Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 250

Dear Gary, I will pray for God to clear up your vision either through the doctor's care or a miracle.

I just had double eye cataract surgery with lens replacement. I can now see without my glasses after 57 years of wearing them. I hope that you will soon be able to see clearly.

Ruben,

I have prayed for you.

Marcus,

I have prayed for your financial needs. May God swiftly provide for your needs.

Melissa,

I will be praying for your requests today.

Felicia, I have prayed for you and your loved ones.

Please know that God is always with you whether you sense Him near you and your requests. Know that God is faithful to what He promised in His Word. Jesus said that he is always with us and will never forsake us. be comforted in knowing that what Jesus said is true and that He will do as He has said. Rest in Him as His child.

Hello Donna, I have prayed for you and your son.

Hello Dana,

I have prayed for Rick and his family.

Hello Ryan

I am sorry your mama is so ill. I will be praying for her. Please keep us posted

Tpry,

I will pray for your healing and for your daughter in her studies and in how she performs on her tests.

Chrstian,

I continue to pray for you and the requests you have made.

Shalom fam! I have a question, in Luke 17 Jesus is teaching the disciples* about forgiveness. He later addresses the disciples as apostles. Why did they apostles say, "Lord increase our faith" after hearing that they should forgive 7x a day to a brother (or sister)?

(17) One day Jesus said to his disciples, "There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting! 2 It would be better to be thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to fall into sin. 3 So watch yourselves!

"If another believer[a] sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. 4 Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive."

5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Show us how to increase our faith."

Thanks again brother Jesse for these ongoing clarifications & teaching of biblical texts; and now looking forward to learning more from the Acts of the Apostles.

I noted your Acts 2:3, "And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them"; where you've explained the "as of" denoting a similarity or appearance of fire, but not actually fire. Also, I found interesting that you have seen 'glossai' as pertaining to languages (i.e. the appearance of divided languages coming upon them, and presumably the apostles then spoke accordingly to those languages). I have always imagined that the 'tongues' here (glossai) spoke of the similarity or appearance to the human tongue, not referring specifically to language(s), but to its appearance as of a flickering flame resembling a tongue. So, your explanation is something quite new to me & worth bearing in mind.

And back to the "as of" fire phrase; as you wrote this was not an actual fire, but resembled it. This could be the same word (hosei) used in Matthew 3:16, "And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending LIKE (hosei) A dove, and lighting upon him". We see the illustration so often of a dove descending upon the Lord, that many Christians now believe that an actual dove, the shape of which the Holy Spirit assumed to come upon Jesus. Which of course is sacrilege according to the commandment ( Exodus 20:4,5; Deuteronomy 4:16-19). Rather, it seems that 'hosei' is used here as well, to show that the Holy Spirit's descent upon Jesus was seen just 'as a dove would flutter & glide towards the ground' and had nothing at all to do with an actual bird. I hope I'm using 'hosei' correctly in both Acts 2:3 & Matthew 3:16. Blessings.

(Acts Part 5):

Acts 2:3 - And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues. The word cloven means divided. And the word tongues, I think it's kind of a bad translation because people use the word "mystically" to talk about speaking in tongues.

GLOSSA is the Greek word, and it is actually the name of the part of the body called the tongue. They didn't have a word for language, so they used the word tongue.

The Greeks translated it as language. Whenever they see GLOSSA, or GLOSSALALIA, they translate it a language, a spoken language of the world.

So, this was languages, plural, and they were divided. And these tongues, (or languages) were like "as of" fire. Did you notice that? It wasn't fire, but "as of" fire!

Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

In the Greek text, it's not "with" the Holy Spirit. It is always "of" the Holy Spirit. It doesn't sound right, being filled of the Holy Spirit. But from a biblical Greek standpoint, the Genitive Case translated "of" shows possession.

So, what it is saying is, they were all filled and possessed by the Holy Spirit. That's very important! We've heard of demon possession. But when God's Spirit fills a person, and we'll get to filling in a moment, but when God's Spirit fills a person, He possesses them!

Acts 2:6 - Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.

The were confused, because every man heard them speak in his own dialect. DIALEKTOS is the Greek word. Not just a language, but in your dialect. God's Spirit gave them the ability not only to speak a language, but to speak the dialect of that language of the region where all these people were from, so it matched exactly.

(Acts Part 4):

Acts 1:16 - Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

He says men and brothers, this scripture must needs, and the literal translation: it is necessary for the scripture to be fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost, (or Holy Spirit) by the mouth of David spoke before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus.

The scripture he's making reference to is Psalm 41 Verse 9, where David talked about my own familiar friend has lifted up his heel against me.

Acts 1:20 - For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick let another take.

Peter goes on to say it is written in the book of the Psalms, let his habitation be desolate (quoting from Psalm 69:5). And then he quotes from Psalm 109:8, and let no man dwell therein: and his bishoprick, literally his overseeing in the Greek.

Acts 1:24 - And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,

That phrase "knowest the hearts" in Greek is all one word and it means a heart knower. That's the Lord! Thou heart knower Lord! He knows everybody's hearts. You knowest the hearts of all men. Show whether of these, that is, which of these two you have chosen.

Acts 2:2 - And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Please notice that right before the phrase "rushing mighty wind," it says "as of" a rushing mighty wind.

There was no wind! The sound was like, and in Greek it's very specific. Through the Greek text, you can pick out the details. It doesn't say it was a mighty rushing wind. It says it was "as of" or like a mighty rushing wind. But you could hear the sound. It was like wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.

(Acts Part 3):

Acts 1:11 - Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

Notice that they called them Galileans. I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but all of the disciples were Galileans except for Judas. He's the only one that was not a Galilean. He was from the city of Iscariot outside of Galilee.

He says you men of Galilee. Why do you stand here gazing up into heaven? That's a good one! We just saw the Lord go up through the clouds and you're asking us why?

Well, there's actually a doctrinal statement. The Jews, from Daniel 7:13, which tells us that Messiah, when He comes, He's going to come in the clouds.

They didn't know if He was going to go up, or come back down. They didn't know what the timetable was. Plus, they were probably in shock. Here we go again. After our hopes are sky high, now He's gone again!

So, they are looking up in the clouds because their hope is that Messiah would come in the clouds. So, he's telling them that this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen Him go into heaven. One day He's coming again and He will receive us into the clouds.

Acts 1:14 - These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

So, these all continued with one accord. I'm sure you already know this, but that's not a Honda! These all continued, and it literally means with one passion or one purpose. They were all there for one thing. It's kind of nice that when you are with other believers and you are all there for the same reason.

It says in prayer and supplication. In the Greek text, supplication means petitions, specific prayers, where prayer in general is just for general prayer.

Psalm 18:2

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

2 Samuel 22:33

"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure."

Matthew 11:28

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Psalm 118:14

"The Lord is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.

Deuteronomy 31:8

"The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."

Jeremiah 32:17

"Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you."

Psalm 28:7

"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him."

Thessalonians 5:11

"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Psalm 121:1-2

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Isaiah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Exodus 15:2

"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him-my father's God, and I will exalt him."

Joshua 1:9

"Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

Isaiah 40:29

"He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless."

"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; he has become my

salvation."ened and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go

COME THY LORD JESUS

(Acts Part 2):

Acts 1:8 - 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.

He says you are going to receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. There's a difference in texts when He says you shall be witnesses unto me. Some manuscripts say of me, the Genitive Case.

You'll be my witnesses, not witnesses for me. But either one that you use, it is interesting that it is presented as fact. It doesn't say that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you ought to be, or you should be. He says you (will be) my witnesses.

That's because at the end of John Chapters 14 and 16, He says when the Holy Spirit comes, He will testify of me. It is the Holy Spirit in every believer that testifies to Christ through the believer.

We don't testify. We don't ever bring anybody to Christ. It's the Holy Spirit through us. So, you will be my witnesses, factual statement!

Acts 1:10 - And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;

The literal translation says two men "had been standing" by them in white apparel. The description tells us that they were probably angels. It doesn't say they are angels. Some scholars believe that this is Moses and Elijah. They had been standing there the whole time. They didn't see them because they were looking up.

Biblical Greek Perspectives:

The book of Acts (Originally known as Luke Volume 2)

(Acts Part 1):

Acts 1:1 - The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach,

He says the former treaty have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and to teach.

A couple of technical points I would like to share. The word former is actually the word first (PROTOS). PROTERA means former and that's not the word that is used in the Greek. This is PROTOS for first.

The word treatise is actually the word account or composition. It's actually an accounting term. It's from LOGOS, LOGIDZO for accounting.

So, the first composition (or record) have I made. And it's actually "have I myself made." It's a Middle Voice in the Greek. I've made it personally, Luke says.

Acts 1:3 - To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:

To whom (meaning the apostles) also He shewed Himself "living."

This is a participle in the Greek meaning He presented Himself living after His passion, or suffering, by many infallible proofs.

The term infallible proofs is all one word in Greek, and it means unmistakable. It means convincing proofs. So, he is showing convincing proofs here, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

Acts 1:5 - For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.

Not many days hence, (or 10 days from now). It does say not many days, but we know it's 10 days that they had to wait for the Holy Spirit to come.

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."

COME THY LORD JESUS

Dear Tim,

I hope you are feeling ok after your teeth removal this morning. I will pray for you as you recover.

Q&A "Thine footstool"

Q: "The vision of John points to seven stars which are in safekeeping of Christ. These represent overcomers and what does Christ in the midst of seven candlesticks indicate?"

A: The seven angels/stars represent the Law of the Spirit hence we have warning to each church to be an overcomer. Jesus Christ is,"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."(1:18) His work is finished. It is for them to overcome the law of sin still operating to which the present wave of persecution going on in the world is a proof. So it is squarely in the manner they withstand with all the resources God has freely given them. "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."(Re.2:7) sets the tone. No church is exempt from the Law. To each the same promise stands. For instance he addresses the church at Ephesus. "To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God." All these names are interchangeable.

God made it clear to Moses his divine Will. "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel." Israel as a nation or as church are to be a kingdom of priests. Each is blessed in his Son and for nothing else. If they do not overcome the law of sin, they shall remain as 'thine footstool'. It is for this reason Isaiah addressed,"Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the Lord hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me."(Is.1:2) They are witnesses.

In the inaugural vision the stars represent the Law of the Spirit. The praise of an overcomer is to be redeemed from the earth, so he for example shall feed on the tree of life in the midst of the paradise of God.(Re.22:1-3)

Hello Tdianne

Your situation is one that is difficult to deal with in the best way. These are your family and you love them. It can be hard to begin to establish reasonable boundaries in such relationships. But it is never too late to do so.

As others have said, being honest about your financial situation and the future you face being disabled so that your family members can see that you are not able to continue to "rescue" them or support them financially. I suggest that you inform them that you expect them to get jobs or assistance instead of taking advantage of you any longer. This is hard to say to loved ones and even harder to follow through on, but, in the end, it will be best for all. Your family members may be angry and manipulative towards you when you take such a stand, but you can lean on the Lord to keep you strong and mature in these relationships. When they try to emotionally blackmail you when they cannot get the money from you again, know that this behavior is wrong and you don't deserve it. They are adults and it is best for them to support themselves and learn to live within their means as you are doing.

We love our children and grandchildren dearly. This makes it hard for us to deny them what they ask and to see them go without. I will be praying for you and your family.

E.

I prayed for your niece and your requests yesterday. I will do so today as well.

Q&A "Stone not cut with hands"

Q: "No tool was to be used for making an altar. Why was such an injunction given to Moses?"

A: The emblem of the slain Lamb before the foundation made any other altar unnecessary so God commanded Moses,"And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it."(Ex.20:24-25) . The earth and the fulness thereof belongs to Him. So for Moses it had limited application. "In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee," in the case of Abraham we read that he had built altars at Shechem and Hebron. The covenant between God and the Son commemorates the stone not cut with hands which shall sweep away all other kingdoms," that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image."(Dan.2:34)

Old testament symbolized by stone tables as St Paul would say, "the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones," reminded the nation 'letter kills.' Symptomatic of the law of sin is the set that Mose broke. So what does God says,"Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first: and I will write upon these tables the words that were in the first tables, which thou brakest."(Ex.34:1) It entailed Moses lifting up the chisel upon the stone.' The Spirit uses it to indicate the Law of Moses was of limited application.

"How shall not the ministration of the spirit be rather glorious?"(2 Co.3:8)

Q&A "kingdom of priests"

Q: in view of God's word, the Psalm quote, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek" what does Ex.19:6 signify?

A: Precisely what it says."And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.". God blessed man in his Son so whether he is addressing Abraham or a nation it shall be unto God only is in the Son. Consider the Lord was about to give the ten commandments and a priesthood which was merely pendent to the stone tables, symbolic of the Law of the Spirit. The nation of Israel rejected the offer when they demanded Samuel for a king. Judge Samuel enquires of the Lord and he says,"And theLordsaid unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them."(1 Sa.8:7-8). In v.8 the Spirit uses the phrase 'unto this day' which is a key to the everlasting covenant that it has not been laid aside or annulled. "According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods,."

In the light of this let us go back to the Psalm quote:"TheLordsaid unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." Who are these enemies but the nation of Israel? In Re. we see the New Jerusalem descending from heaven to mid-air. The footstool (Is.66:1) is as God says , (Re.21:24

Without understanding the role of the everlasting covenant one may ever learn but shall never come to knowledge of the truth. "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.". They have a form of godliness but in glossing over the deity and power of Christ they are precisely what St Paul had in mind, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."(2 Ti.3:1-7)

Hey Thebigbadwolf,

Thank you for your reply, this is true, whatever this mark will be whether it is an electronic chip, a barcode, or whatever it is it will have to be shown. A first-class ticket to the lake of fire. The same as the Decian persecution in 250 AD done by Emperor Decius, many were killed or died in prison but the ones who apostatized had to show a certificate. As you said it will not be good, it will be a worldwide tribulation this world has not seen, Matthew 24:21.

We must be strong in our faith, many will be deceived and many will die, there is a verse I believe is about when this happens we will be given the strength to not take this mark, it is Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Our strength is in Jesus we must put on the full armor of God Ephesians 6:10-18.

We must take to heart what Jesus said in Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. this is what is coming, and many will fall away/apostatize.

God bless,

RLW

It's a hard balance , you need some help , they need some cash and also they are your family so it's delicate . Be tactful and kind , maybe they don't realise how little you have , let them know that you are not rich and that you can't be relied upon to provide all the time .

If I was you , I would choose one or two of them , stick to those and make sure they understand and agree with your decision , then let the others know that you only need one or two and the rest of them you just can't afford .

You know each of them , you know who are the most reliable of them and the ones in genuine need . Speak to them individually , when you are alone with them . Explain your circumstances , be tactful and kind and pray about all this first . Talk to God and tell Him your fears , He wants to hear you , through Jesus Christ our Redeemer . Pray about this and wait for His Word to guide you .

You are not doing these people any favours by allowing them to take advantage of you , especially if they are capable of providing for themselves .

As Christians we should always be ready and willing to help anyone in genuine need , if we can . If these people are able to work or claim some assistance from the government then that's what they should do .

Have you ever thought that God sees them taking advantage of you and may decide to punish them for their behaviour ? Also you may be hindering them from moving forward in their lives and taking responsibility for themselves .

Doing what is right in God's sight isn't always obvious , we have to trust that God will put everyone where they are supposed to be and the best thing you can do for these people is to pray , every day for them . Help those in genuine need without hesitation but remember that help comes in different forms and the best help is always from above .

I'm sorry , I think maybe I didn't explain myself properly . I'm not so hot at this kind of thing .

I had just noticed the coincidence that king Saul persecuted David , and Saul persecuted the followers of Jesus and both of them were of the tribe of Benjamin . Was just wondering if that was a coincidence or if there was any significance , considering that God took His mercy away from king Saul but , was merciful to Saul and Saul was converted , repented and spent the rest of his life in the service of the Gospel . Just wondered is all .

E.

I will keep your niece in my prayers.