Isaiah 54 is speaking of the barren women, we need to understand who this barren woman is.
In Ezekiel 23 and Jeremiah 31:31-32 God said he was married to two sisters, Aholah, [Samaria] the house of Israel and Abolibah, [Jerusalem] the house of Judah. The child that was born to the married woman would be the Messiah. The Messiah was to come through the house of Judah, so Aholah, the house of Israel, Samaria, would be the barren one, the one who did not travail with child. This chapter is written to this barren one.
Jeremiah 3:8 tells us God divorced the house of Israel, but remained married to her sister Judah. The house of Israel, Aholah, would be the wife of youth who was refused, [divorced].
If you read Hosea 1:4-11 carefully it seems he is talking about the house of Israel and the house of Judah as different people. The word "house" is left out in some Bibles. Verses 4-6, and 8-10 are to the house of Israel, verse 7, the house of Judah, verse 11, to both. Verse 10 says, in spite of God having the house of Israel taken away and having no mercy on them, the number of their children shall be as the sand of the sea.
Once the house of Israel was carried away by the Assyrians, the house of Judah would be the only visible portion of God's people left, for a while.
Jeremiah 3:6-8 is telling us how Judah was following Israel's bad example. Now in verses 12-20 he will proclaim, prophesize, to the north, where the house of Israel was before the Assyrians carried them away. As in Hosea, Judah and Israel are not the same country. Here they are also referred to as sisters. Verse 12 has, Will not be angry forever. Verse 14, I am married to you. Verse 15, I will give you pastors to feed you with knowledge and understanding. "Will give" is in the future.Because God sent the house of Israel away with a writ of divorce and her continued idolatry, she would always be an adulteress in Gods eyes. That was until God, her first husband, died. After Isaiah 53 she was now free.
Hello Franklinc.. We do see glimpses of Jesus Christ, in the prophet Jeremiah, both in his person and writings. Even some of the people of Jesus' day wondered whether this Jesus personified one of the OT prophets, such as Jeremiah ( Matthew 16:13,14). Whether they actually saw something about Jesus' Life and Ministry that led them to wonder or maybe they believed that Jesus came in the spirit and power of those men, we can't know.
Jeremiah prophesied about Jesus (not by Name of course) in Jerermiah 23:5,6; and this prophecy is still future when Jesus returns to Earth and sits on the 'Throne of David'.
Jeremiah also speaks about a New Covenant ( Jeremiah 31:31-34). Although Jesus brought in a New Covenant in His Blood, which we are the blessed recipients of, Israel by-and-large have rejected it to this day. But this is the final Covenant, for no greater can be made other than through God's Son's Sacrifice. But the day will come when the fulfilment of this Covenant will be realized when all Jewry will acknowledge the Giver of this Covenant & be transformed in the inner man.
Jeremiah 11:19-21; Jeremiah 20:7-18. The prophet suffered very much physically. Even as Isaiah spoke of Jesus being "brought as a lamb to the slaughter" ( Isaiah 53:7), Jeremiah voices the same grief unto himself ( Jeremiah 11:19).
Jesus seems to quote Jeremiah in His castigation of the temple merchants ( Matthew 21:12,13; cf Jeremiah 7:9-11).
So, a few examples that I could think of that hopefully addresses your question. Blessings.
Amen bro S. Spencer. The Old Covenant ended at the Cross, as Jesus brought in the New Testament in His Blood ( Luke 22:20). The Old may have ended, but God's Promises to Israel still stands sure and they will be preserved as He promised ( Jeremiah 31:31-36; and particularly vv 35 & 36, where God's Promise is that the ordinances of the moon, stars & seas would have to fail first before Israel is cast away as a nation before Him.
Yet, the vail, till today, continues to cover their eyes as they read the Old Testament, chained to the Old Covenant. But when the heart is turned to the Lord Jesus, that vail of blindness will lift off, and the Light of Christ and His Gospel will shine on them and give them liberty from the Law & the sin it reveals, and embrace only Christ who sets free ( 2 Corinthians 3:13-17). GBU.
The prophecies, for even the LORD God Himself has declared that Israel will continue forever ( Genesis 12:1-7; Genesis 13:14-17), show that there must be not only a continuation of Israel in their God-appointed land, but that in those days when Christ comes to war against His enemies and reign in Jerusalem, the remnants of Israel will believe and share in His Kingdom.
So bearing in mind what you have written about the true elect of God residing in a Heavenly Kingdom, what do you do with those Scriptures (and many more) that I've cited to show at least an earthly reign by Jesus for a limited time? And those are prophetical utterances and not parabolic in nature which must be taken & believed as given. And remember Jeremiah 31:31-36 is very telling about Israel's continuance.
This blindness and hardening is temporary until the appointed number of gentiles are saved. After this, God will again return to fulfil His Promises to them as a nation; even as Paul writes, "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins" ( Romans 11:26,27). Isaiah 59:20,21 and Jeremiah 31:31-37 are further assurances by God that what He has decreed will come to pass upon His Elect (Israel).
Even after Jesus' resurrection, the disciples still wanted to know when the kingdom would be restored to Israel ( Acts 1:6-7). Jesus COULD have told them, 'do you still not understand, God has rejected Israel because of their unbelief & rejection of Me - and only those who believe on Me will be with Me in My Kingdom'. Rather, Jesus said, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." It was not a question of when this would happen but that in God's Time, it would happen when the remnant of Israel would one day see, be convicted and believe, & the kingdom would be restored, with Jesus truly as her King & Savior.
b) RT goes against Old Testament prophecies concerning the nation of Israel.
Consider the prophecies in Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37. In these passages, Ezekiel foresaw the following:
Israel's sinfulness and apostasy (36:16-18); Israel's dispersion amongst the nations (36:19-21); Israel's re-gathering back into the land of Israel (36:22-24); God's blessing of Israel under the new covenant (36:26-27); God would make his name known amongst the nations through His kindness and fulfilled promises to the nation of Israel (36:23,36). Onto Page 4.
[25] For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
My Respond: Thanking God for latter rain giving me blessings v24 to have a season and future seasons.
Joel 2:23-24 KJV
[23] Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. [24] And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
Persecution of Christ in His earthly mission: Part 2
Jesus' early life: Born in obscurity
Satan's attempt at destroying the lineage of Christ doubled down one the gig was up and Jesus was born. Thus; we have the fulfillment of of Jeremiah 31:15 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. This prophecy is shown being fulfilled in Matthew 2 with the attempted killing of Herod of all infants 2 years or younger of male children and thus Jesus had to dwell with his family in Egypt until the angel informed Joseph that the danger had passed.
Jesus then spent most of his life as a humble carpenter (which I have stated before could have involved as some suggest; other construction and like pursuits). In any case He was fulfilling the usual practice of remaining with family until a traditional age of about 30; but it was part of a mystery as to the exact timing. We see that He then had 3 and a half years of ministry which mirrors that of the 2 Prophets in the Tribulation. During this time we see all sorts of persecution and sacrifice He had to make in order to make it to the cross which He certainly knew was coming well before He started public ministry.
It is an interesting thought that actually I just came up with. Jesus told others that you must follow God and not wait to fulfill obligations at home; and surely since Joseph isn't mentioned He very well may have left home around the time His own mother became a widow. That also reflects on the conversation which He was sought to have with His father conspicuously absent with his mother and brothers (see Luke 8:21). So He practiced what He preached. I will add that His request to John to dwell with her and take her in during His greatest suffering on the cross demonstrates that indeed He did have tender care for His own family and made necessary provisions.
Daniel 9, there are 69 weeks from the commandment unto the Messiah. I understand this is when Jesus was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit, becoming the Messiah. In verse 26, Jesus's ministry was 3.5 years when Jesus was cut off/crucified, this would be 69.5 weeks. It is the people/army of the prince that will come and destroy, not the prince. We see a parable relating to this very thing, Matthew 22:1-7.
In verse 27, Jesus is the one who came to confirm the new covenant to the house of Israel, Jeremiah 31:31-34. His ministry was 3.5 years, which is in the middle of the 70th week when He was cut off. Jesus, through His apostles, confirmed the covenant to the house of Israel for the remaining 3.5 years until the death of Stephen, Acts 7:54-60. The confirming of the covenant to the house of Israel ended, and the gospel was then given to the Gentiles. 1 Corinthians 11:25, Hebrews 12:24, Hebrews 13:20.
It is not a beast that makes it desolate, we see in Matthew 23 Jesus was addressing the leaders of the Jewish nation, He was retorting to their rejection of His saving work on their behalf. They refused His call for repentance, because of their overspreading of abominations, Jesus said, "Behold your house is left unto you desolate".
This refers to the coming judgment on Jerusalem and the temple for their rejection of Jesus and the saving work of God. "even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured out on the desolate". What Jesus said your house is left unto you desolate, the consummation, the complete destruction poured out on the desolate in 70 AD.
After the downfall and various diaspora of Israel to the winds (Babylon; Assyrian and Persia) following Solomon's rule; the Lord still had plans. He even gave the land a rest from the wickedness for 70 years ( 2 Chronicles 36:21). God's ways are mysterious.
We see that He has provisions for the birds of the air ( Isaiah 34:11; also in Revelation 19). This is part of His covenant as it were with all of nature; which instigated with the rainbow in Genesis after the flood; so perverted as a symbol of rebellion today.
Daniel would see the fulfillment of the promise of Israel beginning it's return after living out the entire 70 years of prophesied captivity in Babylon. We see the theme over and over in regard to those who are chosen of God being promoted in foreign lands with Daniel; Esther; and Joseph. With the return promised Daniel still asked the Lord to overlook the sins of himself as well as the entire nation; not taking anything to chance. We see like prayers in both Nehemiah 9 and Ezra 9 as we do in Daniel 9 which is interesting. The eventual return to Isreal would be a long and drawn out process to build the city from ruins and the Temple as well as getting many to leave the foreign lands where they were comfortable in their surroundings; no doubt.
God was beginning to show signs; as it were of His plan to eventually come up with a new covenant where men's hearts would be forever changed. Ezekiel discusses a heart turned from stone to flesh ( Ezekiel 36:26); and Jeremiah 31:31-34). Again it was only the Lord who would eventually seal us with His Spirit as a down payment as it was for our souls ( Eph. 1:13; etal).
The law was to be given it's full meaning through Christ as we will discuss in further posts.
The great "parenthesis" as it were for the church age between Daniel 9:26 and 9:27 when the Antichrist makes the first seal agreement with Israel (see Rev. 6:1; Isaiah 28:15) is left out of the O.T. a mystery.
This posting is somewhat of a sequel to the last one today. It is important to recognize that there are multiple applications to some verses such as Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This would tie in to Jeremiah 31:33 for instance But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
There are applications for believing Jews as well as Gentiles today (see Romans 10:12); but also of course there is a national sort of repentance for Israel in the last days as 2 Corinthians 3:14 indicates: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
Many who are involved with what is called Replacement Theology would contest this concept. I am not here to argue the point but just to declare wait to see before dismissing prophetic statements not yet fulfilled. God's covenants such as with Abraham were said to be everlasting; clearly certain things such as the need for circumcision as a physical sign of being in God's covenant isn't necessary today as indicated by many passages Paul quotes in the New Testament on this subject. Deuteronomy 10:16 apparently mentions this concept as a sort of precursor to how He operates today with the concept of Grace. The law is fulfilled in Christ; not abrogated.
Before I drift too far from the title of this discussion; I will make the statement that ultimately man cannot through sin eliminate the promises of God's covenant(s). The warning; however is that all men are subject to God and thus those who know better about the law for instance receive greater punishment if they don't get saved (see Luke 12:47). God first conv with Adam in a form of a covenant.
The crowds as usual rejoiced in what Jesus said. This could be for several reasons; since many no doubt hated the religious establishment and perhaps non Jews were scattered about that felt the same way. They also could rejoice that there is a resurrection or just the fact that they perceived Jesus as a very clever guy.
Matthew 22:34-38
Jesus responded to the Pharisees in their third attempt to confuse or trap Him. The greatest commandment was listed as an amalgamation of the Old Testament commands. The first command was the literal first command of the Ten Commandments. The second appears in Leviticus 19:18 which many may not know.
Studying scripture further we see two examples of the 10 Commandments; both in Deuteronomy and Exodus. The idea of not coveting anything of your neighbor such a His wife (commandment #10); or committing adultery (7th Commandment) certainly show how the idea of a neighbor can tie together as one example. Sins are against God in all cases but may or may not affect other people. As to who a neighbor is we see that illustrated in Luke 10:29 which goes beyond just caring for fellow Israelites.
Matthew 22:39-end
Jesus then asks the Pharisees who the Son of man is; and quotes Psalm 110. Their concept of being a physical son of David was only in regard to the descendants of Joseph. Some of course accused Christ of being illegitimate; but the truth was that He also was NOT a physical descendant of David as we would think. This interesting truth comes from a promise made to Jeconius in Jeremiah 22 that NONE of his descendants would be king. This is another explanation of the need for a Virgin birth. No doubt Satan was watching things very carefully as we see the many attempts to destroy God's people in this lineage not the least of which was prophesied in Jeremiah 31:15 and fulfilled in Matthew 2:16-18.
It appears after this that no one asked Him any questions. His greatest trial was soon to come.
Christ was also referred to as the 2nd Adam ( 1 Cor. 15:45; also seen in Romans 5). Hence Adam was designed in the image of God but because of his sin it affected all his offspring therefore we inherited his sin nature during conception ( Psalm 51:5). Men at that time when Christ lived on the earth expected the Messiah to come to earth and vanquish them of their enemies; hence tried to make him king ( John 6:15). His reaction was to go to withdraw Himself to the mountains (likely to pray).
A cursory examination of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 shows statements that at first seem to contradict the law; or at the very least make the ramifications more severe for our thoughts about things that may or may not become actions. This was illustrated with lusting after a woman being adultery in the heart; and more stringent laws on putting away one's wife. This explanation was brought out further in Matthew 19:8 with the Pharisees on the subject as to the concepts tied in with Deuteronomy 24. This shows that Christ was; as a member of the Godhead able to define and even change what was considered the law to make it more perfect as no one before Him ever was able to live out a sinless life following the law perfectly. Ultimately certain ceremonial laws were brought to an end as seen in Acts 10:15; but alluded to in Mark 7:18-19.
Hence the method of rituals related to the animal sacrifices also was to be ended with the New Covenant. Overall we can say the 10 Commandments as a moral law remain as a universal statute; although the mandatory 7th day of rest only given for Israel and its occupants has been replaced with Sunday as a day of rest although Colossians 2:16-17 says we should avoid disputes over Sabbath Days and I would add Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath ( Matthew 12:8). I am not here to get into a debate over that issue.
To have the law in our hearts was a future promise that Christ demonstrates ( Jeremiah 31:16-18).
Genesis 3:15 - And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Genesis 12:3 - And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 22:18 - And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Jeremiah 31:33 - But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Mark 12:29-31 - And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31, And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Acts 17:11 - These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2, By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4, And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
This will only go to the Jews, The New Covenant, because the old one didn't work for Israel.
Hebrews 8:7
For if that firstcovenanthad been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Hebrews 8:10
For this is thecovenantthat I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Jeremiah 31:31
Behold, the days come, saith theLord, that I will makeanewcovenantwith the house ofIsrael,and with the house of Judah:
Romans 11:27
For this is mycovenantunto them, when I shall take away their sins.
If I could first address your last point here ( Matthew 5:18). Do you think that the previous verse (v 17, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil"), has some connection to verse 18? Clearly, Jesus is upholding the Law (i.e. what was given by God, & not those spurious laws the religious leaders imposed upon the people). He also states that the Law will abide forever. And He further states that His Coming to Earth was "to fulfil the Law (Gk. for fulfil is 'pleroo': to bring to completion). Yes, the Law was Perfect from both the Mouth & Finger of God, but Jesus came to finally cast aside what the Law was designed for & its intent, (and NOT its value & truth), which ultimately brought men under condemnation; Jesus came to fulfil the Law (& only He the sinless Son of God could), bringing it to finality & abolishment, thus ushering the New Covenant in His Blood. Two Covenants can never operate simultaneously, particularly where one led to hopelessness, helplessness and death; & the other availed to give life, hope & power in the Spirit.
Even Hebrews 8:13 reminds us of the finality of that Law: "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away". And if we read earlier in Hebrews 8:10, "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people". (see also Jeremiah 31:31-33). Onto Page 2.
I don't read these debated messages until I'm ready to focus on them.
Firstly, Thanks for responding.
Jeremiah 31:3 is not written "TO" anyone but Israel! It is a specific message "TO" them.
It doesn't apply to us as you stated, "God has loved us (His chosen) with an everlasting love"
Here is how the chapter starts.
Jeremiah 31:1-2.
Everything is written for our learning but everything is not written TO us.
God is telling Israel why he is going to do that which is mentioned in the following verses.
Jeremiah 31:4-7. and then-
8) Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
9) They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Now look at verse 10! It's written to you and I and the rest of the world!
10) HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD, O YE NATIONS, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
This is future!
It Parallels with Jeremiah 16:14-15.
What you and I should take from that is that God keeps his promises.
If you were to go by what I seem to imply, God certainly cannot exercise His wrath or judgement on sinners because He loves the world (humans). This is not biblically sound and if it is biblically true, all people would be saved, but Scripture does not teach this.
Gigi that's far from anything I ever said.
I said, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" and the whosoever in these passages implies a invitation to EVERYONE!
Indeed, God does love the world. He loves all of His creation. And I did say that He does bestow common grace and mercy upon all humanity. Otherwise, we all would be consumed and destroyed the first time we actively sin. God has compassion on sinful man in many ways. However, Romans 1:18 does teach that God's wrath is upon all wickedness in those who suppress the truth. basically sinners. If I were to go by what you seem to imply, God certainly cannot exercise His wrath or judgement on sinners because He loves the world (humans). This is not biblically sound and if it is biblically true, all people would be saved, but Scripture does not teach this.
I said in my writing that God's SAVING grace and mercy and love is given to the elect, but not to those He did not choose for salvation. If you are of the Arminian persuasion you would be aware that they teach about God's prevenient grace and also saving grace. I agree that God's grace comes to humans in different ways with differing effects as Arminius taught. But I am not Arminian in my thinking. I used to be for many decades, because that was all I really knew. But when I began to examine its teachings against Scripture, I moved away from that.
You said that I cannot attribute something that is for Israel for Christians. This is a tenet of dispensationalism, but is not from the Bible unless you can give me a Scripture that teaches so.
I know that you had some other questions for me. However, I do not wish to get into a back and forth, picking apart each others' viewpoints. I would much prefer that you do as I did-study these topics according to what Scripture says and then present your developed viewpoint on this forum so that others can read both viewpoints and go to Scriptures to see which one better explains what Scriptures do teach.
I appreciate that you are engaging with me. May the truth win out overall.
Here I expound on the details of God's love for us.
Pt. 1
GOD'S LOVE IS THE FOUNTAIN OF HIS COMPASSION, FAVOR, GRACE AND MERCY
As we go on to discuss God's compassion, favor, grace, and mercy we can see that these all flow from His divine love. There is nothing in all of creation comparable to His divine love. It is so great, deep, faithful, and true. Believers can depend on Him to love them forever with a love that is beyond any love they can ever experience among people they know.
The reason that God extends compassion, favor, grace and mercy to His elect is precisely because of His great love that nothing can separate us from, ( Romans 8: 31-39) nor will God ever withdraw His love from His elect ( Jeremiah 31:3)! So, as elect believers we can ever rejoice that He loves us, though we are sinful, because His Son won for us the remission of our sins on the cross. Hallelujah!
I don't think we can every tire of meditating on God's love for us. Nor should we ever minimize it by focusing more on God's wrath for sin and sinners. God's nature is in perfect harmony with all of His attributes. Therefore, we should learn how to hold paradoxes such as His love and wrath. Both are equally and infinitely present in God. He does not change. But when we think about the severity of His wrath, we can remind ourselves of His magnanimous unconquerable, and eternal love for us that manifests in His faithfulness, compassions, grace, mercies and favor upon us and that these will never fail.
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.
How lovely is this verse to the ears of forgiven sinners who believe the gospel and put their faith in Jesus Christ!
Blessings of God's New Convenant to restore his nation.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 KJV
Jesus Christ is God that is forgiveness of sins. A God that is a free gift that is better then nothing (zero) Matthew 7:7-8 KJV
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
A quick overview of the entire chapter of Ezekiel 36 shows that the meaning is primarily in the exodus and eventual regathering of God's people. When we get into a couple chapters later we enter the Ezekiel 38 war which continues showing the fate of nations that fight against Israel. This verse also is used to demonstrate the change in each believer's state; as opposed to the condition mentioned in Jeremiah 17:9 on how deceitful and wicked man's unregenerate heart nature is.
The principle involved in the nation of Israel repenting is found in this verse: Romans 11:25
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
The Lord will therefore use the time of "Jacob's trouble" ( Jeremiah 30:7) to put the Jews through the fire; and at that time 2/3 will perish and 1/3 make it through ( Zechariah 13:8) which signifies the refining fire. Naturally this is preceded by the arrival of the false messiah who will be venerated by many until the time mentioned in Isaiah 10:20 which would be at the midpoint of the Tribulation.
The new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah 31:31 and the next several verses after also could be applied to that which Christ accomplished for those in the church (or church age). It's final fruition will finally reach Israel who rejected the first coming of their king because they didn't recognize Him as the suffering servant; and or assumed He would immediately overtake their enemies and start an earthly Kingdom.
In general I would state that every age or dispensation has a similar fate; a beginning and end. Israel had several Diasporas and in the last days the church in general will fall away.
Romans 11:16-24 shows Israel as distinct from the Church: the "natural branches" are the Jews, and the "wild branches" are the Gentiles.
The "olive tree" is the collective people of God. The "natural branches" (Jews) are "cut off" the tree for unbelief, and the "wild branches" (believing Gentiles) are grafted in. This has the effect of making the Jews "jealous" and then drawing them to faith in Christ, so they might be grafted in again and receive their promised inheritance.
The natural branches are still distinct from the "wild branches," so that God's covenant with His people is literally fulfilled.
Isaiah 62:11-12 "Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
Moses' prediction of Israel's permanent restoration to the land in Deuteronomy 30:1-10.
Moses said, "THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL CIRCUMCISE YOUR HEARTS!!
SO HOW WILL "ALL ISRAEL BE SAVED?
Zechariah 8-14 , which speak of end-times Israel at Christ's return.
The key verse describing the coming to faith of the future remnant of Israel is Zechariah 12:10.
This occurs at the end of the tribulation.
Also; Zechariah 8:7-8.
Israel will be regathered from the ends of the earth ( Isaiah 11:12.
Ezekiel 36:26 reads, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh"
You said,
"Israel failed with the Law of Moses and the tradition of their fathers. Only in Christ shall they reach that state"
Israel wasn't able to reach that state under the Mosaic law. The Mosaic law wasn't given for that purpose!
Ezekiel and Jeremiah states that God was going to do something NEW!
Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Ezekiel 11:19-20.
Ezekiel 36:26-27.
The Spirit within represents a NEW birth. The Law and the Prophet's taught this
Jesus counseled Nicodemus on this in
John 3:5-10.
Nicodemus was expected to Know this being that he was a Teacher of Israel.
The interpretation of the sticks is in passage. Ezekiel 37:16-21.
The two sticks represent the southern and the Northern Kingdom as mentioned.
Also, they will be gathered from every side and brought back into their own land.
Let's take Ezekiel 36 and Ezekiel 37 and put them in its proper context.
There's mention of a new heart and new spirit.
The dry bones.
The two sticks.
Their gathering.
and their own Land.
Ezekiel is writing during the captivity of Babylon but his writings extends past the captivity on into the latter days as do Daniel and Jeremiah.
Judgment of Israel is of a much broader scope than the Babylonian captivity.
We find that in Deuteronomy 28:37 ,64-68.
It's important to note that this dispersion is global, Not Babylon.
Also the gathering Ezekiel is talking about is global and exceeds Babylon.
This is a second gathering! Isaiah 11:9-12.
Isaiah 43:5-6.
When you read this you'll see that it has never happened.
They still have a heart of stone.
Some look at Israel today and say this must be the Church but "in those days" there is more to consider here than just the New heart concerning this prophecy.
I have followed you and others on this great discussion!
Thanks for giving your understanding.
You stated the "beginning" in John 1:1-10 refers to Christ earthly ministry.
I believe we should ask ourselves "What was Christ role in those 3 years?
We know that Jesus's death brought in the new covenant that was Prophesied to come in the OT, ( Jeremiah 31:31) "also other verses". but what was his ministry or Role during those 3 years?
During Jesus 3-year ministry he sought out the ( lost sheep of Israel ).
John is identifying Jesus as "the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And as the "true Light, which lighteth (every man) that cometh into the world". Here John is not talking about Jesus earthly ministry, the lost sheep of Israel or his role.
JESUS ROLE AND THE ENDING OF THE OLD COVENANT IS ANOTHER TOPIC, BUT I BELIEVE THE 3 YEAR MINISTRY WAS ENDING THE OLD COVENANT AND HIS DEATH WAS THE BEGINING OF THE NEW COVENANT.
Jesus as savior was announced in Genesis 3:15.
In John 5:39 Jesus said "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Jesus's ministry as savior was performed in the Old Testament in types, JOHN IS NOT ADDRESSING THE BEGINNING OF NEITHER OF THOSE.
I would like to highlight something in John 1:1-10.
We see Jesus as the word, as God, as life, as light and as the "creator in verse 10",
Jesus is called the light, and that light didn't begin at Christ earthly ministry according to verse 9
This light is also mentioned in 1 John 1:1-7. God is also referenced as that light!
We see the Trinity in the light as the Father and the light as the Son as the same in these passages.
You have the father the son and the Holy Spirit exhibited in John 1:1-10 and 1 John 1:1-7.
The act of intercession; therefore is something crucial to communication throughout scripture that indeed gives us some insight of Hebrews 7:25 (He ever lives to intercede for us). Daniel also repeated this theme in Daniel 9:8-10. God's promise here was the prophetic insight given in Jeremiah 29:10. God stated this would happen; so it appears to be a done deal. There was no promise how many would do this; as is evident from the small group that initially rebuilt the wall; and the disobedience of many was seen with marriages to foreign wives. No doubt worldliness had affected the hearts of those who should have remembered the prosperity God gave them in Babylon and His promises to return after that time. It is a wonder that confession of the sins of church congregations isn't given much attention as compared to particulary egregious ones of individuals as it still affects the overall witness as we see from exhortations written for the churches in Revelation 2 and 3; for example.
Look at God's faithfulness to Israel as stated in Jeremiah 31:36 where the courses of nature would have to change with the sun and moon for God to abandon His covenant promises. In fact the only covenant changed is that related to the method of worship with the law and sacrifices which was of course replaced by the perfect sacrifice under Christ which abolished therefore the old ordinances. (see Hebrews 9-10). The object of worship was therefore Christ; God had stated in Isaiah 1:11; see also Psalm 69:31.
In understanding the New Covenant we should perceive that it is still the same God with the same characteristics today that existed in the Old Testament from eternity. We would on the surface expect that to be a "no brainer"; but how often do we see the fear of God demonstrated as in Acts 5:1-11 with Ananias and Sapphira? Our commitments to God should not be of fools ( Ecclesiastes 5:4). See Matthew 5:33-35 for ungodly vows.
Sin separates us from God, It doesn't bring us to God.
Man in his natural state loves darkness.
Beware of anyone that teaches that sin is good!
Also Beware of the snare that God saves you by his Love and compromise his righteous Judgment.
"God so loved the world, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON,
(( God didn't excuse our sin, It cost him dearly!
Christ was judged!! He wasn't let off the hook! He prayed 3 times to let this cup pass him!
If it was any other way, God didn't answer him.))
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Read and Study John 3:17-21. and John 16:7-14.
We've been baptized into a body of believers and led and sealed by one Spirit. And that's Christ.
Israel in the OT shows the weakness of man left alone and the absence of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. and it is a lesson for you and I.
Judges 2:8-13.
And Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.
And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
God uses marriage to communicate Christ commitment and relationships to us as seen in
Ephesians 5:23-32.
See verse 32.
"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, AND SHALL BE JOINED UNTO HIS WIFE, AND THEY TWO SHALL BE ONE FLESH.
(Verse 32)
THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY: "BUT I SPEAK CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.
Praise the Lord that we have a God that is faithful and keeps his promises.
There is one God of all and he is the God of Israel "The fish fruit " also in who he made Promises to also!
Here's one of many.
Jeremiah 31:35-36.
"Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
Thank you. I'm sorry that you feel that I berate. I get why you might think that I berate, but Truly it's done in LOVE. What I'm Professing is The Truth, you see, everyone is missing The Message! I'm NOT speaking against the holy bible, I'm rebuking Any declarations that a book is God! God is SO MUCH MORE! A book doesn't "bring" anyone closer to God, and you wonder HOW God reveals Himself to people, Romans 2:13-16. And here is The Prophecy from which it came Jeremiah 31:31-34. You think I call the holy bible frivolous? I call the holy bible holy, just, and good. But, I will never call the holy bible God. Everyone is so incensed that their anger is causing them to sin.
Jema, you ask for a Revelation to "prove" that God has sent me with His Message. Well, Christ was asked the same, Luke 11:29-30; so, what is The Sign of Jonah? Jonah hated the Ninevites, so the Ninevites had No reason to listen to Jonah because Jonah made his distaste obvious. The sign of Jonah is God sending a man who is disliked and even hated to people, who dislike and hate him, to declare their destruction. Why? For if the people "Listen" to their hatred then they will not hear God in the message, but if the people "put away" their hatred they may avoid Destruction.
Jema, you ask me to imagine how quarrelsome we would be without the Bible, very quarrelsome indeed; but, I ask you to imagine how MUCH Faith we would have as a consequence. You see, if everyone yells for you to go left, but God's Holy Spirit directs you right, And you obey God, my God, The Wonders we would witness!
Jema, you ask why the people killed Christ. I tell you, it wasn't because they didn't know He was the Messiah! John 3:1-3 the Pharisees killed Christ because He came to take away their power as priests of God; they were necessary to the people because if a person wanted to seek God, they had to go to them. God "did away with this by making All people a holy nation and priests! Put away anger and Listen!
Yes, I gave a different view by asking a question. Sometimes, a question "tills the field" better than a statement because it gives the reader a chance to come to the conclusion on their own. You see, perspective is key to understanding, and it's perspective that allows us to "see" the another's eyes and understand! Now, concerning the serpent in The Garden; God said Do Not, and the serpent asked "why not"? The serpent did what "the flesh" (sarx) always does, tempt! I'm sure doubt is a part of this, yet I ask is God really ALMIGHTY? Because if He is, and He TRULY is, then "the fall" of man was always The Plan of God from The Beginning! I'll put it more clearly, the fall of mankind was Always supposed to happen. It is either, accept this truth, or believe that satan is at least as Powerful as God. How else did satan get into The Garden and have access to Adam & Eve? God allowed it.
Furthermore, it saddens me to think that you can't tell the difference between The Word Of God (The Holy Spirit), and the holy bible. You see the holy bible is holy, just, and good BUT it is a created thing and God is The Creator of the thing! We are Commanded to Worship The Creator NOT the created! Romans 1:20-25 It is for this transgression that our understanding is darkened. For The Word does and will Endure Forever, somehow I Understand that The Word is God and not a book made of paper and ink! Why else does God place His Law in our inward parts (heart) Jeremiah 31:33-34 Again, The True Gospel is NOT from a book, It is from The Holy Spirit of God.
I am with God sir, and where ever I am it is where God put me! What irks me the most is that I have to speak against a book not because of any ill will for I LOVE the holy bible, I speak against a book because people can't tell the difference from a book and God ALMIGHTY! God is Spirit and we are HIS tabernacles.
In Ezekiel 23 and Jeremiah 31:31-32 God said he was married to two sisters, Aholah, [Samaria] the house of Israel and Abolibah, [Jerusalem] the house of Judah. The child that was born to the married woman would be the Messiah. The Messiah was to come through the house of Judah, so Aholah, the house of Israel, Samaria, would be the barren one, the one who did not travail with child. This chapter is written to this barren one.
Jeremiah 3:8 tells us God divorced the house of Israel, but remained married to her sister Judah. The house of Israel, Aholah, would be the wife of youth who was refused, [divorced].
If you read Hosea 1:4-11 carefully it seems he is talking about the house of Israel and the house of Judah as different people. The word "house" is left out in some Bibles. Verses 4-6, and 8-10 are to the house of Israel, verse 7, the house of Judah, verse 11, to both. Verse 10 says, in spite of God having the house of Israel taken away and having no mercy on them, the number of their children shall be as the sand of the sea.
Once the house of Israel was carried away by the Assyrians, the house of Judah would be the only visible portion of God's people left, for a while.
Jeremiah 3:6-8 is telling us how Judah was following Israel's bad example. Now in verses 12-20 he will proclaim, prophesize, to the north, where the house of Israel was before the Assyrians carried them away. As in Hosea, Judah and Israel are not the same country. Here they are also referred to as sisters. Verse 12 has, Will not be angry forever. Verse 14, I am married to you. Verse 15, I will give you pastors to feed you with knowledge and understanding. "Will give" is in the future.Because God sent the house of Israel away with a writ of divorce and her continued idolatry, she would always be an adulteress in Gods eyes. That was until God, her first husband, died. After Isaiah 53 she was now free.
Jeremiah prophesied about Jesus (not by Name of course) in Jerermiah 23:5,6; and this prophecy is still future when Jesus returns to Earth and sits on the 'Throne of David'.
Jeremiah also speaks about a New Covenant ( Jeremiah 31:31-34). Although Jesus brought in a New Covenant in His Blood, which we are the blessed recipients of, Israel by-and-large have rejected it to this day. But this is the final Covenant, for no greater can be made other than through God's Son's Sacrifice. But the day will come when the fulfilment of this Covenant will be realized when all Jewry will acknowledge the Giver of this Covenant & be transformed in the inner man.
Jeremiah 11:19-21; Jeremiah 20:7-18. The prophet suffered very much physically. Even as Isaiah spoke of Jesus being "brought as a lamb to the slaughter" ( Isaiah 53:7), Jeremiah voices the same grief unto himself ( Jeremiah 11:19).
Jesus seems to quote Jeremiah in His castigation of the temple merchants ( Matthew 21:12,13; cf Jeremiah 7:9-11).
So, a few examples that I could think of that hopefully addresses your question. Blessings.
Yet, the vail, till today, continues to cover their eyes as they read the Old Testament, chained to the Old Covenant. But when the heart is turned to the Lord Jesus, that vail of blindness will lift off, and the Light of Christ and His Gospel will shine on them and give them liberty from the Law & the sin it reveals, and embrace only Christ who sets free ( 2 Corinthians 3:13-17). GBU.
The prophecies, for even the LORD God Himself has declared that Israel will continue forever ( Genesis 12:1-7; Genesis 13:14-17), show that there must be not only a continuation of Israel in their God-appointed land, but that in those days when Christ comes to war against His enemies and reign in Jerusalem, the remnants of Israel will believe and share in His Kingdom.
So bearing in mind what you have written about the true elect of God residing in a Heavenly Kingdom, what do you do with those Scriptures (and many more) that I've cited to show at least an earthly reign by Jesus for a limited time? And those are prophetical utterances and not parabolic in nature which must be taken & believed as given. And remember Jeremiah 31:31-36 is very telling about Israel's continuance.
This blindness and hardening is temporary until the appointed number of gentiles are saved. After this, God will again return to fulfil His Promises to them as a nation; even as Paul writes, "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins" ( Romans 11:26,27). Isaiah 59:20,21 and Jeremiah 31:31-37 are further assurances by God that what He has decreed will come to pass upon His Elect (Israel).
Even after Jesus' resurrection, the disciples still wanted to know when the kingdom would be restored to Israel ( Acts 1:6-7). Jesus COULD have told them, 'do you still not understand, God has rejected Israel because of their unbelief & rejection of Me - and only those who believe on Me will be with Me in My Kingdom'. Rather, Jesus said, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power." It was not a question of when this would happen but that in God's Time, it would happen when the remnant of Israel would one day see, be convicted and believe, & the kingdom would be restored, with Jesus truly as her King & Savior.
b) RT goes against Old Testament prophecies concerning the nation of Israel.
Consider the prophecies in Ezekiel chapters 36 and 37. In these passages, Ezekiel foresaw the following:
Israel's sinfulness and apostasy (36:16-18); Israel's dispersion amongst the nations (36:19-21); Israel's re-gathering back into the land of Israel (36:22-24); God's blessing of Israel under the new covenant (36:26-27); God would make his name known amongst the nations through His kindness and fulfilled promises to the nation of Israel (36:23,36). Onto Page 4.
[25] For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
My Respond: Thanking God for latter rain giving me blessings v24 to have a season and future seasons.
Joel 2:23-24 KJV
[23] Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. [24] And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
Jesus' early life: Born in obscurity
Satan's attempt at destroying the lineage of Christ doubled down one the gig was up and Jesus was born. Thus; we have the fulfillment of of Jeremiah 31:15 Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. This prophecy is shown being fulfilled in Matthew 2 with the attempted killing of Herod of all infants 2 years or younger of male children and thus Jesus had to dwell with his family in Egypt until the angel informed Joseph that the danger had passed.
Jesus then spent most of his life as a humble carpenter (which I have stated before could have involved as some suggest; other construction and like pursuits). In any case He was fulfilling the usual practice of remaining with family until a traditional age of about 30; but it was part of a mystery as to the exact timing. We see that He then had 3 and a half years of ministry which mirrors that of the 2 Prophets in the Tribulation. During this time we see all sorts of persecution and sacrifice He had to make in order to make it to the cross which He certainly knew was coming well before He started public ministry.
It is an interesting thought that actually I just came up with. Jesus told others that you must follow God and not wait to fulfill obligations at home; and surely since Joseph isn't mentioned He very well may have left home around the time His own mother became a widow. That also reflects on the conversation which He was sought to have with His father conspicuously absent with his mother and brothers (see Luke 8:21). So He practiced what He preached. I will add that His request to John to dwell with her and take her in during His greatest suffering on the cross demonstrates that indeed He did have tender care for His own family and made necessary provisions.
Part 2
Daniel 9, there are 69 weeks from the commandment unto the Messiah. I understand this is when Jesus was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit, becoming the Messiah. In verse 26, Jesus's ministry was 3.5 years when Jesus was cut off/crucified, this would be 69.5 weeks. It is the people/army of the prince that will come and destroy, not the prince. We see a parable relating to this very thing, Matthew 22:1-7.
In verse 27, Jesus is the one who came to confirm the new covenant to the house of Israel, Jeremiah 31:31-34. His ministry was 3.5 years, which is in the middle of the 70th week when He was cut off. Jesus, through His apostles, confirmed the covenant to the house of Israel for the remaining 3.5 years until the death of Stephen, Acts 7:54-60. The confirming of the covenant to the house of Israel ended, and the gospel was then given to the Gentiles. 1 Corinthians 11:25, Hebrews 12:24, Hebrews 13:20.
It is not a beast that makes it desolate, we see in Matthew 23 Jesus was addressing the leaders of the Jewish nation, He was retorting to their rejection of His saving work on their behalf. They refused His call for repentance, because of their overspreading of abominations, Jesus said, "Behold your house is left unto you desolate".
This refers to the coming judgment on Jerusalem and the temple for their rejection of Jesus and the saving work of God. "even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured out on the desolate". What Jesus said your house is left unto you desolate, the consummation, the complete destruction poured out on the desolate in 70 AD.
Thank you, brother.
God bless,
RLW
After the downfall and various diaspora of Israel to the winds (Babylon; Assyrian and Persia) following Solomon's rule; the Lord still had plans. He even gave the land a rest from the wickedness for 70 years ( 2 Chronicles 36:21). God's ways are mysterious.
We see that He has provisions for the birds of the air ( Isaiah 34:11; also in Revelation 19). This is part of His covenant as it were with all of nature; which instigated with the rainbow in Genesis after the flood; so perverted as a symbol of rebellion today.
Daniel would see the fulfillment of the promise of Israel beginning it's return after living out the entire 70 years of prophesied captivity in Babylon. We see the theme over and over in regard to those who are chosen of God being promoted in foreign lands with Daniel; Esther; and Joseph. With the return promised Daniel still asked the Lord to overlook the sins of himself as well as the entire nation; not taking anything to chance. We see like prayers in both Nehemiah 9 and Ezra 9 as we do in Daniel 9 which is interesting. The eventual return to Isreal would be a long and drawn out process to build the city from ruins and the Temple as well as getting many to leave the foreign lands where they were comfortable in their surroundings; no doubt.
God was beginning to show signs; as it were of His plan to eventually come up with a new covenant where men's hearts would be forever changed. Ezekiel discusses a heart turned from stone to flesh ( Ezekiel 36:26); and Jeremiah 31:31-34). Again it was only the Lord who would eventually seal us with His Spirit as a down payment as it was for our souls ( Eph. 1:13; etal).
The law was to be given it's full meaning through Christ as we will discuss in further posts.
The great "parenthesis" as it were for the church age between Daniel 9:26 and 9:27 when the Antichrist makes the first seal agreement with Israel (see Rev. 6:1; Isaiah 28:15) is left out of the O.T. a mystery.
This posting is somewhat of a sequel to the last one today. It is important to recognize that there are multiple applications to some verses such as Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This would tie in to Jeremiah 31:33 for instance But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
There are applications for believing Jews as well as Gentiles today (see Romans 10:12); but also of course there is a national sort of repentance for Israel in the last days as 2 Corinthians 3:14 indicates: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ.
Many who are involved with what is called Replacement Theology would contest this concept. I am not here to argue the point but just to declare wait to see before dismissing prophetic statements not yet fulfilled. God's covenants such as with Abraham were said to be everlasting; clearly certain things such as the need for circumcision as a physical sign of being in God's covenant isn't necessary today as indicated by many passages Paul quotes in the New Testament on this subject. Deuteronomy 10:16 apparently mentions this concept as a sort of precursor to how He operates today with the concept of Grace. The law is fulfilled in Christ; not abrogated.
Before I drift too far from the title of this discussion; I will make the statement that ultimately man cannot through sin eliminate the promises of God's covenant(s). The warning; however is that all men are subject to God and thus those who know better about the law for instance receive greater punishment if they don't get saved (see Luke 12:47). God first conv with Adam in a form of a covenant.
The crowds as usual rejoiced in what Jesus said. This could be for several reasons; since many no doubt hated the religious establishment and perhaps non Jews were scattered about that felt the same way. They also could rejoice that there is a resurrection or just the fact that they perceived Jesus as a very clever guy.
Matthew 22:34-38
Jesus responded to the Pharisees in their third attempt to confuse or trap Him. The greatest commandment was listed as an amalgamation of the Old Testament commands. The first command was the literal first command of the Ten Commandments. The second appears in Leviticus 19:18 which many may not know.
Studying scripture further we see two examples of the 10 Commandments; both in Deuteronomy and Exodus. The idea of not coveting anything of your neighbor such a His wife (commandment #10); or committing adultery (7th Commandment) certainly show how the idea of a neighbor can tie together as one example. Sins are against God in all cases but may or may not affect other people. As to who a neighbor is we see that illustrated in Luke 10:29 which goes beyond just caring for fellow Israelites.
Matthew 22:39-end
Jesus then asks the Pharisees who the Son of man is; and quotes Psalm 110. Their concept of being a physical son of David was only in regard to the descendants of Joseph. Some of course accused Christ of being illegitimate; but the truth was that He also was NOT a physical descendant of David as we would think. This interesting truth comes from a promise made to Jeconius in Jeremiah 22 that NONE of his descendants would be king. This is another explanation of the need for a Virgin birth. No doubt Satan was watching things very carefully as we see the many attempts to destroy God's people in this lineage not the least of which was prophesied in Jeremiah 31:15 and fulfilled in Matthew 2:16-18.
It appears after this that no one asked Him any questions. His greatest trial was soon to come.
Christ was also referred to as the 2nd Adam ( 1 Cor. 15:45; also seen in Romans 5). Hence Adam was designed in the image of God but because of his sin it affected all his offspring therefore we inherited his sin nature during conception ( Psalm 51:5). Men at that time when Christ lived on the earth expected the Messiah to come to earth and vanquish them of their enemies; hence tried to make him king ( John 6:15). His reaction was to go to withdraw Himself to the mountains (likely to pray).
A cursory examination of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 shows statements that at first seem to contradict the law; or at the very least make the ramifications more severe for our thoughts about things that may or may not become actions. This was illustrated with lusting after a woman being adultery in the heart; and more stringent laws on putting away one's wife. This explanation was brought out further in Matthew 19:8 with the Pharisees on the subject as to the concepts tied in with Deuteronomy 24. This shows that Christ was; as a member of the Godhead able to define and even change what was considered the law to make it more perfect as no one before Him ever was able to live out a sinless life following the law perfectly. Ultimately certain ceremonial laws were brought to an end as seen in Acts 10:15; but alluded to in Mark 7:18-19.
Hence the method of rituals related to the animal sacrifices also was to be ended with the New Covenant. Overall we can say the 10 Commandments as a moral law remain as a universal statute; although the mandatory 7th day of rest only given for Israel and its occupants has been replaced with Sunday as a day of rest although Colossians 2:16-17 says we should avoid disputes over Sabbath Days and I would add Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath ( Matthew 12:8). I am not here to get into a debate over that issue.
To have the law in our hearts was a future promise that Christ demonstrates ( Jeremiah 31:16-18).
Genesis 3:15 - And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Genesis 12:3 - And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
Genesis 22:18 - And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
Jeremiah 31:33 - But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
Mark 12:29-31 - And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
30, And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
31, And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Acts 17:11 - These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
1 Corinthians 13:13 - And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4 - Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2, By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4, And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
This will only go to the Jews, The New Covenant, because the old one didn't work for Israel.
Hebrews 8:7
For if that firstcovenanthad been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
Hebrews 8:10
For this is thecovenantthat I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
Jeremiah 31:31
Behold, the days come, saith theLord, that I will makeanewcovenantwith the house ofIsrael,and with the house of Judah:
Romans 11:27
For this is mycovenantunto them, when I shall take away their sins.
Ray in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
If I could first address your last point here ( Matthew 5:18). Do you think that the previous verse (v 17, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil"), has some connection to verse 18? Clearly, Jesus is upholding the Law (i.e. what was given by God, & not those spurious laws the religious leaders imposed upon the people). He also states that the Law will abide forever. And He further states that His Coming to Earth was "to fulfil the Law (Gk. for fulfil is 'pleroo': to bring to completion). Yes, the Law was Perfect from both the Mouth & Finger of God, but Jesus came to finally cast aside what the Law was designed for & its intent, (and NOT its value & truth), which ultimately brought men under condemnation; Jesus came to fulfil the Law (& only He the sinless Son of God could), bringing it to finality & abolishment, thus ushering the New Covenant in His Blood. Two Covenants can never operate simultaneously, particularly where one led to hopelessness, helplessness and death; & the other availed to give life, hope & power in the Spirit.
Even Hebrews 8:13 reminds us of the finality of that Law: "In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away". And if we read earlier in Hebrews 8:10, "For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people". (see also Jeremiah 31:31-33). Onto Page 2.
Forgive me for responding to this post so late.
I held off from reading it until now.
I don't read these debated messages until I'm ready to focus on them.
Firstly, Thanks for responding.
Jeremiah 31:3 is not written "TO" anyone but Israel! It is a specific message "TO" them.
It doesn't apply to us as you stated, "God has loved us (His chosen) with an everlasting love"
Here is how the chapter starts.
Jeremiah 31:1-2.
Everything is written for our learning but everything is not written TO us.
God is telling Israel why he is going to do that which is mentioned in the following verses.
Jeremiah 31:4-7. and then-
8) Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
9) They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Now look at verse 10! It's written to you and I and the rest of the world!
10) HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD, O YE NATIONS, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock.
This is future!
It Parallels with Jeremiah 16:14-15.
What you and I should take from that is that God keeps his promises.
If you were to go by what I seem to imply, God certainly cannot exercise His wrath or judgement on sinners because He loves the world (humans). This is not biblically sound and if it is biblically true, all people would be saved, but Scripture does not teach this.
Gigi that's far from anything I ever said.
I said, "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son" and the whosoever in these passages implies a invitation to EVERYONE!
I will need more space.
See part 2.
Jeremiah 31:3 is the verse I meant.
Thank you for sharing a bit of your viewpoint.
Indeed, God does love the world. He loves all of His creation. And I did say that He does bestow common grace and mercy upon all humanity. Otherwise, we all would be consumed and destroyed the first time we actively sin. God has compassion on sinful man in many ways. However, Romans 1:18 does teach that God's wrath is upon all wickedness in those who suppress the truth. basically sinners. If I were to go by what you seem to imply, God certainly cannot exercise His wrath or judgement on sinners because He loves the world (humans). This is not biblically sound and if it is biblically true, all people would be saved, but Scripture does not teach this.
I said in my writing that God's SAVING grace and mercy and love is given to the elect, but not to those He did not choose for salvation. If you are of the Arminian persuasion you would be aware that they teach about God's prevenient grace and also saving grace. I agree that God's grace comes to humans in different ways with differing effects as Arminius taught. But I am not Arminian in my thinking. I used to be for many decades, because that was all I really knew. But when I began to examine its teachings against Scripture, I moved away from that.
You said that I cannot attribute something that is for Israel for Christians. This is a tenet of dispensationalism, but is not from the Bible unless you can give me a Scripture that teaches so.
I know that you had some other questions for me. However, I do not wish to get into a back and forth, picking apart each others' viewpoints. I would much prefer that you do as I did-study these topics according to what Scripture says and then present your developed viewpoint on this forum so that others can read both viewpoints and go to Scriptures to see which one better explains what Scriptures do teach.
I appreciate that you are engaging with me. May the truth win out overall.
Pt. 1
GOD'S LOVE IS THE FOUNTAIN OF HIS COMPASSION, FAVOR, GRACE AND MERCY
As we go on to discuss God's compassion, favor, grace, and mercy we can see that these all flow from His divine love. There is nothing in all of creation comparable to His divine love. It is so great, deep, faithful, and true. Believers can depend on Him to love them forever with a love that is beyond any love they can ever experience among people they know.
The reason that God extends compassion, favor, grace and mercy to His elect is precisely because of His great love that nothing can separate us from, ( Romans 8: 31-39) nor will God ever withdraw His love from His elect ( Jeremiah 31:3)! So, as elect believers we can ever rejoice that He loves us, though we are sinful, because His Son won for us the remission of our sins on the cross. Hallelujah!
I don't think we can every tire of meditating on God's love for us. Nor should we ever minimize it by focusing more on God's wrath for sin and sinners. God's nature is in perfect harmony with all of His attributes. Therefore, we should learn how to hold paradoxes such as His love and wrath. Both are equally and infinitely present in God. He does not change. But when we think about the severity of His wrath, we can remind ourselves of His magnanimous unconquerable, and eternal love for us that manifests in His faithfulness, compassions, grace, mercies and favor upon us and that these will never fail.
Lamentations 3:22-23
22 It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed,
because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness.
How lovely is this verse to the ears of forgiven sinners who believe the gospel and put their faith in Jesus Christ!
See Pt. 1
Blessings of God's New Convenant to restore his nation.
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23 KJV
Jesus Christ is God that is forgiveness of sins. A God that is a free gift that is better then nothing (zero) Matthew 7:7-8 KJV
"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" 8For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Written and Word spoken by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
school book september 8, 2024 jeremiah 31:31-37
"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh."
A quick overview of the entire chapter of Ezekiel 36 shows that the meaning is primarily in the exodus and eventual regathering of God's people. When we get into a couple chapters later we enter the Ezekiel 38 war which continues showing the fate of nations that fight against Israel. This verse also is used to demonstrate the change in each believer's state; as opposed to the condition mentioned in Jeremiah 17:9 on how deceitful and wicked man's unregenerate heart nature is.
The principle involved in the nation of Israel repenting is found in this verse: Romans 11:25
25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
The Lord will therefore use the time of "Jacob's trouble" ( Jeremiah 30:7) to put the Jews through the fire; and at that time 2/3 will perish and 1/3 make it through ( Zechariah 13:8) which signifies the refining fire. Naturally this is preceded by the arrival of the false messiah who will be venerated by many until the time mentioned in Isaiah 10:20 which would be at the midpoint of the Tribulation.
The new covenant mentioned in Jeremiah 31:31 and the next several verses after also could be applied to that which Christ accomplished for those in the church (or church age). It's final fruition will finally reach Israel who rejected the first coming of their king because they didn't recognize Him as the suffering servant; and or assumed He would immediately overtake their enemies and start an earthly Kingdom.
In general I would state that every age or dispensation has a similar fate; a beginning and end. Israel had several Diasporas and in the last days the church in general will fall away.
Romans 11:16-24 shows Israel as distinct from the Church: the "natural branches" are the Jews, and the "wild branches" are the Gentiles.
The "olive tree" is the collective people of God. The "natural branches" (Jews) are "cut off" the tree for unbelief, and the "wild branches" (believing Gentiles) are grafted in. This has the effect of making the Jews "jealous" and then drawing them to faith in Christ, so they might be grafted in again and receive their promised inheritance.
The natural branches are still distinct from the "wild branches," so that God's covenant with His people is literally fulfilled.
Romans 11:26-29, citing Isaiah 59:20-21 Isaiah 27:9; Jeremiah 31:33-34
Isaiah 62:11-12 "Behold, the LORD hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.
And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.
Moses' prediction of Israel's permanent restoration to the land in Deuteronomy 30:1-10.
Moses said, "THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL CIRCUMCISE YOUR HEARTS!!
SO HOW WILL "ALL ISRAEL BE SAVED?
Zechariah 8-14 , which speak of end-times Israel at Christ's return.
The key verse describing the coming to faith of the future remnant of Israel is Zechariah 12:10.
This occurs at the end of the tribulation.
Also; Zechariah 8:7-8.
Israel will be regathered from the ends of the earth ( Isaiah 11:12.
Isaiah 62:10.
Zechariah 13:8-9
Isaiah 12:1-6 is their song of deliverance.
God bless.
Pt 1
Ezekiel 36:26 reads, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh"
You said,
"Israel failed with the Law of Moses and the tradition of their fathers. Only in Christ shall they reach that state"
Israel wasn't able to reach that state under the Mosaic law. The Mosaic law wasn't given for that purpose!
Ezekiel and Jeremiah states that God was going to do something NEW!
Jeremiah 31:31-34.
Ezekiel 11:19-20.
Ezekiel 36:26-27.
The Spirit within represents a NEW birth. The Law and the Prophet's taught this
Jesus counseled Nicodemus on this in
John 3:5-10.
Nicodemus was expected to Know this being that he was a Teacher of Israel.
The interpretation of the sticks is in passage. Ezekiel 37:16-21.
The two sticks represent the southern and the Northern Kingdom as mentioned.
Also, they will be gathered from every side and brought back into their own land.
Let's take Ezekiel 36 and Ezekiel 37 and put them in its proper context.
There's mention of a new heart and new spirit.
The dry bones.
The two sticks.
Their gathering.
and their own Land.
Ezekiel is writing during the captivity of Babylon but his writings extends past the captivity on into the latter days as do Daniel and Jeremiah.
Judgment of Israel is of a much broader scope than the Babylonian captivity.
We find that in Deuteronomy 28:37 ,64-68.
It's important to note that this dispersion is global, Not Babylon.
Also the gathering Ezekiel is talking about is global and exceeds Babylon.
This is a second gathering! Isaiah 11:9-12.
Isaiah 43:5-6.
When you read this you'll see that it has never happened.
They still have a heart of stone.
Some look at Israel today and say this must be the Church but "in those days" there is more to consider here than just the New heart concerning this prophecy.
look at the previous verses. Isaiah 11:6-9.
See pt 2.
I have followed you and others on this great discussion!
Thanks for giving your understanding.
You stated the "beginning" in John 1:1-10 refers to Christ earthly ministry.
I believe we should ask ourselves "What was Christ role in those 3 years?
We know that Jesus's death brought in the new covenant that was Prophesied to come in the OT, ( Jeremiah 31:31) "also other verses". but what was his ministry or Role during those 3 years?
During Jesus 3-year ministry he sought out the ( lost sheep of Israel ).
John is identifying Jesus as "the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And as the "true Light, which lighteth (every man) that cometh into the world". Here John is not talking about Jesus earthly ministry, the lost sheep of Israel or his role.
JESUS ROLE AND THE ENDING OF THE OLD COVENANT IS ANOTHER TOPIC, BUT I BELIEVE THE 3 YEAR MINISTRY WAS ENDING THE OLD COVENANT AND HIS DEATH WAS THE BEGINING OF THE NEW COVENANT.
Jesus as savior was announced in Genesis 3:15.
In John 5:39 Jesus said "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. Jesus's ministry as savior was performed in the Old Testament in types, JOHN IS NOT ADDRESSING THE BEGINNING OF NEITHER OF THOSE.
I would like to highlight something in John 1:1-10.
We see Jesus as the word, as God, as life, as light and as the "creator in verse 10",
Jesus is called the light, and that light didn't begin at Christ earthly ministry according to verse 9
This light is also mentioned in 1 John 1:1-7. God is also referenced as that light!
We see the Trinity in the light as the Father and the light as the Son as the same in these passages.
You have the father the son and the Holy Spirit exhibited in John 1:1-10 and 1 John 1:1-7.
God bless.
The act of intercession; therefore is something crucial to communication throughout scripture that indeed gives us some insight of Hebrews 7:25 (He ever lives to intercede for us). Daniel also repeated this theme in Daniel 9:8-10. God's promise here was the prophetic insight given in Jeremiah 29:10. God stated this would happen; so it appears to be a done deal. There was no promise how many would do this; as is evident from the small group that initially rebuilt the wall; and the disobedience of many was seen with marriages to foreign wives. No doubt worldliness had affected the hearts of those who should have remembered the prosperity God gave them in Babylon and His promises to return after that time. It is a wonder that confession of the sins of church congregations isn't given much attention as compared to particulary egregious ones of individuals as it still affects the overall witness as we see from exhortations written for the churches in Revelation 2 and 3; for example.
Look at God's faithfulness to Israel as stated in Jeremiah 31:36 where the courses of nature would have to change with the sun and moon for God to abandon His covenant promises. In fact the only covenant changed is that related to the method of worship with the law and sacrifices which was of course replaced by the perfect sacrifice under Christ which abolished therefore the old ordinances. (see Hebrews 9-10). The object of worship was therefore Christ; God had stated in Isaiah 1:11; see also Psalm 69:31.
In understanding the New Covenant we should perceive that it is still the same God with the same characteristics today that existed in the Old Testament from eternity. We would on the surface expect that to be a "no brainer"; but how often do we see the fear of God demonstrated as in Acts 5:1-11 with Ananias and Sapphira? Our commitments to God should not be of fools ( Ecclesiastes 5:4). See Matthew 5:33-35 for ungodly vows.
Man in his natural state loves darkness.
Beware of anyone that teaches that sin is good!
Also Beware of the snare that God saves you by his Love and compromise his righteous Judgment.
"God so loved the world, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON,
(( God didn't excuse our sin, It cost him dearly!
Christ was judged!! He wasn't let off the hook! He prayed 3 times to let this cup pass him!
If it was any other way, God didn't answer him.))
that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Read and Study John 3:17-21. and John 16:7-14.
We've been baptized into a body of believers and led and sealed by one Spirit. And that's Christ.
Israel in the OT shows the weakness of man left alone and the absence of the indwelling Spirit of Christ. and it is a lesson for you and I.
Judges 2:8-13.
And Joshua, the son of Nun, the servant of the LORD, died, being an hundred and ten years old.
And they buried him in the border of his inheritance in Timnathheres, in the mount of Ephraim, on the north side of the hill Gaash.
And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.
That's why Jeremiah 31:31-34 is Prophesied.
God bless.
God uses marriage to communicate Christ commitment and relationships to us as seen in
Ephesians 5:23-32.
See verse 32.
"For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, AND SHALL BE JOINED UNTO HIS WIFE, AND THEY TWO SHALL BE ONE FLESH.
(Verse 32)
THIS IS A GREAT MYSTERY: "BUT I SPEAK CONCERNING CHRIST AND THE CHURCH.
Praise the Lord that we have a God that is faithful and keeps his promises.
There is one God of all and he is the God of Israel "The fish fruit " also in who he made Promises to also!
Here's one of many.
Jeremiah 31:35-36.
"Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name:
If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever.
I am doing well, I hope you are doing well also.
God bless.
I haven't forgotten you in Christ
Jeremiah 31:3
Thank you. I'm sorry that you feel that I berate. I get why you might think that I berate, but Truly it's done in LOVE. What I'm Professing is The Truth, you see, everyone is missing The Message! I'm NOT speaking against the holy bible, I'm rebuking Any declarations that a book is God! God is SO MUCH MORE! A book doesn't "bring" anyone closer to God, and you wonder HOW God reveals Himself to people, Romans 2:13-16. And here is The Prophecy from which it came Jeremiah 31:31-34. You think I call the holy bible frivolous? I call the holy bible holy, just, and good. But, I will never call the holy bible God. Everyone is so incensed that their anger is causing them to sin.
Jema, you ask for a Revelation to "prove" that God has sent me with His Message. Well, Christ was asked the same, Luke 11:29-30; so, what is The Sign of Jonah? Jonah hated the Ninevites, so the Ninevites had No reason to listen to Jonah because Jonah made his distaste obvious. The sign of Jonah is God sending a man who is disliked and even hated to people, who dislike and hate him, to declare their destruction. Why? For if the people "Listen" to their hatred then they will not hear God in the message, but if the people "put away" their hatred they may avoid Destruction.
Jema, you ask me to imagine how quarrelsome we would be without the Bible, very quarrelsome indeed; but, I ask you to imagine how MUCH Faith we would have as a consequence. You see, if everyone yells for you to go left, but God's Holy Spirit directs you right, And you obey God, my God, The Wonders we would witness!
Jema, you ask why the people killed Christ. I tell you, it wasn't because they didn't know He was the Messiah! John 3:1-3 the Pharisees killed Christ because He came to take away their power as priests of God; they were necessary to the people because if a person wanted to seek God, they had to go to them. God "did away with this by making All people a holy nation and priests! Put away anger and Listen!
Yes, I gave a different view by asking a question. Sometimes, a question "tills the field" better than a statement because it gives the reader a chance to come to the conclusion on their own. You see, perspective is key to understanding, and it's perspective that allows us to "see" the another's eyes and understand! Now, concerning the serpent in The Garden; God said Do Not, and the serpent asked "why not"? The serpent did what "the flesh" (sarx) always does, tempt! I'm sure doubt is a part of this, yet I ask is God really ALMIGHTY? Because if He is, and He TRULY is, then "the fall" of man was always The Plan of God from The Beginning! I'll put it more clearly, the fall of mankind was Always supposed to happen. It is either, accept this truth, or believe that satan is at least as Powerful as God. How else did satan get into The Garden and have access to Adam & Eve? God allowed it.
Furthermore, it saddens me to think that you can't tell the difference between The Word Of God (The Holy Spirit), and the holy bible. You see the holy bible is holy, just, and good BUT it is a created thing and God is The Creator of the thing! We are Commanded to Worship The Creator NOT the created! Romans 1:20-25 It is for this transgression that our understanding is darkened. For The Word does and will Endure Forever, somehow I Understand that The Word is God and not a book made of paper and ink! Why else does God place His Law in our inward parts (heart) Jeremiah 31:33-34 Again, The True Gospel is NOT from a book, It is from The Holy Spirit of God.
I am with God sir, and where ever I am it is where God put me! What irks me the most is that I have to speak against a book not because of any ill will for I LOVE the holy bible, I speak against a book because people can't tell the difference from a book and God ALMIGHTY! God is Spirit and we are HIS tabernacles.