No, I don't believe we're supposed to wear crosses. Leviticus 26:1, nowhere does it say wear a cross, as jewelry. However it does say not to make idols.
Recently I thought, if a person had a friend that was killed by gunshot & had a miraculous recovery. How would he feel, if when he returned to his friends & family, they had an image of the gun or bullet around their neck, to honor him. I would think it would be upsetting to say the least. Wouldn't he say, "your missing the main point." isn't it the life lived?Jesus himself being the example of a loving life, helping others in need? & the hope & promise of resurrection. John 5:21-29, 1Corinthians 15:42-58, John 11:25, Ecclesiastes 5:15, 1Timothy 6:7,
Bare your cross: Luke 14, looking at context, whole chapter Jesus in doing the better thing by healing, suffered rejection, hate, wrongful judgement.
A cross is painful, it's obvious, on view for everyone to see, not something we can hide in our pocket. It causes ridicule & even division. Luke 14:11, Luke 14:12-14, Luke 14:17-20,24, Luke 14:26,27, also Matthew 10, note Matthew 10:36, Matthew 10:17,18, Matthew 10:21, Matthew 10:22, please read in context Matthew 10, Matthew 10:32-42, & Luke 9:22-26, also Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:29-38, Mark 10:14-52,
The Gospels were written after Jesus ascended to heaven but when we read them it is like it was happening as they wrote them. Jesus told them several times what was going to happen to Him, but it was hidden from them, Luke 9:44-45 Luke 18:31-34. We see how they reacted when He was crucified and after He was resurrected, they did not believe the women when they told them Jesus had resurrected Luke 24:9-11.
The disciples believed Jesus the Messiah was going to set up the kingdom then, the gospel of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and being raised from the dead was hidden from them. So, when we read how Peter denied knowing Jesus and the disciples ran away when they arrested Him, this must be considered.
What they were expecting was crumbling in front of them. Their eyes were not opened until first Jesus opened their understanding, Luke 24:44-45 and later a Pentecost with the baptizing of the Holy Spirit.
Hello Parker. The Matthew 8:21,22 reference ties in with Luke 9:57-62. This disciple (not of the twelve), wanted to follow Jesus wherever he went but wasn't prepared to leave everything at once to do so. What he was asking of Jesus was if he could follow Jesus after his father had died (i.e. when his earthly responsibilities to his family were completed) & he was free to leave.
And so Jesus' response to this was, 'leave those matters to those who are concerned with them & who don't wish to follow me and learn of me - but if you're serious, then come follow Me now'. One might think that Jesus was a little hard on this man, but the message was, that time cannot be wasted on matters that others can take care of; and if we procrastinate on important matters now, we might just eventually lose interest in pursuing it altogether. Words matter little - Jesus required action as well - an immediate response, for His time was short.
Interestingly, after studying scripture I've noticed, GOD gave mankind dominion, on Earth. Genesis 1:26,27,28, GOD didn't take that dominion away, people have misused their powers. They/we will all give account: Revelation 1:5-8, Romans 14:12, Daniel 4:3,34, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 18,
Jesus was here to show us how to bring His Kingdom the Kingdom of GOD on Earth, with Love, John 3:16-21, John 13:34, Romans 12:10, 1John 4:7,12, 1Peter 3:8, John 15:17, James 2:13-17, Luke 13:34,
one day all dominion will go to Christ: 1Corinthians 15:20-28, Romans 16:20,
Galatians 4:1-8, Colossians 3:21,
Matthew 20:25-28, Ephesians 1, (whole chapters) 1Peter 4, Jude 1,
Jesus gave all that believe in him, authority under heaven: from GOD ALMIGHTY: Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 6, Luke 11, Mark 3:15, Acts 4:30,31, Luke 9:2,
We all have power in the natural if even just to comfort someone else, & as we grow in faith, supernatural power in prayer, through GOD & Christ Jesus our Savior.
Hi Richard, good thoughts, just a few questions to study for the truth.
I agree, "Somethin' ain't right here with the logic." Many have tried to calculate how close we are and only God the Father knows. My understanding of a generation is the average life from birth to death. The 120 years in Genesis was the warning God gave, they had 120 years to repent until the flood came and wiped them all out except the 8.
I assume the generation you are referencing is the one in Matt. 24Mark 13Luke 21. My understanding is they have a dual meaning some things are for the future and many things were for then. Jesus said that generation vipers, evil, adulterous, wicked, sinful, faithless, perverse, and "That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation" Matt.23:33-39.
"This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled" is where the division of understanding comes. What did Jesus mean when He said till all be fulfilled? Was it all prophesied up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple we see in Daniel 9? Was it all until He returns? Was it part of both? We must remember at the time Jesus told them this they did not even know He was going to be crucified, Mark 16:14Luke 9:44-45 Luke 18:31-34Luke 24:6-8Luke 24:44-45.
Jesus said when you see the abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel, flee Judea. History tells us all the believers in Jesus got that warning and fled to Pella a region across the Jordan river and were saved. Many today place this with saying the antichrist is the he in Dan.9:27, 7-year tribulation, and the rapture of the Church.
Has the 70-week prophecy been fulfilled? How would that change the rapture theory as taught? If we are looking to be taken out before the tribulation and that does not happen, would that be the hour of temptation and the falling away? The seven-year cleanup, could they be the first seven years of the millennium?
The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof. 1Corinthians 10:26, Psalms 24:1, Psalms 89:11, Psalms 50:12, Ephesians 1:10, Daniel 2:20-22, Genesis 1:28, Luke 9:1, 1Corinthians 15:23-28, John 19:5-11
Proverbs 29:2, Revelation 3:10,
Matthew 28:18, Acts 1:8, Matthew 18:18, Mark 16:17-19
Matthew 6, Luke 4:40, Matthew 12:15, Luke 6:19, Psalms 139, Psalms 107:20, Matthew 15:30, Luke 9:11, Matthew 4:24, Matthew 14:14, Mark 6:13, Acts 5:6, Acts 14:9, Matthew 10:8, Mark 16:17,18, John 16:23, Luke 11:9-11, context Luke 11:2-13, James 5:13-20,
Hopefully these are helpful & encouraging & healing to you, that you likewise will help others Matthew 10:8,
Some things can't be understood. I have a few thoughts here in regard to Satan's creation and fall that may be helpful.
Satan himself was created as all things as God desired; origimally as we can see from both Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 as a "Cherubim" and song worship position to glorify God in heaven. He clearly had free will; and also clearly saw spiritual realities so that he chose to rebel after becoming proud; then drew 1/3 of the angels after him ( Rev. 12:4).
God foreknew the need for the adversary for one clear reason; to test His saints as to their loyalties. Job apparently was unaware of the heavenly discussions going on with Satan and God and that Satan was the source of his troubles. Nonetheless; He tested what Satan had accused Job of; namely cursing God when things didn't go well as well as when his body was afflicted with boils.
This testing of character could also be evident when the "thorn in the flesh" that Paul had WAS clear as to its source; nonetheless GSod's grace was sufficient and He was NOT granted the healing he prayed for 3 times. ( 2 Cor. 12:7-10).
Secondly; it is necessary to lay down our lives sacrificially for the Lord or "carry our crosses daily." ( Luke 9:23). God used Satan to bring forth the "son of Perdition" with Judas Iscariot ( John 17:12 prophesied in Psalms 109:8 and elsewhere); as well as testing Peter in Matthew 16:23. Since Satan has been granted temporary authority in this world; He has been allowed both with false doctrines and outward persecution to test the saints; and ultimately; of course the Antichrist will be used when the whole world goes through its trial ( Rev. 3:10). As God draws all men to Himself (that are His sheep); He uses Satan as a "dragnet" to draw the whole world to eventually fight Christ ( Psalm 2; Rev. 19) as well as take the Mark of the Beast and worship him.
Rewards for the saints; therefore are procured through a conflict and resistance. Spiritual warfare is where victories are won.
My understanding, Jesus coming, the Messiah/Christ was not a secret, Daniel 9:25 prophesied when He would come. Jesus came to fulfill the prophets and the law, and when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, and Jesus was filled without measure, John 3:34.
John the Baptist proclaimed it, John 1:34 and His disciples did as well, John 1:41 Jesus told the woman at the well He was the Messiah, John 25:25-26 and Martha John 11:27. It was confirmed by all the miracles Jesus did by the Spirit of God, Matt. 12:28 the kingdom of God has come, but the death and resurrection were, at that time a secret/mystery, Rom. 11:25.
The kingdom of God has come, John said it was at hand, Matt. 3:1-2. After John was put in prison Jesus came preaching Mark 1:14-15. The mystery of the kingdom; they were looking for the stone to crush Rome and the kingdom would be set up then Daniel 2:44, but it was like the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast Matt. 13, increasing even today until the crushing blow at Jesus second coming.
The disciples knew Jesus was the Messiah/Christ, so I am sure that was part of their preaching, but Jesus' death and resurrection were hidden even from the disciples Luke 9:45. We see how they fled when Jesus was arrested, Matt. 26:56, and they did not believe He resurrected Mark 16:10-11Luke 23:10-11 it was hidden from them for if Satan had known the results, he would have tried to stop it.
Jesus spoke mainly to the Pharisees and Sadducees in parables to fulfill the prophecy, Matt. 13:10-15Mark 4:10-13Luke 8:10. The mystery was not revealed until after Jesus was resurrected as Jesus told them the Holy Spirit would bring remembrance and teaching to them John 14:26John 16:3-4Romans 11:25Romans 16:25 the promise to Abraham Genesis 17:4-7 and that seed was Jesus the Messiah/Christ.
This is my understanding may someone else have another, pray and study for your understanding.
in 9:2, Jesus sends them out to "preach the kingdom of God"
in 9:21, Jesus "commanded them to tell no man that thing"
My question is, what are they preaching in 9:2? It doesn't seem like he sent them out to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah or Christ, because that's apparently a secret at that time - so what was their message?
That's 1 way to look at it. Day definition as span of time. Psalms 90:4, 2Peter 3:8,
Genesis 3, Also a Spiritual death, that happened immediately, the results of which were immediate fear, instead of trust to their creator. Feeling naked before GOD, & man etc. Matthew 8:22, Luke 9:60, Romans 5:12-21,
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
The people of the world are those whom the Savior describes here as the (spiritually) dead who should bury the (physically) dead. Let people, He says, who are not interested in My work, and who are "dead in sin" ( Ephesians 2:1), take care of the dead. Your duty is now to follow Me.
Some hold the view that the man's father has not died yet and what the man is saying let me go take care of my father until he dies, being he was the first born.
"Jesus I will follow you but first let me stay with my father, until he dies. I am not sure how long that will take but once that happens then I will bury him. When that is done then I will come and follow you."
Also, this man may have been consideringhis inheritance. It's possible this man was waiting to claim his inheritance from his father. So, he wasn't just saying he wanted to wait until his father died. He was also saying - Lord I have some inheritance coming to me and I want to secure my financial future. Once that happens, I will be ready and at that time I will come and follow you. It was a matter of priority.
In Luke 9:60, Jesus said, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
He wouldn't even let him bury his father. That is kind of tough! Well, we know from the scriptures, in Deuteronomy 21:23, it tells us that once a person died, they had to be buried before sunset, on the day of the death.
So if this man's father had already died, he would not be out listening to the teachings of Jesus. He would be attending the funeral and burying his father.
But rather, as Matthew's account tells us, that the phrase itself in the Greek text represents the Hebraism, that basically it says "let me go back until my father dies so I get my inheritance."
You see, in those days you stayed around the house. And when the father died, then you took over. You took over the business, and you took over the estate.
And what he is saying is "I'm really not free to leave. I have got some financial interests that I cannot leave. You see if I leave now, I leave all my inheritance, and so I can't do that!"
Please notice what's happening here. Jesus is fixed towards Jerusalem. He is telling the disciples that you get fixed on Jesus and you follow Him.
But look at all the things that challenge that relationship. You have got conveniences. It's like, "Gee, I have waited my whole life to get the inheritance from my father, and now Jesus is asking me to follow Him, and if I do I am going to lose all that inheritance."
Yup! Let the spiritual dead bury their own dead. You go preach the Kingdom.
People accused Jesus of going to eat dinner at the house of a "tax collector." Luke 19:1-10. Jesus spent time with an "adulteress" John 4. He spent much of His ministry around "sinners." We're all sinners.
But yes, there are verses supporting avoiding people and avoiding trouble. Jesus fled to avoid being arrested/beaten, before it was His time. He left people to be alone to pray. He said He wasn't respected in His own town with His own family. It says this about not being welcomed: Luke 9:5. It says avoid foolish arguments Titus 3:9-11 and avoid divisive people or heretics. It says this specifically about Christians ( Matthew 18:16-17) when confronting about an issue like sin. So it seems the answer is it depends.
Found this page too which might have more verses: Link God bless.
Jesus took the loaves and blessed them, its written whether you eat or drink give glory To God. Trust in God as you pray for your food you know your father is in heaven you need to have faith him.
Luke 9:17
17 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
Mark 17:18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
The last verses, 58-62, all I can say is, Wow! Sad, that these others were so caught up in their comfort zones, enough, to even keep them, from being used by the Master.
I believe you are correctly stating, here are scriptures to back that up: Matthew 18, Matthew 18:2-4, Mark 9:36,37, Mark 10:13-16, Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 9:46-48, Luke 18:17,
My comment is that salvation is conditional whether people believe it or not, because its what the Bible says. It's full of calls to action and challenging us to change our behavior. Most people will not be saved Matthew 7:13. Salvation is with grace but is only for believers/followers- a choice that each person must make. One way to summarize this action appears to be genuine belief and faith in Jesus Christ. John 3:16. That is an action and choice.
So, if someone does not believe, one can presume the unbeliever will not be saved. This already "offends" a lot of people, because some want to justify themselves in their own mind while doing the bare minimum they assume God wants. Some have been deceived into believing obeying God is "bad." But believing is only one of many action verbs the Bible challenges us to do. Other actions fall under this category of genuine active belief and following Jesus too. All these verses in the Bible are true and are equally important. Some like to cherry pick one, but ignore others and assume they don't apply, but they all apply and are true and are God's word.
believe:
John 3:16
follow Jesus:
John 8:12
deny himself:
Luke 9:23
confess:
Romans 10:9
faith:
Ephesians 2:8
hearing:
Romans 10:17
repent and be baptized:
Acts 2:38
keep commandments:
John 15:10
love:
Matthew 22:37-40
There are many more. Some falsely assume by obeying God they are doing 'works' and that is 'bad', therefore, obeying God is 'bad'. No, that's not what the Bible says, and obeying doesn't mean you're saved by works or that people who obey believe that.
My last comment is that James and Paul are consistent. Some assume Paul was anti-works, but only if you cherry pick a few verses and ignore large parts of his book can that conclusion be drawn. Paul was very much pro-obedience as the following verses demonstrate:
Ronnette (My Prayers to ALL) See YOU in the cloud on 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - 3 years ago
Myfarewellmessagetothissite Matthew 10:14, Luke 9:5. God tells me to go back and convince one more time the people reading this site-must know that God sent his only begotten Son to destroy sins. He died once for all of us Galatians 3:28 in a very powerful way. A pattern that is similar in the Old Testament-sacrificial shedding of blood of the lamb. God knows we cannot save ourselves. So we need a Saviour Jesus Christ. He did it for us All. My prayers are to help everyone understand this basic concept and many will be saved. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. We do not believe in vain, nor we put the work of ALL apostles, most especially Paul who was the last apostle to write plethora of information for everyone to be saved. Remember the Bible is complete by itself. God gave us a free gift of grace Romans 5:15-18. The ten Commandments are for us to see how sinful we are. That is why Paul calls it a schoolmaster Galatians 3:24-25. So when you believe, trust and have faith in Jesus Christ's blood that He shed for our sins Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:10 we die with Him Galatians 2:20. That is the baptism without submerging yourself into the water Acts 1:5, Acts 10:47,Roman's 6:3, Galatians 3:27, 1 Corinthians 10:2. We are not divided Christians 1 Corinthians 1:13-16, 1 Corinthians 12:13. Once you are saved you are sealed Ephesians 1:13, 2 Corinthians 1:22, John 6:27. Jesus sent Paul to seal us Gentiles Romans 15:28. So grieve not Ephesians 4:30. When the Holy Spirit is in you you do not want to commit sin, if you do, you are letting your old self to dominate your spirit. We are walking in the Spirit of God. God already won. Do not let Satan defeat you (on going Spiritual warfare) that is why let every thought to be with God 2 Corinthians 10:5. I came back to fulfill with the help of the Holy Spirit to ask that you trust only Jesus and not yourself here on earth. Let Jesus do the rest. It is indeed true OSAS.Sealed is sealed.You reap what you sow on earth. Peace&joy to ALL.
Acts 1:9 ....and he was taken up; and a CLOUD received him (Christ the GLORIFIED BODY out of their sight;
INTO MAN: his BODY).
Christ was taken into (NEW) heaven: MAN the BODY of CHRIST.
The CLOUD: the Glory and Presence of God ABIDING in, and on, God's temple.
Exodus 40:38 For the CLOUD of the Lord was upon the tabernacle (temple of God) by day, and FIRE (Hebrew 12:29) by night .....
2 Corinthians 6:16 ....for ye are the temple of the LIVING GOD ......
Colossians 1:27 ....this MYSTERY .....Christ in you .... HIS BODY .....HIS TEMPLE .....HIS LIFE ....HIS TRUTH...
Romans 8:29 .... to be CONFORMED (by the NEW BIRTH) to the IMAGE OF CHRIST ....
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the eyes of them WHICH BELIEVE NOT, lest the light of the GLORIOUS GOSPEL, should shine unto them.
Psalms 82:6 I (the word) have SAID; ye are gods, the children of the most high.
John 10:34 Jesus answered them, IS IT NOT WRITTEN in your law, Ye are gods?
John 10:35 If he called them gods, TO WHOM the WORD of God CAME, the scripture CANNOT be broken.
Luke 9:23 .... If any man will come after me (the second coming of Christ: IN YOU) let him will DENY HIMSELF and take up his cross (first death) and follow ME (I AM the resurrection).
Ephesians 4:4 ...ONE Spirit (the Father) ....ONE Body (Man) ......
Christ the firstborn among many BRETHREN (the image of Christ).
Dear Christina, In James 4:7 the Bible says, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Do not argue with him. Whatever you are being tempted to do, rebuke him with a Scripture that teaches you not to fall to that temptation.
An example can be found in Luke 4:2-4
2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Plus, a lot of our difficulties arise from unconfessed sin and not doing God's will. We all have pet sins.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Search your heart, confess your sins to God, and repent--turn away from them.
Psalms 139:23, 24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 25:4 Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
When we see the prophecy of Agabus in Acts 11; we see evidence of a Word given by an unknown saint to the church as to events soon to come. An individual word of knowledge came to Paul as to what would happen when he went to Jerusalem in Acts 21. These two examples show that most prophecy has unpleasant ramifications whether it if for a nation; individual or group of people. Comparison with today's prosperity gospel type of messages there is little or no scriptural precedence for "declared" blessings of financial success. The irony is that tends to eliminate the TRUE messages of God's promotion of certain individuals for unique ministries and great works for the Kingdom of God. When the successful saint is seen to have promotion; wealth and privileges in this world the verse about what is "highly exalted among men is an abomination to God" ( Luke 16:15).
Try telling Christ who had "no place to lay His head" ( Luke 9:58); or the disciples who said they had given up all things to follow Him ( Luke 18:28); or Christ telling others that it was harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven than a camel to go through the eye of a needle ( Matthew 19:23).
Another part of the problem is that people don't trust that God works good through all things for those who love God ( Romans 8:28). This could signify personal trials; or those affecting the nations of the world (war; famine; pestilence); and even the great multitude of the Tribulation are the fruit of the crucible God has placed to test all those who dwell on the earth ( Rev. 3:10).
I believe that any TRULY Born Again individual can do great things; and has time perhaps to do even greater things than Jesus in some sense ( John 14:12-14). This could only refer to the same Holy Spirit working quantitatively in a lifetime more than Jesus had time to do in 3.5 years of ministry, and primarily sign and wonder miracles were meant for the Apostles.
I agree with the Elijah coming in the form of John the Baptist. But Malachi 4:5 was talking about the great and dreadful day of the LORD. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:. So we have to go in the Book of Revelation. The only verse I can relate, in my opinion is Revelation 11:3-4
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Then again there are two witnesses. I went back to Matthew, Mark, Luke, for they mostly say the same thing, but Luke elaborated more.
Luke 9:30-33
And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. I do not know for sure about Malachi 4:5 message yet. We will pray for God to reveal His message. Thank you.
Thank you Lord Jesus for Your fantastic Kingdom above all, i humbly thank You for all prayers and especially E here. Those who swing with the Sword of God, can move mountains in Your name Lord. Let us all pray and for one another as it is written in Your Word. Hallelujah Lord Your kingdom is so great that there are no borders. Also, the Kingdom of Heaven on Earth with all prayers and answers to prayer, eternally grateful in Your Holy Name Jesus Christ we pray forever. Amen Luke 9:27-36
Psalms 24:1, ._.The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell there in"
the Lord meaning.. Yhvh = translated, The proper name of GOD of Israel = Eternal 2. Jehovah 'Jewish name'
Earth = earth, land, nations, wilderness, world,
Exodus 9:29,
1Corinthians 10:26 "For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.'' the Lord's meaning 1. Supreme in authority, 2. Controller 3. supremacy, master,
Chris gave you great scripture but I want to point to the bigger more complete picture.
Ephesians 6:12, world = aion translated = an age, 1Corinthians 2:6, 1Corinthians 1:20,
John 15:19, meaning translated = kosmos= orderly arrangement, 2. The world including it's inhabitants, John 3:15-17, 1Corinthians 7:31,
John 1:10, 1John 2:16, Proverbs 29:2,
1John 5:4, John 16:33, 1Corinthians 15:24-28, John 17, 1John 3:10-16, John 9:5, 1Corinthians 6:2, Genesis 1:28, Luke 22:25-30, Matthew 10:8, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 9:1-2, Luke 10:9, Mark 16:15-19
Some teach that based on interpretation of; Isaiah 42:7, 1Peter 3:18-19, Ecclesiastes 4:14-16, Psalms 142:7, Isaiah 53:7-12, Revelation 1:17-18, Matthew 12:38-45, Luke 11:29-32, Ephesians 4:8-10, Psalms 86:13, Acts 2:27,31, Psalms 16:10, but none of these are clearly stated nor defined so. Jonah 2:2,
Luke 16:22-31,
I guess my question is why?
Jesus has all authority: Luke 12:5, Luke 9:1, Mark 1:27, 1Corinthians 15:24, Matthew 28:18, Job 26:6, Psalms 139, Revelation 1:18,
No, I don't believe we're supposed to wear crosses. Leviticus 26:1, nowhere does it say wear a cross, as jewelry. However it does say not to make idols.
Recently I thought, if a person had a friend that was killed by gunshot & had a miraculous recovery. How would he feel, if when he returned to his friends & family, they had an image of the gun or bullet around their neck, to honor him. I would think it would be upsetting to say the least. Wouldn't he say, "your missing the main point." isn't it the life lived?Jesus himself being the example of a loving life, helping others in need? & the hope & promise of resurrection. John 5:21-29, 1Corinthians 15:42-58, John 11:25, Ecclesiastes 5:15, 1Timothy 6:7,
Bare your cross: Luke 14, looking at context, whole chapter Jesus in doing the better thing by healing, suffered rejection, hate, wrongful judgement.
A cross is painful, it's obvious, on view for everyone to see, not something we can hide in our pocket. It causes ridicule & even division. Luke 14:11, Luke 14:12-14, Luke 14:17-20,24, Luke 14:26,27, also Matthew 10, note Matthew 10:36, Matthew 10:17,18, Matthew 10:21, Matthew 10:22, please read in context Matthew 10, Matthew 10:32-42, & Luke 9:22-26, also Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:29-38, Mark 10:14-52,
Philippians 2:1-15, Colossians 1:10-29 ,
Matthew 25:31-46, James 1:5,
Hopefully these are helpful
The Gospels were written after Jesus ascended to heaven but when we read them it is like it was happening as they wrote them. Jesus told them several times what was going to happen to Him, but it was hidden from them, Luke 9:44-45 Luke 18:31-34. We see how they reacted when He was crucified and after He was resurrected, they did not believe the women when they told them Jesus had resurrected Luke 24:9-11.
The disciples believed Jesus the Messiah was going to set up the kingdom then, the gospel of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and being raised from the dead was hidden from them. So, when we read how Peter denied knowing Jesus and the disciples ran away when they arrested Him, this must be considered.
What they were expecting was crumbling in front of them. Their eyes were not opened until first Jesus opened their understanding, Luke 24:44-45 and later a Pentecost with the baptizing of the Holy Spirit.
Just something to think about.
God bless,
RLW
Isaiah 55, = John 6, Matthew 6, Luke 16:13,
Please prayerfully consider these scriptures,
And so Jesus' response to this was, 'leave those matters to those who are concerned with them & who don't wish to follow me and learn of me - but if you're serious, then come follow Me now'. One might think that Jesus was a little hard on this man, but the message was, that time cannot be wasted on matters that others can take care of; and if we procrastinate on important matters now, we might just eventually lose interest in pursuing it altogether. Words matter little - Jesus required action as well - an immediate response, for His time was short.
Interestingly, after studying scripture I've noticed, GOD gave mankind dominion, on Earth. Genesis 1:26,27,28, GOD didn't take that dominion away, people have misused their powers. They/we will all give account: Revelation 1:5-8, Romans 14:12, Daniel 4:3,34, Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 18,
Jesus was here to show us how to bring His Kingdom the Kingdom of GOD on Earth, with Love, John 3:16-21, John 13:34, Romans 12:10, 1John 4:7,12, 1Peter 3:8, John 15:17, James 2:13-17, Luke 13:34,
one day all dominion will go to Christ: 1Corinthians 15:20-28, Romans 16:20,
Galatians 4:1-8, Colossians 3:21,
Matthew 20:25-28, Ephesians 1, (whole chapters) 1Peter 4, Jude 1,
Jesus gave all that believe in him, authority under heaven: from GOD ALMIGHTY: Matthew 28:18-20, Matthew 6, Luke 11, Mark 3:15, Acts 4:30,31, Luke 9:2,
We all have power in the natural if even just to comfort someone else, & as we grow in faith, supernatural power in prayer, through GOD & Christ Jesus our Savior.
Hopefully these are helpful
I agree, "Somethin' ain't right here with the logic." Many have tried to calculate how close we are and only God the Father knows. My understanding of a generation is the average life from birth to death. The 120 years in Genesis was the warning God gave, they had 120 years to repent until the flood came and wiped them all out except the 8.
I assume the generation you are referencing is the one in Matt. 24 Mark 13 Luke 21. My understanding is they have a dual meaning some things are for the future and many things were for then. Jesus said that generation vipers, evil, adulterous, wicked, sinful, faithless, perverse, and "That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation" Matt.23:33-39.
"This generation shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled" is where the division of understanding comes. What did Jesus mean when He said till all be fulfilled? Was it all prophesied up to the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple we see in Daniel 9? Was it all until He returns? Was it part of both? We must remember at the time Jesus told them this they did not even know He was going to be crucified, Mark 16:14 Luke 9:44-45 Luke 18:31-34 Luke 24:6-8 Luke 24:44-45.
Jesus said when you see the abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel, flee Judea. History tells us all the believers in Jesus got that warning and fled to Pella a region across the Jordan river and were saved. Many today place this with saying the antichrist is the he in Dan.9:27, 7-year tribulation, and the rapture of the Church.
Has the 70-week prophecy been fulfilled? How would that change the rapture theory as taught? If we are looking to be taken out before the tribulation and that does not happen, would that be the hour of temptation and the falling away? The seven-year cleanup, could they be the first seven years of the millennium?
God bless,
RLW
James 2:13, Luke 9:58, Matthew 8:20, Luke 2:7, Hebrews 4:15-16
Hopefully this is encouraging
Proverbs 29:2, Revelation 3:10,
Matthew 28:18, Acts 1:8, Matthew 18:18, Mark 16:17-19
Hopefully these are helpful & encouraging & healing to you, that you likewise will help others Matthew 10:8,
Satan himself was created as all things as God desired; origimally as we can see from both Isaiah 14 and Ezekiel 28 as a "Cherubim" and song worship position to glorify God in heaven. He clearly had free will; and also clearly saw spiritual realities so that he chose to rebel after becoming proud; then drew 1/3 of the angels after him ( Rev. 12:4).
God foreknew the need for the adversary for one clear reason; to test His saints as to their loyalties. Job apparently was unaware of the heavenly discussions going on with Satan and God and that Satan was the source of his troubles. Nonetheless; He tested what Satan had accused Job of; namely cursing God when things didn't go well as well as when his body was afflicted with boils.
This testing of character could also be evident when the "thorn in the flesh" that Paul had WAS clear as to its source; nonetheless GSod's grace was sufficient and He was NOT granted the healing he prayed for 3 times. ( 2 Cor. 12:7-10).
Secondly; it is necessary to lay down our lives sacrificially for the Lord or "carry our crosses daily." ( Luke 9:23). God used Satan to bring forth the "son of Perdition" with Judas Iscariot ( John 17:12 prophesied in Psalms 109:8 and elsewhere); as well as testing Peter in Matthew 16:23. Since Satan has been granted temporary authority in this world; He has been allowed both with false doctrines and outward persecution to test the saints; and ultimately; of course the Antichrist will be used when the whole world goes through its trial ( Rev. 3:10). As God draws all men to Himself (that are His sheep); He uses Satan as a "dragnet" to draw the whole world to eventually fight Christ ( Psalm 2; Rev. 19) as well as take the Mark of the Beast and worship him.
Rewards for the saints; therefore are procured through a conflict and resistance. Spiritual warfare is where victories are won.
My understanding, Jesus coming, the Messiah/Christ was not a secret, Daniel 9:25 prophesied when He would come. Jesus came to fulfill the prophets and the law, and when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus, and Jesus was filled without measure, John 3:34.
John the Baptist proclaimed it, John 1:34 and His disciples did as well, John 1:41 Jesus told the woman at the well He was the Messiah, John 25:25-26 and Martha John 11:27. It was confirmed by all the miracles Jesus did by the Spirit of God, Matt. 12:28 the kingdom of God has come, but the death and resurrection were, at that time a secret/mystery, Rom. 11:25.
The kingdom of God has come, John said it was at hand, Matt. 3:1-2. After John was put in prison Jesus came preaching Mark 1:14-15. The mystery of the kingdom; they were looking for the stone to crush Rome and the kingdom would be set up then Daniel 2:44, but it was like the parables of the mustard seed and the yeast Matt. 13, increasing even today until the crushing blow at Jesus second coming.
The disciples knew Jesus was the Messiah/Christ, so I am sure that was part of their preaching, but Jesus' death and resurrection were hidden even from the disciples Luke 9:45. We see how they fled when Jesus was arrested, Matt. 26:56, and they did not believe He resurrected Mark 16:10-11 Luke 23:10-11 it was hidden from them for if Satan had known the results, he would have tried to stop it.
Jesus spoke mainly to the Pharisees and Sadducees in parables to fulfill the prophecy, Matt. 13:10-15 Mark 4:10-13 Luke 8:10. The mystery was not revealed until after Jesus was resurrected as Jesus told them the Holy Spirit would bring remembrance and teaching to them John 14:26 John 16:3-4 Romans 11:25 Romans 16:25 the promise to Abraham Genesis 17:4-7 and that seed was Jesus the Messiah/Christ.
This is my understanding may someone else have another, pray and study for your understanding.
God bless,
RLW
in 9:2, Jesus sends them out to "preach the kingdom of God"
in 9:21, Jesus "commanded them to tell no man that thing"
My question is, what are they preaching in 9:2? It doesn't seem like he sent them out to proclaim Jesus as the Messiah or Christ, because that's apparently a secret at that time - so what was their message?
I understand why it's a secret in 9:21...
Genesis 3, Also a Spiritual death, that happened immediately, the results of which were immediate fear, instead of trust to their creator. Feeling naked before GOD, & man etc. Matthew 8:22, Luke 9:60, Romans 5:12-21,
Eternal life, reference too Psalms 82,
Hopefully this is helpful
Let's take it from verse 56 to get the context.
Luke 9:56-62.
For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.
And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.
And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house.
And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
The people of the world are those whom the Savior describes here as the (spiritually) dead who should bury the (physically) dead. Let people, He says, who are not interested in My work, and who are "dead in sin" ( Ephesians 2:1), take care of the dead. Your duty is now to follow Me.
Some hold the view that the man's father has not died yet and what the man is saying let me go take care of my father until he dies, being he was the first born.
"Jesus I will follow you but first let me stay with my father, until he dies. I am not sure how long that will take but once that happens then I will bury him. When that is done then I will come and follow you."
Also, this man may have been consideringhis inheritance. It's possible this man was waiting to claim his inheritance from his father. So, he wasn't just saying he wanted to wait until his father died. He was also saying - Lord I have some inheritance coming to me and I want to secure my financial future. Once that happens, I will be ready and at that time I will come and follow you. It was a matter of priority.
I hope this helps.
God bless.
In Luke 9:60, Jesus said, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.
He wouldn't even let him bury his father. That is kind of tough! Well, we know from the scriptures, in Deuteronomy 21:23, it tells us that once a person died, they had to be buried before sunset, on the day of the death.
So if this man's father had already died, he would not be out listening to the teachings of Jesus. He would be attending the funeral and burying his father.
But rather, as Matthew's account tells us, that the phrase itself in the Greek text represents the Hebraism, that basically it says "let me go back until my father dies so I get my inheritance."
You see, in those days you stayed around the house. And when the father died, then you took over. You took over the business, and you took over the estate.
And what he is saying is "I'm really not free to leave. I have got some financial interests that I cannot leave. You see if I leave now, I leave all my inheritance, and so I can't do that!"
Please notice what's happening here. Jesus is fixed towards Jerusalem. He is telling the disciples that you get fixed on Jesus and you follow Him.
But look at all the things that challenge that relationship. You have got conveniences. It's like, "Gee, I have waited my whole life to get the inheritance from my father, and now Jesus is asking me to follow Him, and if I do I am going to lose all that inheritance."
Yup! Let the spiritual dead bury their own dead. You go preach the Kingdom.
But yes, there are verses supporting avoiding people and avoiding trouble. Jesus fled to avoid being arrested/beaten, before it was His time. He left people to be alone to pray. He said He wasn't respected in His own town with His own family. It says this about not being welcomed: Luke 9:5. It says avoid foolish arguments Titus 3:9-11 and avoid divisive people or heretics. It says this specifically about Christians ( Matthew 18:16-17) when confronting about an issue like sin. So it seems the answer is it depends.
Found this page too which might have more verses: Link God bless.
Luke 9:17
17 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
Mark 17:18
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Mark 1:11, context Mark 1, Luke 3:22, 2Peter 1:16-18, 1st hand account, witnessed
Also, Luke 9:34 context Luke 9:27-36, Mark 9:7, context Mark 9, Matthew 17:5, context Matthew 17, Luke 3,
Romans 8, 1John 4:15, Galatians 4:7, 1John 5:10,13,20,
Hopefully these are helpful
I believe you are correctly stating, here are scriptures to back that up: Matthew 18, Matthew 18:2-4, Mark 9:36,37, Mark 10:13-16, Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 9:46-48, Luke 18:17,
Hopefully these help
1Corinthians 6:9-11,
Hopefully these are helpful
My comment is that salvation is conditional whether people believe it or not, because its what the Bible says. It's full of calls to action and challenging us to change our behavior. Most people will not be saved Matthew 7:13. Salvation is with grace but is only for believers/followers- a choice that each person must make. One way to summarize this action appears to be genuine belief and faith in Jesus Christ. John 3:16. That is an action and choice.
So, if someone does not believe, one can presume the unbeliever will not be saved. This already "offends" a lot of people, because some want to justify themselves in their own mind while doing the bare minimum they assume God wants. Some have been deceived into believing obeying God is "bad." But believing is only one of many action verbs the Bible challenges us to do. Other actions fall under this category of genuine active belief and following Jesus too. All these verses in the Bible are true and are equally important. Some like to cherry pick one, but ignore others and assume they don't apply, but they all apply and are true and are God's word.
believe:
John 3:16
follow Jesus:
John 8:12
deny himself:
Luke 9:23
confess:
Romans 10:9
faith:
Ephesians 2:8
hearing:
Romans 10:17
repent and be baptized:
Acts 2:38
keep commandments:
John 15:10
love:
Matthew 22:37-40
There are many more. Some falsely assume by obeying God they are doing 'works' and that is 'bad', therefore, obeying God is 'bad'. No, that's not what the Bible says, and obeying doesn't mean you're saved by works or that people who obey believe that.
My last comment is that James and Paul are consistent. Some assume Paul was anti-works, but only if you cherry pick a few verses and ignore large parts of his book can that conclusion be drawn. Paul was very much pro-obedience as the following verses demonstrate:
Romans 2:9-10
1 Peter 1:5
1 Cor 9:24-27
Hebrews 6:4-6
Galatians 5:1-4
2 Timothy 2:10
Hebrews 10:26
2 Corinthians 5:10
Acts 1:9 ....and he was taken up; and a CLOUD received him (Christ the GLORIFIED BODY out of their sight;
INTO MAN: his BODY).
Christ was taken into (NEW) heaven: MAN the BODY of CHRIST.
The CLOUD: the Glory and Presence of God ABIDING in, and on, God's temple.
Exodus 40:38 For the CLOUD of the Lord was upon the tabernacle (temple of God) by day, and FIRE (Hebrew 12:29) by night .....
2 Corinthians 6:16 ....for ye are the temple of the LIVING GOD ......
Colossians 1:27 ....this MYSTERY .....Christ in you .... HIS BODY .....HIS TEMPLE .....HIS LIFE ....HIS TRUTH...
Romans 8:29 .... to be CONFORMED (by the NEW BIRTH) to the IMAGE OF CHRIST ....
2 Corinthians 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the eyes of them WHICH BELIEVE NOT, lest the light of the GLORIOUS GOSPEL, should shine unto them.
Psalms 82:6 I (the word) have SAID; ye are gods, the children of the most high.
John 10:34 Jesus answered them, IS IT NOT WRITTEN in your law, Ye are gods?
John 10:35 If he called them gods, TO WHOM the WORD of God CAME, the scripture CANNOT be broken.
Luke 9:23 .... If any man will come after me (the second coming of Christ: IN YOU) let him will DENY HIMSELF and take up his cross (first death) and follow ME (I AM the resurrection).
Ephesians 4:4 ...ONE Spirit (the Father) ....ONE Body (Man) ......
Christ the firstborn among many BRETHREN (the image of Christ).
God Bless you (the body Christ).
An example can be found in Luke 4:2-4
2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
3 And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.
4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
Plus, a lot of our difficulties arise from unconfessed sin and not doing God's will. We all have pet sins.
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Search your heart, confess your sins to God, and repent--turn away from them.
Psalms 139:23, 24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm 25:4 Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Galatians 5:22-24 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
When we see the prophecy of Agabus in Acts 11; we see evidence of a Word given by an unknown saint to the church as to events soon to come. An individual word of knowledge came to Paul as to what would happen when he went to Jerusalem in Acts 21. These two examples show that most prophecy has unpleasant ramifications whether it if for a nation; individual or group of people. Comparison with today's prosperity gospel type of messages there is little or no scriptural precedence for "declared" blessings of financial success. The irony is that tends to eliminate the TRUE messages of God's promotion of certain individuals for unique ministries and great works for the Kingdom of God. When the successful saint is seen to have promotion; wealth and privileges in this world the verse about what is "highly exalted among men is an abomination to God" ( Luke 16:15).
Try telling Christ who had "no place to lay His head" ( Luke 9:58); or the disciples who said they had given up all things to follow Him ( Luke 18:28); or Christ telling others that it was harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven than a camel to go through the eye of a needle ( Matthew 19:23).
Another part of the problem is that people don't trust that God works good through all things for those who love God ( Romans 8:28). This could signify personal trials; or those affecting the nations of the world (war; famine; pestilence); and even the great multitude of the Tribulation are the fruit of the crucible God has placed to test all those who dwell on the earth ( Rev. 3:10).
I believe that any TRULY Born Again individual can do great things; and has time perhaps to do even greater things than Jesus in some sense ( John 14:12-14). This could only refer to the same Holy Spirit working quantitatively in a lifetime more than Jesus had time to do in 3.5 years of ministry, and primarily sign and wonder miracles were meant for the Apostles.
And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.
Then again there are two witnesses. I went back to Matthew, Mark, Luke, for they mostly say the same thing, but Luke elaborated more.
Luke 9:30-33
And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.
And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. I do not know for sure about Malachi 4:5 message yet. We will pray for God to reveal His message. Thank you.
the Lord meaning.. Yhvh = translated, The proper name of GOD of Israel = Eternal 2. Jehovah 'Jewish name'
Earth = earth, land, nations, wilderness, world,
Exodus 9:29,
1Corinthians 10:26 "For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.'' the Lord's meaning 1. Supreme in authority, 2. Controller 3. supremacy, master,
Chris gave you great scripture but I want to point to the bigger more complete picture.
Ephesians 6:12, world = aion translated = an age, 1Corinthians 2:6, 1Corinthians 1:20,
John 15:19, meaning translated = kosmos= orderly arrangement, 2. The world including it's inhabitants, John 3:15-17, 1Corinthians 7:31,
John 1:10, 1John 2:16, Proverbs 29:2,
1John 5:4, John 16:33, 1Corinthians 15:24-28, John 17, 1John 3:10-16, John 9:5, 1Corinthians 6:2, Genesis 1:28, Luke 22:25-30, Matthew 10:8, Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 9:1-2, Luke 10:9, Mark 16:15-19
2Peter 3:13, Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21, Ephesians 6:10-18
Hopefully these are helpful in deeper understanding, you can also pray for wisdom, James 1:5,
Luke 16:22-31,
I guess my question is why?
Jesus has all authority: Luke 12:5, Luke 9:1, Mark 1:27, 1Corinthians 15:24, Matthew 28:18, Job 26:6, Psalms 139, Revelation 1:18,
Revelation 20, 2Peter 2:4,
Let's not divide over these issues, James 3:6,
Hopefully these are helpful in your study