upon its head and recited all of the sins of all the people over it. That must have been a lengthy list and most likely took a long time. Then the designated person would carry the goat out into the wilderness and released to run away with the sins of the whole nation upon it.
Next, Aaron will return the tabernacle of meeting, remove the linen clothing, bathe, and put back on the High Priestly garments, and come out to the tabernacle and offer the burnt offering for himself and another for the people. The carcasses of the bull and the goat shall be taken outside the camp, not burned on the altar, but burned outside the camp. Both the one who released the scapegoat ....cont.
This chapter returns to the topic of the duties of the High Priest. In this chapter, YHWH gives instructions that institute the holy day of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement that is but once a year on the 10th day of Tishri, (Sept-Oct.) the 7th month from the beginning of the religious year (Nissan).
This is a Most Holy Day, indicating it to be day that God determines is of most importance for the Israelites. This day is for the covering of the sins of the people. It is preceded by 10 days of repentant pray a and fasting. On this day the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies Pries bring the blood of the sin sacrifices, a bowl of coals from the altar of sacrifice, and a handful of incense finely ground for use in approaching YHWH there on behalf of the whole nation of Israel. Only the High Priest can do this rite. It is done only once a year and all the other days of the year, no one can enter the Holy of Holies.
The offerings are a bull offered for the sins of the high priest. This is done first, for he is the one who presents Himself before God and needs to have his sins atoned for before the sins of the people can be atoned for. The High Priest must fully wash himself before entering the Holy of Holies. He is not to wear his entire priestly attire when bringing the blood of the bull for himself of the LORD, coming not as the High Priest, but as a penitent needing and seeking mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, he dresses in a simple linen robe. His sins must be atoned for first sin no sin can be brought into the presence of YHWH. After slaying the bull, he is to take a bowl of live coals from the brazen altar along with blood from the bull. the coals would be smoldering and giving off smoke. He also brought a handful of incense. He enters the Holy of Holies and sprinkles the blood upon the altar 7 times. It does not say that he is to say anything. This is a very solemn rite of service ordained by God. So, he would not dare add anything else
There is a sister (a really good sister) in Christ here that when the covid pandemic started she believed all those conspiracy theories and didn't go to get the jabs. Her right to do what she believed right for her to do. But what she was also doing was talking to others and persuading them not getting the jab. A lot of people believed her and followed her, believers that is. The elders of the church talked to her repeatedly, but she wouldn't listen and still kept affecting people. When we wish to hear God's voice we should often listen to the people that God has annointed in the church for this job, so it was actually God telling her to stop doing that, she was getting his other children into a deadly situation. Well, she wouldn't listen. Until she got the virus herself. In the hospital she found herself a small step before death. But God showed mercy to her and she didn't die. After a long time she came out of the hospital but almost 2 years later on she still has some problems with her lungs, also kinetic problems. After she escaped death she changed her mind and started talking and affecting believers to definetely go and get the jabs. So was it good that God was complelled to humble her or it would have been better if she listened in the first place and avoid all that trouble?
I understand reading and learning the intire Bible, I DO, yet...once Jesus died for our sins & resurrected we live by Paul's Epistles. This screwed up world needs us NOW..Christ appointed Paul to teach everyone(Jews & Gentiles) the new way..Romans thru Philemons.! Making life way more simple & so much easier to follow. Which is:..to Love God w/all your heart, mind & souls and your neighbor as yourself.! IF we can do this we will not want to (or have to) argue about who said what, why they twist things in the bible causing anyone to judge, lie, steal, cheat/cause anyone any harm in anyway. Living by Faith thru God's Grace. Jesus said and ment His last 3 words..."IT IS FINISHED".!! We can not grow as Christians in life helping other if we continue to live in a part of history that does not pertain to us any longer. Believe in & follow Jesus NOT all the junk on an electronic device that's keeping us from being more like Him (not life before His birth) if you really want to get to heaven.! Seriously ppl..I only say this because we are to Love all just not their sin & in doing so spread His word & our helping hand. Who's with me???
Isiah though indeed a true prophet of God changed considerably when in " the year king huziah died he saw the Lord high and lifted up and his train filled the temple"
For when he saw the Lord he saw also himself and in the light of the Lord said " woe is me for I am undone .."
Many claim to see the Lord or have visions but are not changed for the better but rather only boast in their visions and revelations .Isiah felt unclean unholy and unfit " a man of unclean lips "
Who needed a burning coal from off the altar to cleanse them . The lips are very tender think on that.
He confessed his sin ,was contrite and only then commissioned .
His messages after that radically changed .
You cannot be sent by God unless you have been to or encountered God .
For you no longer go in your own name but in the name who sent you .
Not to do your will but the will of Him who sent you .
This is not self appointed nor is it imposed .
For how can the list be saved? Unless they hear the message? And how will they hear the message unless it is preached?
Who then will go for us?
Confession ,contrition commission .
"Send me "
"Go in this Thy might "" you might say .
I came not to do my will but the will of Hom that sent me".
He that seeks his own glory is unrighteous but he that seeks the glory of him that sent him.."
So happy to hear of your good health and that your sister is being healed from cancer. All praise to our Lord and God!
I concur with Brother Chris.
The disciples were looking for the Messiah to set up the kingdom hereonearth. ( which is yet future)
As mentioned Isaiah 40:1-5 is one of the scriptures is why they expected this order of events.
"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.
Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.
The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED, AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE IT TOGETHER: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
( This haven't happened yet. )
This concerns the restoration of Israel when Christ sits on David's Throne.
Matthew 17:11-12 "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. ( Still future. )
But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. ( John the baptist was the forerunner. He was to announce the King.) They rejected John and they rejected their King. ( John 19:15.)
During the tribulation they will be driven to seek their Messiah and he shall come. ( Matthew 23:37-39.)
God bless.
In Matthew 17:11-12 Jesus pretty much says it all.
Vs 11. "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.
( Meaning yet future)
Vs 12. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. ( Speaks of John the Baptist Earlier ministry)
God bless.
.....Thats all i had to say thank you lollyman 7
Fierce opposition may be something in this country that we are not normally accustomed to but one has to ask why in light of 2 Timothy 3:12-17; John 15:18-21; 2 Corinthians 11:26 etc.
Perhaps I made this statement earlier in the Psalms discussion; but we need to distinguish between unconditional love and the fact that "enemies" still exist. Romans 5:10 and apparently 29 other verses show that indeed we all are enemies of God prior to our conversion; hence all unregenerate remain in that state.
There is something to be said for the O.T. times when the mindset was more "an eye for an eye"( Exodus 21:24). In terms of today; Christ demonstrated no personal condemnation for a particular individual; but He certainly spent chapters excoriating the Pharisees and others which caused multiple attempts at His life along the constant persecution.
Again as I stated in other Psalms regarding David's multiple hiding periods from Saul he showed respect for him by preserving his life multiple times when he could have ended it; and also he mourned over his death when the Lord finally made Saul reap what he sowed. When someone tries to kill you 21 times as Saul was said to do (not to mention other enemies of his); then we can understand a desire to see justice. Christ alluded to judgment with unbelief among the places that had seen mighty works such as Matthew 11:21 (the "woe to you" term was also used with the Pharisees).
Individual judgment to come or the fate of nations is not something we should gloss over. We as watchmen are responsible to sound the alarm ( Isaiah 52:8 and other verses in Jeremiah; etc). In evangelism warning of a national fate seems to be generally disregarded as opposed to warning individuals as to the wrath to come. I can't see studying how Christ preached that it can be ignored. We can study scripture and history to see how Isaiah and Jeremiah for instance were martyred for such messages.
Let us preach truth in love.
..... Zechariah 13:7...Smite the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered...The Cross ...His death..Then i will turn my hand to the little ones his Children...When a seed dies it multiplies thus his Children of Promise...Behold me and the Children the Lord has given me...Are they not for signs and wonders Which are spirits as he said that that which is born of the spirit is spirit which are his Children...Our New Heart and New spirit...Its God himself that wants to turn our hearts to the Children which is the H.G...God swore by his very self when he made that promise of multiplication...Thus the Children the H.G. that is gona be born in our hearts and minds...But all this was hid from the wise and prudent but is gona be revealed unto babes...the H.G...When that BOOK is opened that has the words of life...That he wrote with his own blood...Plz note the Kingdom does not come till the Woman is in Child birth ( the Children that are gona be born in our hearts)...Unless you receive the KINGDOM as a lil Child you will in no wise enter there in...And whosoever receiveth one such child in MY NAME receiveth me...There is a CHILD in your future which is the H.G. That Child of Promise...An Israel of God The H.G..
One of the interesting facets of the ways that God works is that He tends to buck tradition in order to work out His plans. This could be perhaps a message to the enemy (Satan) that no matter how clever his schemes the Lord has the upper hand. It also shows the folly and vanity of man about his own plans to accomplish a set goal (such as choosing the king of Israel with the story of David).
There are certain things that seem to parallel or intersect among what we may call prudent planning in a "worldly" sense and applying scripture with the same admonitions in our everyday lives and decisions and plans that we make. This is something which seems to be ignored; for instance the blessing of a marriage ( Prov. 18:22) being a cross cultural thing it applies to everyone; the same could be said for long term planning of finances. The flipside is that those who disobey such things are basically under a curse. Children are said to be a blessing from God ( Psalm 127:3-4); and those who would attempt to terminate a pregnancy (leaving aside what some would call extreme circumstances for now) would be under wrath. Thankfully any and all sins once confessed and repented of can be forgiven.
One thing our "politically correct" mindset has done is negate the importance of a work ethic. Hence; the poor and disadvantaged are generally not looked at as those who can tenaciously survive with whatever skills God has given them.
This attitude of course also affects immigrants; and in fact is clearly insulting those who have taken the time to use the proper legal means toward citizenship. The whole situation now also makes it convenient to never come to agreement to allow any increase or specific number of legal immigrants to be stipulated. Passing off money and making people dependent is at best a short time solution; and with the level of graft and waste basically is a band aid on the conscience of those giving.
Let us not be double minded.
I had done a commentary on this 7 months ago. In systematically studying the Psalms I am reflecting today on my own life. In assessing old habits; old hobbies and other things I realize that all things that I do now if they aren't motivated by Christ and the new life in me then they are still being desired by the old sin nature. As part of the "congregation" in verse 1 (the confessing church) I need to make sure that indeed I am working out of the possession of the Holy Spirit; as nothing can ever be improved in the old nature. Thus comes the warning about the demon leaving someone and coming back with 7 worse after there is a veneer of "cleaning house" as it were. ( Matthew 12:43-45).
Nothing is done well in isolation in our Christian walk. We need the balance of others in order to hold us accountable; exhort and encourage. Nonetheless; it is up to us to take time for personal devotionals and to heed to the voice of the Lord in regard to instruction. If we aren't listening to Him when alone then we are not likely to heed to the instruction and wisdom from above that He ministers to us through others.
There are references here to the wicked in regard to physical and spiritual (eternal) judgments (v. 6-9). Verses 10-11 show how the righteous will rejoice and "wash their feet in the blood" of the wicked (v. 10). (see also Malachi 4:3). This demonstrates that even now we should desire our own death; while still hoping for the soon Rapture/Resurrection of the saints. We need to heed the message in regard to Lot's wife and not have our hearts till turned to the world and away from the Lord. This takes daily discipline and is a struggle as long as we remain in this fleshly existence. This also demonstrates who is truly saved and who is not as there is no real love for Christ for those pretenders. May we examine our hearts today and daily. ( 2 Cor. 13:5).
So, as we consider these Scriptures in entirety, we should conclude that John the Baptist wasn't the physical Elijah who was earlier translated instead of dying & then in those days appeared with the Lord Jesus. But John was the one selected & prepared of God to receive the same spirit that was found in Elijah to speak to the people with prophetical authority & drive & to be the "voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias (Isaiah)." ( Isaiah 40:3). So, John the Baptist could never say that he was a resurrected Elijah, whom the leaders were expecting, but his message & authority came with the same strength & prophetical voice as that of Elijah.
This verse encourages me to seek and save lost by working miracles.
Amen
Observances of a type of schizophrenia behavior, mutterings, body-shaking, violent actions, vile or blasphemous language, would be indications of such possession. And those who do not belong to Christ, or allow themselves to drift away from Him (backslide), & turn to activities that are clearly demonic, open themselves up to this evil & its oppressions.
But if one has grown lukewarm in their faith & not given priority to matters of Bible reading, prayer, & Christian fellowship, he/she will need to take stock of their present condition. If they realize that this is the case, I would see here the first steps to sorrow & repentance for their departure & maybe denial of Christ. 2 Corinthians 7:10 reads, "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." When there is a true (godly) sorrow in the heart for the life lived apart from Jesus, that leads to true repentance leading to salvation. But the 'remorse' that the ungodly world might feel yet without repentance, will never give them forgiveness & eternal life. Judas Iscariot was one such when he betrayed his Lord, when Satan filled his heart to do what he did. But if one has back-slid & there being no evidence of evil manifestations, except for a life unworthy of the Lord's Love, I don't believe that demon possession would be evident. By turning heart, mind & body over to the Lord, all evil forces will scatter - this soul has been redeemed, saved & secured by the all-powerful Blood of the Lamb of God. Nothing nor anyone can withstand that.
Thank you for your reply. To answer your question, I will just say that if you see no difference in who's doing the humbling, whether it be yourself, or God, it's not my intent to convince you otherwise.
I do believe there is a difference. I think we would both agree that humbleness is a good quality? We both agree that we can humble ourselves, meaning our flesh is humbling itself, and that God can also humble us.
The only place I think we differ on is there being a difference between who's doing the humbling.
Here's why I see a difference, and please know that I am not trying to change your mind if you see no difference. I am just going to apply this to myself.
If I'm humbling myself, that means my flesh is doing the humbling. God will not reward me for anything I do in the flesh. Now, if I submit myself to His humbling process, I believe He will recognize that and reward that. Besides, My flesh will never humble itself before the Lord. I can humanly in the flesh humble myself towards other people but not towards God.
If I'm humble towards God, it is only because He has humbled me, and in my spirit, I submitted to His humbling.
In my original post, I mentioned 1 Peter 5:6 and gave the literal translation. Our English Bible says humble yourself, but it is literally "be humbled."
I mentioned it was in the passive, and I believe you responded and said it was not passive. We'll, I took another look at the Greek Text (Textus Receptus), and the word used is Tapeinothete, and it is aorist tense, passive voice, imperative mood, second person, plural, meaning it is God doing the humbling, with us being the recipient.
It's not telling us to humble ourselves, but to be humble (God doing the humbling).
In your example of the prodigal son, if we choose to go our own way and come back to the Lord humbled, we come back because of the conviction that God puts on our heart, and it's that conviction which causes us to be humbled by God.
and the ones who removed the carcasses are to wash themselves and his clothes and put on clean clothes before returning to the tabernacle that evening.
This ceremony was done on the 10th day of Tishri every year in perpetuity in order to atone for the sins of the people for the preceding year.
Yom Kippur is the Holy Day that typifies Christ so vividly. Not only is Jesus the High Priest that entered the Holy Place to make atonement upon the mercy seat of heaven, but it was His blood that was sprinkled on the heavenly mercy seat, and this was done once and for all, doing away with the rites mentioned in this chapter. And also, Jesus remains in the Holy of Holies in heaven to every intercede for us.
On the cross, Jesus was the bull offered for Himself, who became sin for us, and the goat who was offered for the sins of the whole world, and the scapegoat, who took our sins from us and put them away in a far place never to return to us. In Jesus all that was required of God to expiate, propitiate, atone, forgive, remove, and cleanse us from our sins, sinfulness, transgressions and impureness before God. He took the wrath of God for us. He died for us, In the tomb He the sins of the world were released from Him and left in the grave. In the resurrection He justified us making us alive to God and presenting us to God in His righteousness. In all of this, along with His sinless perfect human life and perfect eternal all sufficient divine life He broke the curse of sin on all of mankind and opened the way to paradise and eternal life eternally.
Those who believe this is true indeed receive all of the merits, promises, and treasures of the work of Christ in His incarnation. Those who refuse to believe this is all true cannot have these things appropriated to themselves and will die in their sins and spend eternity in hell. So sad for them. Yet so overjoyed for the elect of God in Christ! The salvation of God is immeasurable and completely sufficient!
Considering that the deaths of his sons Nadab and Abihu are mentioned in verse 1, drives home this point of not adding to or substituting anything not proscribed by YHWH in this service. Nothing was mentioned about tying a rope to the ankle of the priest and Him having bells on the bottom hem of his garment for the purpose of determining if he survived this rite in the Holy of Holies. So, I do not know when this was included nor if it was taught by YHWH or not.
After performing the atoning rites for himself, the High Priest then exits the Holy of Holies and 2 goats are brought to him. having previously cast lots as to which one would be killed for an offering for sin and which one would be the scapegoat to run off into the wilderness with the sins of the people imputed on it. The High Priest will be present the two goats before the Lord at the door of the tabernacle, not inside it, first the one to be sacrificed. He will slay it and place it on the altar on top of the bull. He will then take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat anoint the horns on the altar of sacrifice and, thus cleansing it from the impureness and sin of the people who brought their sinfulness to be atoned for. Next, Aaron took the live goat and placed both hands upon its head and recited all of the sins of all the people over it. That must have been a lengthy list and most likely took a long time. Then the designated person would carry the goat out into the wilderness and released to run away with the sins of the whole nation upon it.
Next, Aaron will return the tabernacle of meeting, remove the linen clothing, bathe, and put back on the High Priestly garments, and come out to the tabernacle and offer the burnt offering for himself and another for the people. The carcasses of the bull and the goat shall be taken outside the camp, not burned on the altar, but burned outside the camp. Both the one who released the scapegoat ....cont.
This chapter returns to the topic of the duties of the High Priest. In this chapter, YHWH gives instructions that institute the holy day of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement that is but once a year on the 10th day of Tishri, (Sept-Oct.) the 7th month from the beginning of the religious year (Nissan).
This is a Most Holy Day, indicating it to be day that God determines is of most importance for the Israelites. This day is for the covering of the sins of the people. It is preceded by 10 days of repentant pray a and fasting. On this day the High Priest enters the Holy of Holies Pries bring the blood of the sin sacrifices, a bowl of coals from the altar of sacrifice, and a handful of incense finely ground for use in approaching YHWH there on behalf of the whole nation of Israel. Only the High Priest can do this rite. It is done only once a year and all the other days of the year, no one can enter the Holy of Holies.
The offerings are a bull offered for the sins of the high priest. This is done first, for he is the one who presents Himself before God and needs to have his sins atoned for before the sins of the people can be atoned for. The High Priest must fully wash himself before entering the Holy of Holies. He is not to wear his entire priestly attire when bringing the blood of the bull for himself of the LORD, coming not as the High Priest, but as a penitent needing and seeking mercy and forgiveness. Therefore, he dresses in a simple linen robe. His sins must be atoned for first sin no sin can be brought into the presence of YHWH. After slaying the bull, he is to take a bowl of live coals from the brazen altar along with blood from the bull. the coals would be smoldering and giving off smoke. He also brought a handful of incense. He enters the Holy of Holies and sprinkles the blood upon the altar 7 times. It does not say that he is to say anything. This is a very solemn rite of service ordained by God. So, he would not dare add anything else
is Elijah (or the Prophet or the Christ). Yet in Matthew 11:14, Jesus says that John the Baptist
is the "Elijah who is to come," Who was right?
please pray for me as i go though a tough stage in life. Thank you for your prayers.
with love everlasting,
Janet Hillsburo
Third and final part. A true story.
There is a sister (a really good sister) in Christ here that when the covid pandemic started she believed all those conspiracy theories and didn't go to get the jabs. Her right to do what she believed right for her to do. But what she was also doing was talking to others and persuading them not getting the jab. A lot of people believed her and followed her, believers that is. The elders of the church talked to her repeatedly, but she wouldn't listen and still kept affecting people. When we wish to hear God's voice we should often listen to the people that God has annointed in the church for this job, so it was actually God telling her to stop doing that, she was getting his other children into a deadly situation. Well, she wouldn't listen. Until she got the virus herself. In the hospital she found herself a small step before death. But God showed mercy to her and she didn't die. After a long time she came out of the hospital but almost 2 years later on she still has some problems with her lungs, also kinetic problems. After she escaped death she changed her mind and started talking and affecting believers to definetely go and get the jabs. So was it good that God was complelled to humble her or it would have been better if she listened in the first place and avoid all that trouble?
For when he saw the Lord he saw also himself and in the light of the Lord said " woe is me for I am undone .."
Many claim to see the Lord or have visions but are not changed for the better but rather only boast in their visions and revelations .Isiah felt unclean unholy and unfit " a man of unclean lips "
Who needed a burning coal from off the altar to cleanse them . The lips are very tender think on that.
He confessed his sin ,was contrite and only then commissioned .
His messages after that radically changed .
You cannot be sent by God unless you have been to or encountered God .
For you no longer go in your own name but in the name who sent you .
Not to do your will but the will of Him who sent you .
This is not self appointed nor is it imposed .
For how can the list be saved? Unless they hear the message? And how will they hear the message unless it is preached?
Who then will go for us?
Confession ,contrition commission .
"Send me "
"Go in this Thy might "" you might say .
I came not to do my will but the will of Hom that sent me".
He that seeks his own glory is unrighteous but he that seeks the glory of him that sent him.."