Q:Jesus asked 'who is my mother" while his biological mother was nearby? Was he quibbling?
A: Far from it. Consider the context in which Jesus asked the question. In the Gospel of St Matthew we read thus:"Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee."(Matt.12:38) The sign in its simplest terms is fulfilment of the word of God. Prophet Isaiah gave the birth of Jesus as a sign. Thus the Advent of Jesus Christ is fulfilment of the word of God. This verysound as St Paul writes to the church in Rome, "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."(Ro.10:18). Those who still demanded of a sign from him proved that they were unteachable. They heard and yet they did not hear by ear of faith and it was as the seed that fell by the wayside. Jesus by asking the question was challenging them to ponder well where the fault lay.
Isaiah speaks of the futility of questions. "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?"(Is.45:9)
The Spirit asked Ezekiel with regards to the valley of Dry Bones,"And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live?"(Ez.37:3). Prophet prophesied as commanded of him. "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army."(37:10) What happened to this army? Nothing. Asking questions does not necessarily get answers where faith is wanting.
Q:"God asking Prophet,Can these bones live?' It seems that he sets the question in terms of the creation of Eve. So what is missing here?"
A:
God intended the whole house of Israel with the vision. (Ez.37:11) In the creation Eve is designated as the Mother of all living. When Adam claims her "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." We have them "after our image and after our likeness." This association is no where seen in the vision. It is an open valley. The Spirit with the question throws back the ball at him as the watchman for the nation? Where is Christ whose house are we? What shall be our answer?
Can two walk together unless agreed upon. Amos 3:3.
The house chose her course."But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me."(Ps.81:11)
My situation likely will necessitate me to relocate; sooner rather than later. I won't get into details except to say that things are underway in getting my parents the help they need and it is becoming clear that I cannot continue to remain living peaceably in this house. I have been forced due to my mom's health in particular to seek help against her wishes and it is an on again and off again war zone and heading to a worse situation as time goes on. In the short term I am praying to get a new home health care aide as this person has some serious problems and apparently was institutionalized in the past.
Of course as with all situations not knowing the Lord brings about the destruction of us all. Ultimately it is for their spiritual state that I am most concerned and they have the resources to get further help; as it is there is some assistance daily but it could be 7 days a week up to full days covered on their insurance which should clear any day now to cover their current help. My mom once again is thinking of a nursing home; although the impetus was a fall which she had tonight where she was miraculously delivered from any injury but I was forced against her wishes to get an ambulance and of course they had to respect her wishes and refusal with a waiver not to get medical treatment. In her state she is NOT fit to continue remaining in this residence and my dad ideally could move with her into the facility in question that has a separate place for memory care; although I could find some way to take care of him myself and or have an aide. I may have to force the issue with a social worker at some point but it isn't recommended.
I hope to have some way to continue on this site if wherever I were to stay has WIFI. No doubt my time constraints working more hours to make ends meet would affect my free time. Prayer is appreciated for God's will to be done whatever I end up doing.
One sure thing it means is whoever receives it their reward will be the lake of fire. There are many speculations on the mark and the number 666. Some say it was about Nero the Hebrew name for him numerically adds to 666, some say it will be a Pope whose title is Vicarious Filii Dei, meaning Vicar of the Son of God this in Latin numerically adds up to 666, and others.
If we are here, we will know exactly what it is and those who take it will do it willingly, there are things God has not revealed. A smaller but similar picture of what is to come has happened in the past. Decius/Decian persecution in 250 AD, a decree that Christians had to prove their loyalty to paganism and the emperor, ordered those sacrifices to idols be performed in the presence of a Roman magistrate. It was a signed and witnessed certificate issued not a mark.
Many Christians were put to death for refusing to perform the sacrifices, and many others apostatized/falling away and performed the ceremonies thinking they could still be a Christian in secret. Others went into hiding. The Decian persecution was the severest on Christians at that time and the loss suffered by the apostasy/falling away. What is coming will be much more severe and worldwide.
When the beast rises, we will know but until then there are a plethora of suggestions and guesses without a true answer. We just need to be strong in our faith, ready even if we face death, Revelation 2:11.
Personally, I think the number refers to Satan's version of the trinity. As you may know, there are many books out there adding up people's names, putting numerical equivalence to alphabet numbers, and adding up people's names to be six hundred and sixty-six. This has been going on for a long time. People adding up name and saying so and so could be the antichrist.
Everything I've studied in Revelation Chapter 13 is telling me that there is Satan's trinity (if you would). The dragon, the antichrist, and the false prophet are the shadows of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Now if you notice, and this is how I understand this portion of Revelation, it says "Let him that understands count the number of the beast. And notice this: For it is the number of man, not "a man," not "the man," just man. Our English bible says, "a man," but it is just man in the Greek text.
Here's what I see:
Adam was created on the sixth day. Six is the number that is one less than perfection or completeness. So, all the way through scripture it was the number of man. Man was created by God, but he falls short of completeness because he's a sinner. He says for it is the number of man; and his number is 666, not six hundred and sixty-six. You see, it's the number six three times. It's the number of man, and each six stands for one of the three in Satan's trinity. It doesn't add up to six hundred and sixty-six. It's six three times!
And that's the number that a person must take to function in the one world government that's about to come to pass here on the earth.
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
COME LORD JESUS
27But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
And that is what God says. Jesus says, "Lord, put that on my account."
I ask you a question. Are you going to Heaven? Don't come and say you joined the church. That won't do it. Don't you say you're a Baptist or a Presbyterian or a Lutheran or a Catholic. That won't do it. Don't even say you're a Baptist. That won't do it. You've got to get born again.
I'll come back to where I started and I'll close. Does the Lord mark your sins down or not? Have you been born again? Blessed are you. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute unrighteousness. Now you say, "Well, good. When that thing goes down tonight, I'm going to let him have it because the Lord won't charge it to me." You won't say that because when you got saved, God gave you a new nature. The old nature is going to say, "Let him have it." But the new nature is going to say, "you should not have done it." Don't you see?
The question is, have you been born again? Have you been born again? Have you been born again? Have you, in faith, trusted? If you could ever stop-it would get you a long ways toward Heaven. There's no good deed that can please God because the righteous acts we commit are tainted by unholy, selfish motives at best. People say, "Isn't she a good lady? Isn't he a good man?" Why, of course not.
The good we do is tainted by selfishness. The best we do is filthy rags. The best person here tonight and the best he does is as rotten as dirty corruption rags that a leper has for his sores. That's why you can't get to Heaven because you're good. Even your good is tainted with bad. When your righteousness is tainted with sin, that's why all you can do is throw yourself at His mercy and say, "I'm a sinner. My good is even bad."
"Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner and save me." That's the difference. Have you been born again? Now you'll never hear it any plainer than you've heard it tonight. You never will. You may hear it as plain and a lot of you are stunned, still. The difference is not goodness or badness but imputation or not imputation. Charging the sins to your record or not charging the sins to your record.
When I sin, it is charged to the record of Jesus Christ. The Apostle wrote in Philemon and said, "When the slave comes back home if he has wronged you at all, put it on my account." And that is what God says. Jesus says,
Q: "It seems the writing within and on the backside sealed with seven seals explain the Law. Is it not how we read He.10:1?
A: Yes indeed. The Law within and without as world unseen and world made to appear is Word based. Jesus as the Law figuratively set appears in fulness of time as fulfilment of the Law. He declared that he came to fulfil them. (Matt.5:17). Jesus as the Word made flesh is not merely the Law of the Spirit but creating a spiritual body the glory of which is as the body God had prepared beforehand. For example 'A body hast thou me prepared' is slain Lamb before the foundation of the world.(Re.13:8). This is the writing within. The same body as presented is the throne of God and of the Lamb. Glory of this is the Light of the Lamb which included his body, the church as well. (Re.21:23)
Emblem of Zion is founded that is the writing within. The first fruits accordingly are preserved for adoption as seven stars in the right hand of Christ. When he is sent as the Word become flesh is a stone of stumbling for those who have no place for the Word in their hearts. Those who received word and kept his testimony and commandments shall be delivered as a remnant. They are "he remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."(Re.12:17) The rock of offence characterises the earthly Jerusalem while heavenly Jerusalem which is 'the mother of us all' is same as Zion. " for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar." This is also part of what is written within and on the backside.
"The book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals." Breaking each seal consequently bears comparison one with the other.
Revelations 13:18 Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.fn His number is 666
Q:It is plain that as with the seven stars the book with seven seals is in the right hand. Does it mean each of the multiple sevens in heaven are addressed to the seven churches on the earth?
A: Yes. The Law has already set in motion and the set number are preserved as first fruits while the problem is how to equip the seven churches remaining on the earth from harm's way. With the man child being caught up to the throne (Re.12:6), for understanding the events bearing upon the woman left out in the wilderness the vision of Ezekiel beginning with chapter 47serves a rich source to place history of the mingled people. From the messages to the seven churches it is evident that they are the mingled people yet to coalesce into distinct groups. Christ's warning to the church at Ephesus is timely so he warns, 'Remember, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly' .Thus with all seven churches. There are Jews ("and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan", proselytes and Christians. Before the onsetting of great tribulation they were to set right their lives and make the election sure. The 144,000 seen with the Lamb on mount Sion is same as what the seven stars signify. The Law of the Spirit presents them as reserved for adoption and it is in heaven. "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:/ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.(Ep.1:3-4)
From the above it is clear that 12x12x1000 is not a numerical value but the body of saints redeemed from the earth. A remnant shall be added to them And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name"(Re.15:2)
Does it merely CONTAIN the Word of God? Or, in the original Hebrew and Greek, is it truly God's Word; that is EVERY WORD EVERY VERSE is truly God breathed from the mind and mouth of God?
We read in Jeremiah 36:1-4 an example of how God wrote the Bible:
1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.
2 Peter1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Could this be any clearer?
God is the Author of the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation. And every word, every phrase, in the original languages, is exactly the word and phrase that God chose to use.
The Bible is truly the very Word of God Himself from the mind and mouth of God Himself.
I hope you don't mind I do enjoy reading your posts they inspire study, if I could maybe look deeper into a few places. Posts 38 and 39 are about the same day when our Lord was resurrected this was on the Feast of Firstfruits. We know this was not a coincidence since Jesus is the firstfruits of those who slept.
This is the first day after the Sabbath after Passover, Leviticus 23:9-16. As you say Sabbath is plural, they would start counting the days and Sabbaths until the 7th Sabbath, the day after the 7th Sabbath again the first day of the week is what we call Passover, 50 days the second harvest.
This goes with why Mary could not touch/fasten to Jesus, and they could not eat of the first harvest until the priest waved the sheaf of grain before the altar. As the priest had to wave the sheaf over the altar before the LORD to be accepted, Jesus had to ascend to His Father to be accepted to fulfill the Feast of Firstfruits before He could be touched.
This is why Mary could not touch Him, He told her He had not ascended to His Father. With the gospels Matthew 28Mark 16Luke 24 and John 20 we see the entire picture. In John 20 Mary Magdalene was the first to go to the tomb and it was still dark. She ran and bumped into Simon Peter and John and told them the stone was rolled away, Simon Peter and John ran to the tomb to see.
They went back home but Mary stayed there, the other women had not yet come this is when she saw Jesus. Jesus told her "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: He told Mary to go tell the disciples I ascend, so Jesus ascended then before the other women got there.
In Matthew 28 after the other women came and the angels told them to go tell the disciples He was risen. They were on their way to tell the disciples that, they probably caught up with Mary Magdalene when Jesus met them after He had ascended to His Father and returned, they could then touch Him, and they held Him by His feet.
Q: The seven stars in the inaugural vision of John are changed to 12 stars in the vision of the Woman clothed with the Sun. What is the significance of numbers?
A: The seven relates the Law of the Spirit whereas the number 12 relates to the Word become flesh. Eve as the mother of all living is under the Law as the woman in travail is. Her seed consequently is under the Gospel which is indicated by the sword, ("and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,"(1:16). The seven stars in his right hand indicates the heavenly calling to which the seven church need well to attend. Hence messages are addressed to the stars as the revelation of Jesus Christ,"and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John,"(1:1).
The Command number 12 (4x3 -Four denotes the Word while the command number Three relates to the Son. While presenting David the man after the heart of God (1 Sa.13:14) the Spirit uses multiples of Three. ("And thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem,"-1 Ki.2:11) Everlasting covenant to which the God and the Son are cosignatories as it were, gives us the Command number 12. (Four denotes the Word while the command number Three relates to the Son. While presenting David the man after the heart of God (1 Sa.13:14) The Spirit uses multiples of Three. ("And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem,"-1 Ki.2:11) By the same token, Joseph is after the likeness of the Son. In his vision he sees himself in the dream. "behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me."( Ge. 37:1-9) The command number 12 is established by the Law to indicate the word sent out by God. The 12 tribes of Israel are relevant only in terms of the Law of Moses. The inaugural vision of Jesus indicates 'High Priest of our profession by his golden girdle. He after the Order of Melchizedek. ("forever"-Ps.110:4)
"Going into battle: therefore it is paramount to act as a soldier and of course walk with God as the Lord did with Joshua."
To God be the Glory. Amen
"Ride on King
Jesus."
RevelationChapter 19
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
These are just my conclusions on these incidents . We see in the last chapter of John that the Apostles ( though they weren't yet Apostles officially ) had gone back to their normal ways of life , earning a living etc . So this is before their commission to spread the Gospel of the Kingdom had been made known to them . Before they embarked on the work that God wanted them to do , they had to be clean , spiritually clean . Peter had his denial lingering over him , his conscience would have troubled him for sure . If we confess our sins He is faithful to forgive . This was Peters cleansing ,for his own benefit , his conscience needed clearing so he could go forward with confidence , in faith and in power . Psychologically , guilt is a terrible monster , we must have faith in the forgiveness of God through Christ , guilt can literally drive us into awful despair and even madness . Peter needed to know that he was forgiven , psychologically it was very important . I'm sure that when Jesus asked him that question : lovest thou me ? ,and he answered it in the affermative , his heart would have lifted to the stars with joy and he would have understood why Jesus asked him three times , his denial would have been torturing every day since . We must not forget when reading the Bible that we are reading about human beings , so we can often bring our own experiences and understanding of our own human nature to the Words of God and just sometimes , we get little glimpses of the humanity of others when we look at ourselves and how we might have responded , reacted , felt , behaved etc .
Q: It is plain that Jesus Christ is established as the Son of man but what purpose does 'one like unto' him serve?
A: Much in every way. The Spirit in organising the two worlds on a single standard of the word of God serves the sign aspect of the sound (the voice of the Lord) stand out for the believer. The vision of Daniel refers to one like unto the Son of man. It is in context of the Ancient of days. When God sent his only begotten Son to the world he referred himself to the Son of man. "And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."(Matt.8:20) In the inaugural vision the Spirit sets in place of Ancient of days so the Son serves not as one sent by his Father but as God in his own authority. Having fulfilled the will he declares "I and my Father are one." ( John 10:30) Does it matter the context and place in which he announced to the people who would have stoned him? He carried in him the role of the Apostle, the Mediator and the High Priest.(He.3:1) As Ancient of days he presented himself so he was the Law of the Spirit in isual terms. When he refers," Fear not; I am the first and the last:/I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death./Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."(Re.1:17-19) In view of v.19 his charge to John we have the genesis of the special role of the book. He is the Law of the Spirit."For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:/And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.:(Re.22:18-19
Reflecting on Psalms in regard to the wicked and the righteous.
There are many times as someone in a Calvinist environment that I have been reminded that we shouldn't look down on the wickedness of others as we all have such tendencies. The fact that acting out on something makes things worse as far as penalties in the government of man is concerned as opposed to our thoughts and fantasies on such wickedness certainly does not absolve anyone who may seem "nice" on the outside.
I have stated before that people who seem very easygoing and friendly often will listen to us witness to them but will not take action much of the time; and those that seem most resistant sometimes will in the end. All of us are sinners; of course no matter how righteous or moral a person acts on the outside if Christ isn't living on the inside. With that nature comes an enmity toward God. Those who are godly in Christ Jesus as promised in the Word will suffer persecution.
Going into battle; therefore it is paramount to act as a soldier and of course walk with God as the Lord did with Joshua. Being on the Lord's side should be with God's people but He can allow others to gain victory if sin abounds in the camp of the righteous and can move hearts of the pagans as He did when Jonah ran away from God. We are to show regard and respect for all men; but not to curry favor at expense of truth. Some will heed the trumpet call; others not but even if no one does He is our reward. Nonetheless as Isaiah 55:11 says His Word will not go out void but accomplish His purposes. He does as He pleases
to accomplish His will.
Righteousness exalts a nation (I'll let the readers find the verse). Let's face it; we are rapidly heading for judgment Day. We can hold some things back temporarily with certain political choices but if our nation in general is determined to continue as it is no doubt we will see further increase in the destruction of our youth and our nation as a whole.
There is much "hoopla" online particularly in the prophetic where there are all sorts of prognostications; dreams; visions and interpretations of scripture regarding when the Lord is coming back; details of extra things beyond what the scriptures dictate as literal Tribulation events as well as many testimonies of interesting conversions. What is often missing today is the true understanding of just how lost and depraved we all are apart from Christ. If anything daily I am more and more convicted of the old man inside me as I hasten to see the day when that is stripped from me and I can be free from this body of corruption and sin and can be in God's presence in a glorified body.
It seems there are some today who are still preaching some version of a "salvation" message but few who have strong convictions of the nature of the flesh and how deceptive it is. Sometimes details of a sordid past are mentioned but again it tends to almost always focus on particular sinful actions rather than the corrupt nature that we need to be delivered from. Conversely of course; rather than just commemoration of "fire insurance" we should grow in grace and truth; HATE what God hates and love what He loves. A healthy fear of the Lord is something that I have spent some time on in this website in the past few years. Grace is certainly something we daily are to be grateful for. We can never take down our guard for the enemy will exploit any weakness we have or sin we are unwilling to let go of or are unaware of that grants him an access point to our souls.
People of course will be drawn to us if indeed His Spirit is at work drawing men and we aren't standing in the way. I'm preaching to myself here as well. When you go into a fire or emergency setting there is no time for niceties. We need to warn of the impending doom to the wicked but of course if we don't BELIEVE what God has to say about the fate of the lost we won't.
Daniel 8:23 states: And in the latter time of their kingdom, when the transgressors are come to the full, a king of fierce countenance, and understanding dark sentences, shall stand up.
We certainly are seeing leaders and sin in general becoming ripe for judgment; and with it we should expect the Antichrist understanding occult language to rise up soon.
In Israel we see rapid destruction of those in surrounding nations who foster different factions attempting to destroy Israel.
It is accelerating the eventual prophecy of Psalm 83 to completion which allows the initial expansion of the land with further expansion after the Ezekiel 38 war that leads to Armageddon. Isaiah 26:15 says You have increased the nation, O LORD, You have increased the nation; You are glorified; You have expanded all the borders of the land. (New KJ version; regular says to ends of the earth at the end of the verse). This could signify two events where the land eventually is gained from the EUPHRATES river to the sea (Mediterranean); this of course is beyond what the Muslims claim they will take over from the Jordan river to the sea. Joshua 1:4 states: From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
Meanwhile; we have the nearness of World War 3 looming; and today Donald Trump also talked with Zelinsky and he of course is pressing him to settlement; as opposed to all the military expenditures and long range weapons now promised by this administration after they stated 2 years ago that would be precisely something leading to World War 3 and they wouldn't do it.
Remember there has to be some peace established at the first seal and it is likely it will be well in the works before that so that the conditions will be conducive to lead to the fulfillment of the CONFIRMING of the covenant (preexisting most likely already) of the Dan. 9:27 pact.
I have been thinking of you today and I am glad to hear that you are o.k., safe, and doing great. How are your family members faring?
this as a ginormous hurricane. I heard 600 miles in diameter! So vast tracts of land are affected in many states. I pray that relief efforts will save and rescue many, help those who are displaced with safe accommodations, and that many people will contribute monetarily to the relief effort.
John 21:16 - He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus says to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He doesn't say "more than these," He just uses AGAPE again. Do you have agape for me? He is narrowing it down. He said unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.
And again, Peter uses the word PHILEO. First AGAPE in comparison, then AGAPE, one-on-one, and still Peter will not boast or claim or commit to have that kind of love.
John 21:17 - He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus says to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Except Jesus now uses the word PHILEO that Peter has been using all this time. Now Jesus is challenging him, "Do you PHILEO me? Do you have affection for me?" He is even challenging him on that. And Peter said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I PHILEO you.
"Lord, you know all things." The proper response by Peter!
This is all I have to share from John's gospel. I will be going through Acts next. Hopefully I haven't put anyone to sleep yet. For those of you who are still following along, I want to say thank you so much!
John 21:1 - After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
The sea of Tiberius is the Sea of Galilee. By the time John wrote, which is some of 30 years plus after the other gospels were written, it wasn't known as the Sea of Galilee. It was known as the Sea of Tiberius because the city of Tiberius was there and the Romans renamed it. So, the Sea of Tiberius and the Sea of Galilee are the same places.
John 21:15 - So, when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Here's something we don't catch in our English text. The word love is used twice in this verse, but there are two different words in the Greek that have different meanings. One is AGAPE (Godly love), and the other is PHILEO (Human love). After they had finished, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, and He doesn't call him Peter. That is the name He gave to Peter. He calls him by his human fleshly name. Simon, son of Jonas. It is like "Uh oh, here it comes," lovest thou me more than these?
This word love is AGAPAO. It is the word AGAPE in verb form, the highest form of sacrificial love, like "I'll lay down my life for you type of love." And He also tacks on a little supportive phrase by saying "more than these?" Remember in Mark 14:29 Peter says, "though all of these will be offended in you, yet I will not."
So, Jesus is saying, do you AGAPE me more than these? Peter says Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. The word love that Peter uses here is PHILEO. He doesn't say, yes Lord, I AGAPE you. He says I PHILEO you, I have affection for you.
Peter is not as bold in his boast this time. "Sure Lord, I AGAPE you. I will go out there and die for you," like he did before. He's been humbled. "Lord, you know I have PHILEO for you."
John 20:19 - Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Then the same day at evening, so this is the same Sunday, what we call Easter or Resurrection. In the evening time being the first day of the week, and again we make reference to the first of the week days which is Sunday, when the doors were shut.
Now the word for shut in Greek comes from the word key, like to unlock a door. The reference here is the fact that they locked the doors.
They put a bar over the doors. And it tells us where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews. They said "They have killed Jesus. Certainly, if they find us, they are going to kill us too!" So, they locked the doors, they barred the doors for fear of the Jews, and Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you.
Luke says they were scared half to death. They thought it was a phantom, a ghost. And that is why Jesus said peace be unto you. They were already afraid of the Jewish leaders coming to round them up. And so, when Jesus shows up, now they are seeing ghosts. Now the situation is getting pretty bad. But Jesus says peace be unto you. He didn't rebuke them!
John 20:21 - Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you:
In other words, the first time was to calm their fear. Now He is telling them "What I'm going to tell you, it's in peace. I am not here to rebuke you or do anything that you should be afraid of." Peace be unto you: for as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. The word send is in the Present Tense. "I am sending you out." It is the verb form of the word apostle, which John doesn't use in his gospel.
John 20:14 - And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and in the Greek text, the word for "standing" is in the Perfect Tense, which means He had been standing there the whole while. When she turned around that is when she noticed Him. But He was there ever since she came to the tomb door and looked in and began to talk to the angels. And so, she saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
John 20:17 - Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Jesus said unto her, Touch me not. Now it is interesting what the text says. The word "touch" is the word HAPTO, and it means to fasten. It does not mean to touch, as in "Don't touch me, stay away from me!" It means don't fasten yourself to me. It is a Present Imperative, which indicates that she is already doing it. "Stop clinging to me" is what Jesus is saying.
In fact, in Matthew Chapter 28 Verse 9, Matthew tells us that she had a death grip on His ankles. She was not going to let Him out of her sight again! So, He wasn't telling her "Don't touch me." He was saying let go, do not cling to me, stop clinging to me.
Q:Jesus asked 'who is my mother" while his biological mother was nearby? Was he quibbling?
A: Far from it. Consider the context in which Jesus asked the question. In the Gospel of St Matthew we read thus:"Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee."(Matt.12:38) The sign in its simplest terms is fulfilment of the word of God. Prophet Isaiah gave the birth of Jesus as a sign. Thus the Advent of Jesus Christ is fulfilment of the word of God. This verysound as St Paul writes to the church in Rome, "But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."(Ro.10:18). Those who still demanded of a sign from him proved that they were unteachable. They heard and yet they did not hear by ear of faith and it was as the seed that fell by the wayside. Jesus by asking the question was challenging them to ponder well where the fault lay.
Isaiah speaks of the futility of questions. "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?"(Is.45:9)
The Spirit asked Ezekiel with regards to the valley of Dry Bones,"And he said unto me, Son of man, can these bones live?"(Ez.37:3). Prophet prophesied as commanded of him. "So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army."(37:10) What happened to this army? Nothing. Asking questions does not necessarily get answers where faith is wanting.
Q:"God asking Prophet,Can these bones live?' It seems that he sets the question in terms of the creation of Eve. So what is missing here?"
A:
God intended the whole house of Israel with the vision. (Ez.37:11) In the creation Eve is designated as the Mother of all living. When Adam claims her "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh." We have them "after our image and after our likeness." This association is no where seen in the vision. It is an open valley. The Spirit with the question throws back the ball at him as the watchman for the nation? Where is Christ whose house are we? What shall be our answer?
Can two walk together unless agreed upon. Amos 3:3.
The house chose her course."But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me."(Ps.81:11)
My situation likely will necessitate me to relocate; sooner rather than later. I won't get into details except to say that things are underway in getting my parents the help they need and it is becoming clear that I cannot continue to remain living peaceably in this house. I have been forced due to my mom's health in particular to seek help against her wishes and it is an on again and off again war zone and heading to a worse situation as time goes on. In the short term I am praying to get a new home health care aide as this person has some serious problems and apparently was institutionalized in the past.
Of course as with all situations not knowing the Lord brings about the destruction of us all. Ultimately it is for their spiritual state that I am most concerned and they have the resources to get further help; as it is there is some assistance daily but it could be 7 days a week up to full days covered on their insurance which should clear any day now to cover their current help. My mom once again is thinking of a nursing home; although the impetus was a fall which she had tonight where she was miraculously delivered from any injury but I was forced against her wishes to get an ambulance and of course they had to respect her wishes and refusal with a waiver not to get medical treatment. In her state she is NOT fit to continue remaining in this residence and my dad ideally could move with her into the facility in question that has a separate place for memory care; although I could find some way to take care of him myself and or have an aide. I may have to force the issue with a social worker at some point but it isn't recommended.
I hope to have some way to continue on this site if wherever I were to stay has WIFI. No doubt my time constraints working more hours to make ends meet would affect my free time. Prayer is appreciated for God's will to be done whatever I end up doing.
Agape. Rich P
One sure thing it means is whoever receives it their reward will be the lake of fire. There are many speculations on the mark and the number 666. Some say it was about Nero the Hebrew name for him numerically adds to 666, some say it will be a Pope whose title is Vicarious Filii Dei, meaning Vicar of the Son of God this in Latin numerically adds up to 666, and others.
If we are here, we will know exactly what it is and those who take it will do it willingly, there are things God has not revealed. A smaller but similar picture of what is to come has happened in the past. Decius/Decian persecution in 250 AD, a decree that Christians had to prove their loyalty to paganism and the emperor, ordered those sacrifices to idols be performed in the presence of a Roman magistrate. It was a signed and witnessed certificate issued not a mark.
Many Christians were put to death for refusing to perform the sacrifices, and many others apostatized/falling away and performed the ceremonies thinking they could still be a Christian in secret. Others went into hiding. The Decian persecution was the severest on Christians at that time and the loss suffered by the apostasy/falling away. What is coming will be much more severe and worldwide.
When the beast rises, we will know but until then there are a plethora of suggestions and guesses without a true answer. We just need to be strong in our faith, ready even if we face death, Revelation 2:11.
God bless,
RLW
Personally, I think the number refers to Satan's version of the trinity. As you may know, there are many books out there adding up people's names, putting numerical equivalence to alphabet numbers, and adding up people's names to be six hundred and sixty-six. This has been going on for a long time. People adding up name and saying so and so could be the antichrist.
Everything I've studied in Revelation Chapter 13 is telling me that there is Satan's trinity (if you would). The dragon, the antichrist, and the false prophet are the shadows of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Now if you notice, and this is how I understand this portion of Revelation, it says "Let him that understands count the number of the beast. And notice this: For it is the number of man, not "a man," not "the man," just man. Our English bible says, "a man," but it is just man in the Greek text.
Here's what I see:
Adam was created on the sixth day. Six is the number that is one less than perfection or completeness. So, all the way through scripture it was the number of man. Man was created by God, but he falls short of completeness because he's a sinner. He says for it is the number of man; and his number is 666, not six hundred and sixty-six. You see, it's the number six three times. It's the number of man, and each six stands for one of the three in Satan's trinity. It doesn't add up to six hundred and sixty-six. It's six three times!
And that's the number that a person must take to function in the one world government that's about to come to pass here on the earth.
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?
26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.
COME LORD JESUS
27But I tell you of a truth, there be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.
And that is what God says. Jesus says, "Lord, put that on my account."
I ask you a question. Are you going to Heaven? Don't come and say you joined the church. That won't do it. Don't you say you're a Baptist or a Presbyterian or a Lutheran or a Catholic. That won't do it. Don't even say you're a Baptist. That won't do it. You've got to get born again.
BY: JACK HYLES
COME LORD JESUS
I'll come back to where I started and I'll close. Does the Lord mark your sins down or not? Have you been born again? Blessed are you. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute unrighteousness. Now you say, "Well, good. When that thing goes down tonight, I'm going to let him have it because the Lord won't charge it to me." You won't say that because when you got saved, God gave you a new nature. The old nature is going to say, "Let him have it." But the new nature is going to say, "you should not have done it." Don't you see?
The question is, have you been born again? Have you been born again? Have you been born again? Have you, in faith, trusted? If you could ever stop-it would get you a long ways toward Heaven. There's no good deed that can please God because the righteous acts we commit are tainted by unholy, selfish motives at best. People say, "Isn't she a good lady? Isn't he a good man?" Why, of course not.
The good we do is tainted by selfishness. The best we do is filthy rags. The best person here tonight and the best he does is as rotten as dirty corruption rags that a leper has for his sores. That's why you can't get to Heaven because you're good. Even your good is tainted with bad. When your righteousness is tainted with sin, that's why all you can do is throw yourself at His mercy and say, "I'm a sinner. My good is even bad."
"Oh God, be merciful to me a sinner and save me." That's the difference. Have you been born again? Now you'll never hear it any plainer than you've heard it tonight. You never will. You may hear it as plain and a lot of you are stunned, still. The difference is not goodness or badness but imputation or not imputation. Charging the sins to your record or not charging the sins to your record.
When I sin, it is charged to the record of Jesus Christ. The Apostle wrote in Philemon and said, "When the slave comes back home if he has wronged you at all, put it on my account." And that is what God says. Jesus says,
Q: "It seems the writing within and on the backside sealed with seven seals explain the Law. Is it not how we read He.10:1?
A: Yes indeed. The Law within and without as world unseen and world made to appear is Word based. Jesus as the Law figuratively set appears in fulness of time as fulfilment of the Law. He declared that he came to fulfil them. (Matt.5:17). Jesus as the Word made flesh is not merely the Law of the Spirit but creating a spiritual body the glory of which is as the body God had prepared beforehand. For example 'A body hast thou me prepared' is slain Lamb before the foundation of the world.(Re.13:8). This is the writing within. The same body as presented is the throne of God and of the Lamb. Glory of this is the Light of the Lamb which included his body, the church as well. (Re.21:23)
Emblem of Zion is founded that is the writing within. The first fruits accordingly are preserved for adoption as seven stars in the right hand of Christ. When he is sent as the Word become flesh is a stone of stumbling for those who have no place for the Word in their hearts. Those who received word and kept his testimony and commandments shall be delivered as a remnant. They are "he remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."(Re.12:17) The rock of offence characterises the earthly Jerusalem while heavenly Jerusalem which is 'the mother of us all' is same as Zion. " for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar." This is also part of what is written within and on the backside.
"The book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals." Breaking each seal consequently bears comparison one with the other.
What do you think this number means?
Q:It is plain that as with the seven stars the book with seven seals is in the right hand. Does it mean each of the multiple sevens in heaven are addressed to the seven churches on the earth?
A: Yes. The Law has already set in motion and the set number are preserved as first fruits while the problem is how to equip the seven churches remaining on the earth from harm's way. With the man child being caught up to the throne (Re.12:6), for understanding the events bearing upon the woman left out in the wilderness the vision of Ezekiel beginning with chapter 47serves a rich source to place history of the mingled people. From the messages to the seven churches it is evident that they are the mingled people yet to coalesce into distinct groups. Christ's warning to the church at Ephesus is timely so he warns, 'Remember, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly' .Thus with all seven churches. There are Jews ("and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan", proselytes and Christians. Before the onsetting of great tribulation they were to set right their lives and make the election sure. The 144,000 seen with the Lamb on mount Sion is same as what the seven stars signify. The Law of the Spirit presents them as reserved for adoption and it is in heaven. "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:/ Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.(Ep.1:3-4)
From the above it is clear that 12x12x1000 is not a numerical value but the body of saints redeemed from the earth. A remnant shall be added to them And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, and over the number of his name"(Re.15:2)
Does it merely CONTAIN the Word of God? Or, in the original Hebrew and Greek, is it truly God's Word; that is EVERY WORD EVERY VERSE is truly God breathed from the mind and mouth of God?
We read in Jeremiah 36:1-4 an example of how God wrote the Bible:
1 And it came to pass in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah, that this word came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,
2 Take thee a roll of a book, and write therein all the words that I have spoken unto thee against Israel, and against Judah, and against all the nations, from the day I spake unto thee, from the days of Josiah, even unto this day.
3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
4 Then Jeremiah called Baruch the son of Neriah: and Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the LORD, which he had spoken unto him, upon a roll of a book.
2 Peter1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Could this be any clearer?
God is the Author of the whole Bible from Genesis to Revelation. And every word, every phrase, in the original languages, is exactly the word and phrase that God chose to use.
The Bible is truly the very Word of God Himself from the mind and mouth of God Himself.
I hope you don't mind I do enjoy reading your posts they inspire study, if I could maybe look deeper into a few places. Posts 38 and 39 are about the same day when our Lord was resurrected this was on the Feast of Firstfruits. We know this was not a coincidence since Jesus is the firstfruits of those who slept.
This is the first day after the Sabbath after Passover, Leviticus 23:9-16. As you say Sabbath is plural, they would start counting the days and Sabbaths until the 7th Sabbath, the day after the 7th Sabbath again the first day of the week is what we call Passover, 50 days the second harvest.
This goes with why Mary could not touch/fasten to Jesus, and they could not eat of the first harvest until the priest waved the sheaf of grain before the altar. As the priest had to wave the sheaf over the altar before the LORD to be accepted, Jesus had to ascend to His Father to be accepted to fulfill the Feast of Firstfruits before He could be touched.
This is why Mary could not touch Him, He told her He had not ascended to His Father. With the gospels Matthew 28 Mark 16 Luke 24 and John 20 we see the entire picture. In John 20 Mary Magdalene was the first to go to the tomb and it was still dark. She ran and bumped into Simon Peter and John and told them the stone was rolled away, Simon Peter and John ran to the tomb to see.
They went back home but Mary stayed there, the other women had not yet come this is when she saw Jesus. Jesus told her "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: He told Mary to go tell the disciples I ascend, so Jesus ascended then before the other women got there.
In Matthew 28 after the other women came and the angels told them to go tell the disciples He was risen. They were on their way to tell the disciples that, they probably caught up with Mary Magdalene when Jesus met them after He had ascended to His Father and returned, they could then touch Him, and they held Him by His feet.
God bless,
RLW
Q: The seven stars in the inaugural vision of John are changed to 12 stars in the vision of the Woman clothed with the Sun. What is the significance of numbers?
A: The seven relates the Law of the Spirit whereas the number 12 relates to the Word become flesh. Eve as the mother of all living is under the Law as the woman in travail is. Her seed consequently is under the Gospel which is indicated by the sword, ("and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,"(1:16). The seven stars in his right hand indicates the heavenly calling to which the seven church need well to attend. Hence messages are addressed to the stars as the revelation of Jesus Christ,"and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John,"(1:1).
The Command number 12 (4x3 -Four denotes the Word while the command number Three relates to the Son. While presenting David the man after the heart of God (1 Sa.13:14) the Spirit uses multiples of Three. ("And thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem,"-1 Ki.2:11) Everlasting covenant to which the God and the Son are cosignatories as it were, gives us the Command number 12. (Four denotes the Word while the command number Three relates to the Son. While presenting David the man after the heart of God (1 Sa.13:14) The Spirit uses multiples of Three. ("And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem,"-1 Ki.2:11) By the same token, Joseph is after the likeness of the Son. In his vision he sees himself in the dream. "behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me."( Ge. 37:1-9) The command number 12 is established by the Law to indicate the word sent out by God. The 12 tribes of Israel are relevant only in terms of the Law of Moses. The inaugural vision of Jesus indicates 'High Priest of our profession by his golden girdle. He after the Order of Melchizedek. ("forever"-Ps.110:4)
Quote:
"Going into battle: therefore it is paramount to act as a soldier and of course walk with God as the Lord did with Joshua."
To God be the Glory. Amen
"Ride on King
Jesus."
RevelationChapter 19
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
To God be the Glory.Amen!
We're doing well. There's no damage on any of siblings family property.
(As of yet)
Sometimes you have to wait a few days or perhaps when it rains again to see a roof leak or something.
Thanks for asking!
How are you and the family?
Q: It is plain that Jesus Christ is established as the Son of man but what purpose does 'one like unto' him serve?
A: Much in every way. The Spirit in organising the two worlds on a single standard of the word of God serves the sign aspect of the sound (the voice of the Lord) stand out for the believer. The vision of Daniel refers to one like unto the Son of man. It is in context of the Ancient of days. When God sent his only begotten Son to the world he referred himself to the Son of man. "And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."(Matt.8:20) In the inaugural vision the Spirit sets in place of Ancient of days so the Son serves not as one sent by his Father but as God in his own authority. Having fulfilled the will he declares "I and my Father are one." ( John 10:30) Does it matter the context and place in which he announced to the people who would have stoned him? He carried in him the role of the Apostle, the Mediator and the High Priest.(He.3:1) As Ancient of days he presented himself so he was the Law of the Spirit in isual terms. When he refers," Fear not; I am the first and the last:/I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death./Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter."(Re.1:17-19) In view of v.19 his charge to John we have the genesis of the special role of the book. He is the Law of the Spirit."For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:/And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.:(Re.22:18-19
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. JOHN 3;16
COME LORD JESUS
There are many times as someone in a Calvinist environment that I have been reminded that we shouldn't look down on the wickedness of others as we all have such tendencies. The fact that acting out on something makes things worse as far as penalties in the government of man is concerned as opposed to our thoughts and fantasies on such wickedness certainly does not absolve anyone who may seem "nice" on the outside.
I have stated before that people who seem very easygoing and friendly often will listen to us witness to them but will not take action much of the time; and those that seem most resistant sometimes will in the end. All of us are sinners; of course no matter how righteous or moral a person acts on the outside if Christ isn't living on the inside. With that nature comes an enmity toward God. Those who are godly in Christ Jesus as promised in the Word will suffer persecution.
Going into battle; therefore it is paramount to act as a soldier and of course walk with God as the Lord did with Joshua. Being on the Lord's side should be with God's people but He can allow others to gain victory if sin abounds in the camp of the righteous and can move hearts of the pagans as He did when Jonah ran away from God. We are to show regard and respect for all men; but not to curry favor at expense of truth. Some will heed the trumpet call; others not but even if no one does He is our reward. Nonetheless as Isaiah 55:11 says His Word will not go out void but accomplish His purposes. He does as He pleases
to accomplish His will.
Righteousness exalts a nation (I'll let the readers find the verse). Let's face it; we are rapidly heading for judgment Day. We can hold some things back temporarily with certain political choices but if our nation in general is determined to continue as it is no doubt we will see further increase in the destruction of our youth and our nation as a whole.
There is much "hoopla" online particularly in the prophetic where there are all sorts of prognostications; dreams; visions and interpretations of scripture regarding when the Lord is coming back; details of extra things beyond what the scriptures dictate as literal Tribulation events as well as many testimonies of interesting conversions. What is often missing today is the true understanding of just how lost and depraved we all are apart from Christ. If anything daily I am more and more convicted of the old man inside me as I hasten to see the day when that is stripped from me and I can be free from this body of corruption and sin and can be in God's presence in a glorified body.
It seems there are some today who are still preaching some version of a "salvation" message but few who have strong convictions of the nature of the flesh and how deceptive it is. Sometimes details of a sordid past are mentioned but again it tends to almost always focus on particular sinful actions rather than the corrupt nature that we need to be delivered from. Conversely of course; rather than just commemoration of "fire insurance" we should grow in grace and truth; HATE what God hates and love what He loves. A healthy fear of the Lord is something that I have spent some time on in this website in the past few years. Grace is certainly something we daily are to be grateful for. We can never take down our guard for the enemy will exploit any weakness we have or sin we are unwilling to let go of or are unaware of that grants him an access point to our souls.
People of course will be drawn to us if indeed His Spirit is at work drawing men and we aren't standing in the way. I'm preaching to myself here as well. When you go into a fire or emergency setting there is no time for niceties. We need to warn of the impending doom to the wicked but of course if we don't BELIEVE what God has to say about the fate of the lost we won't.
We certainly are seeing leaders and sin in general becoming ripe for judgment; and with it we should expect the Antichrist understanding occult language to rise up soon.
In Israel we see rapid destruction of those in surrounding nations who foster different factions attempting to destroy Israel.
It is accelerating the eventual prophecy of Psalm 83 to completion which allows the initial expansion of the land with further expansion after the Ezekiel 38 war that leads to Armageddon. Isaiah 26:15 says You have increased the nation, O LORD, You have increased the nation; You are glorified; You have expanded all the borders of the land. (New KJ version; regular says to ends of the earth at the end of the verse). This could signify two events where the land eventually is gained from the EUPHRATES river to the sea (Mediterranean); this of course is beyond what the Muslims claim they will take over from the Jordan river to the sea. Joshua 1:4 states: From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
Meanwhile; we have the nearness of World War 3 looming; and today Donald Trump also talked with Zelinsky and he of course is pressing him to settlement; as opposed to all the military expenditures and long range weapons now promised by this administration after they stated 2 years ago that would be precisely something leading to World War 3 and they wouldn't do it.
Remember there has to be some peace established at the first seal and it is likely it will be well in the works before that so that the conditions will be conducive to lead to the fulfillment of the CONFIRMING of the covenant (preexisting most likely already) of the Dan. 9:27 pact.
I have been reading your requests and praying for you. I will continue to do so.
I have been thinking of you today and I am glad to hear that you are o.k., safe, and doing great. How are your family members faring?
this as a ginormous hurricane. I heard 600 miles in diameter! So vast tracts of land are affected in many states. I pray that relief efforts will save and rescue many, help those who are displaced with safe accommodations, and that many people will contribute monetarily to the relief effort.
John 21:16 - He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus says to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He doesn't say "more than these," He just uses AGAPE again. Do you have agape for me? He is narrowing it down. He said unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee.
And again, Peter uses the word PHILEO. First AGAPE in comparison, then AGAPE, one-on-one, and still Peter will not boast or claim or commit to have that kind of love.
John 21:17 - He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Jesus says to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Except Jesus now uses the word PHILEO that Peter has been using all this time. Now Jesus is challenging him, "Do you PHILEO me? Do you have affection for me?" He is even challenging him on that. And Peter said unto him, Lord, you know all things; you know that I PHILEO you.
"Lord, you know all things." The proper response by Peter!
This is all I have to share from John's gospel. I will be going through Acts next. Hopefully I haven't put anyone to sleep yet. For those of you who are still following along, I want to say thank you so much!
God Bless!!!
John 21:1 - After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself.
The sea of Tiberius is the Sea of Galilee. By the time John wrote, which is some of 30 years plus after the other gospels were written, it wasn't known as the Sea of Galilee. It was known as the Sea of Tiberius because the city of Tiberius was there and the Romans renamed it. So, the Sea of Tiberius and the Sea of Galilee are the same places.
John 21:15 - So, when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
Here's something we don't catch in our English text. The word love is used twice in this verse, but there are two different words in the Greek that have different meanings. One is AGAPE (Godly love), and the other is PHILEO (Human love). After they had finished, Jesus said to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, and He doesn't call him Peter. That is the name He gave to Peter. He calls him by his human fleshly name. Simon, son of Jonas. It is like "Uh oh, here it comes," lovest thou me more than these?
This word love is AGAPAO. It is the word AGAPE in verb form, the highest form of sacrificial love, like "I'll lay down my life for you type of love." And He also tacks on a little supportive phrase by saying "more than these?" Remember in Mark 14:29 Peter says, "though all of these will be offended in you, yet I will not."
So, Jesus is saying, do you AGAPE me more than these? Peter says Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. The word love that Peter uses here is PHILEO. He doesn't say, yes Lord, I AGAPE you. He says I PHILEO you, I have affection for you.
Peter is not as bold in his boast this time. "Sure Lord, I AGAPE you. I will go out there and die for you," like he did before. He's been humbled. "Lord, you know I have PHILEO for you."
John 20:19 - Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
Then the same day at evening, so this is the same Sunday, what we call Easter or Resurrection. In the evening time being the first day of the week, and again we make reference to the first of the week days which is Sunday, when the doors were shut.
Now the word for shut in Greek comes from the word key, like to unlock a door. The reference here is the fact that they locked the doors.
They put a bar over the doors. And it tells us where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews. They said "They have killed Jesus. Certainly, if they find us, they are going to kill us too!" So, they locked the doors, they barred the doors for fear of the Jews, and Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said unto them, Peace be unto you.
Luke says they were scared half to death. They thought it was a phantom, a ghost. And that is why Jesus said peace be unto you. They were already afraid of the Jewish leaders coming to round them up. And so, when Jesus shows up, now they are seeing ghosts. Now the situation is getting pretty bad. But Jesus says peace be unto you. He didn't rebuke them!
John 20:21 - Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you:
In other words, the first time was to calm their fear. Now He is telling them "What I'm going to tell you, it's in peace. I am not here to rebuke you or do anything that you should be afraid of." Peace be unto you: for as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. The word send is in the Present Tense. "I am sending you out." It is the verb form of the word apostle, which John doesn't use in his gospel.
John 20:14 - And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.
And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and in the Greek text, the word for "standing" is in the Perfect Tense, which means He had been standing there the whole while. When she turned around that is when she noticed Him. But He was there ever since she came to the tomb door and looked in and began to talk to the angels. And so, she saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus.
John 20:17 - Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.
Jesus said unto her, Touch me not. Now it is interesting what the text says. The word "touch" is the word HAPTO, and it means to fasten. It does not mean to touch, as in "Don't touch me, stay away from me!" It means don't fasten yourself to me. It is a Present Imperative, which indicates that she is already doing it. "Stop clinging to me" is what Jesus is saying.
In fact, in Matthew Chapter 28 Verse 9, Matthew tells us that she had a death grip on His ankles. She was not going to let Him out of her sight again! So, He wasn't telling her "Don't touch me." He was saying let go, do not cling to me, stop clinging to me.
Thank you for this piece of information. And again, thank you for your encouraging words.
God Bless!!!