God "who walketh upon the wings of the wind:" (1 of 2)
Let us consider the Vision of the Dry Bones where wind represents something else. " Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the LordGod; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live./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."(Ez.37:9-10)
God is asking Ezekiel to prophesy unto the wind. His credentials come from the roll which God made the prophet to eat. "Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel."(Ez.3:1) He was a stand in for Jesus Christ who is the Word become flesh. He is Man the message. "Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears." He was to receive 'all my words' for this reason both words unto salvation and to damnation were to treated equally. "Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness."(3:3). This parallel with St John , "And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey."(Re.10:9)
"And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:" (10:1) Who is this mighty angel ?The attributes of fire, the sun and the bow inform us it is Jesus Christ who reveals the word through his angel. Cf.Re.1 Here we have the Word (God) employing angel and man which is a single measurement validated as the standard by Jesus Christ. The nuanced narrative of the Spirit is leading us to the holy city of God which is foursquare. (Re.21:16-17)
God "who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:/Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:"
God is a Spirit so we shall treat our visible world has a spiritual scaffolding or underpinning all leading to a specific outcome. God sent his only begotten Son for this purpose. Here is a verse, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ./For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;." (Ep.2:13-14) This middle wall is not merely across but also up and down. For this we have the symbolism of the line and plummet (Is.28:17) and the single measurement which is made up of man angel as we read of the holy city of God is "according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."(Re.21:17).
Nuance
The Spirit develops the people events, names ,-well every aspect of the visible world to the Rest of God which is a tangible and eternal building. What can be measure must be tangible as much as the word of God can become flesh is it not? It is God's doing. So the term nuance to all intent and purpose defines unity of the Spirit that the eternal word of God settled in heavens would mean.(Ps.119:89)
We were known thus even before we were born. "Unto an holy temple in the Lord:/In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."(Ep.2: 21-22)
Hypothetical questions require carnal wisdom while every nuance set down by the Holy Spirit requires truth. I excuse myself from indulging in such 'what ifs.' Nuance of seven is not merely a number. Perfection of the church as was in the mind of the Father was left for the Son to fulfill it. The number gives us a spiritual underpinning to Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. The Spirit also gives an additional clue. " He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
Cloud is another term nuance of which casts shadow and it is on the same scale of the shadow of Peter, "Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them."(Ac.5:15). Elijah would bend over the dead boy, casting a shadow' "And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again./ And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived." Three times hold nuance and he did it as a double for the Son. Besides taking the dead boy to the attic and bringing him back alive to hand him to his mother is nuanced.
The main happenings before the beginning of the last week- Daniel 9:27.What will happen from now on.The last week is not too far to start.Here are the happenings that will preceed the last week as was prophesied by Daniel:
- Death of the current Pope and election of the next and last Pope,ruler and guide of the religious MONSTER of 7 heads,and 10 horns,upon his HORNS ten crowns,and upon his 7 heads the name of blasphemy-Vicarius Filli Dei?
-The Beast of the earth with two horns LIKE A LAMB rises up in Israel;(the clay- Isaiah 64:8-the dry land);
-Election of a new Pope-his pseudo-name or nickname may be Paulus VII??(Re.17:10);
-Then the Beast of the earth LIKE A LAMB will manifest himself as God in Israel;in fact a false messiah,an esoteric,and kabbalistic,and spiritist false messiah;Then there will be two powerful and satanic Beasts in the Earth;
-The esoteric and kabblistic,and spiritist Beast of the earth will make great signs and wonders of lie,even makes fire come down to the earth before men;Rev.13:13-15
-The ELECTED LAST Pope(Paulus VII??)will meet the Beast like lamb;
-Both will develop an union between the Roman Catholic Church and Judaism,iron with clay- Daniel 2:41-43-but they shall not cleave one to another,even as iron is not mixed with clay;
-A religious and universal satanic Empire will be build by both religious leaders;Rev.11:1-2;
-The esoteric and kabbalistic, and spiritist Beast of the earth-the false messiah of the Jews-AN IMPOSTOR,will make a deal with the Beast of sea-the Papacy-,the Beast of earth, the false messaiah, will give to the Beast of sea his Power, and his Throne,and great Authority.Then the Antichrist's Empire is conceived by both satanic Beasts;
All events or happenings listed above,some will happen before starting the last week- Daniel 9:27-,for example,death of Pope Francis,others during the week as soon it starts, and others in the middle of the week and until the end or until the consumation.
Jesus went out from the Temple:His disciples showed Him the buildings of the Temple.JESUS said:See ye not all these things?verily I say unto you,There shall not be left here ONE stone upon another, what He prophesied fulfilled LITERALLY in 70AD,the testimony of JESUS is the Spirit of prophecy.Temple was destroyed in 70AD,Israel was banned from their land,and were scattered around the world for 1878 years,from 70AD-1948AD,100K died under the army of Romans's attack.Israel suffered severe and great punishments for 1878 years in LITERAL fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:15-68.Take a look.The WORD IS GOD,self-executing,understand?
Then JESUS went to the Mount of Olives,there the disciples privately asked two important things to Him,saying:
1 - What shall be the sign of thy coming?
2 - and of the END of the world?(the current Devil's world)
JESUS LISTED A TRIBULATIONAL PERIOD-BEGINNING OF SORROWS, AND SAID HOW WOULD BE THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE TIME
The testimomy of JESUS is the Spirit of PROPHECY.He listed several events linked to His Coming,and to the END of THIS current Devil's world.
Matthew 24:4-8-Jesus said:
v.4-Take heed that no man deceive you;(this the first concern of JESUS).It seems many have not kept the warning of JESUS and are being deceived by false and devilish theories spread in the world mainly by Internet.
v.5-For many shall come in my name,saying,I am Christ;and shall deceive many;
(Soon will manifest the Beast of the earth who has two horns like a lamb,actually a false lamb,a false messiah,AN IMPOSTOR. John 5:43, 2Thessalonians 2:3-4, Revelation 13:11).
v.6-And ye shall hear of WARS and RUMOURS of WARS;seefor ALL THESE THINGS must come to pass,but the END is not yet.
v.7-For NATION shall rise against NATION,and kingdom against kingdom:
there shall be famines;
pestilences;
earthquakes in divers places.
8All these are the beginning of SORROWS.(Pre-tribulational)
My understanding is Jesus was baptized and anointed in the fall of the year__, he was 40 days and nights in the wilderness. Jesus then chose His 12 disciples. shortly after the wedding where Jesus turned the water to wine, He went to Passover John 2:23, this would be 6 months after He was anointed by the Holy Ghost.
There are 3 more Passovers and Jesus was crucified on the last one, John 5:1, 1.5 years John 6:4 2.5 years, and John 13:1 the Passover He was crucified 3.5 years from when He was anointed as the Messiah.
My understanding of Matthew 24 was also for the disciples for the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem not just for us today, if we compare Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 have when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet. But in Luke 21:20, He writes when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
The abomination of desolation is something done by someone as King Antiochus IV Epiphanes did in 168 BC. It happened before the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. My understanding is parts of Jesus's Olivet discourse were for them and parts are for us.
What is in Daniel 9:27 Jesus caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease when He died and the vail of the Temple rent from top to bottom. As Jesus told the woman at the well the hour has come ye shall not worship the Father in the mountain or Jerusalem, John 4:21
The wording in Daniel 9:27 is for the overspreading of abominations points to the abominations the leaders of Jerusalem will have done, Matthew 23:32-38 Jesus told them "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" The he, is Jesus who will make it desolate and, in their generation, it was made desolate by the people/Roman army, of the prince/Titus same as God used Babylon in 586 BC.
I hope this makes sense so that you can study for your understanding even if you disagree, if you have questions let me know.
God bless you S. Spencer. Thank you so much for your insight and responses. I'm having a difficult time getting comments approved and I had more to say but it remained on hold for too long, so I removed it.
I wanted you to know that I appreciate your comments. Thank you.
Allow me to bring an interesting question about Revelation 1, object of your post, regarding to the seven Churches of the Lord. The question is: Why did JESUS send not a letter to the Church of Rome, developed by Paul Apostle? Romans 1:7-13,witten around 57AD. Was there a reason? what would you say about this?
Messiah doesn't destroy. Here's what the prophecy says of Daniel's week 70th;
1-it is about the works of redemption through JESUS the Messiah;
2-to RESTORE and BUILD the Temple of Jerusalem, as was commanded by GOD to the King Cyrus(Esra 1:2-3 and 6:3),
3-This EVENT would last until the Messiah be cut off-(Crucified),as is written in Dan.9:24-25,as follow:
Verse 24-Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people(Israel)and upon thy holy city,
-to finish the transgression,
-and to make an end of sins,
-to make reconciliation for iniquity,
-to bring in everlasting righteousness,
-to seal up the VISION and PROPHECY,
and to anoint the most Holy.
V.25-Know therefore and understand,that
- from the going forth of the commandment TO RESTORE,
- and TO BUILD Jerusalem until the Messiah the Prince,
- shall be seven weeks(49 years),
- and threescore and two weeks(more 434 years):
- the street shall be BUILT AGAIN,and the wall, even in troublous times.
JESUS was born after week 69, i.e.after a period of 483 years.His birth was something around 7 to 3BC,as this is known).
- Beginning of Jesus' public Ministry was around 27 AD, at the age of thirty( Luke 3:23).
- After three years was cut off in LITERAL fulfilment of Dan.9:26-And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off(crucified),but not for Himself.
That said,the last week,week 70th,stayed I would say,at stand by,and it until this current time.
Actually,these last 7 years are within the last decade of the existence of this current world of Devil,and in this last 10 years period fulfills LITERALY Matthew 24:3-8-period of sorrows,and imediately after,the abomination of desolation- Matthew 24:15-28. GET READY
In the other hand,O please,brother, according to the Chronology of the New Testament,when Stephen was killed it had not been passed two years of the crucifixion,so much less than three years and half as you said erroneously. Stephen has nothing to do with the week 70th Daniel's prophecy.
Re.1:1-7"Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness" (2 of 2)
Jesus said, "Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."(Ps.16:8) So what is the mystery of the seven stars "which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches." (Re.1: 20) The seven churches carry names and can be located in Asia Minor. The mystery of the Number Seven tells us that the entire congregation, the angelic host are represented and they are in the right hand of the Son. They are witnesses in heaven to the church as a body. So are the believers whose heart was steadfast in faith.
Now we shall consider the verse: 1:7
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." The cloud of witnesses accompanied in the night vision of Daniel. "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him./And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."( Dan 7:13-14) Here we have a narrative mode that the Spirit employs where the specific overarches to the end times. This Min-Max mode helps us rightly place the role of Israel in the Salvation Saga. Israel's understanding of his nation is only a jump-off point for the church purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Evangelism pleases the Lord. The Christian life must never be lived according to "shoulds." Yet we hear that word often in relation to Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, and other Christian practices. "I should do that, but . . ." The but is a bigger problem than we want to admit. God's children will naturally want to please their Heavenly Father; it is their greatest delight. So our compass is set with God at true north. In everything we do, we feel the magnetic pull toward pleasing God. Even mundane tasks can be completed with joy because we are doing what God has given us to do ( 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:9). Teaching other people how to have a relationship with Jesus is one way to please Him. And in pleasing Him we are most fulfilled ( Galatians 2:20).
END ARTICLE.
When we are unequally yoked, they cannot perform the task set before us. Instead of working together, we are at odds with one another.
Paul's admonition in 2 Corinthians 6:14 is part of a larger discourse to the church at Corinth on the Christian life. He discouraged them from being in an unequal partnership with unbelievers because believers and unbelievers are opposites, just as light and darkness are opposites. They simply have nothing in common,
just as Christ has nothing in common with "Belial,
The "unequal yoke" is often applied to business relationships, Marriage ect..
We are to love everyone as Christ do and share the Gospel but we must understand that unbelievers have opposite worldviews and morals, and decisions made daily will reflect the worldview of one partner or the other.
In this world we are to be as Daniel in Babylon. He inspired Nebuchadnezzar. See Daniel 4
Re.1:1-7 "Jesus Christ the Faithful Witness" (1 of 2)
Jesus Christ as the faithful witness to the holiness of God. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;/ One Lord, one faith, one baptism,/ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ep.4: 4-6). This oneness defines unity of the Spirit. God is a Spirit which is 'in you all' refers to the one body, the church to which Jesus is the Lord.
The church is a living organism since Jesus triumphed over death everlasting life is what faith signifies. It is Person specific. The earth which was without form and void acquires the head and body, It is what creation of Eve instructs us. Adam's deep sleep was caused by God and when he wakes up exclaims, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh."(Ge.2:22). By several list of genealogies the Spirit gives us an unbroken track where faith creates several heroes of faith, every one of them foreshadows Jesus who shall be born of a virgin. This sign was given before the great congregation of angels and children of men.
He.11:3 refers to the will of God the Father and the fulfilment aspect of God the Son. The paternity test of faith the DNA of Jesus passed the test. His resurrection proves the point. "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."(Ac.2:24) Peter refers to the psalm, which tells us why. "I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."(Ps.16:8) Faith is not merely a flash in the pan but is the result of loving God and as Moses exhorts the nation of Israel, "An d thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might./And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart"(De.6: 5-6) This is how Jesus fulfilled his Father's mandate.
We should "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" ( 1 Peter 3:15). We prepare by studying God's Word for ourselves, listening to sound Bible teachers, and staying in close fellowship with Jesus. Those practices keep our own lives pure so that we are not hypocrites who preach one thing but do another Galatians 6:1.
Evangelism provides eternal benefits. Jesus encouraged His followers to "store up treasure in heaven" ( Matthew 6:19). That treasure consists of rewards for what we did on earth in His name and for His glory. It is not self-centered to make choices that will ensure eternal treasure for ourselves. Jesus told us to! Our service to Him can be as simple as offering a cup of cold water to one of His own ( Matthew 10:42). The parable of the unjust steward underscores the importance of doing whatever we can to bring people to faith in Christ ( Luke 16:1-13).
4. Evangelism is an overflow of the "hope that is within us" ( Hebrews 6:19; 1 Peter 3:15). When two people fall in love, they cannot help but let everyone around them know it. Joy shows on their faces; stars glitter in their eyes. They are eager to tell anyone who will listen about the wonderful person they love. So it is when we've fallen in love with Jesus. We cannot help but tell people about Him every chance we get. We think about Him all the time. We're drawn to His Word, to worship services, and to others who love Him. We look for opportunities to share His truth with someone who is far from Him. If Jesus is not at the forefront of our minds, we have a spiritual problem and need to address that first before we can share the "hope that is within us."
Some seems to prefer to minister to only other believers and have very little to say to unbelievers.
They are quick to judge and tell them where they are going but don't offer them the only way of escape. The Gospel.
In John 17:20 we see Jesus praying for our ministering to them.
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
I once copied an article on Evangelism. Here's how it reads.
Part 1.
To evangelize means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone else. Personal evangelism should be the lifestyle of every true Christian. We've been given a great gift, and our Master left us with clear instructions: "Go into all the world and make disciples of every nation" Matthew 28:19. Before we can "make disciples," we must evangelize. There are other reasons, besides Jesus' command, that should also motivate us to share the greatest news in the world with people who haven't heard it:
Evangelism is an act of love. Love must be the defining characteristic of every follower of Jesus Christ John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, so anyone who walks in the Spirit will demonstrate love in dealing with people Galatians 5:16, 22-23. We possess the best news in the world, and love propels us to share it with those who haven't heard. Love wants everyone to have a chance to respond to God's offer of salvation. Withholding news that could save someone's life is the utmost cruelty; therefore, those who truly love God will love the people whom Jesus came to save John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:20.
Evangelism builds our own faith. Nothing helps us learn a subject like teaching it to someone else. When we make a practice of sharing our faith with those in our lives, we strengthen our own beliefs. Regular evangelism forces us to wrestle through the hard questions, find answers for ourselves, and prepare to respond to the questions of others.
I have friends that may be unsaved judging by their testimony, lives, response to certain things such as worldly things and Church things or "Spiritual things"
I have one friend in particular that has no Spiritual insight, void of peace and have no love for what he calls "Religious people" but he enjoys to dabble in the chaotic ways of the world.
When we first met I told him I was a Christian. He doesn't go to Church for reasons I won't get into but I don't think he ever knew what Christian means or how to define one.
However, I believe he found something unique about my way of life and noticed my firm stance for what I believed in.
He began to watch his steps and began to trust and take counsel from me and left off trying to counsel me with his worldly take on life and his ignorance of God.
Today he has gained a respect for the word of God.
Our relationship to the lost world is to introduce Christ.
We do that "Not by acting out a performance" but by truth, and his word.
The word and our deeds should align. (That's God's doing).
TRUTH.
They'll understand by listening and watching us that we are not perfect but we follow that which is. (Jesus )
We have a name we must uphold. We can't follow them in this world. "The darkness that it has to offer"
We are to be a light for them to lead them out of it. We are light bearers that shines light on Christ. We show a lost world that the way to the father is through the Son.
So to your friend you are here to be a leader and not a follower. Philippians 2:15.
You are to be a Evangelist to them in some way.
The Apostles set the foundation and was left here to do this and we are here to build on it.
John 17:14-21 says it best. We don't separate ourselves from them. We separate ourselves from all aspects of their way of life.
Do you recall Jesus said, "behold, your house is left desolate"? Math 23:38, the he is the messiah. The entire 70 weeks concerned the coming of Jesus, true the prince that shall come destroyed the city, 70 A.D. The "subject" throughout the explanation of the 70 weeks was Jesus. The 70 weeks culminated with the stoning of Stephen, the first martyr, would have been 3 and a half years after the crucifixion.
The cloud of witnesses are angels as the fellow-servant of StJohn says, "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things./Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book:"(Re.22:8-9)
They were with God even before the foundation of the world. The night vision of Daniel mentions their presence when the books were opened and judgement was set. When God called us they were present as witnesses for our soul. We as a body served in turn for them a sign. In short without taking both worlds as one we are up the creek without a paddle. The seven angels to the seven churches are indicated by seven stars in the right hand of Jesus Christ in his glory. "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" tells how little Satan understood of the concept of Salvation or of Atonement. His pride had made him blind to the beauty of holiness that marked the Son.
Naturally Lucifer wanted to be like the Most High and above the congregation of witnesses.
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:/I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."
Here we are faced with a number of entities which are associated with the world of the Spirit. Mount of the congregation for instance is two terms compounded from the mountain of God and the great congregation also called the cloud of witnesses. It is also set down, 'in the sides of the north' location evidently set in context of the throne of God. It merely indicates God as the judge and judgment calls for witnesses where angelic host play their part. Lucifer's revolt began in heaven so it is judged there.
Firstly the two worlds the heaven and the earth are framed by the word. Faith is what holds them as one. Divine Will according to the word or the Law evolves into a world of the body, which is a spiritual body, and St Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit calls it a building 'eternal in the heavens'. The earth which was without form and void shall be the House of Prayer for all nation. Christ is the head and the church is the body. 'A body hast thou prepared' refers to the word become flesh. By fulfilling the will of the Father the church is formed. It is to this body, made up of a great congregation the Psalmist refers, "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation." (Ps.40:9). The saints redeemed from the earth shall continue the life everlasting clothed with their spiritual bodies. As St Paul says further down "For we walk by faith not by sight." Jesus talk that we hear is dud without the walk. faith cannot be faith without the walk.
Greetings Brother S. Spencer! Your comments here are perfect timing for me as I have a dear friend who is not saved but thinks she is a believer I suppose but her Jesus is the counterfeit Jesus (New Age, crystals, etc... ).
When you said
"So, in what ways we are not to be unequally yoked with them? Many things can be mentioned but I won't get into that here."
Can you elaborate a little bit? I want to always love her no matter what. I do pray to Holy Spirit to guide me with this as it is heavy on my heart.
God set everything perfect. God set Lucifer perfect in beauty. But his pride was his own invention. As a spirit he tinkered with his thoughts Jesus says "When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." ( John 8:44) For this reason Jesus referred to Judas Iscariot as the son of perdition. The beast is another. Their sin traces who their father is. Man is shaped by his thoughts and for this reason what is a merchant prince but a mean fellow whose wakeful life is seized by profits and raking the muck of turning up wealth. In old China they were held in low esteem. In our society they are looked upto though they are as cantakerous as a Musk or as Bezos who has to monitor 7x24 their employees.
James says,"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:/But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed./Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."(Jas.1:13-15)
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:"
There are two ways of speaking. One is this, "I believed therefore have I spoken." St Paul annotates it to indicate salvation that comes from open confession. At the bottom what works is the spirit of faith which outpours from God a Spirit. Holiness of God makes no separation and every man is entitled to it. So St Paul explains,"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Ps.116:10; 2 Co.4:13; Ro.10:10)
Second way is what Lucifer, an angel employed. God charges him thus, "For thou hast said in thine heart,"I will ascend into heaven." God makes angels spirits so their thoughts have a centre. Since they do not have a body we cannot foist upon them a heart that we associate with human anatomy. Mind is indicated here. Satan expresses, "I will" which contradicts the will of God the Father so pride is a spiritual anomaly that Satan has coined. No man may invent in the world of the Spirit as one invents a tool from flint or a water wheel. He works with his visible world. Now what is evolution but tinkering with what is already existing, which is outside the will of man. The Bible is the God document and the Spirit is not teaching us anthropology or a treatise on ethnography but of the righteousness of God.
Without the Spirit giving us grace, what is faith as it is bandied about in the churches? Justification, yes but works, oh no! I wonder if Luther had got his scripture right? St James in his epistle was correct to connect works where it rightfully belongs. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."(Jas.2:17)
I would like to share another verse that is sometimes missed when studying this portion of scripture.
Matthew 28:19. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in "THE NAME" of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(The name) notice that this is singular, not plural! of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus didn't say baptize in "The names" (plural) as in three different people. He said in "The Name" as if the father Son and Holyspirit is one God of the same.
This is an early indication of the Trinitarian Godhead and an overt proclamation of Jesus' deity.
I thought you were saying there is no 3 and a half year tribulation period. I re-read the text and couldn't do nothing but laugh at myself.
I think I combined your text with another and didn't read through neither.
Sorry for that!
More on the wide gate and "broad way" mentioned in Matthew 7:13-14.
I don't think you will find least resistance in the wide gate because because it is a "broad way"!
This group doesn't necessarily agree with one another! The only thing they have in common is they reject Christ and some don't even know it.
One's narrow view can be found in the wide gate.
I believe that is what makes the wide gate a broad way. People are willing to take any other way but the Lord's way.
That's why those on Christ narrow path is persecuted by the world and half of them goes under the banner of Christianity so I would be careful not to be prejudice against a view point because it is taught by what is believed to be the majority or minority view.
We study scripture to learn and grow. Not to differentiate or to disprove aview point.
It can become an obsession and lead you down the wrong path.
I could not see in your reply what is your interpretation on Dan.9:27, you just limited yourself to informing other interpretations are erroneous, your answer did not bring your interpretation.I did not understand what you meant: 'one issue with Dan 9:27 is that it's all about the Messiah'.
But what does Daniel 9:27 reveal?
27 - And HE shall confirm the covenant with many for one week(of years):and in the MIDST of the week(after 42 months)HE shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,and for the overspreading of abominations HE shall make it desolate, even until the consummation,and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Just curious.Who is HE in your understanding? (Remember:In Matthew 24:15 our Lord JESUS LITERALLY referred to this desolation spoken of by Daniel as a signal of His coming imediately after the period of sorrows- Matthew 24:3-8).
Then,according to the above,'HE shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease',but verse 26 says:And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off (crucified),but NOT for Himself: and the people (WHAT PEOPLE?)of the PRINCE (WHAT PRINCE?)that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary(for me Ezekiel 21:25 reveals who is this profane Prince); and the end thereof shall be with a flood,and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
You said 'the Ministry of JESUS' was 3,5 years, but the current and universal record of the period of JESUS's Ministry is only 3 years, not 3,5 years. What is your source? Just curious,it's unknown to me.
Sorry, our posts are read by many brothers and sisters, so my concern is to FIND the true interpretation of Scriptures in the current perilous times, and also overspreading of apostasies, beyond manifestation of the son of perdition very soon( John 5:43-47 combined with 2Thessalonians 2:1-4 and Revelation 13:11).
May our Lord GOD bless us,and give us His pretection
Anyone who wants to give biblical evidence that disproves the deity of Jesus is welcome to post their views as I did. Both views cannot be true, so we must find out which one is true and which one is heresy. It is such an important matter for believers to have correct doctrines about who God is according to Scripture so that we can worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
Then Peter says that Jesus is the Son of the Living God. Remember that the Jews of the first century understood that Son of God is a divine title, as I explained earlier. So for Peter to say that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, He is saying that Jesus is God.
In Matthew 16:16-17 Jesus again asked a very profound question. "Who do you say that I am." Again, Peter the same statement. "Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus receives this statement as true and declared that Peter didn't come up with this idea on his own but that the Father had revealed this truth to Peter (because God can only tell the truth).
In john 20:28, Thomas, upon seeing and touching the risen Jesus exclaims, "My Lord and my God." Jesus does not rebuke Thomas for saying He is God, nor does He say Thomas is mistaken and then correct Thomas. No, Jesus accepts Thomas' statement of worship.
In Is. 43;15, YHWH says, "I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, you King." In Jn. 1:49, after Jesus calls Natanael, Nathanael says, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." Jesus does not negate what Natanael states because this disciples is equating Jesus with YHWH of Is. 43:15.
Also, even demons knew that Jesus was God, calling Him the "Holy One of God" in Mk. 1:24; Lk. 4:34.
Next, I want to go to Hebrew1:6 where the inspiration of God had the author say that the angels worship Jesus, In Rev. there is worship of Jesus, the Lamb, along with the Father, who sits on the throne. How could this worship be allowed in heaven if Jesus was not God?
For now I will stop. There are many, many more verses that speak to Jesus; divinity. One can look on this site under the question "Is Jesus God?"
For me, I am convinced that Jesus is God and worthy of worship as God. And it is not idolatry to worship the Father and Jesus, the Son, for there are not two Gods (or three), but one God who exists as several divine persons who are one in nature.
The apostles knew that they were to believe and worship only YHWH. So, why would Jesus tell them to believe in the Father as God and also believe in Himself as God? In verse 7 He tells Thomas that if they know Him they would also know the Father and have seen the Father in knowing Himself. Right away, Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus says, "He that has seen me has seen the Father." and in vs. 8 He says "I am in the Father and the Father is in Me." Her Jesus is telling the truth that He is in a oneness relationship with the Father. He speaks that the Father is one person and he is another, but together they are truly one.
In vs. 23 He says that those who love Him, the Father and Himself will come and together with the Father (and the Spirit -vs.17) God will live within the believer. In Chapter 15:23 Jesus says that He who hates Him also hates the Father, once more speaking to their divine oneness.
John 17 is Jesus' high priestly prayer (which I so love to read again and again) After saying in vs. 2 that the Father has given Jesus power over all flesh (divine sovereignty) and that Jesus give eternal life to all the Father gives Him, in vs. 5 Jesus speaks of the Father glorifying Him again just as He was glorified within the Father eternally from before he came into the world. This is clearly a statement of His Deity because in Is. 42:8, 48:11God said He will not give His glory to another.
Next, I wish to cite passages that tells us what the disciples believed about Jesus. Jesus asked a very pointed question to His disciples in John chapter 6 after telling the crowds that He was the Bread of Life and many followers deserted him. He asked "Who do you say that I am (again using the name YHWH). in vs. 62 He says "What and if you see the Son of man (Himself) ascend up where He was before? (Speaking about His eternal existence with the Father). In vs. 69 Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) see part 6
Since the essential nature of the Godhead is changeless, the Father would eternally be the Father of the Son, and the Son would eternally be the Son of the Father. Since John, under inspiration says that the Son is God, then it would be a conflict to say that the Son had a beginning of His begetting because that would indicate a change in the internal nature of the Godhead.
Next, I want to cite a few instances in John's Gospel where the Jewish leaders took up stones to kill Him or worse because in their first century thinking, they accused Jesus of making Himself God or equal to YHWH. These citations are John chapter 5:16-47; (for healing on the Sabbath and making Himself equal with God, vs. 18) 8:59 (where Jesus us the name YHWH to say that he existed before Abraham); 10:18 (Jesus says that He has the power to resurrect Himself) 10:20 (the Jews said that He had a devil and try to arrest Him) vs, 30 where Jesus states "I and the Father are one." and 31-39 where the Jews wanted to stone Him for blasphemy because He said He was the Son of God, thus making Himself to be God.
In all of these citations, Jesus knew already before He spoke how the Jews would understand His words, and He spoke them very deliberately, knowing they would accuse Him of saying He is God. He did not restate his words in ways such as, "No, no, I did not mean to say that I am God or equal to Him, you have misunderstood." No, He let his words stand affirming that their understanding of Him stating his deity was correct. If their understanding of His words were wrong, then He would have corrected their misunderstanding, but He didn't, and thus they wanted to stone him for blasphemy.
Next, I wish to go to the Last Supper Discourse in John. Right away, in john 14:1 Jesus tells His disciples to believe in God (His eternal Father) and also to believe in Him (the eternal divine Son). I say this because He never once retracted His claims to Deity. See part 5
Sorry for the delay, I did not reply concerning the two beasts in Revelation 13 my reply was about the last week of Daniel 9:27 being put at the end times, my understanding is different. As far as the sea means waters and could be the Gentile nations you may be correct, we know it won't be Israel.
If we look at Revelation 11:7 and Revelation 17:8 this beast ascendeth out of the bottomless pit, so the word sea in Revelation 13 may mean the abyss, just a thought.
God "who walketh upon the wings of the wind:" (1 of 2)
Let us consider the Vision of the Dry Bones where wind represents something else. " Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the LordGod; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live./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."(Ez.37:9-10)
God is asking Ezekiel to prophesy unto the wind. His credentials come from the roll which God made the prophet to eat. "Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel."(Ez.3:1) He was a stand in for Jesus Christ who is the Word become flesh. He is Man the message. "Moreover he said unto me, Son of man, all my words that I shall speak unto thee receive in thine heart, and hear with thine ears." He was to receive 'all my words' for this reason both words unto salvation and to damnation were to treated equally. "Then did I eat it; and it was in my mouth as honey for sweetness."(3:3). This parallel with St John , "And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey."(Re.10:9)
"And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:" (10:1) Who is this mighty angel ?The attributes of fire, the sun and the bow inform us it is Jesus Christ who reveals the word through his angel. Cf.Re.1 Here we have the Word (God) employing angel and man which is a single measurement validated as the standard by Jesus Christ. The nuanced narrative of the Spirit is leading us to the holy city of God which is foursquare. (Re.21:16-17)
God "who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:/Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire:"
God is a Spirit so we shall treat our visible world has a spiritual scaffolding or underpinning all leading to a specific outcome. God sent his only begotten Son for this purpose. Here is a verse, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ./For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;." (Ep.2:13-14) This middle wall is not merely across but also up and down. For this we have the symbolism of the line and plummet (Is.28:17) and the single measurement which is made up of man angel as we read of the holy city of God is "according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."(Re.21:17).
Nuance
The Spirit develops the people events, names ,-well every aspect of the visible world to the Rest of God which is a tangible and eternal building. What can be measure must be tangible as much as the word of God can become flesh is it not? It is God's doing. So the term nuance to all intent and purpose defines unity of the Spirit that the eternal word of God settled in heavens would mean.(Ps.119:89)
We were known thus even before we were born. "Unto an holy temple in the Lord:/In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."(Ep.2: 21-22)
Hypothetical questions require carnal wisdom while every nuance set down by the Holy Spirit requires truth. I excuse myself from indulging in such 'what ifs.' Nuance of seven is not merely a number. Perfection of the church as was in the mind of the Father was left for the Son to fulfill it. The number gives us a spiritual underpinning to Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world. The Spirit also gives an additional clue. " He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
Cloud is another term nuance of which casts shadow and it is on the same scale of the shadow of Peter, "Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them."(Ac.5:15). Elijah would bend over the dead boy, casting a shadow' "And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child's soul come into him again./ And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived." Three times hold nuance and he did it as a double for the Son. Besides taking the dead boy to the attic and bringing him back alive to hand him to his mother is nuanced.
The main happenings before the beginning of the last week- Daniel 9:27.What will happen from now on.The last week is not too far to start.Here are the happenings that will preceed the last week as was prophesied by Daniel:
- Death of the current Pope and election of the next and last Pope,ruler and guide of the religious MONSTER of 7 heads,and 10 horns,upon his HORNS ten crowns,and upon his 7 heads the name of blasphemy-Vicarius Filli Dei?
-The Beast of the earth with two horns LIKE A LAMB rises up in Israel;(the clay- Isaiah 64:8-the dry land);
-Election of a new Pope-his pseudo-name or nickname may be Paulus VII??(Re.17:10);
-Then the Beast of the earth LIKE A LAMB will manifest himself as God in Israel;in fact a false messiah,an esoteric,and kabbalistic,and spiritist false messiah;Then there will be two powerful and satanic Beasts in the Earth;
-The esoteric and kabblistic,and spiritist Beast of the earth will make great signs and wonders of lie,even makes fire come down to the earth before men;Rev.13:13-15
-The ELECTED LAST Pope(Paulus VII??)will meet the Beast like lamb;
-Both will develop an union between the Roman Catholic Church and Judaism,iron with clay- Daniel 2:41-43-but they shall not cleave one to another,even as iron is not mixed with clay;
-A religious and universal satanic Empire will be build by both religious leaders;Rev.11:1-2;
-The esoteric and kabbalistic, and spiritist Beast of the earth-the false messiah of the Jews-AN IMPOSTOR,will make a deal with the Beast of sea-the Papacy-,the Beast of earth, the false messaiah, will give to the Beast of sea his Power, and his Throne,and great Authority.Then the Antichrist's Empire is conceived by both satanic Beasts;
All events or happenings listed above,some will happen before starting the last week- Daniel 9:27-,for example,death of Pope Francis,others during the week as soon it starts, and others in the middle of the week and until the end or until the consumation.
Get ready
PRE TRIBULATIONAL PERIOD-BEGINNING OF SORROWS
Matthew 24:1-2&15-25
Jesus went out from the Temple:His disciples showed Him the buildings of the Temple.JESUS said:See ye not all these things?verily I say unto you,There shall not be left here ONE stone upon another, what He prophesied fulfilled LITERALLY in 70AD,the testimony of JESUS is the Spirit of prophecy.Temple was destroyed in 70AD,Israel was banned from their land,and were scattered around the world for 1878 years,from 70AD-1948AD,100K died under the army of Romans's attack.Israel suffered severe and great punishments for 1878 years in LITERAL fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:15-68.Take a look.The WORD IS GOD,self-executing,understand?
Then JESUS went to the Mount of Olives,there the disciples privately asked two important things to Him,saying:
1 - What shall be the sign of thy coming?
2 - and of the END of the world?(the current Devil's world)
JESUS LISTED A TRIBULATIONAL PERIOD-BEGINNING OF SORROWS, AND SAID HOW WOULD BE THE BEGINNING OF THE END OF THE TIME
The testimomy of JESUS is the Spirit of PROPHECY.He listed several events linked to His Coming,and to the END of THIS current Devil's world.
Matthew 24:4-8-Jesus said:
v.4-Take heed that no man deceive you;(this the first concern of JESUS).It seems many have not kept the warning of JESUS and are being deceived by false and devilish theories spread in the world mainly by Internet.
v.5-For many shall come in my name,saying,I am Christ;and shall deceive many;
(Soon will manifest the Beast of the earth who has two horns like a lamb,actually a false lamb,a false messiah,AN IMPOSTOR. John 5:43, 2Thessalonians 2:3-4, Revelation 13:11).
v.6-And ye shall hear of WARS and RUMOURS of WARS;seefor ALL THESE THINGS must come to pass,but the END is not yet.
v.7-For NATION shall rise against NATION,and kingdom against kingdom:
there shall be famines;
pestilences;
earthquakes in divers places.
8All these are the beginning of SORROWS.(Pre-tribulational)
My understanding is Jesus was baptized and anointed in the fall of the year__, he was 40 days and nights in the wilderness. Jesus then chose His 12 disciples. shortly after the wedding where Jesus turned the water to wine, He went to Passover John 2:23, this would be 6 months after He was anointed by the Holy Ghost.
There are 3 more Passovers and Jesus was crucified on the last one, John 5:1, 1.5 years John 6:4 2.5 years, and John 13:1 the Passover He was crucified 3.5 years from when He was anointed as the Messiah.
My understanding of Matthew 24 was also for the disciples for the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem not just for us today, if we compare Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 have when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet. But in Luke 21:20, He writes when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
The abomination of desolation is something done by someone as King Antiochus IV Epiphanes did in 168 BC. It happened before the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. My understanding is parts of Jesus's Olivet discourse were for them and parts are for us.
What is in Daniel 9:27 Jesus caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease when He died and the vail of the Temple rent from top to bottom. As Jesus told the woman at the well the hour has come ye shall not worship the Father in the mountain or Jerusalem, John 4:21
The wording in Daniel 9:27 is for the overspreading of abominations points to the abominations the leaders of Jerusalem will have done, Matthew 23:32-38 Jesus told them "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" The he, is Jesus who will make it desolate and, in their generation, it was made desolate by the people/Roman army, of the prince/Titus same as God used Babylon in 586 BC.
I hope this makes sense so that you can study for your understanding even if you disagree, if you have questions let me know.
God bless,
RLW
I wanted you to know that I appreciate your comments. Thank you.
Allow me to bring an interesting question about Revelation 1, object of your post, regarding to the seven Churches of the Lord. The question is: Why did JESUS send not a letter to the Church of Rome, developed by Paul Apostle? Romans 1:7-13,witten around 57AD. Was there a reason? what would you say about this?
Messiah doesn't destroy. Here's what the prophecy says of Daniel's week 70th;
1-it is about the works of redemption through JESUS the Messiah;
2-to RESTORE and BUILD the Temple of Jerusalem, as was commanded by GOD to the King Cyrus(Esra 1:2-3 and 6:3),
3-This EVENT would last until the Messiah be cut off-(Crucified),as is written in Dan.9:24-25,as follow:
Verse 24-Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people(Israel)and upon thy holy city,
-to finish the transgression,
-and to make an end of sins,
-to make reconciliation for iniquity,
-to bring in everlasting righteousness,
-to seal up the VISION and PROPHECY,
and to anoint the most Holy.
V.25-Know therefore and understand,that
- from the going forth of the commandment TO RESTORE,
- and TO BUILD Jerusalem until the Messiah the Prince,
- shall be seven weeks(49 years),
- and threescore and two weeks(more 434 years):
- the street shall be BUILT AGAIN,and the wall, even in troublous times.
JESUS was born after week 69, i.e.after a period of 483 years.His birth was something around 7 to 3BC,as this is known).
- Beginning of Jesus' public Ministry was around 27 AD, at the age of thirty( Luke 3:23).
- After three years was cut off in LITERAL fulfilment of Dan.9:26-And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off(crucified),but not for Himself.
That said,the last week,week 70th,stayed I would say,at stand by,and it until this current time.
Actually,these last 7 years are within the last decade of the existence of this current world of Devil,and in this last 10 years period fulfills LITERALY Matthew 24:3-8-period of sorrows,and imediately after,the abomination of desolation- Matthew 24:15-28. GET READY
In the other hand,O please,brother, according to the Chronology of the New Testament,when Stephen was killed it had not been passed two years of the crucifixion,so much less than three years and half as you said erroneously. Stephen has nothing to do with the week 70th Daniel's prophecy.
Jesus said, "Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."(Ps.16:8) So what is the mystery of the seven stars "which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches." (Re.1: 20) The seven churches carry names and can be located in Asia Minor. The mystery of the Number Seven tells us that the entire congregation, the angelic host are represented and they are in the right hand of the Son. They are witnesses in heaven to the church as a body. So are the believers whose heart was steadfast in faith.
Now we shall consider the verse: 1:7
"Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen." The cloud of witnesses accompanied in the night vision of Daniel. "I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him./And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."( Dan 7:13-14) Here we have a narrative mode that the Spirit employs where the specific overarches to the end times. This Min-Max mode helps us rightly place the role of Israel in the Salvation Saga. Israel's understanding of his nation is only a jump-off point for the church purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ.
Part 3.
Evangelism pleases the Lord. The Christian life must never be lived according to "shoulds." Yet we hear that word often in relation to Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, and other Christian practices. "I should do that, but . . ." The but is a bigger problem than we want to admit. God's children will naturally want to please their Heavenly Father; it is their greatest delight. So our compass is set with God at true north. In everything we do, we feel the magnetic pull toward pleasing God. Even mundane tasks can be completed with joy because we are doing what God has given us to do ( 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:9). Teaching other people how to have a relationship with Jesus is one way to please Him. And in pleasing Him we are most fulfilled ( Galatians 2:20).
END ARTICLE.
When we are unequally yoked, they cannot perform the task set before us. Instead of working together, we are at odds with one another.
Paul's admonition in 2 Corinthians 6:14 is part of a larger discourse to the church at Corinth on the Christian life. He discouraged them from being in an unequal partnership with unbelievers because believers and unbelievers are opposites, just as light and darkness are opposites. They simply have nothing in common,
just as Christ has nothing in common with "Belial,
The "unequal yoke" is often applied to business relationships, Marriage ect..
We are to love everyone as Christ do and share the Gospel but we must understand that unbelievers have opposite worldviews and morals, and decisions made daily will reflect the worldview of one partner or the other.
In this world we are to be as Daniel in Babylon. He inspired Nebuchadnezzar. See Daniel 4
God bless.
Jesus Christ as the faithful witness to the holiness of God. "There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;/ One Lord, one faith, one baptism,/ One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." (Ep.4: 4-6). This oneness defines unity of the Spirit. God is a Spirit which is 'in you all' refers to the one body, the church to which Jesus is the Lord.
The church is a living organism since Jesus triumphed over death everlasting life is what faith signifies. It is Person specific. The earth which was without form and void acquires the head and body, It is what creation of Eve instructs us. Adam's deep sleep was caused by God and when he wakes up exclaims, "This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh."(Ge.2:22). By several list of genealogies the Spirit gives us an unbroken track where faith creates several heroes of faith, every one of them foreshadows Jesus who shall be born of a virgin. This sign was given before the great congregation of angels and children of men.
He.11:3 refers to the will of God the Father and the fulfilment aspect of God the Son. The paternity test of faith the DNA of Jesus passed the test. His resurrection proves the point. "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."(Ac.2:24) Peter refers to the psalm, which tells us why. "I have set the LORD always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken."(Ps.16:8) Faith is not merely a flash in the pan but is the result of loving God and as Moses exhorts the nation of Israel, "An d thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might./And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart"(De.6: 5-6) This is how Jesus fulfilled his Father's mandate.
He is the author and finisher of our faith.
Part 2.
We should "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" ( 1 Peter 3:15). We prepare by studying God's Word for ourselves, listening to sound Bible teachers, and staying in close fellowship with Jesus. Those practices keep our own lives pure so that we are not hypocrites who preach one thing but do another Galatians 6:1.
Evangelism provides eternal benefits. Jesus encouraged His followers to "store up treasure in heaven" ( Matthew 6:19). That treasure consists of rewards for what we did on earth in His name and for His glory. It is not self-centered to make choices that will ensure eternal treasure for ourselves. Jesus told us to! Our service to Him can be as simple as offering a cup of cold water to one of His own ( Matthew 10:42). The parable of the unjust steward underscores the importance of doing whatever we can to bring people to faith in Christ ( Luke 16:1-13).
4. Evangelism is an overflow of the "hope that is within us" ( Hebrews 6:19; 1 Peter 3:15). When two people fall in love, they cannot help but let everyone around them know it. Joy shows on their faces; stars glitter in their eyes. They are eager to tell anyone who will listen about the wonderful person they love. So it is when we've fallen in love with Jesus. We cannot help but tell people about Him every chance we get. We think about Him all the time. We're drawn to His Word, to worship services, and to others who love Him. We look for opportunities to share His truth with someone who is far from Him. If Jesus is not at the forefront of our minds, we have a spiritual problem and need to address that first before we can share the "hope that is within us."
See part 3.
Evangelizing.
Some seems to prefer to minister to only other believers and have very little to say to unbelievers.
They are quick to judge and tell them where they are going but don't offer them the only way of escape. The Gospel.
In John 17:20 we see Jesus praying for our ministering to them.
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
I once copied an article on Evangelism. Here's how it reads.
Part 1.
To evangelize means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone else. Personal evangelism should be the lifestyle of every true Christian. We've been given a great gift, and our Master left us with clear instructions: "Go into all the world and make disciples of every nation" Matthew 28:19. Before we can "make disciples," we must evangelize. There are other reasons, besides Jesus' command, that should also motivate us to share the greatest news in the world with people who haven't heard it:
Evangelism is an act of love. Love must be the defining characteristic of every follower of Jesus Christ John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, so anyone who walks in the Spirit will demonstrate love in dealing with people Galatians 5:16, 22-23. We possess the best news in the world, and love propels us to share it with those who haven't heard. Love wants everyone to have a chance to respond to God's offer of salvation. Withholding news that could save someone's life is the utmost cruelty; therefore, those who truly love God will love the people whom Jesus came to save John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:20.
Evangelism builds our own faith. Nothing helps us learn a subject like teaching it to someone else. When we make a practice of sharing our faith with those in our lives, we strengthen our own beliefs. Regular evangelism forces us to wrestle through the hard questions, find answers for ourselves, and prepare to respond to the questions of others.
See part 2.
I have friends that may be unsaved judging by their testimony, lives, response to certain things such as worldly things and Church things or "Spiritual things"
I have one friend in particular that has no Spiritual insight, void of peace and have no love for what he calls "Religious people" but he enjoys to dabble in the chaotic ways of the world.
When we first met I told him I was a Christian. He doesn't go to Church for reasons I won't get into but I don't think he ever knew what Christian means or how to define one.
However, I believe he found something unique about my way of life and noticed my firm stance for what I believed in.
He began to watch his steps and began to trust and take counsel from me and left off trying to counsel me with his worldly take on life and his ignorance of God.
Today he has gained a respect for the word of God.
Our relationship to the lost world is to introduce Christ.
We do that "Not by acting out a performance" but by truth, and his word.
The word and our deeds should align. (That's God's doing).
TRUTH.
They'll understand by listening and watching us that we are not perfect but we follow that which is. (Jesus )
We have a name we must uphold. We can't follow them in this world. "The darkness that it has to offer"
We are to be a light for them to lead them out of it. We are light bearers that shines light on Christ. We show a lost world that the way to the father is through the Son.
So to your friend you are here to be a leader and not a follower. Philippians 2:15.
You are to be a Evangelist to them in some way.
The Apostles set the foundation and was left here to do this and we are here to build on it.
John 17:14-21 says it best. We don't separate ourselves from them. We separate ourselves from all aspects of their way of life.
More on Evangelism.
The cloud of witnesses are angels as the fellow-servant of StJohn says, "And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things./Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book:"(Re.22:8-9)
They were with God even before the foundation of the world. The night vision of Daniel mentions their presence when the books were opened and judgement was set. When God called us they were present as witnesses for our soul. We as a body served in turn for them a sign. In short without taking both worlds as one we are up the creek without a paddle. The seven angels to the seven churches are indicated by seven stars in the right hand of Jesus Christ in his glory. "I will exalt my throne above the stars of God" tells how little Satan understood of the concept of Salvation or of Atonement. His pride had made him blind to the beauty of holiness that marked the Son.
Naturally Lucifer wanted to be like the Most High and above the congregation of witnesses.
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:/I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High."
Here we are faced with a number of entities which are associated with the world of the Spirit. Mount of the congregation for instance is two terms compounded from the mountain of God and the great congregation also called the cloud of witnesses. It is also set down, 'in the sides of the north' location evidently set in context of the throne of God. It merely indicates God as the judge and judgment calls for witnesses where angelic host play their part. Lucifer's revolt began in heaven so it is judged there.
Firstly the two worlds the heaven and the earth are framed by the word. Faith is what holds them as one. Divine Will according to the word or the Law evolves into a world of the body, which is a spiritual body, and St Paul inspired by the Holy Spirit calls it a building 'eternal in the heavens'. The earth which was without form and void shall be the House of Prayer for all nation. Christ is the head and the church is the body. 'A body hast thou prepared' refers to the word become flesh. By fulfilling the will of the Father the church is formed. It is to this body, made up of a great congregation the Psalmist refers, "I have preached righteousness in the great congregation." (Ps.40:9). The saints redeemed from the earth shall continue the life everlasting clothed with their spiritual bodies. As St Paul says further down "For we walk by faith not by sight." Jesus talk that we hear is dud without the walk. faith cannot be faith without the walk.
When you said
"So, in what ways we are not to be unequally yoked with them? Many things can be mentioned but I won't get into that here."
Can you elaborate a little bit? I want to always love her no matter what. I do pray to Holy Spirit to guide me with this as it is heavy on my heart.
God set everything perfect. God set Lucifer perfect in beauty. But his pride was his own invention. As a spirit he tinkered with his thoughts Jesus says "When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." ( John 8:44) For this reason Jesus referred to Judas Iscariot as the son of perdition. The beast is another. Their sin traces who their father is. Man is shaped by his thoughts and for this reason what is a merchant prince but a mean fellow whose wakeful life is seized by profits and raking the muck of turning up wealth. In old China they were held in low esteem. In our society they are looked upto though they are as cantakerous as a Musk or as Bezos who has to monitor 7x24 their employees.
James says,"Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:/But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed./Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."(Jas.1:13-15)
"For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:"
There are two ways of speaking. One is this, "I believed therefore have I spoken." St Paul annotates it to indicate salvation that comes from open confession. At the bottom what works is the spirit of faith which outpours from God a Spirit. Holiness of God makes no separation and every man is entitled to it. So St Paul explains,"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Ps.116:10; 2 Co.4:13; Ro.10:10)
Second way is what Lucifer, an angel employed. God charges him thus, "For thou hast said in thine heart,"I will ascend into heaven." God makes angels spirits so their thoughts have a centre. Since they do not have a body we cannot foist upon them a heart that we associate with human anatomy. Mind is indicated here. Satan expresses, "I will" which contradicts the will of God the Father so pride is a spiritual anomaly that Satan has coined. No man may invent in the world of the Spirit as one invents a tool from flint or a water wheel. He works with his visible world. Now what is evolution but tinkering with what is already existing, which is outside the will of man. The Bible is the God document and the Spirit is not teaching us anthropology or a treatise on ethnography but of the righteousness of God.
Without the Spirit giving us grace, what is faith as it is bandied about in the churches? Justification, yes but works, oh no! I wonder if Luther had got his scripture right? St James in his epistle was correct to connect works where it rightfully belongs. "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone."(Jas.2:17)
This is one of the best statements of Jesus confirming that God is one in nature but three in Persons.
Thanks for those insightful pages.
I would like to share another verse that is sometimes missed when studying this portion of scripture.
Matthew 28:19. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in "THE NAME" of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
(The name) notice that this is singular, not plural! of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Jesus didn't say baptize in "The names" (plural) as in three different people. He said in "The Name" as if the father Son and Holyspirit is one God of the same.
This is an early indication of the Trinitarian Godhead and an overt proclamation of Jesus' deity.
God bless.
Brother I certainly misread your text!
I thought you were saying there is no 3 and a half year tribulation period. I re-read the text and couldn't do nothing but laugh at myself.
I think I combined your text with another and didn't read through neither.
Sorry for that!
More on the wide gate and "broad way" mentioned in Matthew 7:13-14.
I don't think you will find least resistance in the wide gate because because it is a "broad way"!
This group doesn't necessarily agree with one another! The only thing they have in common is they reject Christ and some don't even know it.
One's narrow view can be found in the wide gate.
I believe that is what makes the wide gate a broad way. People are willing to take any other way but the Lord's way.
That's why those on Christ narrow path is persecuted by the world and half of them goes under the banner of Christianity so I would be careful not to be prejudice against a view point because it is taught by what is believed to be the majority or minority view.
We study scripture to learn and grow. Not to differentiate or to disprove aview point.
It can become an obsession and lead you down the wrong path.
God bless.
Greetings in Christ JESUS
I could not see in your reply what is your interpretation on Dan.9:27, you just limited yourself to informing other interpretations are erroneous, your answer did not bring your interpretation.I did not understand what you meant: 'one issue with Dan 9:27 is that it's all about the Messiah'.
But what does Daniel 9:27 reveal?
27 - And HE shall confirm the covenant with many for one week(of years):and in the MIDST of the week(after 42 months)HE shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease,and for the overspreading of abominations HE shall make it desolate, even until the consummation,and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. Just curious.Who is HE in your understanding? (Remember:In Matthew 24:15 our Lord JESUS LITERALLY referred to this desolation spoken of by Daniel as a signal of His coming imediately after the period of sorrows- Matthew 24:3-8).
Then,according to the above,'HE shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease',but verse 26 says:And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off (crucified),but NOT for Himself: and the people (WHAT PEOPLE?)of the PRINCE (WHAT PRINCE?)that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary(for me Ezekiel 21:25 reveals who is this profane Prince); and the end thereof shall be with a flood,and unto the end of the war desolations are determined.
You said 'the Ministry of JESUS' was 3,5 years, but the current and universal record of the period of JESUS's Ministry is only 3 years, not 3,5 years. What is your source? Just curious,it's unknown to me.
Sorry, our posts are read by many brothers and sisters, so my concern is to FIND the true interpretation of Scriptures in the current perilous times, and also overspreading of apostasies, beyond manifestation of the son of perdition very soon( John 5:43-47 combined with 2Thessalonians 2:1-4 and Revelation 13:11).
May our Lord GOD bless us,and give us His pretection
Amen
I forgot to identify the topic as to who God is.
God is the "SON"
Anyone who wants to give biblical evidence that disproves the deity of Jesus is welcome to post their views as I did. Both views cannot be true, so we must find out which one is true and which one is heresy. It is such an important matter for believers to have correct doctrines about who God is according to Scripture so that we can worship God in Spirit and in Truth.
Then Peter says that Jesus is the Son of the Living God. Remember that the Jews of the first century understood that Son of God is a divine title, as I explained earlier. So for Peter to say that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, He is saying that Jesus is God.
In Matthew 16:16-17 Jesus again asked a very profound question. "Who do you say that I am." Again, Peter the same statement. "Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God." Jesus receives this statement as true and declared that Peter didn't come up with this idea on his own but that the Father had revealed this truth to Peter (because God can only tell the truth).
In john 20:28, Thomas, upon seeing and touching the risen Jesus exclaims, "My Lord and my God." Jesus does not rebuke Thomas for saying He is God, nor does He say Thomas is mistaken and then correct Thomas. No, Jesus accepts Thomas' statement of worship.
In Is. 43;15, YHWH says, "I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, you King." In Jn. 1:49, after Jesus calls Natanael, Nathanael says, "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel." Jesus does not negate what Natanael states because this disciples is equating Jesus with YHWH of Is. 43:15.
Also, even demons knew that Jesus was God, calling Him the "Holy One of God" in Mk. 1:24; Lk. 4:34.
Next, I want to go to Hebrew1:6 where the inspiration of God had the author say that the angels worship Jesus, In Rev. there is worship of Jesus, the Lamb, along with the Father, who sits on the throne. How could this worship be allowed in heaven if Jesus was not God?
For now I will stop. There are many, many more verses that speak to Jesus; divinity. One can look on this site under the question "Is Jesus God?"
For me, I am convinced that Jesus is God and worthy of worship as God. And it is not idolatry to worship the Father and Jesus, the Son, for there are not two Gods (or three), but one God who exists as several divine persons who are one in nature.
Part 5
The apostles knew that they were to believe and worship only YHWH. So, why would Jesus tell them to believe in the Father as God and also believe in Himself as God? In verse 7 He tells Thomas that if they know Him they would also know the Father and have seen the Father in knowing Himself. Right away, Philip asks Jesus to show them the Father. Jesus says, "He that has seen me has seen the Father." and in vs. 8 He says "I am in the Father and the Father is in Me." Her Jesus is telling the truth that He is in a oneness relationship with the Father. He speaks that the Father is one person and he is another, but together they are truly one.
In vs. 23 He says that those who love Him, the Father and Himself will come and together with the Father (and the Spirit -vs.17) God will live within the believer. In Chapter 15:23 Jesus says that He who hates Him also hates the Father, once more speaking to their divine oneness.
John 17 is Jesus' high priestly prayer (which I so love to read again and again) After saying in vs. 2 that the Father has given Jesus power over all flesh (divine sovereignty) and that Jesus give eternal life to all the Father gives Him, in vs. 5 Jesus speaks of the Father glorifying Him again just as He was glorified within the Father eternally from before he came into the world. This is clearly a statement of His Deity because in Is. 42:8, 48:11God said He will not give His glory to another.
Next, I wish to cite passages that tells us what the disciples believed about Jesus. Jesus asked a very pointed question to His disciples in John chapter 6 after telling the crowds that He was the Bread of Life and many followers deserted him. He asked "Who do you say that I am (again using the name YHWH). in vs. 62 He says "What and if you see the Son of man (Himself) ascend up where He was before? (Speaking about His eternal existence with the Father). In vs. 69 Peter boldly proclaims that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah) see part 6
Part 4.
Since the essential nature of the Godhead is changeless, the Father would eternally be the Father of the Son, and the Son would eternally be the Son of the Father. Since John, under inspiration says that the Son is God, then it would be a conflict to say that the Son had a beginning of His begetting because that would indicate a change in the internal nature of the Godhead.
Next, I want to cite a few instances in John's Gospel where the Jewish leaders took up stones to kill Him or worse because in their first century thinking, they accused Jesus of making Himself God or equal to YHWH. These citations are John chapter 5:16-47; (for healing on the Sabbath and making Himself equal with God, vs. 18) 8:59 (where Jesus us the name YHWH to say that he existed before Abraham); 10:18 (Jesus says that He has the power to resurrect Himself) 10:20 (the Jews said that He had a devil and try to arrest Him) vs, 30 where Jesus states "I and the Father are one." and 31-39 where the Jews wanted to stone Him for blasphemy because He said He was the Son of God, thus making Himself to be God.
In all of these citations, Jesus knew already before He spoke how the Jews would understand His words, and He spoke them very deliberately, knowing they would accuse Him of saying He is God. He did not restate his words in ways such as, "No, no, I did not mean to say that I am God or equal to Him, you have misunderstood." No, He let his words stand affirming that their understanding of Him stating his deity was correct. If their understanding of His words were wrong, then He would have corrected their misunderstanding, but He didn't, and thus they wanted to stone him for blasphemy.
Next, I wish to go to the Last Supper Discourse in John. Right away, in john 14:1 Jesus tells His disciples to believe in God (His eternal Father) and also to believe in Him (the eternal divine Son). I say this because He never once retracted His claims to Deity. See part 5
Sorry for the delay, I did not reply concerning the two beasts in Revelation 13 my reply was about the last week of Daniel 9:27 being put at the end times, my understanding is different. As far as the sea means waters and could be the Gentile nations you may be correct, we know it won't be Israel.
If we look at Revelation 11:7 and Revelation 17:8 this beast ascendeth out of the bottomless pit, so the word sea in Revelation 13 may mean the abyss, just a thought.
Thanks, and God bless,
RLW