"If the Shroud of Turin is legitimate (which seems undeniable)"
The Scriptures deny the legitimacy of the Shroud of Turin.
-- John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
The Shroud is a one piece woven cloth, Christ was not bury in a one piece linen cloth. His head was wraped in a separate "napkin" and was laid apart from the the burial shourd.
-- John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Lazarus was also buried the same.
-- 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
With the Holy Spirit within us, we no longer live according to our sinful nature. We recognize that the flesh is inherently corrupt, so there's no need to judge or understand someone based on their outward, physical self-instead, we should connect with them on a spiritual level. God doesn't focus on the flesh, and neither should we. When sharing the gospel with those who are lost, their carnal side will always resist it. That's why we must appeal to their inner spirit, witnessing to that part of them and guiding them away from worldly desires.
Jesus didn't resurrect in a physical body but in a glorified, spiritual one. As believers filled with the Spirit, we eagerly await our own spiritual bodies. Though we haven't received them yet, we're already transformed-we're not who we once
no 1. Hello all dear readers and others. I ask you to patiently read what I am trying to write, with Google Translate of course. I understand that it will be a mess and strange without the translator as well. So I can either leave it alone or continue trying.
Have you thought about what Jesus said when He raised Lazarus from the dead in John 11:44? Lazarus had been dead for 4 days, and already smelled. It was like a small awakening again today. "Loose him and let him go"! That was what Jesus needed to say. Already here He had power, and might, and everything that tells of the Divinity that He decides this, over Life and over Death. He somehow did not want to show this to the spectators there and then. John 11:42 I have been deceived by speech, perhaps. Because the impression I have received is the very death on the cross, which gave Him power over death. That is no coincidence! If we believe that, we will diminish His work and not see Jesus as He really is. Namely, God's living proof, Jesus Christ. So anyway, we must never just accept everything we hear. We should check everything out. But what is true is this. He who lives in the one who believes in Jesus Christ is the one who overcomes the world in His Name. Amen. So anyway, we must never just accept everything we hear. We should check everything out. But what is true is this. He who lives in the one who believes in Jesus Christ is the one who overcomes the world in His Name. Amen. So it also applies to demons who go here and there, they look for an empty "house". But with someone who sticks to the Lord and is filled with His light. Joh 8:12 Demons cannot come. So what happens when a believer suddenly becomes afraid? Fear and anxiety are our own responsibility and we cast them out in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. So that we do not "infect" other doubting people. Others are not to blame for our shortcomings.
John the Baptist describes himself as "the friend of the bridegroom" (Jesus). This kind of friendship is marked by joy in seeing the other shine. A true friend celebrates when Christ takes the spotlight.
John 11:11
Why is it important?
Jesus calls Lazarus "friend", showing that Christ's friendship includes empathy and compassionate action - He moves to restore the life of His friend.
John 19:12
Why is it important?
Even though it's in a negative context, it shows that "being a friend" meant public loyalty. This becomes a contrast: true loyalty must belong first to Christ, not to earthly power.
Verses 26-27 - (At the cross, Jesus entrusts Mary to "the disciple whom He loved".)
This shows mutual care among those who follow Him.
It is interesting that today in the study of Matthew we happen to get to the Palm Sunday account in Matthew 21. This wasn't planned but interesting nonetheless. As I looked briefly at the passage I suddenly discovered something from verses 9 and 10
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Wait a minute...many of us are familiar with what happened between this victorious acclamation and celebration and less than one week later when the crowds were shouting "crucify Him". What I never noticed before is that they had His identity only as they could perceive in the flesh; as verse 11 states the prophet; not the Prophet who was also the Son of God. So that's why it became so easy to betray Him. Why do I say this?
First of all; as we know from the expectations of the Apostles themselves they expected Him to bring the Kingdom to an earthly rule sooner rather than later. The Pharisees asked this starting in Luke 17:20; and the Apostles in Acts 1:7 Jesus' presence should have been something the Pharisees would look forward to. John 11:48 shows that they were worried the Romans would somehow take over and ruin their establishment if Jesus continued as He did; after Lazarus was raised from the dead around the same time period weeks before His crucifixion.
Secondly; when they realized that Jesus wasn't going to fight back or use supernatural power to come down from the cross no doubt many mocked Him or were disillusioned after His demonstrations of mass healings and deliverances for several years.
Third; tied in with the second point is that their need to have Jesus as sin bearer was something they were and still are as a nation to this day. Despite the destruction of their old temple for most of the last 2000 years there is still an attempt to build it anew. Rejecting Christ they hae had no means of even covering sin since then.
Revelation 13:7-8 is saying that all who dwell upon the earth will worship (the Beast) not God, for they are all those whose names are not written in the Book of Life. Perhaps this is not what you meant to convey.
Later I will go through those verses in this part on the topic you highlight.
I am so glad that God will supply for us in Christ through the Holy Spirit the power to endure to the end and cause us to persevere in faith throughout our life. We, ourselves would not be able to do this. Our salvation is of God from start to finish! Praise the Lord!
Let us pray that we come to unity of faith with sound doctrine taught in Scripture concerning all matters of our God, our salvation, our future. I remember reading that we have eternal life now and in the future. Let me pull up that verse.
John 5:24
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"
John 6:47
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life."
Eternal life is both a present and future possession of believers. How amazing and comforting that is. We who are in Christ are already raised to life while alive now, but will also be resurrected bodily at Jesus' return to have our salvation become complete and eternal.
7. Christ was unpredictable. Unlike the imaginary sage or wise man that everybody loved who never said anything hurtful to offend people's feelings; Jesus Himself admitted that He came to cause division rather than peace ( Luke 12:53); yet He also said "blessed are the peacemakers" in Matthew 5:9. He would be invited to homes of the Pharisees; then excoriate them as to how He was treated (see Luke 7:45). His own Disciples were confused as to the necessity of dying in Jerusalem despite many statements about it He had to rebuke Satan when Peter spoke about these things never occurring ( Matt. 16:23). This was the same Peter who shortly before that stated who Christ truly was which only could have come from God ( Matt. 16:15-16). He sidestepped about 10 attempts on His life that we know of; but then deliberately headed toward Jerusalem where He knew He would die. Thomas at least understood it ( John 11:16-26 when he knew of the opposition faced when going back to raise Lazarus from the grave which was within weeks of the crucifixion I believe). His Resurrection sadly wasn't expected once the report came back from the women who were the first to arrive at the grave to see evidence and hear from the angels that He had risen. Women were an important aspect along with the Samaritans and Gentiles which the Pharisees couldn't understand.
I will attempt to look at several specific instances in the life of Christ to show how His approach; forethought and actions represent a perfect man; and how His example and those of the Apostles in the early church show about how and how not to do God's work as everyone had their character traits; flaws and at times outward sins. We therefore can conclude we all should emulate Christ and the Apostles; but we also all live in different situations and have different responsibilities incorporated into the good works He has given us to do planned since the foundation of the world ( Eph. 2:10).
The problem with the "once saved always saved" concept; bringing home my point in the previous post; is the idea that some sort of mystical thing happened where we suddenly are saved without any obvious changes occurring. Cheap consumerism may be a human trait in acquiring something which we throw away a short time later. God redeemed us with intent for an eternal future in His Kingdom; and to purge us from our old ways to make us fitting and suitable to be in His presence now; and heaven later.
If someone doesn't see Christ in us then they aren't able through our lifestyle to hear His voice; and our words may not have effect either. There are some exceptions to that as even false preachers have seen genuine converts. Speaking His Word will have its effect but let's face it who here wants to see converts despite our actions as opposed to because of our Godly lives demonstrating Christ's love and in turn bringing the fear of God to them? This brings us to Balaam and the mad prophet who a donkey had to speak to to correct. God spoke through the High Priest who prophesied about one man dying for the nation ( John 11:50-51). Somehow even Pilate insisted that King of the Jews be written above the cross Jesus hung on.
Now to some acts of true converts.
Repentance. Going back to the James verse I quoted in an earlier post today; we can talk about hell until we are blue in the face; an in fact many who claim to have had an NDE or actually briefly perished and had what they said was a hell experience admittedly often try to forget; or it doesn't change them immediately from their sinful lifestyle; and they state they weren't saved at that point. Again it is the sin nature that is the root of the problem not just outer actions; only Christ can truly crucify the old nature. And only HE can show us how truly evil we are; and the love of Christ does that if it is AGAPE and truly from the Lord. We die but have NEW desires in Him.
Can we really follow Jesus's footsteps in His early ministry in the four gospels ? ? Can we really heal everyone like Jesus Christ has ? ? Can we raise the dead from the grave like Jesus Christ ? ?
Jesus Christ healed all that was sick.
Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, andhealing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Jesus casted out devils.
Mark 1:39
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, andcastoutdevils
Peter tried to walk on water like Jesus.
Matthew 14:29
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, hewalkedonthewater, to go to Jesus.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
John 11:43
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,Lazarus, come forth.
Now we ask ourselves again, can we really walk Jesus Christ footsteps and follow the law without sinning ? ? The answer is a big no .
That's why Jesus Christ died on the cross so we don't have to follow the law for Salvation, because the law only condemneth us and we don't have power anymore to heal or cast out devils.
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said,Itisfinished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Jesus Christ is our redeemer for Salvation in his grace.
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we haveredemptionthrough his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
We now have the complete word of God. The The other stuff faded away. We are left with the Holy Spirit and the Word of Truth.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Salvation is NOT found in a religion or good works, but in a Person... The LORD JESUS CHRIST!
John 11:25, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 6:40, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Mark 1:15, "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
John 10:36 - Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
I hope you make the connection? They didn't say to Him "It is because you said you are the Son of God." It says because you said you are God. That's because as I have mentioned to you before, the title "Son of God" is to the Jew a title of God Himself!
The word "son" in Greek does not mean somebody who is a son by birth. It is never used of Jesus in the scripture. He is not the son of God in that there's "father God," and "mother God," and they had a child named Jesus.
John 11:16 - Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Didymus means "The Twin."
John 11:47 - Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
This would be the Sanhedrin, the highest council of the Jews, both of civil and religious affairs. 70 priests and scholars plus the high priest make up the Sanhedrin.
John 12:2 - There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
The word "sat" is not a correct translation. How they ate in those days, they didn't sit in chairs. They had a table close to the ground and they would lean on the table with their right arm, and they would have their legs and feet spread straight out. They were actually leaning (reclining) on the table.
Some translations of the New Testament actually use the word "reclining" because that's how they used to recline at the table.
So, Jesus' feet were facing the back. And so, she pours (she anoints) the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
" And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost."
How does faith come to man? "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God./ But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." The babe leaped in the womb of his mother just as Lazarus who was dead for some four days heard the voice. "Lazarus, come forth./And he that was dead came forth"( John 11:43-44). Similarly John hears the number spoken in his vision,(Re.9:16). Faith is the lingua franca between the two worlds framed by the word of God and this holds for creature two worlds simultaneously, the heavenly places and our physical world Faith is the language between them, "Deep calleth unto deep"(Ps.42:7). Israel being disobedient and gainsaying people were like ostrich their head buried in sand. So are those who refuse faith on insufficient grounds. The babe heard the salutation of Mary and leaped in her womb which is the works we are concerned with. If we say Jesus Christ is the light of the world our works being good witnesses for him establish the quality of our faith. In the case of Paul he believed in the body prepared of God so he would walk not by sight but but by faith. St Paul did not go by appearances nor take things at its face value. " For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life./Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." (2 Co.5:4-5)
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead./And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."(vv.14-15)
These other things would be God, not the God of Scripture.
With the doctrine of simplicity, His immutability is one aspect of His divine simplicity. James 1:17 speaks of this when he says that in God there is no shadow of turning. This means that there is no changing in Him and no variation or alteration or degree or greater or lesser of anything of His Being. This tells us that God is not made of parts, that He is unable to be anything than what He is eternally and He is perfect in every possible way to be perfect.
Divine simplicity also speaks of God actually Being what He reveals of Himself and also what we have yet to know of Hm. He is all that He describes Himself to be. he does not have attributes or perfections, He is these. For instance, the Scriptures tell us that God is I AM (IS) saying that He is existence. (EX, 3:14) He says that He is life, ( John 14:6) along with the truth and way. God is light ( I John 1:5. God is Spirit John (4:24): God says, I am merciful, ( Ex. 22:27). John 11:25 Jesus say He is the Resurrection and the Life. These are just some of the examples where God equates His attributes with who He is not what He has.
Another aspect of God's uniqueness is that He is the only God that exists; no other God will be made or come into existence, nor was there any other God who preceded Him See Is. 46:9. Is.44:6-8; Is. 43:10-Isaiah, who saw the LORD (Jesus) on the throne in heaven in Is. 6; and John 8:38-41. This uniqueness as the one and only true divine being is the very basis of our faith.
Another aspect of God's uniqueness is His oneness- He is a unified single God who exists as three distinct persons-the Father, the Son, and the hoy Spirit who all three share the divine nature equally, eternally, and fully. I will speak more of this in my next post on "God is a UNITY".
God's uniqueness sets Him apart from all else. There is no one like Him!
There is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; 57:21) and other passages.
If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. ( John 11:48).
Having explored this first passage before; I thought I would include the second for consideration. It would seem that the religious leaders were indebting themselves in what they would consider a hostile takeover of their nation because of the Gentiles not tolerating their unbelief. This was near no doubt near to the "triumphal entry" of Christ which came immediately before the crucifixion. They should have realized that God Himself through Christ would destroy the wicked when He comes to rule and reign with His heavenly armies.
These passages remind us of today; when people wish to continue in their wickedness much like Roman society as a whole did with their pagan worship and associated sins and how every empire has fallen making our own demise a certainty. Prophetically the first seal signifies what could be described as enforced peace; or submission which is basically as Islam promises to happen in the last days under the final Imam. With the world's technology it has been hard for total control of any dictator of communication; although economic control is getting a tighter and tighter grip. The power vacuum in recent decades brings a sort of half hearted proxy war mentality to the world. This is due to the realization of mutually assured destruction with an all out nuclear conflict and a rather tepid and disorganized NATO and related groups who are trying to cobble together a large enough resistance to counter Russia who they are convinced wants to take over all of Europe eventually. It seems the internet has also been where the main emphasis has been in various platforms to gain influence of the minds of young people to various ideologies. The "trojan horse" of immigrants has certainly brought many camels in the tent
Difference between God and His angels and Satan and his legion: Miracles
In MacBeth Shakespeare says in a famous quote "It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." That is the basic view of meaninglessness much as Solomon states in Ecclesiastes of all the pleasures of the world apart from God.
When viewing Christ and His early miracles before He was to be revealed to the world and the ensuing factors that would essentially speed up the events leading to the crucifixion many times people were to tell no one who He was ( Mark 8:30; Matt. 16:20). The Pharisees were asking Him for a sign; which was not granted. The many miracles He performed were not accepted as from God and they were well aware of this; fearing that they would lose their position and nation ( John 11:48). He weeded out would be disciples with hard sayings (see John 6:66). Jesus knew that no man could even know who He was without Divine intervention ( John 6:44).
The enemy uses the opposite approach; Revelation 13 in particular shows how false signs and wonders deceive the masses. The enemy never holds back unless God Himself restricts him. We see many phenomenon which to an undiscerning mind cannot be differentiated from the truth; namely fire that appears to come down from heaven; a miraculous healing of a deadly wound; and a false prophet that no doubt uses whatever religion a person adheres to to convince someone that they are the ultimate fulfillment-hence their messiah.
Only the Lord can create anything from nothing; and that is seen in His miracles when on earth. He will continue as well with the new heaven and earth and our resurrection bodies. One could argue that the elements burning up in Peter merely means a reconfiguration of already existing matter; nonetheless our old world is destroyed and anew one commences. Exactly how our new bodies are made is a mystery but they will be immortal and incorruptible.
Does our soul live on after we die? Do the souls of the dead roam around on the earth and some are in heaven and some are in hell? This is my understanding, the thought or belief in ghosts or spirits of people, some going to heaven and some going to hell comes from the teaching that the soul is immortal, and the soul never dies. It started when the serpent told Eve you shall not surely die, many ancient nations had different forms of religious beliefs on the immortality of the soul, and what we see today was adopted from Greek philosophy.
Are there evil spirits, devils, and demons on this earth? Yes, and these are what people are encountering, my understanding of the Bible they are not the souls of people. God told Israel and it applies to us today, not to deal with mediums or spiritualism those who work divination. We see Saul doing it in 1 Samuel 28 and he died because he did it, 1 Chronicles 10:13.
We sleep in death when we die Psalm 13:3Matthew 27:52John 11:11-14 1 Corinthians 15:20. We only put on immortality when we are resurrected, Job 14:13-14Daniel 12:21 John 5:28-29 Corinthians 15:51-54. I hope this helps but you and your husband study it for your understanding, not mine.
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. (JESUS is coming and is at door, it is midnight, Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet HimMatthew 25:6and10.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of GOD, GOD will give it thee.
23 JESUS saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto JESUS, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection AT THE LAT DAY. (Seventh and last Day, the Lord's Day, or seventh and last millnnium.. This Day arrived)
Further examination of John 16:8 as to righteousness
John 16:8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.
I have examined this verse in light of sin; but thought before I continue with the other two aspects of the verse in detail; I should mention that UNBELIEF is something that not only the world but all of us-in reality are in a state of before being regenerated; as that is the first role of the Holy Spirit. When Christ was present on earth; it was clear that after multitudes; presumably almost everyone in Israel knew of Christ's undeniable miracles ( John 11:47) and also of the Apostles ( Acts 4:16) that deliberate unbelief would be the precursor of blasphemy of the Holy Ghost; where Beelzebub was said to be the source of Christ's strength; or others such as the sons of Sceva and the sorcerer in Acts would attempt to gain this power in their own strength or attempt to get it through money. The end result; clearly didn't go too well for these individuals; and no forgiveness was offered for blasphemy of the Spirit ( Mark 3:29 said early in Christ's ministry). Christ said all things against Him or the Father could be forgiven ( Matt. 12:32) but not against the Holy Spirit-and that also is set for the future reign of the Lord on the earth as well. Let us all be as the man in Mark 9:24 and ask Jesus to help us with our unbelief!
Now as to righteousness. Jesus says because He goes to the Father and we no longer see Him that the Spirit testifies of righteousness. I would think this implies that all who truly know Christ now are as the result of the unseen work of the Spirit.
As odd as it seems; when Christ was here physically as to Him being God that had to be revealed from above.
John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD.
The Word of GOD is from everlasting to everlasting, the Word is GOD, GOD Himself, self-executing. If the believers(each one) keep GOD's Word in the heart, it means GOD is in him, and he has Life because GOD is Life.
JESUS said: John 5:39-40:->39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have ETERNAL life(the Word is GOD,God is Life):and they are they which testify of me-JESUS.40 And ye will not come to me,that ye might have life?JESUS said: John 11: 26:Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.Believest thou this?Phi.3:20-21:-> 20 Our conversation is in heaven(heaven? Ephesians 1:3-8); from whence also we look for the Saviour,the Lord Jesus Christ:21 Who shall CHANGE our vile body,that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body(this is not a magic,it is worked,understand),according to the working whereby He-JESUS-is able even to subdue all things unto himself.(as Luke 20:35-36.Take a look) .
Furthermore they have Light.Jo.1:4 In him-JESUS-was Life;and the Life was the Light of men.1Jo.1:5-7: ->5...GOD is Light,and in Him is no darkness at all.6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him,and walk in darkness,we lie, and do not the Truth:7 But if we walk in the Light,s he is in the light,we have fellowship one with another,and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Corinthians 15:51-54
51Behold,I shew you a mystery;We shall not all sleep,but we shall all be changed,
52In a moment...at the last trump:for the trumpet shall sound,and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,and we shall be changed.
53For this corruptible must put on incorruption,and this mortal must put on immortality.
54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,and this mortal shall have put on immortality,then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,Death is swallowed up in victory.
The other day I discussed roles of men and women; and showed the case of Miriam and good and bad things about her behavior.
This situation shows how in general how a true Prophet can have certain sins that cause a downfall. Another example is in 1 Kings 13 starting in verse 11. His disobedience in stopping anywhere to eat on his journey back from a prophetic mission cost him his life. This story shows not only his disobedience; but the obstinance of the other prophet who enticed him to eat with him. The Spirit entered him much as it did with Balaam after he accepted the offer with a true word from God (in this case about his demise). We could look at Cephus as another example in John 11:50. So we can see several situations here:
1. A TRUE Prophet that errs in obedience to God
2. A FALSE Prophet that the Lord still uses to some extent for His purposes
3. Someone not designated as a Prophet who still says something to that affect.
We could look at the third example in the case of Pontius Pilate; who put the inscription in Matthew 27:37 on being the King of the Jews. John 19:22 further expounds on this theme in Pilate's declaration that it should stand. Whether his reasonings were mocking; or an honest assesment of his innocence could be questioned-it is clear that he never came to true repentance even if his sins were less serious than those of the others who were complicit or outright demanded he be crucified and a murder (Barabbas) released.
The story of Balaam in Numbers 22 should teach us some object lessons as well. One may assume that his story was an ancient tale and not of any importance today other than looking for false prophecies in general. This isn't true because this man was hired for money and we see evidence in the last days of those looking for "filthy lucre" ( 1 Timothy 3 and a couple other places in the N.T.) To say what a megachurch Pastor wants to hear to draw multitudes occurs today.
"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head."(v.3)
All the four gospels carry this incident where the woman had prescience to anoint Jesus for his burial. None present there except Jesus who understood the significance of her action. "He (Jesus Christ) knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."Besides he knew what he was there for, among them and also knew where he was going to. His deity was as the Word become flesh. In Luke we read thus, "For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."( Luke 22:37)
How can a woman of ill repute find the right occasion to be born again or in this case, Mary as John gives her a name, break the box unless her faith and of Christ was one?( John 12:3) God breathed into man and made him a living soul. Faith is what explains this relationship between God and man. "Faith is one."(Ep.4:5) So in her action she poured out herself in order to prepare him beforehand for her burial.
What is the significance of Bethany? In the Gospel of John Jesus was in the company of Lazarus whom he had raised from death. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."( John 11:25).
The alabaster box is similar to the earthen vessel that Jeremiah broke as commanded of God. The box doubles for Mary whose faith became a memorial unto her. St Mark juxtaposes this with the breaking of bread during the Last supper.(v.22)
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Death is an enemy; and verse 26 of this chapter indicates that it will eventually be eliminated. Jesus was the "first of the firstfruits" so to speak; which extends through the Rapture/Resurrection event of the righteous; through the Revelation 14:4 event of the translation of the 144,000. After this we will have the Second Coming when those that survive until that time physically will survive to repopulate the earth in the Millennial period; followed by the time the Heavenly Jerusalem comes down and God the Father dwells with men (v. 24).
It is hard to comprehend let alone understand all the mysteries of His death; burial and resurrection. It is as a grand play on stage; except that the pathos is real; and His atonement was sufficient for us all to deliver our sins as far as the east is from the west. ( Psalm 103:12). He ever lives to intercede for His people ( Hebrews 7:25). He first rose from the dead and we shall likewise. He who believes in Him will never die ( John 11:25-26) even though he dies physically in reality it is only the body that sleeps as we see about Lazarus earlier in that chapter. We have hope unlike the world for those "fallen asleep" ( 1 Thess. 4:14-18).
All of creation also is awaiting the change and groans until now ( Romans 8:23). For those who believe the last scene of this real life drama is glorious and never ending; while there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; etal). Let that sink in as the world in its ignorance turns this glorious day into a mockery.
John 11:26 says... And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
A true believer is "crucified with Christ" and it is not I who live ( Gal. 2:20). Our experience will differ somewhat in timing from those already asleep ( 1 Thess. 4:16). As Hebrews 9:27 states we are all to "die once and face the judgment". Also it states being "absent from the body is present with the Lord." ( 2 Cor. 5:8). This necessitates the "Bema Seat" judgment to occur at death; or in the case of those still alive and raptured up; at that time. So in a sense; it will be in completing the death process of the sanctification which ultimately brings us eternal life.
I have often reminded people that martyrdom should it come is the end of a life of sanctification. In some ways that would be much like the Rapture in that there is a sudden end to our time on earth. It is possible someone could be martyred after a rather poor testimony and lukewarmness in this life; but more often scripturally at least it seems the persecutions and sufferings prepare a person for that end and death is simply a final display of Christ's holiness in the life of a saint. These truths are what makes all the claimed dreams about the rapture seem suspect. For one thing the Resurrection of the just is rarely even mentioned even though scripture states it to be the first thing immediately followed it seems by the Rapture of those still alive at the time. Some debate if Revelation 4:1 is indeed a foreshadowing of the Rapture; I would say it is and certainly the vision of Christ in the first chapter and his state of being as though dead will be our own condition when first beholding His glory. There is much ado about deceased relatives and other glories of a heavenly place and whatever is stated scripturally about that is true but of course the majesty of God overshadows that. Whatever the trip up is; the Bema Seat takes front & center
"And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them." Jesus assured "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"( John 11:25). Three days and an half gives us the assurance that the two witnesses were a sign, that the spirit of life that raised the Son from death worked in their case as well. So vv.9-10 explain in what sense we need interpret, "the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves."(v.9) . They are witnesses even in their death that not a jot or iota from the Law shall be changed.
" And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand."(v.13)
At the same hour is a tag to the day of judgment that shall follow. Ten indicates judgment and 7x1000 determines it is decreed from heaven.
"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."(Ec.3:11)
No man can find out the mind of God to control time. Only from the work of God one can make sense. This work of God is to believe Jesus Christ. "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."( John 6:28-29). When Jesus said "I am the resurrection, and the life." ( John 11:25,26) Martha had no understanding to connect this directly to the Son of man but Jesus corrects her and admit it was so."Believest thou this?" In this context what does the budding of Aaron's rod signify? Who shall serve God is it Levi, Israel as a nation or Jesus Christ the Word become flesh? "and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds."(Nu.17:8,2) The Word of God decreed the day of salvation in his Son.(Ps.2:6-8) This is the Will of God so in the Abstract we have the MOU between God and Man. "and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so." Moses wrote the name of Levi as commanded by God. 'The seed in itself' is indicative it is the word of God is going to work in this test. The work of God according the quote from JohnCh.6 flowering of the rod in a proof of Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever. (He.13:8)The rod flowered according to the divine Will. Time is of no consequence.
Which came first: chicken or egg? The divine Will is omnipotence. Accordingly the word of God supplied all the information so we are to accept both as one, as the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind. The world of blackholes prove information cannot be lost. neither can the word of God. We deceived ourselves to think atom bombs would stop the WWII We did not even imagine the name North Korea then. It just proves.
Please don't misunderstand my comment to the two scriptures you used in this discussion. I won't say if I believe in soul sleep or being in God's presence immediately but I do want to say in these scriptures, I believe, that Jesus was saying in John 11: 25-26 and John 10: 27-28 simply that once someone is saved they have eternal life promised them and will be with Him when He is ready for them to be, whether sleeping first or going right away. Whether He meant it one way or another the promise of eternal life is what matters. God Bless :)
Hey GiGi, an observation on your reference to John 11:25, Jesus did indeed "explain" that he was the resurrection and the life. But if you notice verse 23 and 24, when he says.. "Thy brother shall rise again", Martha, having listened to the teachings of Jesus on many occasions, says.. v24 Martha said unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection AT THE LAST DAY. just saying.
You are correct, our salvation does not depend on whether we believe in "soul sleep" or "soul death" as opposed to the continuance of the soul as alive after the death of the body. So it is still good to discuss it if we use Scripture as our guide ad rule.
I am encouraged by the words of our Savior and Lord in John 11:25-26
"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall NEVER die. Believest thou this?"
Jesus knew that people from that time forth would certainly die physically as to their bodies dying, just as those who lived before him died in the body. But here He says that, though the body dies, we still live on. He is speaking of our soul's continued existence after the body dies. Can't be any clearer than this. He asks a good question: Believest thou this? I believe what He says here and look forward to being alive with Him when my body dies and to see those believers who have died before I die and those who die after I die. We will have a great reunion in the life to come. We have eternal life in Jesus as believers and so this means our soul will not die but will be reunited with our bodies when our bodies are resurrected.
Also John 10:27-28
"My sheep hear my voice (in this life), and I know them, and they follow me. And I five unto them eternal life and they shall NEVER perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
So good to know that we have eternal life now, even if we die, we live on, not in our bodies, but in our soul and spirit, until the resurrection when our bodies will join with our soul and spirit once again and then be forever alive.
The Scriptures deny the legitimacy of the Shroud of Turin.
-- John 20:7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
The Shroud is a one piece woven cloth, Christ was not bury in a one piece linen cloth. His head was wraped in a separate "napkin" and was laid apart from the the burial shourd.
-- John 11:44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Lazarus was also buried the same.
-- 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
With the Holy Spirit within us, we no longer live according to our sinful nature. We recognize that the flesh is inherently corrupt, so there's no need to judge or understand someone based on their outward, physical self-instead, we should connect with them on a spiritual level. God doesn't focus on the flesh, and neither should we. When sharing the gospel with those who are lost, their carnal side will always resist it. That's why we must appeal to their inner spirit, witnessing to that part of them and guiding them away from worldly desires.
Jesus didn't resurrect in a physical body but in a glorified, spiritual one. As believers filled with the Spirit, we eagerly await our own spiritual bodies. Though we haven't received them yet, we're already transformed-we're not who we once
Have you thought about what Jesus said when He raised Lazarus from the dead in John 11:44? Lazarus had been dead for 4 days, and already smelled. It was like a small awakening again today. "Loose him and let him go"! That was what Jesus needed to say. Already here He had power, and might, and everything that tells of the Divinity that He decides this, over Life and over Death. He somehow did not want to show this to the spectators there and then. John 11:42 I have been deceived by speech, perhaps. Because the impression I have received is the very death on the cross, which gave Him power over death. That is no coincidence! If we believe that, we will diminish His work and not see Jesus as He really is. Namely, God's living proof, Jesus Christ. So anyway, we must never just accept everything we hear. We should check everything out. But what is true is this. He who lives in the one who believes in Jesus Christ is the one who overcomes the world in His Name. Amen. So anyway, we must never just accept everything we hear. We should check everything out. But what is true is this. He who lives in the one who believes in Jesus Christ is the one who overcomes the world in His Name. Amen. So it also applies to demons who go here and there, they look for an empty "house". But with someone who sticks to the Lord and is filled with His light. Joh 8:12 Demons cannot come. So what happens when a believer suddenly becomes afraid? Fear and anxiety are our own responsibility and we cast them out in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ. So that we do not "infect" other doubting people. Others are not to blame for our shortcomings.
John 3:29
"This joy is now mine, it is complete."
John the Baptist describes himself as "the friend of the bridegroom" (Jesus). This kind of friendship is marked by joy in seeing the other shine. A true friend celebrates when Christ takes the spotlight.
John 11:11
Why is it important?
Jesus calls Lazarus "friend", showing that Christ's friendship includes empathy and compassionate action - He moves to restore the life of His friend.
John 19:12
Why is it important?
Even though it's in a negative context, it shows that "being a friend" meant public loyalty. This becomes a contrast: true loyalty must belong first to Christ, not to earthly power.
Verses 26-27 - (At the cross, Jesus entrusts Mary to "the disciple whom He loved".)
This shows mutual care among those who follow Him.
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:"
Blessings
10 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
11 The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee."
Wait a minute...many of us are familiar with what happened between this victorious acclamation and celebration and less than one week later when the crowds were shouting "crucify Him". What I never noticed before is that they had His identity only as they could perceive in the flesh; as verse 11 states the prophet; not the Prophet who was also the Son of God. So that's why it became so easy to betray Him. Why do I say this?
First of all; as we know from the expectations of the Apostles themselves they expected Him to bring the Kingdom to an earthly rule sooner rather than later. The Pharisees asked this starting in Luke 17:20; and the Apostles in Acts 1:7 Jesus' presence should have been something the Pharisees would look forward to. John 11:48 shows that they were worried the Romans would somehow take over and ruin their establishment if Jesus continued as He did; after Lazarus was raised from the dead around the same time period weeks before His crucifixion.
Secondly; when they realized that Jesus wasn't going to fight back or use supernatural power to come down from the cross no doubt many mocked Him or were disillusioned after His demonstrations of mass healings and deliverances for several years.
Third; tied in with the second point is that their need to have Jesus as sin bearer was something they were and still are as a nation to this day. Despite the destruction of their old temple for most of the last 2000 years there is still an attempt to build it anew. Rejecting Christ they hae had no means of even covering sin since then.
Revelation 13:7-8 is saying that all who dwell upon the earth will worship (the Beast) not God, for they are all those whose names are not written in the Book of Life. Perhaps this is not what you meant to convey.
Later I will go through those verses in this part on the topic you highlight.
I am so glad that God will supply for us in Christ through the Holy Spirit the power to endure to the end and cause us to persevere in faith throughout our life. We, ourselves would not be able to do this. Our salvation is of God from start to finish! Praise the Lord!
Let us pray that we come to unity of faith with sound doctrine taught in Scripture concerning all matters of our God, our salvation, our future. I remember reading that we have eternal life now and in the future. Let me pull up that verse.
John 5:24
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life."
John 11:25
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"
John 6:47
"Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life."
Eternal life is both a present and future possession of believers. How amazing and comforting that is. We who are in Christ are already raised to life while alive now, but will also be resurrected bodily at Jesus' return to have our salvation become complete and eternal.
7. Christ was unpredictable. Unlike the imaginary sage or wise man that everybody loved who never said anything hurtful to offend people's feelings; Jesus Himself admitted that He came to cause division rather than peace ( Luke 12:53); yet He also said "blessed are the peacemakers" in Matthew 5:9. He would be invited to homes of the Pharisees; then excoriate them as to how He was treated (see Luke 7:45). His own Disciples were confused as to the necessity of dying in Jerusalem despite many statements about it He had to rebuke Satan when Peter spoke about these things never occurring ( Matt. 16:23). This was the same Peter who shortly before that stated who Christ truly was which only could have come from God ( Matt. 16:15-16). He sidestepped about 10 attempts on His life that we know of; but then deliberately headed toward Jerusalem where He knew He would die. Thomas at least understood it ( John 11:16-26 when he knew of the opposition faced when going back to raise Lazarus from the grave which was within weeks of the crucifixion I believe). His Resurrection sadly wasn't expected once the report came back from the women who were the first to arrive at the grave to see evidence and hear from the angels that He had risen. Women were an important aspect along with the Samaritans and Gentiles which the Pharisees couldn't understand.
I will attempt to look at several specific instances in the life of Christ to show how His approach; forethought and actions represent a perfect man; and how His example and those of the Apostles in the early church show about how and how not to do God's work as everyone had their character traits; flaws and at times outward sins. We therefore can conclude we all should emulate Christ and the Apostles; but we also all live in different situations and have different responsibilities incorporated into the good works He has given us to do planned since the foundation of the world ( Eph. 2:10).
The problem with the "once saved always saved" concept; bringing home my point in the previous post; is the idea that some sort of mystical thing happened where we suddenly are saved without any obvious changes occurring. Cheap consumerism may be a human trait in acquiring something which we throw away a short time later. God redeemed us with intent for an eternal future in His Kingdom; and to purge us from our old ways to make us fitting and suitable to be in His presence now; and heaven later.
If someone doesn't see Christ in us then they aren't able through our lifestyle to hear His voice; and our words may not have effect either. There are some exceptions to that as even false preachers have seen genuine converts. Speaking His Word will have its effect but let's face it who here wants to see converts despite our actions as opposed to because of our Godly lives demonstrating Christ's love and in turn bringing the fear of God to them? This brings us to Balaam and the mad prophet who a donkey had to speak to to correct. God spoke through the High Priest who prophesied about one man dying for the nation ( John 11:50-51). Somehow even Pilate insisted that King of the Jews be written above the cross Jesus hung on.
Now to some acts of true converts.
Repentance. Going back to the James verse I quoted in an earlier post today; we can talk about hell until we are blue in the face; an in fact many who claim to have had an NDE or actually briefly perished and had what they said was a hell experience admittedly often try to forget; or it doesn't change them immediately from their sinful lifestyle; and they state they weren't saved at that point. Again it is the sin nature that is the root of the problem not just outer actions; only Christ can truly crucify the old nature. And only HE can show us how truly evil we are; and the love of Christ does that if it is AGAPE and truly from the Lord. We die but have NEW desires in Him.
Jesus Christ healed all that was sick.
Matthew 4:23
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, andhealing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.
Jesus casted out devils.
Mark 1:39
And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, andcastoutdevils
Peter tried to walk on water like Jesus.
Matthew 14:29
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, hewalkedonthewater, to go to Jesus.
Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.
John 11:43
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,Lazarus, come forth.
Now we ask ourselves again, can we really walk Jesus Christ footsteps and follow the law without sinning ? ? The answer is a big no .
That's why Jesus Christ died on the cross so we don't have to follow the law for Salvation, because the law only condemneth us and we don't have power anymore to heal or cast out devils.
John 19:30
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said,Itisfinished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Jesus Christ is our redeemer for Salvation in his grace.
Ephesians 1:7
In whom we haveredemptionthrough his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
We now have the complete word of God. The The other stuff faded away. We are left with the Holy Spirit and the Word of Truth.
1 Corinthians 15:9-10
9For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
May we believe.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
The word of truth is the gospel of grace.
Salvation is NOT found in a religion or good works, but in a Person... The LORD JESUS CHRIST!
John 11:25, "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."
John 6:40, "And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Mark 1:15, "And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel."
BY: DR, JOHN R. RICE
COME LORD JESUS
John 10:36 - Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?
I hope you make the connection? They didn't say to Him "It is because you said you are the Son of God." It says because you said you are God. That's because as I have mentioned to you before, the title "Son of God" is to the Jew a title of God Himself!
The word "son" in Greek does not mean somebody who is a son by birth. It is never used of Jesus in the scripture. He is not the son of God in that there's "father God," and "mother God," and they had a child named Jesus.
John 11:16 - Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.
Didymus means "The Twin."
John 11:47 - Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.
This would be the Sanhedrin, the highest council of the Jews, both of civil and religious affairs. 70 priests and scholars plus the high priest make up the Sanhedrin.
John 12:2 - There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.
The word "sat" is not a correct translation. How they ate in those days, they didn't sit in chairs. They had a table close to the ground and they would lean on the table with their right arm, and they would have their legs and feet spread straight out. They were actually leaning (reclining) on the table.
Some translations of the New Testament actually use the word "reclining" because that's how they used to recline at the table.
So, Jesus' feet were facing the back. And so, she pours (she anoints) the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment.
" And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost."
How does faith come to man? "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God./ But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world." The babe leaped in the womb of his mother just as Lazarus who was dead for some four days heard the voice. "Lazarus, come forth./And he that was dead came forth"( John 11:43-44). Similarly John hears the number spoken in his vision,(Re.9:16). Faith is the lingua franca between the two worlds framed by the word of God and this holds for creature two worlds simultaneously, the heavenly places and our physical world Faith is the language between them, "Deep calleth unto deep"(Ps.42:7). Israel being disobedient and gainsaying people were like ostrich their head buried in sand. So are those who refuse faith on insufficient grounds. The babe heard the salutation of Mary and leaped in her womb which is the works we are concerned with. If we say Jesus Christ is the light of the world our works being good witnesses for him establish the quality of our faith. In the case of Paul he believed in the body prepared of God so he would walk not by sight but but by faith. St Paul did not go by appearances nor take things at its face value. " For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life./Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit." (2 Co.5:4-5)
"For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead./And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again."(vv.14-15)
Part 3
These other things would be God, not the God of Scripture.
With the doctrine of simplicity, His immutability is one aspect of His divine simplicity. James 1:17 speaks of this when he says that in God there is no shadow of turning. This means that there is no changing in Him and no variation or alteration or degree or greater or lesser of anything of His Being. This tells us that God is not made of parts, that He is unable to be anything than what He is eternally and He is perfect in every possible way to be perfect.
Divine simplicity also speaks of God actually Being what He reveals of Himself and also what we have yet to know of Hm. He is all that He describes Himself to be. he does not have attributes or perfections, He is these. For instance, the Scriptures tell us that God is I AM (IS) saying that He is existence. (EX, 3:14) He says that He is life, ( John 14:6) along with the truth and way. God is light ( I John 1:5. God is Spirit John (4:24): God says, I am merciful, ( Ex. 22:27). John 11:25 Jesus say He is the Resurrection and the Life. These are just some of the examples where God equates His attributes with who He is not what He has.
Another aspect of God's uniqueness is that He is the only God that exists; no other God will be made or come into existence, nor was there any other God who preceded Him See Is. 46:9. Is.44:6-8; Is. 43:10-Isaiah, who saw the LORD (Jesus) on the throne in heaven in Is. 6; and John 8:38-41. This uniqueness as the one and only true divine being is the very basis of our faith.
Another aspect of God's uniqueness is His oneness- He is a unified single God who exists as three distinct persons-the Father, the Son, and the hoy Spirit who all three share the divine nature equally, eternally, and fully. I will speak more of this in my next post on "God is a UNITY".
God's uniqueness sets Him apart from all else. There is no one like Him!
There is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; 57:21) and other passages.
If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. ( John 11:48).
Having explored this first passage before; I thought I would include the second for consideration. It would seem that the religious leaders were indebting themselves in what they would consider a hostile takeover of their nation because of the Gentiles not tolerating their unbelief. This was near no doubt near to the "triumphal entry" of Christ which came immediately before the crucifixion. They should have realized that God Himself through Christ would destroy the wicked when He comes to rule and reign with His heavenly armies.
These passages remind us of today; when people wish to continue in their wickedness much like Roman society as a whole did with their pagan worship and associated sins and how every empire has fallen making our own demise a certainty. Prophetically the first seal signifies what could be described as enforced peace; or submission which is basically as Islam promises to happen in the last days under the final Imam. With the world's technology it has been hard for total control of any dictator of communication; although economic control is getting a tighter and tighter grip. The power vacuum in recent decades brings a sort of half hearted proxy war mentality to the world. This is due to the realization of mutually assured destruction with an all out nuclear conflict and a rather tepid and disorganized NATO and related groups who are trying to cobble together a large enough resistance to counter Russia who they are convinced wants to take over all of Europe eventually. It seems the internet has also been where the main emphasis has been in various platforms to gain influence of the minds of young people to various ideologies. The "trojan horse" of immigrants has certainly brought many camels in the tent
King David was flesh and blood, therefore he is in the grave, dust to dust.
Acts 2:29-34
King David, the NEW CREATION, by the resurrection of Christ, is now in the presence of God, being made ONE FLESH, by the resurrection of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:53 ... this mortal shall PUT ON IMMORTALITY ......
1 Timothy 6:16 ...... Christ ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the light ......
2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all...... are CHANGED into the same IMAGE .... even so by the Spirit of God.
John 11:25 ..... Christ is the RESURRECTION .......
God Bless You
In MacBeth Shakespeare says in a famous quote "It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." That is the basic view of meaninglessness much as Solomon states in Ecclesiastes of all the pleasures of the world apart from God.
When viewing Christ and His early miracles before He was to be revealed to the world and the ensuing factors that would essentially speed up the events leading to the crucifixion many times people were to tell no one who He was ( Mark 8:30; Matt. 16:20). The Pharisees were asking Him for a sign; which was not granted. The many miracles He performed were not accepted as from God and they were well aware of this; fearing that they would lose their position and nation ( John 11:48). He weeded out would be disciples with hard sayings (see John 6:66). Jesus knew that no man could even know who He was without Divine intervention ( John 6:44).
The enemy uses the opposite approach; Revelation 13 in particular shows how false signs and wonders deceive the masses. The enemy never holds back unless God Himself restricts him. We see many phenomenon which to an undiscerning mind cannot be differentiated from the truth; namely fire that appears to come down from heaven; a miraculous healing of a deadly wound; and a false prophet that no doubt uses whatever religion a person adheres to to convince someone that they are the ultimate fulfillment-hence their messiah.
Only the Lord can create anything from nothing; and that is seen in His miracles when on earth. He will continue as well with the new heaven and earth and our resurrection bodies. One could argue that the elements burning up in Peter merely means a reconfiguration of already existing matter; nonetheless our old world is destroyed and anew one commences. Exactly how our new bodies are made is a mystery but they will be immortal and incorruptible.
Does our soul live on after we die? Do the souls of the dead roam around on the earth and some are in heaven and some are in hell? This is my understanding, the thought or belief in ghosts or spirits of people, some going to heaven and some going to hell comes from the teaching that the soul is immortal, and the soul never dies. It started when the serpent told Eve you shall not surely die, many ancient nations had different forms of religious beliefs on the immortality of the soul, and what we see today was adopted from Greek philosophy.
Are there evil spirits, devils, and demons on this earth? Yes, and these are what people are encountering, my understanding of the Bible they are not the souls of people. God told Israel and it applies to us today, not to deal with mediums or spiritualism those who work divination. We see Saul doing it in 1 Samuel 28 and he died because he did it, 1 Chronicles 10:13.
We sleep in death when we die Psalm 13:3 Matthew 27:52 John 11:11-14 1 Corinthians 15:20. We only put on immortality when we are resurrected, Job 14:13-14 Daniel 12:2 1 John 5:28-29 Corinthians 15:51-54. I hope this helps but you and your husband study it for your understanding, not mine.
God bless,
RLW
20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house. (JESUS is coming and is at door, it is midnight, Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet HimMatthew 25:6and10.
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of GOD, GOD will give it thee.
23 JESUS saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto JESUS, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection AT THE LAT DAY. (Seventh and last Day, the Lord's Day, or seventh and last millnnium.. This Day arrived)
Be cereful or else get ready
John 16:8 And when He comes, He will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9in regard to sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will no longer see Me; 11and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.
I have examined this verse in light of sin; but thought before I continue with the other two aspects of the verse in detail; I should mention that UNBELIEF is something that not only the world but all of us-in reality are in a state of before being regenerated; as that is the first role of the Holy Spirit. When Christ was present on earth; it was clear that after multitudes; presumably almost everyone in Israel knew of Christ's undeniable miracles ( John 11:47) and also of the Apostles ( Acts 4:16) that deliberate unbelief would be the precursor of blasphemy of the Holy Ghost; where Beelzebub was said to be the source of Christ's strength; or others such as the sons of Sceva and the sorcerer in Acts would attempt to gain this power in their own strength or attempt to get it through money. The end result; clearly didn't go too well for these individuals; and no forgiveness was offered for blasphemy of the Spirit ( Mark 3:29 said early in Christ's ministry). Christ said all things against Him or the Father could be forgiven ( Matt. 12:32) but not against the Holy Spirit-and that also is set for the future reign of the Lord on the earth as well. Let us all be as the man in Mark 9:24 and ask Jesus to help us with our unbelief!
Now as to righteousness. Jesus says because He goes to the Father and we no longer see Him that the Spirit testifies of righteousness. I would think this implies that all who truly know Christ now are as the result of the unseen work of the Spirit.
As odd as it seems; when Christ was here physically as to Him being God that had to be revealed from above.
"And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." Luke 18:27 KJV
"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." Mark 9:23 KJV
I pray you receive and accept God's word concerning your request. Amen.
The Word of GOD is from everlasting to everlasting, the Word is GOD, GOD Himself, self-executing. If the believers(each one) keep GOD's Word in the heart, it means GOD is in him, and he has Life because GOD is Life.
JESUS said: John 5:39-40:->39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have ETERNAL life(the Word is GOD,God is Life):and they are they which testify of me-JESUS.40 And ye will not come to me,that ye might have life?JESUS said: John 11: 26:Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.Believest thou this?Phi.3:20-21:-> 20 Our conversation is in heaven(heaven? Ephesians 1:3-8); from whence also we look for the Saviour,the Lord Jesus Christ:21 Who shall CHANGE our vile body,that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body(this is not a magic,it is worked,understand),according to the working whereby He-JESUS-is able even to subdue all things unto himself.(as Luke 20:35-36.Take a look) .
Furthermore they have Light.Jo.1:4 In him-JESUS-was Life;and the Life was the Light of men.1Jo.1:5-7: ->5...GOD is Light,and in Him is no darkness at all.6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him,and walk in darkness,we lie, and do not the Truth:7 But if we walk in the Light,s he is in the light,we have fellowship one with another,and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.
1Corinthians 15:51-54
51Behold,I shew you a mystery;We shall not all sleep,but we shall all be changed,
52In a moment...at the last trump:for the trumpet shall sound,and the dead shall be raised incorruptible,and we shall be changed.
53For this corruptible must put on incorruption,and this mortal must put on immortality.
54So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption,and this mortal shall have put on immortality,then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,Death is swallowed up in victory.
The Word is GOD, GOD Himself, self-executing.
GOD BLESS
The other day I discussed roles of men and women; and showed the case of Miriam and good and bad things about her behavior.
This situation shows how in general how a true Prophet can have certain sins that cause a downfall. Another example is in 1 Kings 13 starting in verse 11. His disobedience in stopping anywhere to eat on his journey back from a prophetic mission cost him his life. This story shows not only his disobedience; but the obstinance of the other prophet who enticed him to eat with him. The Spirit entered him much as it did with Balaam after he accepted the offer with a true word from God (in this case about his demise). We could look at Cephus as another example in John 11:50. So we can see several situations here:
1. A TRUE Prophet that errs in obedience to God
2. A FALSE Prophet that the Lord still uses to some extent for His purposes
3. Someone not designated as a Prophet who still says something to that affect.
We could look at the third example in the case of Pontius Pilate; who put the inscription in Matthew 27:37 on being the King of the Jews. John 19:22 further expounds on this theme in Pilate's declaration that it should stand. Whether his reasonings were mocking; or an honest assesment of his innocence could be questioned-it is clear that he never came to true repentance even if his sins were less serious than those of the others who were complicit or outright demanded he be crucified and a murder (Barabbas) released.
The story of Balaam in Numbers 22 should teach us some object lessons as well. One may assume that his story was an ancient tale and not of any importance today other than looking for false prophecies in general. This isn't true because this man was hired for money and we see evidence in the last days of those looking for "filthy lucre" ( 1 Timothy 3 and a couple other places in the N.T.) To say what a megachurch Pastor wants to hear to draw multitudes occurs today.
"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head."(v.3)
All the four gospels carry this incident where the woman had prescience to anoint Jesus for his burial. None present there except Jesus who understood the significance of her action. "He (Jesus Christ) knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."Besides he knew what he was there for, among them and also knew where he was going to. His deity was as the Word become flesh. In Luke we read thus, "For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."( Luke 22:37)
How can a woman of ill repute find the right occasion to be born again or in this case, Mary as John gives her a name, break the box unless her faith and of Christ was one?( John 12:3) God breathed into man and made him a living soul. Faith is what explains this relationship between God and man. "Faith is one."(Ep.4:5) So in her action she poured out herself in order to prepare him beforehand for her burial.
What is the significance of Bethany? In the Gospel of John Jesus was in the company of Lazarus whom he had raised from death. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."( John 11:25).
The alabaster box is similar to the earthen vessel that Jeremiah broke as commanded of God. The box doubles for Mary whose faith became a memorial unto her. St Mark juxtaposes this with the breaking of bread during the Last supper.(v.22)
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
Death is an enemy; and verse 26 of this chapter indicates that it will eventually be eliminated. Jesus was the "first of the firstfruits" so to speak; which extends through the Rapture/Resurrection event of the righteous; through the Revelation 14:4 event of the translation of the 144,000. After this we will have the Second Coming when those that survive until that time physically will survive to repopulate the earth in the Millennial period; followed by the time the Heavenly Jerusalem comes down and God the Father dwells with men (v. 24).
It is hard to comprehend let alone understand all the mysteries of His death; burial and resurrection. It is as a grand play on stage; except that the pathos is real; and His atonement was sufficient for us all to deliver our sins as far as the east is from the west. ( Psalm 103:12). He ever lives to intercede for His people ( Hebrews 7:25). He first rose from the dead and we shall likewise. He who believes in Him will never die ( John 11:25-26) even though he dies physically in reality it is only the body that sleeps as we see about Lazarus earlier in that chapter. We have hope unlike the world for those "fallen asleep" ( 1 Thess. 4:14-18).
All of creation also is awaiting the change and groans until now ( Romans 8:23). For those who believe the last scene of this real life drama is glorious and never ending; while there is no peace for the wicked ( Isaiah 48:22; etal). Let that sink in as the world in its ignorance turns this glorious day into a mockery.
Maranatha. Lord come soon!
Agape.
John 11:26 says... And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
A true believer is "crucified with Christ" and it is not I who live ( Gal. 2:20). Our experience will differ somewhat in timing from those already asleep ( 1 Thess. 4:16). As Hebrews 9:27 states we are all to "die once and face the judgment". Also it states being "absent from the body is present with the Lord." ( 2 Cor. 5:8). This necessitates the "Bema Seat" judgment to occur at death; or in the case of those still alive and raptured up; at that time. So in a sense; it will be in completing the death process of the sanctification which ultimately brings us eternal life.
I have often reminded people that martyrdom should it come is the end of a life of sanctification. In some ways that would be much like the Rapture in that there is a sudden end to our time on earth. It is possible someone could be martyred after a rather poor testimony and lukewarmness in this life; but more often scripturally at least it seems the persecutions and sufferings prepare a person for that end and death is simply a final display of Christ's holiness in the life of a saint. These truths are what makes all the claimed dreams about the rapture seem suspect. For one thing the Resurrection of the just is rarely even mentioned even though scripture states it to be the first thing immediately followed it seems by the Rapture of those still alive at the time. Some debate if Revelation 4:1 is indeed a foreshadowing of the Rapture; I would say it is and certainly the vision of Christ in the first chapter and his state of being as though dead will be our own condition when first beholding His glory. There is much ado about deceased relatives and other glories of a heavenly place and whatever is stated scripturally about that is true but of course the majesty of God overshadows that. Whatever the trip up is; the Bema Seat takes front & center
"And after three days and an half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them." Jesus assured "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live"( John 11:25). Three days and an half gives us the assurance that the two witnesses were a sign, that the spirit of life that raised the Son from death worked in their case as well. So vv.9-10 explain in what sense we need interpret, "the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves."(v.9) . They are witnesses even in their death that not a jot or iota from the Law shall be changed.
" And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand."(v.13)
At the same hour is a tag to the day of judgment that shall follow. Ten indicates judgment and 7x1000 determines it is decreed from heaven.
"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end."(Ec.3:11)
No man can find out the mind of God to control time. Only from the work of God one can make sense. This work of God is to believe Jesus Christ. "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."( John 6:28-29). When Jesus said "I am the resurrection, and the life." ( John 11:25,26) Martha had no understanding to connect this directly to the Son of man but Jesus corrects her and admit it was so."Believest thou this?" In this context what does the budding of Aaron's rod signify? Who shall serve God is it Levi, Israel as a nation or Jesus Christ the Word become flesh? "and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds."(Nu.17:8,2) The Word of God decreed the day of salvation in his Son.(Ps.2:6-8) This is the Will of God so in the Abstract we have the MOU between God and Man. "and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so." Moses wrote the name of Levi as commanded by God. 'The seed in itself' is indicative it is the word of God is going to work in this test. The work of God according the quote from JohnCh.6 flowering of the rod in a proof of Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever. (He.13:8)The rod flowered according to the divine Will. Time is of no consequence.
Which came first: chicken or egg? The divine Will is omnipotence. Accordingly the word of God supplied all the information so we are to accept both as one, as the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind. The world of blackholes prove information cannot be lost. neither can the word of God. We deceived ourselves to think atom bombs would stop the WWII We did not even imagine the name North Korea then. It just proves.
You are correct, our salvation does not depend on whether we believe in "soul sleep" or "soul death" as opposed to the continuance of the soul as alive after the death of the body. So it is still good to discuss it if we use Scripture as our guide ad rule.
I am encouraged by the words of our Savior and Lord in John 11:25-26
"I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall NEVER die. Believest thou this?"
Jesus knew that people from that time forth would certainly die physically as to their bodies dying, just as those who lived before him died in the body. But here He says that, though the body dies, we still live on. He is speaking of our soul's continued existence after the body dies. Can't be any clearer than this. He asks a good question: Believest thou this? I believe what He says here and look forward to being alive with Him when my body dies and to see those believers who have died before I die and those who die after I die. We will have a great reunion in the life to come. We have eternal life in Jesus as believers and so this means our soul will not die but will be reunited with our bodies when our bodies are resurrected.
Also John 10:27-28
"My sheep hear my voice (in this life), and I know them, and they follow me. And I five unto them eternal life and they shall NEVER perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand."
So good to know that we have eternal life now, even if we die, we live on, not in our bodies, but in our soul and spirit, until the resurrection when our bodies will join with our soul and spirit once again and then be forever alive.