Amos 3:1-2 Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
YOU ONLY HAVE I KNOWN OF ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Do you notice, the rest of the world wasn't sent into captivity and the duration was determined because of their neglect to rest their land. There was a Sabbath put on the land also. 2 Chronicles 36:20-21.
Israel was the instrument used by God to introduce himself as the true and living Mighty God that provides to a pagan idol worshipping world.
They also displayed the incompetence of man in his natural state and the need of a savior.
God always keeps his promises and unconditional covenants.
He made Promises to Abraham that has yet to be fulfilled!
He showed his good will toward them in Babylon and in Egypt and he will do it again when he gather them from the four corners of the earth and bring them back into their own land.
Thanks S Spenser :) , I am passionate about the old testament , it is part of the Word of God and it's extremely helpful in illuminating the new testament . I believe that we don't need to be familiar with the old but , it's a massive bonus to our understanding of Our Heavenly Father and His relationship with the nation of Israel and it's full of prophecies that are yet to be fulfilled and it is also I believe , a foreshadow of the new . The next question for me is , if I believe that the old is a foreshadow of the new , then does that indicate that the new is a foreshadow of things to come ? pertaining to the return of Christ and the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth ? We shall see , soon I hope :) Thy Kingdom Come , much love in Christ .
I believe you are right Jema in that the old testament is very important to understand the new testament. a lot of what's in the OT is a foreshadow of the accomplishment of our Lord, his work here on earth and what's to come.
When you say that one is saying "we don't have to keep the 10 commandments" when they say the law was given to the nation Israel" I believe that is where you err.
I believe most agree with you that the 10 commandments and the law is relevant for us today.
However, they weren't given to make one righteous.
They were called 'The ministration of death", written and engraven in stones, or "Ministration of condemnation". NOT "The ministration of the spirit or Ministration of righteousness" As mentioned, and the two compared in 2 Corinthians 3:6-11
Is there a difference between the law and the 10 commandments?
"They both are a part of the Ministration of condemnation".
The law was written to deal with the 10 commandments by way of pattern or a foreshadowing. Those temporary articles could not make us righteous by that which slew us.
Look how Paul uses them both in Romans 7:7-14 "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ( Exodus 20:17)
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
For I was alive without "THE LAW" once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
So, the question should be "Do the law and commandments "APPLY" to us today. The answer is Yes! We all were under sin.
You stated, "The Old Testament is the foundation; the NT builds on that foundation.
Testament means covenant.
Here I will highlight some verses in Hebrews 9:1-28.
8) The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9) Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11) But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
23) It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24) For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Verse 11 says, "not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building.
I will use that verse to springboard us onto the foundation which we build on that was prophesied in the OT but was rejected because of Israel blindness.
Isaiah 8:14
1 Peter 2:6-8
1 Corinthians 3:11
Ephesians 2:20
Romans 9:31-33.
When a building is being erected the corner stone is the first stone layed and where everything is squared and leveled.
Those who was saved in the OT also rested on this foundation.
Yes , the Bible as a whole is a great gift from God . He has preserved it through hundreds and hundreds of years for our benefit , to comfort and encourage us and to increase our faith in Him and to help us feel close to Him . I'm reading Daniel at the moment . Every time I read it it feels so fresh and new to me , so modern and relevant to my life and that statue in Nebuchadnezzar's dream is such a powerful image to me . I don't know what it is about the book of Daniel but it really refreshes me and makes my confidence in God grow and I feel so connected and at peace when I read Daniel . I'm interested to know , do you and everyone else on here have a particular book of the Bible that really seems to speak to you ? I'm not asking what is your favourite ( Isaiah is my favourite ) but , is there a book that every time you read it you feel so connected to God , you really feel the peace that passes all understanding etc ? That would be Daniel for me , how about you and everyone else on here ?
Happy Birthday to your wife! I hope she has a wonderful year this year despite all that the news tells us is going on.
My birthday is in a few weeks. Will be 67! If I make it a point to mind my own life and sphere of influence from day to day, my time is full. So, I feel blessed each day knowing our Savior. Lot's happening in the world, but in my private life, I am safe, at peace, and content with what God has provided. This does not mean I put my head in the sand. No, I stay awake and aware of what is happening. And I pray for the saved and unsaved. No hand-wringing here:) God is so great and we can depend on Him always.
The book of Daniel is the key to end time prophesy.
Daniel's vision of four beasts concerning four kingdoms represents "the times of the Gentiles," Chapter 7
Daniel's vision of seventy weeks concerning the nation Israel, Chapter 9
The book of Daniel gives us a Preview of Israel in latter days; Great Tribulation; resurrections; rewards; final word about the end times, Chapter 12
The Book of Daniel. From Chapter 2, verse 4, through Chapter 7, Daniel is in Aramaic, the Gentile and diplomatic language of Daniel's day. (This portion has the Gentiles in focus.)
This section deals exclusively with "the times of the Gentiles." (PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE)
The remainder of the book correlates the nation Israel with this program. The Book of Daniel deals with Gentiles and Jews.
(The church is totally excluded.)
Daniel gives us a mathematical prophecy to the very day of the coming of our Lord in Daniel 9.
Also, Daniel 4 should humble any nation or individual. Daniel 4:34-37. Isn't it amazing how a gentile pagan king/ruler of the world can be humbled and write such a thing.
Nebuchadnezzar was just an instrument God used to judge his People. "Those that walk in pride he is able to abase"
Thanks for that excellent summation of Daniel . It's a book that always goes straight to my heart , maybe it's because I feel it's so real and relevant to us all as Christians in this world of idols and potential dangers . Two of my favourite verses : Ch 6 V 26+27 . Considering that the whole Bible is for our benefit and encouragement , a gift to us from our God to help us draw closer to Him , I always feel so safe when I read these verses . We have to believe that God loves each and everyone of us as much as He loved Daniel and that He would , will and maybe even has , done for us what He did for Daniel and his three friends . How many times in our lives has He pulled us out of the fire ? Shut lions mouths against us ? Some times we may know that He intervened on our behalf , other times He did it and we don't even know . We are all Daniel I think , let's hope we can be as strong and steadfast in our faith as he was .
Thanks for your reply but may I disagree with you that those 4 beasts represent "the times of the Gentiles"?
Not long ago I was always wondering why God jumped in His Word from the 3rd beast which is the Roman Empire to the 4th which is the antichrist's kingdom at the very end? Why did God leave out all those great empires inbetween? So many greater empires than Rome emmerged in the world after Christ and those 3 first beasts were really not much compared to some of those new empires.
Similarly in that dream Nebuchadnezzar saw, that bright image, from the 4th kingdom(the legs, Rome) it goes directly to the 5th(the feet) which is antichrist's kingdom.
Sometime, I found out that God describes to Daniel all the great empires during "the times of Israel". From Nebuchadnetzzar in Daniel's time to Rome in Jesus' time, it was Israel times which ended when Israel rejected Jesus. Then the church's time begins which will end at the rapture. So God ommits all those events in between Jesus and the Rapture because they are "the times of the gentiles/church", and they have nothing to do with Daniel and Israel. As soon as the church/restrainer goes away then the final week (7 last years) starts and the antichrist appears on earth. Those 7 years are for israel, the church has gone to Heaven. That is why God jumped from Rome to antichrist. Brilliant, not long ago I found that out.
I meant to ask you, Who are the omitted kingdoms that you were referring to in your reply? I'm curious!
Also, When I refer to times of the Gentiles, it's represents successive Gentile kingdoms that will dominate until Christ returns and establishes His reign.
the "little horn" is the rise of the papacy from the fall of the roman empire. It "ruled the world" for a time,times and half a time.,Many were imprisoned, tortured, killed and made to recant their faith. From 538 A.D. to 1798. Know what happened in 1798?.. The pope was dragged to France where he died in exile. They were given back their "authority" in 1929. By the way, people fleeing persecution went to a new place, the earth helped the woman, (the church). Where did they go to flee? The new world, unfortunately the beast that looks like a lamb but speaks as a dragon has regained it's power and once again, persecution is right around the corner for those who believe.
It is true that the interpretation of the scriptures about the last times differ from one to another. The way I know it is that the last beast/kingdom is the kingdom of the antichrist. But I may be wrong or we may all be wrong. The future will show to us what is the right explanation of those allegories. So we have to wait, and even better if what I believe about the rapture of the church occuring before the antichrist is right, then we will see all those events from above, being safe and happy in Heaven
Amos 3:1-2 Hear this word that the LORD hath spoken against you, O children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up from the land of Egypt, saying,
YOU ONLY HAVE I KNOWN OF ALL THE FAMILIES OF THE EARTH: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.
Do you notice, the rest of the world wasn't sent into captivity and the duration was determined because of their neglect to rest their land. There was a Sabbath put on the land also. 2 Chronicles 36:20-21.
There is a lot on those 2 verses.
God bless.
Israel was the instrument used by God to introduce himself as the true and living Mighty God that provides to a pagan idol worshipping world.
They also displayed the incompetence of man in his natural state and the need of a savior.
God always keeps his promises and unconditional covenants.
He made Promises to Abraham that has yet to be fulfilled!
He showed his good will toward them in Babylon and in Egypt and he will do it again when he gather them from the four corners of the earth and bring them back into their own land.
Jeremiah 16:14-15.
Jeremiah 23:5-8.
Ezekiel 36:17-28.
God bless.
God bless you and Goodnight.
God Bless :)
When you say that one is saying "we don't have to keep the 10 commandments" when they say the law was given to the nation Israel" I believe that is where you err.
I believe most agree with you that the 10 commandments and the law is relevant for us today.
However, they weren't given to make one righteous.
They were called 'The ministration of death", written and engraven in stones, or "Ministration of condemnation". NOT "The ministration of the spirit or Ministration of righteousness" As mentioned, and the two compared in 2 Corinthians 3:6-11
Is there a difference between the law and the 10 commandments?
"They both are a part of the Ministration of condemnation".
The law was written to deal with the 10 commandments by way of pattern or a foreshadowing. Those temporary articles could not make us righteous by that which slew us.
Look how Paul uses them both in Romans 7:7-14 "What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. ( Exodus 20:17)
But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.
For I was alive without "THE LAW" once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died.
And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death.
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.
Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
So, the question should be "Do the law and commandments "APPLY" to us today. The answer is Yes! We all were under sin.
Here is where we factor in Galatians 3:11-26.
God bless.
You stated, "The Old Testament is the foundation; the NT builds on that foundation.
Testament means covenant.
Here I will highlight some verses in Hebrews 9:1-28.
8) The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing:
9) Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;
10) Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation.
11) But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
23) It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
24) For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us:
Verse 11 says, "not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building.
I will use that verse to springboard us onto the foundation which we build on that was prophesied in the OT but was rejected because of Israel blindness.
Isaiah 8:14
1 Peter 2:6-8
1 Corinthians 3:11
Ephesians 2:20
Romans 9:31-33.
When a building is being erected the corner stone is the first stone layed and where everything is squared and leveled.
Those who was saved in the OT also rested on this foundation.
God bless.
Sorry for a late response.
Today is my wife birthday!
We didn't do anything special but I told her we will go and do anything she wants.
Today I have been to places I didn't even know existed.
However, To answer your question,
I'm not sure what book is my favorite.
We could probably break it down by new and old testament or perhaps by author.
Isaiah and Daniel would probably be my favorite OT books.
The new testament I would have to rate my favorite by Author. Maybe John, Peter and Paul.
Tomorrow I will give my reason why I find the book of Daniel so fascinating.
God bless you Jema.
Happy Birthday to your wife! I hope she has a wonderful year this year despite all that the news tells us is going on.
My birthday is in a few weeks. Will be 67! If I make it a point to mind my own life and sphere of influence from day to day, my time is full. So, I feel blessed each day knowing our Savior. Lot's happening in the world, but in my private life, I am safe, at peace, and content with what God has provided. This does not mean I put my head in the sand. No, I stay awake and aware of what is happening. And I pray for the saved and unsaved. No hand-wringing here:) God is so great and we can depend on Him always.
I hope you have a spirit filled year as well.
God bless.
The book of Daniel is the key to end time prophesy.
Daniel's vision of four beasts concerning four kingdoms represents "the times of the Gentiles," Chapter 7
Daniel's vision of seventy weeks concerning the nation Israel, Chapter 9
The book of Daniel gives us a Preview of Israel in latter days; Great Tribulation; resurrections; rewards; final word about the end times, Chapter 12
The Book of Daniel. From Chapter 2, verse 4, through Chapter 7, Daniel is in Aramaic, the Gentile and diplomatic language of Daniel's day. (This portion has the Gentiles in focus.)
This section deals exclusively with "the times of the Gentiles." (PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE)
The remainder of the book correlates the nation Israel with this program. The Book of Daniel deals with Gentiles and Jews.
(The church is totally excluded.)
Daniel gives us a mathematical prophecy to the very day of the coming of our Lord in Daniel 9.
Also, Daniel 4 should humble any nation or individual. Daniel 4:34-37. Isn't it amazing how a gentile pagan king/ruler of the world can be humbled and write such a thing.
Nebuchadnezzar was just an instrument God used to judge his People. "Those that walk in pride he is able to abase"
This goes for Indvidual's as well as nations.
God bless.
Thanks for your reply but may I disagree with you that those 4 beasts represent "the times of the Gentiles"?
Not long ago I was always wondering why God jumped in His Word from the 3rd beast which is the Roman Empire to the 4th which is the antichrist's kingdom at the very end? Why did God leave out all those great empires inbetween? So many greater empires than Rome emmerged in the world after Christ and those 3 first beasts were really not much compared to some of those new empires.
Similarly in that dream Nebuchadnezzar saw, that bright image, from the 4th kingdom(the legs, Rome) it goes directly to the 5th(the feet) which is antichrist's kingdom.
Sometime, I found out that God describes to Daniel all the great empires during "the times of Israel". From Nebuchadnetzzar in Daniel's time to Rome in Jesus' time, it was Israel times which ended when Israel rejected Jesus. Then the church's time begins which will end at the rapture. So God ommits all those events in between Jesus and the Rapture because they are "the times of the gentiles/church", and they have nothing to do with Daniel and Israel. As soon as the church/restrainer goes away then the final week (7 last years) starts and the antichrist appears on earth. Those 7 years are for israel, the church has gone to Heaven. That is why God jumped from Rome to antichrist. Brilliant, not long ago I found that out.
GBU
Following up on our previous discussion.
I have been busy and it slipped my mind,
I meant to ask you, Who are the omitted kingdoms that you were referring to in your reply? I'm curious!
Also, When I refer to times of the Gentiles, it's represents successive Gentile kingdoms that will dominate until Christ returns and establishes His reign.
God bless
I will get back to you about those prophesies in Daniel, hopefuly tomorrow. Have a blessed night.
Good night and God bless.
I will be back to you as soon as I can about those kingdoms in Daniel. GBU
I will check them out and get back to you this weekend.
God bless
I will get back with you on this. It's after 8pm here, that's past my bedtime.
God bless you.
It is true that the interpretation of the scriptures about the last times differ from one to another. The way I know it is that the last beast/kingdom is the kingdom of the antichrist. But I may be wrong or we may all be wrong. The future will show to us what is the right explanation of those allegories. So we have to wait, and even better if what I believe about the rapture of the church occuring before the antichrist is right, then we will see all those events from above, being safe and happy in Heaven
Have a blessed week.
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