Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 176

Yes, Jesse, I live in the Netherlands,

This is a good question "Dyance". I suggest we take a look in the Bible. We know that the blood is our soul, here Genesis 1:9:4-5 and to 7.

May God in Jesus name give us understanding. Amen!

1 John 5:6-9

Where does our soul go after we die/

Ezek.48.35 "The Lord was there"

"It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The Lord is there."

Ezekiel gives us a vision of which Matthew Henry comments as thus, "Here is a vision, beginning at ch. 40, and continued to the end of the book, ch. 48, which is justly looked upon to be one of the most difficult portions in all the book of God."A more recent commentary by Elliott remarks,'The ordinances for the sacrifices and feasts, as given in Ezekiel 45, 46, differ greatly from those of the Mosaic law."In what manner the word of God is presented, if as a spiritual nourishment it cannot be digested why it be included at all? Measurement given in v.35 gives us the clue.

What is the measurement of the holy city of New Jerusalem? "The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal./And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits."(Rev.21.16-17) L.12x B.12x H.12. The number 12 denotes the gospel of God. "according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel," connects us with 144 of mount Sion whereas son of perdition has a corresponding number 6-6-6 The dragon, the beast and man whose name is not written in the book of life of the Lamb is 6x6x6=18. 1000 years refer to the end times. Ezekiel gives us 18000 measures. The Spirit sets the signpost loud and clear: The Lord is there indicating where the throne of God and of the Lamb is, 144,000.

Ezek.40. 4 warns us, "Son of man, behold with thine eyes, and hear with thine ears, and set thine heart upon all that I shall shew thee; for to the intent that I might shew them unto thee art thou brought hither: declare all that thou seest to the house of Israel." This takes us to Rev.21.15-16 "And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof./ And the city lieth foursquare," The Spirit gave us a hard saying of Jesus Mt.5.29-30. Grace is what we require.

Gigi,

God has distributed talents so one is blessed to intercede while as helps ministering to the needs and some are teachers prophets etc; no service is above another since it is God who has given the talents and it is done by the grace and ultimately it is for the glory of God. May God bless you evermore to continue with needful service you may be called to do. (Your family is under His care so trust that He is ever faithful and also rewarder. The same for Jesse as well. We are all partakers of His manifold blessings, so let us continue serving God who called us to be holy and without blame before him in love,

Rev.20.11 "Two worlds"

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them".

The Bible categorically records of two worlds. Gen.1.1 states one. This is to be understood in terms of the earth, natural world and the Spirit does not dwell longer with the nuts and bolts as it were of the physical world. God is a Spirit. Rest of the chapter from v.2 deals with the Covenant under the Law of the Spirit.

Second world is what we are to be most concerned about. (Heb.11.3) God created and the earth framed by the word of God. The latter is upon what the entire burden of the Bible rests upon. The example of the nations of Israel and of the Gentiles are meant as spiritual instruction in righteousness. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. "(1 Cor.10.11-12). The incorruptible seed sown in every heart marks translation of a child of God to the world framed by word. "Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever."(1 Pet.1.23). Those who walk under the Law of the Spirit are freed from all condemnation.

" for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."(2 Cor.4.18) The key verse refers to the physical world. The new creation born of water and spirit belong to the world framed by the word. On the other hand the devil who sins from the beginning is marked by law of sin and death. These sons of perdition are counted from beginning till the ending since they are only judged in the end. It is thus we find the number 'And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog, and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea./And they went up on the breadth of the earth."(20.8-9) cf.13.8

Jesse, by mistake I clicked the wrong button. My eye sight at best is 50-50. so oops!. I am a Dutch citizen.

Jesse,

Thanks for the kind words to me. I am humbled by them because I am who I am only by the grace and providence of God and His work in me by the Holy Spirit. Our fellowship over the last three + years have been blessed. Thank you for your solid witness and that you clearly wish to help others with their questions and learning from Scripture.

And, yes, Donna, is going through an anguishing situation with Arthur and with her other son who is enabling Arthur's drug use and taking advantage of him and his funds as well. I cannot even imagine going through this much turmoil and grief. May she be given peace, comfort, and deepening faith through all of this. She lives int the same state as I do. I wish I knew where she lived so I could go and visit her.

AS to the Scripture about older women teaching younger women, I think that in today's world, people can be so "busy" that they cannot make time to mentor or be mentored. I have always tried to live at a slower pace than others because I believe it provides time for things that are more meaningful in the long run of life. I have always been so very thankful to have been there for our sons as they grew up. It was a blessing to be their mother and I loved every minute of it (even in times of illness and disappointing circumstances). I would do it all over again if it were possible. And in a way, I get to do so with little Rose every day. How wonderful it has been to spend time caring for her each day. I love it! And I hope I am a good example to my son and daughter-in-law as they see me not only care for her physical needs, but her emotional, intellectual, and developmental needs as I get down on the floor with her to play and help her learn to sit up, crawl, stand, ad now stand alone. Pretty soon she will be walking. Time has flown these past 10 months. I wish I could rewind back to her newborn days. Hoping there will be more grandchildren in the future.

Always good to chat with you.

Hello GiGi,

My dear sister in Christ, I agree with what you are saying and how all this can be viewed by taking other variables into consideration. Yes, society has changed quite drastically. I think we are very close in age, so everything you said makes perfect sense. Like you, my wife also was a stay-at-home mom. It wasn't until our daughter was in college that we started getting a little strapped for money and my wife had to go to work. My wife worked for 7-years. We are both retired now.

On a side note, I have been following along in your discussions with DLHenry (Donna). I have also been praying for the Lord's will to be done in both her and her sons' lives. It has been heartbreaking to read what she has been going through. I'm glad that she has you to turn to for guidance and comfort. Over the years that we've been fellowshipping together on this forum, I find you to be one of the most kind and caring individuals and I'm sure that your words are providing some relief and comfort to Donna. Well, it's getting late for me so I'm turning in for the night.

May God continue to bless you and your family always!

Chris,

I will be praying for you. How difficult this time must be for you as your body heals and you face financial inability to pay for your needs. May God supply you with what you need in abundance, meeting your need here when you cannot do so.

Fred,

I will pray for Rae. May her treatment plan bring a quick resolve to this health situation.

Hi Jesse,

I think that there are many older women in my generation who would love it if younger women would be open to learning from us about the things that are involved in caring for children, home, husband, submitting to their husband and especially to the Holy Spirit.

However, there is an "OK Boomer" spirit among many young women and they do not wish to receive any input from people they think are too old to be relevant to their lives.

My generation is perhaps that last generation where many Christian women did stay home to raise their children. But now most women work outside the home and only take a few months off after having a child before the baby is put in childcare.

Even so, there are many older women who have worked while their children were young who could be helpful to these younger women who work while their children are growing up. It is a different kind of balancing act than stay at home mothers but both situations require diligence, hard work, sacrificing for family, and wisdom.

I am one who takes these instructions in this passage seriously. I stayed home for 17 years to raise my kids before I went to work as a teacher. I wish I could have stayed home longer, but we needed my salary to pay off our house and save for retirement. After teaching for 13 years I was able to retire.

Our society has changed so drastically since women went into the workforce when their children were growing up. I do think it is a major factor in the breakdown of marriages and the integrity of the family unit. Some may disagree. I am not judging anyone because as it is now, for many, being a one income family is just not feasible anymore thanks to the first generation of women going into the workforce. The extra money they brought into the home caused prices to rise more and more with each new generation of women in the work force.

Hello !DLHenry-2025

Donna, I know where Yakima is. We live near Puget Sound.

I have these Scripture verses for you to meditate upon during this time of sadness, worry for Arthur.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and grace in our time of need.

Hebrews 7:2

Consequently, He (Jesus) is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him (Jesus), since He always lives to make intercession for them (Us).

1 Peter 5:7 (We can be comforted, receive peace, and relief from our worry and grief by)

casting all of your anxiety upon Him (Jesus) for He cares for you.

I continue to pray for Arthur and your other son who are together at this time, (most likely not good for each other).

And for you, Momma, who brings to God the needs of your sons. I pray that God will strengthen you in faith, inn physical strength, in hope, and in confidence in God.

I know that this situation is so painful for you and also for Arthur.

I would like to ask you to pray for my friend, Kim, who is bed bound, disabled, so very depressed and not receiving the care she truly needs by not wishing to go into an assisted living situation. I will be taking her to the dentist tomorrow. This will be the first time she has allowed me to see her in 5 years. I am glad to help her, but she is just in a very bad mental and physical place. AS friends, we love each other. But I can only do what she allows me to do, since she is completely mentally competent. He two children both have jobs and can only care for her in the evenings, which isn't good care because they will not get her up out of bed into a wheel chair to come out of her room into the common living space to be able to interact with them. They feed her, clean the house, and other necessary things, but are not to aware of how they can help her to have better daily experiences.

I appreciate your prayers for her and her children. Her husband passed away 1 1/2 yrs. ago.

(Titus Part 10):

Titus 2:13 - Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

So, we have a position down here. We have an approach to the world and life down here, that we should reject the lusts, and the ungodliness, but live rightly lined with God in respect and reverence for Him. But at the same time, looking for that blessed hope, that living hope that we talked about, the glorious appearing.

In the Greek text, it talks about the appearing of His glory, the appearing of the glory of the great God, and our Savior Jesus Christ. So that's our position. That's our life summed up in the believer right there.

(Titus Part 9):

Titus 2:10 - Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Not purloining, which means to take something that belongs to somebody else, like your master, and hide it away so that you could take it with you back to your home. For us it would be like being on a job and taking things that belong to the company and hiding them and taking them home with you, stealing it. Purloining is stealing something that belongs to someone else.

But shewing all good faith; that's what fidelity means. It means that you are faithful. That master can go into town all day and leave you there, trusting and knowing that you're going to be faithful, and that you're not going to steal from him.

The purpose: That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things. That's a beautiful statement! To adorn means to dress it up. I carry with me the doctrine of God, and my life either throws a shadow over that, or it compliments it.

Paul said in 2 Corinthians Chapter 3 that we are books and letters being read by all people. People are reading us. I don't know if you do that, but I read people. And as God changes and transforms us, our life is a message. That would be like saying you have the message of God, adorn it with a good cover. I don't know about you, but I look at the cover of a book. I see the title, but if the cover on the book doesn't appeal to me, a lot of times I put it down.

Titus 2:11 - For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

It says for, and in the Greek text this is making reference back to Verse 1. Continually teach proper doctrine, for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Wow! The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

(Titus Part 8):

Titus 2:5 - To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

To be discreet, and again, this is the word for sober mindedness. To be chaste, or holy in her lifestyle. Interesting, keepers at home. Some manuscripts read workers of the home. So, he's telling Titus that the proper function of younger Christian women is to keep the home.

She is to be good. This is the word AGATHOS, meaning good in the spiritual sense. She is to have God's goodness in her life. And then the word obedient is in a Participial form, and it means while being obedient. It means that she must be all of these things: being taught by older women, while being obedient, or submissive to their own husbands,

The purpose: that the word of God be not blasphemed. The body of Christ is desperately short of older women who make themselves available to the younger women to teach them how to keep the home, to love their husbands, take care of their children, to be sober minded in their thinking, to be holy in living, to be keepers of home, and all of this while being submissive to their own husbands.

Titus 2:7 - In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

He says in all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: and again, the word good is KALOS, because that's the theme of this section. Good works would be human, in the human realm.

Titus 2:9 - Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

Exhort servants to be obedient to their own masters, and the word master is the word DESPOT, the owner. And to please them well in all things; not answering back;

(Titus Part 7):

Titus 2:3 - The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becomes holiness. Now all of that is just a long line of words that basically means to function as a priest. The word holiness is sacredness of a priest.

Now here's what its saying. It doesn't mean that women should become priests, but her behavior should be that of one who serves God as a priest. Sometimes, we don't hold leadership to a high standard, but we hold pastors to high standards. Yet the bible says that the people in the body of Christ are to behave and conduct their lives in a sacred way, just like a priest.

Not false accusers. Literally, it's the word DIABOLOS, meaning not slanderers.

Not given, or more literally enslaved to much wine. You might say what's that word much in there mean? Shouldn't it be without wine? Well, remember, they took a little wine because of the bad water. Older women should not be enslaved to much wine.

And they should be teachers of good things. The word good is the word KALOS, which means things that have to do with right living, which is why we have this next section, the proper function of younger women.

(Titus Part 6):

Titus 2:1 - But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

The word speak is a Present Imperative which means continue. Continue to speak the things which become proper doctrine. Don't stop saying it. Continue to teach it.

Titus 2:2 - That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

Here he's talking about the aged men. They are to be sober. They are to be grave. That means serious about the things of the Lord. Temperate, which in this case means sober mindedness, and we've seen this one before. Their thinking in judgment should not be influenced by thoughts from outside, except for the things of God.

They should be sound, or healthy in the faith. In charity, which is the word AGAPE, in love. And in patience. This is HUPOMENO, and this has to do with remaining under our circumstances. So, their testimony is they must be sober, serious about the things of the Lord, sober minded in their thinking, healthy with respect to faith, love, and endurance.

Rev.13.8-9 "Whose names are not written"

And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world."

The verse is similar to the line the Spirit use as some kind of benediction at the end of message to the seven churches.(Rev.2.11) God called and numbered whom shall be included in the book of the life of the Lamb. This was before the foundation of the world. The seven churches by the same token are the great congregation thus foreknown according the Law or the Word. In the world made to appear framed by the Law is tagged by command number Seven. When a believer worships the beast it simply proves that he was found in the book of life. It is as simple as that. Faith that we exercise in our every day lives and scrupulously avoid in prosaic choices we are declaring faith which is one. So what the Spirit signifies from this line, "If any man have an ear, let him hear." it is faith that is at the core. Moses, Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;/Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward."(Heb.11.23-26). Reward of faith in his sight weighed in the balance against treasures in Egypt.The three Hebrew boys refused to worship the image. "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon."(Dan.3.1) The command number 6 was its width. 6x10 was its height. The Spirit places the number 10 to warn those who worshipped it was under the law of sin and death. By the same token the Spirt gives us the number 6-6-6 to indicate body soul and the spirit was wholly sold to do the bidding of the dragon.

The churches that promote the beast's agenda declare that they have no part in the body of Christ.

Rev.17.3 "Wilderness"

"So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns."

What shall we make of the woman? Considering that it is a wilderness she is overdressed and epitome of decadence. She has her seat, and as written of the beast in Ch.13.2, 'and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority, we may safely infer that her status is devolved from her carriage. 'The clue is given in v.18: "And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth." In the book of Hosea we read the wilderness was for Israel her own choice. God visited her for her wickedness, "upon her the days of Baalim, wherein she burned incense to them, and she decked herself with her earrings and her jewels, and she went after her lovers, and forgat me, saith theLord./Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. " ( Hosea 2. 13-14)Those who heard and turned to him found grace in the wilderness. The 144,000 are as sanctified as those whom God had set apart on mount Sion.The Spirit places 144 in order to indicate the gospel of salvation and 1000 sets her succour occurring in the latter days. They are planted in the new earth."And I will sow her unto me in the earth; and I will have mercy upon her that had not obtained mercy; and I will say to them which were not my people, Thou art my people; and they shall say, Thou art my God."(2.23)

The woman 'arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication" is hell-bent to follow her heart's desires. She is Jerusalem allied with the beast to make St John wonder,"And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." She is doomed.

Further warnings of spiritual "experiences" that have led people astray.

Study into many cults shows similarities to the many revivals as to women being at the very least venerated as "Prophets" and in some cases practically deified and worshipped along with a spurious version of Christ. There are some exceptions with Whitfield and the Edwards and some others as to what appear to be true moves of God of repentance; and we need to look at the fruits of those who are in charge of such events to avoid deception to proliferate to the masses. I have stated before that a lack of Discipleship is evident particularly in the last 100 years when there were large revival or tent meetings; and this also reflects the weakness of the churches who have been present that some attend after conversion. I would state that people who repent at such gatherings should plan to work with local churches and vice versa and not plan on any type of movement to last for a great length of time. Certainly prayer and other necessary functions in the local churches must be emphasized for any long lasting true movements of God. The emphasis must be as it was with the sermon "sinners in the hands of an angry God" (Jonathan Edwards) rather than seeking an experience.

1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

It doesn't take much in studying many so called Apostles or revival leaders to see evidence of many of these bad fruits.

I pray we see more producing good fruit in time.

God judging the church: A few thoughts

I am temporarily interrupting my study in Matthew which started as insight on Christ's perfect manhood and Divinity.

Recently I have studied and seen several videos regarding revivals since the 1700's. I believe that there were instances of genuine conviction; weeping in particular due to conviction of the Spirit but also that sadly most of these movements if not immediately soon had clear evidences of false manifestations of demons which were taken to be "moves of the Spirit".

One of the more disturbing things which I see popping up today is the so called "fire of God". The verse I saw used and no doubt has been in several establishments is the idea of God being a "consuming fire". Whether it refers to the Lord transforming the earth after the Tribulation or at the end of the Millennium the context is pretty clear this is God's JUDGMENT. We must remember the Spirit comes as the helper ( John 14:26). Seeking the gifts of the Spirit is one thing; but to ask for more of the Spirit isn't what Luke 11:13 means it states how much more will He give you the Holy Spirit. To grow in grace and truth and in a way be more powerful spiritually comes through our obedience and love of Christ and His commandments. It isn't in other words an issue with God not willingly giving the Spirit which of course starts at salvation; or even more spiritual gifts but there is no scripture indicating we are to pray to the Spirit which proceeds from the Father ( John 15:26) and this is to testify of Him. Primarily it is as John 16:8 that describes the Spirit's role revealing sin; righteousness and judgment to come. We also must look inwardly as it is our sinfulness that led Him to the cross so any true experience should remind us as Peter said to Christ-depart from me for I am a sinful man ( Luke 5:8). The Spirit doesn't focus attention inward but outward to fulfill the Great Commission; albeit some things are meant for the Body only.

Thoughts on end time discussion I had today.

I have started an online discussion with several others biweekly (formerly the first couple were more infrequent) related to eschatology. There was an interesting discussion on the seal judgments and when the actual wrath of God started as opposed to the concept of chastisement of believers (I won't get into further details of who the individuals are whether new converts; left behind believers or both). On that subject I'll just say that many who think they won't be left behind because they believe the correct doctrines (as I see it Pre Trib) will be mistaken; if anything because they aren't really saved. No doubt there will be new believers and others will believe the deception that God gives according to several scriptures ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12; etc).

What I am focusing on here is the great fear which many feel because of what they sense is coming; and I would argue more among "non believers" than the confessing church. Those who haven't outright dismissed the literacy of the Rapture or anything else in Revelation have often sidelined any serious thought on the matter. The chief reason as I see it is God beginning to deal with the church; sifting out the true remnant of possessors of the Spirit from the mere confessors. Many are sidelined with the wind of current political change; some of which to dangerous idolatry. This can be used as an excuse to refrain from making an individual impact through the Great Commission thinking things are going to all somehow magically get better.

There have been many versions lately of Psalm 23 in contemporary Christian music. The verse stating "you prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies" (verse 5) of that Psalm is something that never seems to be emphasized. I have in the past assumed this meant some view of those seeing Christ and His church take over the earth at or perhaps before their destruction at Armageddon; it could represent tares among the wheat.

Hello Cynthia,

I will be happy to pray for you. Migraines are so difficult to conquer. I hope they are not coming too frequently for you.

Ezek.37.18-28 Prince David"

"And my servant David shall be their prince for ever."

In order to understand the term 'prince' we need to look at the two groups of people left behind in the wilderness. After the man child is caught up to the throne the left behind church is set down in the wilderness. "And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days."(Rev.12.6)

"Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand." The stick Judah in the hand of Ezekiel represents the church. Whereas the other group the stick of Joseph denotes the second group "And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent."(12.14)

Why the wilderness since the church as the first-fruits is translated?"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection."(Rev.20.6) What is left behind are those who shall face second death. So God has set the symbolism of the scapegoat in Lev.ch.16.9-10.Those who step into the breach as Seth did in place of Abel makes the difference between two groups vanish. The requirement of the gospel 12x2 has been met: "And there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel." (Rev.7-4-8) No longer it is the mingled people of Ezra 9.2 but one nation under the prince and the name David is honorific. "So shall they be my people, and I will be their God./ And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them."(37.23-24)

COGIC SUNDAY SCHOOL BOOK 03/30/2025 1 John3:11-24 KJV LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA WEST ANGELES CHURCH CATHEDRAL

MY COGIC WORSHIP: 1Corithians 15:3-4 KJV

I Worship God that is the Gospel of divine love. Love one to another..God that is cordial amd sincere.God of good sound amd holiness. God that allows me to live a life like Jesus Christ God that makes me bear fruit -being holy Psalms 1:3 KJV. God that blessed me to live to the fulness of God be rewarded

Ezek. 37.22 "One nation, one king'

"Thus saith the LordGod; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel."(v.12) The land of Israel referred here is upon the mountains which is called New Jerusalem. "And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of theLord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of theLordfrom Jerusalem."( Isa. 2.3)

'Out of the graves' establishes the city founded by God. "By faith (Abraham) he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:/ For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God."(11.9-10) God denied Abraham possessing the land, "For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." (Gen.15.16) Before this He promise what his reward would be." Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward." (15.1) Imagine God being the exceeding great reward under the everlasting Covenant and whosoever born of the Spirit is entitled to it. Faith is not simple change of attitude it is also a building eternally reserved in heaven which is not with hands built,"an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens./For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven."(2 Cor.5.1-5) How strong is our faith to move into it, "but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life./Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit."

Ezek.37.22 "One nation, one king" (1 of 2)

""And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, ..."

in the land upon the mountains of Israel...

First we shall try to understand the significance of the land. "And God called the dry land Earth."(Ge.1.10) God names it Earth and we have the best authority of the Spirit and God is the sovereign authority so Israel is only sojourners with God So without it they have no claims over it. "for the land is mine, for ye are strangers and sojourners with me."(Lev.25.23;Ps.24.1) In spiritual terms we shall set down the order where the earth is his footstool. "For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods."(Ps.24.3) Mountain of the Lord's house refers to His holiness and His throne His sovereign authority. On this basis heaven doubles as His house and his Throne. One way of translating the Father Son relationship in terms of man. "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of theLord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it."( Isa. 2.2). Israel has no particular claims over other nations and it is set down according to the will of God. "Thus saith theLord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?" (Isa.66.1). According to the everlasting Covenant man is blessed on account of his faith. So the birth of Jesus in Judea sets the nation of Israel as with the heart a point of contact. It is for this reason the disciples of Jesus were commanded to tarry in Jerusalem."But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."(Acts.1.4-8)

Jn 3.6-8 " Born of the Spirit" (2 of 2)

The purpose of the Spirit is to instruct man in righteousness so history of Israel and of the Gentiles are not the focus in the Bible. The spirit of man allows him to transact with another properly by the same spirit in him; likewise God has shed His spirit to those who believe, and it allows him to know Him as one may know his natural father. As in the case of thermal imaging we need different sets of eyes which is called the eye of faith. Here is a saying of Jesus, which for some is a hard saying. " it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire."(Matt.18.9) Jesus is referring to the eye of faith and the kingdom of God. Is it not foolish to apply the rules of the natural world where faith is the substance of the world framed by God or the kingdom of God? 'And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee,' is not what Jesus meant. Does God bless man with eye and ask man to undo it? Man says he has rational faculty but does not where it is required. Does being blind makes man escape from sin or from the fall of man to which he is heir to unless he is born again? Born again is to know the will of God from the scripture. " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."(2 Tim.3.16)

Jn 3.8 'Born of the Spirit' (1 of 2)

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit."

The old adage, As the twig is bent so grows the tree, gives man a hint of things to come and natural world has its own ways to teach all life forms and direct their growth. Similarly the world of the Spirit directs the course, and how and when the creation learn their lessons are all silent and goes on all the time hidden from direct observation. The analogy of the wind to which Jesus referred is but one example."The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.."(v.8)

The Spirit presents us two worlds on the basis of the key verse where man is born by the will of flesh and blood. St John in his gospel says,"Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." ( Jn 1.13). The latter world is framed by the word of God requires different sets of faculties from us than one applies when referring to the natural world. While we map our world we map it to indicate the natural world with natural features mountains, rivers and seas indicated therein; but a map made by thermal imaging presents an altogether view. The same world for different purposes dawn up accordingly. Coming back to topic the wind blows as we read in the night vision of Daniel. "Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea."(Dan.7.2) The four beasts arising out of the sea signify history of nations their rise and fall. They have their days of glory and their ignominy as with a tree growing and it has its end as well. What made them come to the fore has been at work equally as conditions for their crashing down to the ground have been in play.