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banana-with-a-bow-tie · 4 years ago

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The purpose of this post is not to argue that Biden was, or was not, fraudulently elected in the 2020 president election, but to keep a biblical perspective.

Sources report that 47% of American voters believe that large-scale fraud handed the election to Biden/Harris. Nevertheless, 49% say that fraud was unlikely. A recent NPR/Ipsos poll reported that 67% of Republicans and 11% of Democrats surveyed believe that voter fraud gave Biden election. However, the same survey showed that 19% of Republicans and 85% of Democrats disagree. In either case, dozens of millions of voters believe that there was fraud, and dozens of millions believe that there was not. Numbers do not prove whether or not it happened. The point here is that a huge swath of the US population believes that voter fraud helped usher in the next president.

It’s likely that someone you sing next to in church believes that there is ample evidence of fraud, and is grieved about it. Disdaining them as crazy conspiracists is not the best approach (cf. 1 Cor. 13:4-7, Col. 3:12-17). After all, if you’re a Christian, you believe that a peasant Hebrew crucified as a vile criminal will one day appear in the sky standing on clouds.

So for those who do feel that there was fraud, what would Scripture suggest you do? Even if there was, here are a few considerations from God’s word on the issue.

God is sovereign over unrighteousness

“In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider— God has made the one as well as the other So that man will not discover anything that will be after him” (Eccles. 7:14).

Though he is not pleased with it, God is sovereign over all sin. If there was fraud, though it would grieve God, he is sovereign over it. God remains in control even in the most wretched times (Lam. 3:37-38). He was sovereign over the wretched rule of Egypt (Exod. 2:23-25), the wicked rule of Israel’s enemies in Judges (Judg. 2:14), the evil of the Assyrian deportation (2 Kings 17), the wickedness of the Babylonian exile (2 Kings 25), the unrighteousness of Herod and the Romans (Matt. 2:15), and he was even sovereign over the treacherous treatment of His own Son: “this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death” (Acts 2:23). Despite all of this evil—often committed by governing authorities—God was never de-sovereigned by it.

“His sovereignty rules over all” (Ps. 103:19).

2. The Lord is still on the throne

No evil agenda, large or small, has ever successfully removed God from his throne. And evil men and nations have tried. They’ve done everything in their power, with satanic and demonic reinforcements, to dethrone God. It hasn’t happened and it never will (Ps. 93:1-5). The permanence of the Lord’s position on the throne of the universe is laughably unthreatened by even the greatest evils of man.

“The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 ‘Let us tear their fetters apart and cast away their cords from us!’ 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs, the Lord scoffs at them” (Ps. 2:2-4).

The sovereign, supreme rule of the God of the Bible is no more threatened by unrighteous doings and agendas of earthly rulers than his rule is threatened by a cockroach coughing in a Los Angeles sewer.

“The Lord reigns, let the peoples tremble; He is enthroned above the cherubim, let the earth shake!” (Ps. 99:1).

3. God will use unrighteousness for good

One of the ways that God proves he is sovereign is by orchestrating evil for good. We have history to prove that: Joseph’s suffering and saving a nation (Gen. 50:20), Pharaoh housing the messianic nation and its growth, the cross of Jesus Christ, and countless examples since then. Throughout history, God has masterfully moved the evil of man and government to accomplish his purposes, the greatest of which was the cross. Jesus was the recipient of unprecedented civil corruption, and God did a pretty decent job at ensuring that worked out well. We might not see how God orchestrates evil for good this side of heaven, but he’ll take care of it (Rom. 8:28). God is trustworthy.

4. Jesus is still building his church

The church has survived the harshest storms wicked men have to offer. She was birthed into the Roman Empire, who actively opposed her existence. Despite three centuries therein of persecution, her growth continued. Satan and his world have always hated and resisted the church. Even so, she has spread from Israel, to the Roman Empire through the Apostles, and to places like Africa through the Ethiopian Euncuh, the New Hebrides through John Paton, Burma through Adoniram Judson, China through Hudson Taylor, the middle east through Samuel Zwemer, and the list goes on. It’s almost like unrighteous circumstances helps the church thrive. Whatever the case, the church will never die out because Christ builds it (Matt. 16:18).

5. We are still to be about the kingdom of God

Unregenerate enemies attempted several times to distract Nehemiah and God’s people from sticking to the essential task of rebuilding the wall (Neh. 6:4). What they did was wicked. But Nehemiah and crew stuck to the main thing (Neh. 6:3-9).

In these New Covenant days, there are no less enemies and distractions that seek to pull us down from the wall. But we must keep the main thing the main thing. The kingdom of God is that thing. Regardless of what happens, our sovereign God would have us give ourselves completely to involvement in our local churches, godliness, disciple-making, prayer, love, and the word. Let us not get down from the wall (1 Cor. 15:58).

6. God will uphold justice perfectly

God is a perfect, omniscient God. Nothing escapes his notice. He is perfectly good, too, which means evil will not prevail. Regardless what someone appears to get away with, they will stand before God in the judgment (Rom. 12:17-21, Rev. 20:11-15).

7. We are all liars and sinners

An election fraud allegation is to say that lying occurred; massive, consequential lying. Among the list of things God hates, lying is mentioned twice (Prov. 6:16-19). However, people are lying every day; politicians, employers, employees, nobodies, and neighbors. Everyone lies. Lying can no more be separated from humans than their shadow. “Let God be true and every man a liar” (Rom. 3:4). That means we, too, have lied. No one is exempt. God is the only One who has never lied nor will ever.

Our lies may not be as socially consequential as others, but God is the one we stand before. On top of being liars, we are all atrociously unholy before the holy God of the universe (Rom. 3:10-19). This God requires perfection (Matt. 5:48). So, we have nothing to offer God except wickedness and weakness in and of ourselves. Due to our nature and doings, we stand guilty and unacceptable before God. Since we have all sinned against a holy God, an individual who never orchestrated widespread voter fraud deserves to spend eternity in the same hell as someone who did (Rom. 2:1-5).

8. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the grave

However, God did not leave us to ourselves. Moved by his own compassion on sinners, and not because of anything good or righteous in us, God looked upon us with pity (Rom. 3:10-12, Eph. 1:3-6). Incredibly, our offenses against God in thought, word, nature, and deed did not move him to justly boot us all into hell. No, far from it. He radically humbled himself by joining human nature to himself and was born a baby (Phil. 2:5-7). Though he deserved unceasing worship from every human, Jesus received scorn, hate, and a humiliating and brutal crucifixion (Phil. 2:8). He received all of this on purpose in obedience to his Father’s plan to atone for the sin of his people (John 10:18). Though thoroughly sinful, Jesus so loved his people that he referred to them as, “My sheep” (John 10:26-27). Jesus then rose from the grave victorious, validating his saving work for his sheep. This is a great love, indeed. And it has everything to do with those struggling with the unrighteousness around them: we’ve all sinned, Jesus died and rose for us, and our greatest need has been met.

9. We are to pray

As every human nation and government will be filled with unrighteousness, God now calls his people to pray.

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).

We are to pray for so many encouraging reasons: God hears (Ps. 65:2), God answers and works through prayer (1 Sam. 1:10-11, John 15:7), we are commanded to (1 Tim. 2:1-2), it shows that we are depending on our sovereign God (Luke 11:8), and it is an act of worship whereby God brings glory to himself (Rev. 8:3). If we find ourselves in the rut of angst at times, let us pray. We are to pray and pray and pray, and not lose heart (Luke 11:5-8, 18:1-8; Thess. 5:17).

10. Heaven will be great

Jesus often mentioned that we are to live for our permanent, future, unseen, and eternal home with him and all the redeemed (Matt. 16:24-27). While being present and prayerful, this world is passing, visible, dying, and temporal (1 John 2:17).

In heaven, there will be no voter fraud. They’ll be no voting, for that matter. Why should there be? The forever King will be the single most loving, wise, righteous, just, and perfect Individual in the universe, the blessed Lord Jesus Christ (Isa. 9:6-7, John 1:17, Phil. 2:8-11).

“And the Lord will be king over all the earth; in that day the Lord will be the only one, and His name the only one” (Zech. 14:9).

Of course, more could be said here. As God’s people, we are abundantly furnished with what we need to face these rocky times in a manner pleasing to him. Whatever happens, may the Lord’s church abound in faithfulness and fruitfulness.

#long post #but an important one

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claudinei-de-jesus · 4 years ago

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The nature of sin

What is sin? The Bible uses a variety of terms to express moral evil, which explain something of its nature. A study of these terms, in the Hebrew and Greek originals, will provide the biblical definition of sin.

1. The teaching of the Old Testament.

The Sin Considered - The different Hebrew words describe sin operating in the following spheres:

(a) In the moral sphere. The words used to express sin in this sphere are as follows:

1) The most commonly used word for sin means "to miss the mark". It brings together the following ideas: (1) Missing the target, like an archer who shoots but misses, in the same way, the sinner misses the ultimate goal of life. (2) To err the way, like a traveler who goes out of the right way. (3) To be found wanting when weighed in the balance of God. In Gen. 4: 7, where the word is mentioned for the first time, sin is personified as a ferocious beast ready to launch itself on whoever gives it occasion.

2) Another word literally means "tortuosity", and is often translated as "wickedness". It is, therefore, the opposite of righteousness, which literally means what is straight or according to a straight ideal.

3) Another common expression that translates to "evil", expresses the thought of violence or infraction, and describes the man who violates or violates the law of God.

(b) In the sphere of fraternal conduct. The word used to determine sin in this sphere, means violence or hurtful conduct. (Gen. 6:11; Ezeq. 7:23; Prov. 16:29.) By excluding the restriction from the law, man mistreats and oppresses his fellow men.

(c) In the sphere of holiness. The words used to describe sin in this sphere imply that the offender has enjoyed the relationship with God. The entire Israelite nation was constituted in "a kingdom of priests", each member considered to be in contact with God and his holy tabernacle. Therefore, each Israelite was holy, that is, set apart for God, and all his activity and sphere of life were regulated by the Law of Holiness.

Things outside of that law were "profane" (as opposed to saints), and what participated in them became "unclean" or contaminated. (Lev. 11:24, 27, 31, 33, 39.) If he persisted in desecration, he was considered an irreligious or profane person. (Lev. 21:14; Heb. 12:16.) If he rebelled and deliberately repudiated the jurisdiction of the law of holiness, he was considered a "transgressor." (Ps. 37:38; 51:13; Isa. 53:12.) If he continued in this latter way, he was judged as a criminal, and such were the tax collectors, in the opinion of the contemporaries of our Lord Jesus.

(d) In the realm of truth. The words that describe sin in this sphere emphasize the useless and fraudulent element of sin. Sinners speak and treat falsely (Ps. 58: 3; Isa. 28:15), falsely represent and bear false witness (Ex. 20:16; Ps. 119: 128; Prov. 19: 5, 9). Such activity is "vanity" (Ps. 12: 2; 24: 4; 41: 6), that is, empty and worthless. The first sinner was a liar (John 8:44); the first sin started with a lie (Gen. 3: 4); and every sin contains the element of deception (Heb. 3:13).

(e) In the sphere of wisdom. Men behave impiously because they do not think or do not want to think correctly; they do not run their lives according to the will of God, whether through carelessness or through deliberate ignorance.

1) Many exhortations are addressed to the "simple" (Prov. 1: 4, 22; 8: 5). This word describes the natural man, who has not developed, either in the direction of good or evil; without fixed principles, but with a natural inclination towards evil, which can be used to seduce you. It lacks firmness and a moral foundation; he hears but forgets; therefore, it is easily led to sin. (See Mat. 7:26.)

2) We often read about these "misunderstandings" (Prov. 7: 7; 9: 4), that is, those who, due to lack of understanding, rather than sinful propensity, are victims of sin. Lack of wisdom, they are led to express rash judgments about divine providence and things beyond their understanding. In this way, they precipitate impiety. Both this class and the "simple" ones are inexcusable because the Scriptures present the Lord freely offering - yes, pleading with them to accept (Prov. 8: 1-10) - what will make them wise for salvation.

3) The word often translated "foolish" (Prov. 15:20), describes a person capable of doing good, yet he is bound by the things of the flesh and is easily led to sin by his carnal inclinations. Do not discipline yourself or guide your tendencies according to divine laws.

4) The "scorner" (Ps. 1: 1; Prov. 14: 6) is the wicked man who justifies his wickedness with rational arguments against the existence or reality of God, and against spiritual things in general. Thus, "scorner" is the Old Testament word equivalent to our modern word "infidel", and the expression "scorner wheel" probably refers to the local society of the infidels.

2. The teaching of the New Testament.

The New Testament describes sin as:

(a) Missing the mark, which expresses the same idea as the well-known Old Testament word.

(b) Debt. (Matt. 6:12.) Man owes (the word "must" comes from debt) to God for keeping his commandments; every sin committed is a debt. Unable to pay it, man's only hope is to be forgiven, or to obtain debt relief.

(c) Disorder. "Sin is iniquity" (literally "disorder", 1 John 3: 4). The sinner is a rebel and an idolater because he deliberately breaks a commandment by choosing his own will instead of choosing the will of God; even worse, it is becoming a law for itself and thus making the self a deity. Sin began in the heart of that exalted angel who said, "I will do", as opposed to the will of God. (Isa. 14:13, 14). The antichrist is prominently "the lawless" (literal translation of "wicked"), because he exalts himself over everything that is worshiped or that is called God. (2 Thess. 2: 4-9.) Sin is essentially obstinacy and obstinacy is essentially sin. Sin would dethrone God; sin would murder God. On the Cross of the Son of God, these words could have been written: "Sin did this!"

(d) Disobedience, literally, "listening badly"; listening with a lack of attention. (Heb. 2: 2.) "See then how you hear" (Luke 8:18.)

(e) Transgression, literally, "going over the limit" (Rom. 4:15). God's commandments are fences, so to speak, that prevent man from entering dangerous territory and thereby suffering damage to his soul.

(f) Fall, or lack, or fall to one side (Eph. 1: 7) in Greek, hence the familiar expression, fall into sin. To sin is to fall from a pattern of conduct.

(g) Defeat is the literal meaning of the word "fall" in Rom. 11:12. In rejecting Christ, the Jewish nation suffered defeat and lost God's purpose.

(h) Wickedness, from a word that means "without worship, or reverence". (Rom. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:16.) The wicked man is the one who gives little or no importance to God and sacred things. These do not produce any feeling of awe and reverence in him. He is without God because he doesn't want to know about God.

(i) Error (Heb. 9: 7) Describes those sins committed as the result of ignorance, and in this way they differ from those sins committed presumptuously, despite the illuminating light. The man who defiantly decides to do evil, incurs a greater degree of guilt than the one who is caught short, which was taken away by his weakness. ..A natureza do pecado

Que é pecado? A Bíblia usa uma variedade de termos para expressar o mal de ordem moral, os quais nos explicam algo de sua natureza. Um estudo esses termos, nos originais hebraico e grego, proporcionará uma definição bíblica do pecado.

1. O ensino do Antigo Testamento.

O pecado considerado - As diferentes palavras hebraicas descrição o pecado operando nas seguintes esferas:

(a) Moral da esfera. As palavras usadas para expressar o pecado nesta esfera são as seguintes:

1) A palavra mais usada para o pecado significa "errar o alvo". Reúne as seguintes idéias: (1) Errar o alvo, como um arqueiro que atira mas erra, do mesmo modo, o pecador erra o alvo final da vida. (2) Errar o caminho, como um viajante que sai do caminho certo. (3) Ser achado em falta ao ser pesado na balança de Deus. Em Gên. 4: 7, onde a palavra é mencionada pela primeira vez, o pecado é personificado como uma besta feroz pronta para lançar-se sobre quem lhe der ocasião.

2) Outra palavra significa literalmente "tortuosidade", e é muitas vezes traduzida por "perversidade". É, pois, o contrário de retidão, que significa literalmente, o que é reto ou conforme um ideal reto.

3) Outra expressão comum que se traduz por "mal", exprime o pensamento de violência ou infração, e ensaio o homem que infringe ou viola a lei de Deus.

(b) Na esfera da conduta fraterna. A palavra usada para determinar o pecado nesta esfera, significa violência ou conduta injuriosa. (Gên. 6:11; Eze. 7:23; Prov. 16:29.) Ao excluir a restrição da lei, o homem maltrata e oprime seus semelhantes.

(c) Na esfera da santidade. As palavras usadas para descrever o pecado nesta esfera implicam que o ofensor usufruiu da relação com Deus. Toda a nação israelita foi avaliada em "um reino de sacerdotes", cada membro considerado como considerado em contato com Deus e seu santo tabernáculo. Portanto, cada israelita era santo, isto é, separado para Deus, e toda a atividade e esfera de sua vida estavam reguladas pela Lei da Santidade.

As coisas fora dessa lei eram "profanas", e o que participava delas se tornava "imundo" ou contaminado. (Lev. 11:24, 27, 31, 33, 39.) Se persistisse na profanação, era considerada uma pessoa irreligiosa ou profana. (Lev. 21:14; Heb. 12:16.) Se acaso se rebelasse e deliberadamente repudiasse a jurisdição da lei da santidade, era considerado "transgressor". (Sal. 37:38; 51:13; Isa. 53:12.) Se prosseguia neste último caminho, era julgado como criminoso, e tais eram os publicanos, na opinião dos contemporâneos do nosso Senhor Jesus.

(d) Na esfera da verdade. As palavras que descrevem o pecado nesta esfera ênfase ao inútil e fraudulento elemento do pecado. Os pecadores falam e tratam falsamente (Sal. 58: 3; Is 28:15), representam falsamente e dão falso testemunho (Êxo. 20:16; Sal. 119: 128; Prov. 19: 5, 9). Tal atividade é "vaidade" (Sal. 12: 2; 24: 4; 41: 6), isto é, vazia e sem valor. O primeiro pecador foi um mentiroso (João 8:44); o primeiro pecado começou com uma mentira (Gên. 3: 4); e todo pecado contém o elemento do engano (Hb 3:13).

(e) Na esfera da sabedoria. Os homens se portam impiamente porque não pensam ou não querem pensar corretamente; não dirigem suas vidas de acordo com a vontade de Deus, seja por descuido ou por deliberada ignorância.

1) Muitas exortações são dirigidas aos "simples" (Prov. 1: 4, 22; 8: 5). Essa palavra conhecimentos o homem natural, que não se desenvolve, quer na direção do bem, quer do mal; sem princípios fixos, mas com uma grande inclinação natural para o mal, a qual pode ser usada a fim de seduzi-lo. Falta-lhe firmeza e fundamento moral; ele ouve mas esquece; portanto, é facilmente conduzido ao pecado. (Vídeo Mat. 7:26.)

2) Muitas vezes lemos acerca desses "faltos de entendimento" (Prov. 7: 7; 9: 4), isto é, aqueles que por falta de entendimento, mais do que por propensão pecaminosa, são vitimas do pecado. Faltos de sabedoria, são conduzidos a expressar precipitados juízos acerca da providência divina e das coisas além da compreensão. Desse modo precipitam-se na impiedade. Tanto essa classe, como os "simples", são indesculpáveis porque as Escrituras apresentam o Senhor oferecendo gratuitamente - sim, rogando- lhes que aceitem (Prov. 8: 1-10) - aquilo que os faz sábios para a salvação.

3) A palavra correta traduzida "insensato" (Prov. 15:20), qualificado uma pessoa capaz de fazer o bem, contudo está presa às coisas da carne e facilmente é conduzida ao pecado pelas suas inclinações carnais. Não se disciplina a mesma mesma nem guia como suas tendências de acordo com as leis divinas.

4) O "escarnecedor" (Sal. 1: 1; Prov. 14: 6) é o homem ímpio que justifica sua impiedade com argumentos racionais contra a existência ou realidade de Deus, e contra as coisas espirituais em geral. Assim, "escarnecedor" é a palavra do Antigo Testamento equivalente à nossa moderna palavra "infiel", e uma expressão "roda dos escarnecedores" provavelmente se faz referência à sociedade local dos infiéis.

2. O ensino do Novo Testamento.

O Novo Testamento lições o pecado como:

(a) Erro do alvo, que expressa a mesma idéia que a conhecida palavra do Antigo Testamento.

(b) Dívida. (Mat. 6:12.) O homem deve (a palavra "deve" vem de dívida) a Deus a guarda dos seus mandamentos; todo pecado cometido é contração de uma dívida. Incapaz de pagá-la, a única esperança do homem é ser perdoado, ou obter remissão da dívida.

(c) Desordem. “O pecado é iniqüidade” (literalmente “desordem”, 1 João 3: 4). O pecador é um rebelde e um idólatra porque deliberadamente quebra um mandamento, ao escolher sua própria vontade em vez de escolher a vontade de Deus; pior ainda, ta se convertendo em lei para si mesmo e, dessa maneira, fazendo eu uma divindade. O pecado começou no coração daquele exaltado anjo que disse: "Eu farei", em escolha à vontade de Deus. (Isa. 14:13, 14). O anticristo é proeminentemente "o sem-lei" (tradução literal de "iníquo"), porque se exalta a si mesmo sobre tudo que é adorado ou que é chamado Deus. (2 Tess. 2: 4-9.) O pecado é essencialmente obstinação e obstinação é essencialmente pecado. O pecado destronaria a Deus; o pecado assassinaria Deus. Na Cruz do Filho de Deus, poderia ter sido escritas estas palavras: "O pecado fez isto!"

(d) Desobediência, literalmente, "ouvir mal"; ouvir com falta de atenção. (Heb. 2: 2.) "Vede pois como ouvis" (Luc. 8:18.)

(e) Transgressão, literalmente, "ir além do limite" (Rom. 4:15). Os mandamentos de Deus são cercas, por assim dizer, que impedem ao homem entrar em território perigoso e dessa maneira prejuízo para sua alma.

(f) Queda, ou falta, ou cair para um lado (Efés. 1: 7) no grego, donde uma expressão conhecida, cair no pecado. Pecar é cair de um padrão de conduta.

(g) Derrota é o significado literal da palavra "queda" em Rom. 11h12. Ao rejeitar a Cristo, uma nação judaica sofreu uma derrota e perdida a propósito de Deus.

(h) Impiedade, de uma palavra que significa "sem adoração, ou reverência". (Rom. 1:18; 2 Tim. 2:16.) O homem ímpio é o que dá pouca ou nenhuma importância a Deus e às coisas sagradas. Estas não contém nele nenhum sentimento de temor e reverência. Ele está sem Deus porque não quer saber de Deus.

(i) O erro (Heb. 9: 7) Descreve aqueles pecados cometidos como fruto da ignorância, e dessa maneira se diferenciam aqueles pecados cometidos presunçosamente, apesar da luz esclarecedora. O homem que desafiadoramente decide fazer o mal, incorre em maior grau de culpa do que aquele que é apanhado em falta, a que foi levado por sua debilidade.

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confrontingbabble-on · 7 years ago

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How can you say you support the bible?...Have you even read the bible right through...?!?

Just to get you started, here are a few bible problems...created because bible compilers jumbled together every conflicting primitive notion about an unprovable god...they could find... The bible is simply...a book of babble...that has created worldwide chaos...and a deluge of sectarian confusion... God is satisfied with his works, Gen 1:31, God is dissatisfied with his works. Gen 6:6

God dwells in chosen temples, 2 Chron 7:12,16, God dwells not in temples, Acts 7:48

God dwells in light, Tim 6:16 God dwells in darkness, 1-Kings 8:12/ Ps 18:11/ Ps 97:2

God is seen and heard, Ex 33:23/ Ex 33:11/ Gen 3:9,10/ Gen 32:30/ Is 6:1/Ex 24:9-11, God is invisible and cannot be heard, John 1:18/ John 5:37/ Ex 33:20/ 1 Tim 6:16

God is tired and rests, Ex 31:17/ Jer 15:6, God is never tired and never rests, Is 40:28

God is everywhere present, sees and knows all things, Prov 15:3/ Ps 139:7-10/ Job 34:22,21, God is not everywhere present, neither sees nor knows all things, Gen 11:5/ Gen 18:20,21/ Gen 3:8

God knows the hearts of men, Acts 1:24/ Ps 139:2,3 God tries men to find out what is in their heart, Deut 13:3/ Deut 8:2/ Gen 22:12

God is all powerful, Jer 32:27/ Matt 19:26, God is not all powerful, Judg 1:19

God is unchangeable, James 1:17/ Mal 3:6/ Ezek 24:14/ Num 23:19, God is changeable, Gen 6:6/ Jonah 3:10/ 1 Sam 2:30,31/ 2 Kings 20:1,4,5,6/ Ex 33:1,3,17,14

God is just and impartial, Ps 92:15/ Gen 18:25/ Deut 32:4/ Rom 2:11/ Ezek 18:25 God is unjust and partial, Gen 9:25/ Ex 20:5/ Rom 9:11-13/ Matt 13:12

God is the author of evil, Lam 3:38/ Jer 18:11/ Is 45:7/ Amos 3:6/ Ezek 20:25, God is not the author of evil, 1 Cor 14:33/ Deut 32:4/ James 1:13

God gives freely to those who ask, James 1:5/ Luke 11:10, God withholds his blessings and prevents men from receiving them, John 12:40/ Josh 11:20/ Is 63:17

God is to be found by those who seek him, Matt 7:8/ Prov 8:17 God is not to be found by those who seek him, Prov 1:28

God is warlike, Ex 15:3/ Is 51:15 God is peaceful, Rom 15:33/ 1 Cor 14:33

God is cruel, unmerciful, destructive, and ferocious, Jer 13:14/ Deut 7:16/ 1 Sam 15:2,3/ 1 Sam 6:19, God is kind, merciful, and good, James 5:11/ Lam 3:33/ 1 Chron 16:34/ Ezek 18:32/ Ps 145:9/ 1 Tim 2:4/ 1 John 4:16/ Ps 25:8

God's anger is fierce and endures long, Num 32:13/ Num 25:4/ Jer 17:4 God's anger is slow and endures but for a minute, Ps 103:8/ Ps 30:5

God commands, approves of, and delights in burnt offerings, sacrifices ,and holy days, Ex 29:36/ Lev 23:27/ Ex 29:18/ Lev 1:9 God disapproves of and has no pleasure in burnt offerings, sacrifices, and holy days, Jer 7:22/ Jer 6:20/ Ps 50:13,4/ Is 1:13,11,12

God accepts human sacrifices, 2 Sam 21:8,9,14/ Gen 22:2/ Judg 11:30-32,34,38,39 God forbids human sacrifice, Deut 12:30,31

God tempts men, Gen 22:1/ 2 Sam 24:1/ Jer 20:7/ Matt 6:13 God tempts no man, James 1:13

God cannot lie, Heb 6:18 God lies by proxy; he sends forth lying spirits to deceive, 2 Thes 2:11/ 1 Kings 22:23/ Ezek 14:9

Because of man's wickedness, God destroys him, Gen 6:5,7 Because of man's wickedness, God will not destroy him, Gen 8:21

God's attributes are revealed in his works, Rom 1:20 God's attributes cannot be discovered, Job 11:7/ Is 40:28

There is but one God, Deut 6:4 There is a plurality of gods, Gen 1:26/ Gen 3:22/ Gen 18:1-3/ 1 John 5:7Moral Precepts

Robbery commanded, Ex 3:21,22/ Ex 12:35,36, Robbery forbidden, Lev 19:13/ Ex 20:15

Lying approved and sanctioned, Josh 2:4-6/ James 2:25/ Ex 1:18-20/ 1 Kings 22:21,22, Lying forbidden, Ex 20:16/ Prov 12:22/ Rev 21:8

Hatred to the Edomite sanctioned, 2 Kings 14:7,3 Hatred to the Edomite forbidden, Deut 23:7

Killing commandedEx 32:27 Killing forbidden, Ex 20:13

The blood-shedder must die, Gen 9:5,6 The blood-shedder must not die, Gen 4:15

The making of images forbidden, Ex 20:4 The making of images commanded, Ex 25:18,20

Slavery and oppression ordained, Gen 9:25/ Lev 25:45,46/ Joel 3:8 Slavery and oppression forbidden, Is 58:6/ Ex 22:21/ Ex 21:16/ Matt 23:10

Improvidence enjoyed, Matt 6:28,31,34/ Luke 6:30,35/ Luke 12:3 Improvidence condemned, 1 Tim 5:8/ Prov 13:22

Anger approved, Eph 4:26 Anger disapproved, Eccl 7:9/ Prov 22:24/ James 1:20

Good works to be seen of men, Matt 5:16 Good works not to be seen of men, Matt 6:1

Judging of others forbidden, Matt 7:1,2 Judging of others approved, 1 Cor 6:2-4/ 1 Cor 5:12

Christ taught non-resistance, Matt 5:39/ Matt 26:52 Christ taught and practiced physical resistance, Luke 22:36/ John 2:15

Christ warned his followers not to fear being killed, Luke 12:4 Christ himself avoided the Jews for fear of being killed, John 7:1

Public prayer sanctioned, 1 Kings 8:22,54, 9:3 Public prayer disapproved, Matt 6:5,6

Importunity in prayer commended, Luke 18:5,7 Importunity in prayer condemned, Matt 6:7,8

The wearing of long hair by men sanctioned, Judg 13:5/ Num 6:5 The wearing of long hair by men condemned, 1 Cor 11:14

Circumcision instituted, Gen 17:10 Circumcision condemned, Gal 5:2

The Sabbath instituted, Ex 20:8 The Sabbath repudiated, Is 1:13/ Rom 14:5/ Col 2:16

The Sabbath instituted because God rested on the seventh day, Ex 20:11 The Sabbath instituted because God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, Deut 5:15

No work to be done on the Sabbath under penalty of death, Ex 31:15/ Num 15:32,36 Jesus Christ broke the Sabbath and justified his disciples in the same, John 5:16/ Matt 12:1-3,5

Baptism commanded, Matt 28:19 Baptism not commanded, 1 Cor 1:17,14

Every kind of animal allowed for food, Gen 9:3/ 1 Cor 10:25/ Rom 14:14 Certain kinds of animals prohibited for food, Deut 14:7,8

Taking of oaths sanctioned, Num 30:2/ Gen 21:23-24,31/ Gen 31:53/ Heb 6:13 Taking of oaths forbidden, Matt 5:34

Marriage approved, Gen 2:18/ Gen 1:28/ Matt 19:5/ Heb 13:4 Marriage disapproved, 1 Cor 7:1/ 1 Cor 7:7,8

Freedom of divorce permitted, Deut 24:1/ Deut 21:10,11,14 Divorce restricted, Matt 5:32

Adultery forbidden, Ex 20:14/ Heb 13:4 Adultery allowed, Num 31:18/ Hos 1:2; 2:1-3

Marriage or cohabitation with a sister denounced, Deut 27:22/ Lev 20:17 Abraham married his sister and God blessed the union, Gen 20:11,12/ Gen 17:16

A man may marry his brother's widow, Deut 25:5 A man may not marry his brother's widow, Lev 20:21

Hatred to kindred enjoined, Luke 14:26 Hatred to kindred condemned, Eph 6:2/ Eph 5:25,29

Intoxicating beverages recommended, Prov 31:6,7/ 1 Tim 5:23/ Ps 104:15 Intoxicating beverages discountenanced, Prov 20:1/ Prov 23:31,32

It is our duty to obey our rulers, who are God's ministers and punish evil doers only, Rom 13:1-3,6 It is not our duty to obey rulers, who sometimes punish the good and receive unto themselves damnation therefore, Ex 1:17,20/ Dan 3:16,18/ Dan 6:9,7,10/ Acts 4:26,27/ Mark 12:38,39,40/ Luke 23:11,24,33,35

Women's rights denied, Gen 3:16/ 1 Tim 2:12/ 1 Cor 14:34/ 1 Pet 3:6 Women's rights affirmed, Judg 4:4,14,15/ Judg 5:7/ Acts 2:18/ Acts 21:9

Obedience to masters enjoined, Col 3:22,23/ 1 Pet 2:18 Obedience due to God only, Matt 4:10/ 1 Cor 7:23/ Matt 23:10

There is an unpardonable sin, Mark 3:29 There is not unpardonable sin, Acts 13:39,

Man was created after the other animals, Gen 1:25,26,27 Man was created before the other animals, Gen 2:18,19

Seed time and harvest were never to cease, Gen 8:22 Seed time and harvest did cease for seven years, Gen 41:54,56/ Gen 45:6

God hardened Pharaoh's heart, Ex 4:21/ Ed 9:12 Pharaoh hardened his own heart, Ex 8:15

All the cattle and horses in Egypt died, Ex 9:3,6/ 14:9 All the horses of Egypt did not die, Ex 14:9

Moses feared Pharaoh, Ex 2:14,15,23; 4:19 Moses did not fear Pharaoh, Heb 11:27

There died of the plague twenty-four thousand, Num 25:9 There died of the plague, but twenty-three thousand, 1 Cor 10:8

John the Baptist was Elias, Matt 11:14 John the Baptist was not Elias, John 1:21

The father of Joseph, Mary's husband was Jacob, Matt 1:16 The father of Mary's husband was Heli, Luke 3:23

The father of Salah was Arphaxad, Gen 11:12 The father of Salah was Cainan, Luke 3:35,36

There were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, Matt 1:17 There were but thirteen generations from Abraham to David, Matt 1:2-6

There were fourteen generations from the Babylonian captivity to Christ, Matt 1:17 There were but thirteen generations from the Babylonian captivity to Christ, Matt 1:12-16

The infant Christ was taken into Egypt, Matt 2:14,15,19,21,23 The infant Christ was not taken into Egypt, Luke 2:22, 39

Christ was tempted in the wilderness, Mark 1:12,13 Christ was not tempted in the wilderness, John 2:1,2

Christ preached his first sermon on the mount, Matt 5:1,2 Christ preached his first sermon on the plain, Luke 6:17,20

John was in prison when Jesus went into Galilee, Mark 1:14 John was not in prison when Jesus went into Galilee, John 1:43/ John 3:22-24

Christ's disciples were commanded to go forth with a staff and sandals, Mark 6:8,9 Christ's disciples were commanded to go forth with neitherstaffs nor sandals, Matt 10:9,10

A woman of Canaan besought Jesus, Matt 15:22 It was a Greek woman who besought Him, Mark 7:26

Two blind men besought Jesus, Matt 20:30 Only one blind man besought Him, Luke 18:35,38

Christ was crucified at the third hour, Mark 15:25 Christ was not crucified until the sixth hour, John 19:14,15

The two thieves reviled Christ, Matt 27:44/ Mark 15:32 Only one of the thieves reviled Christ, Luke 23:39,40

Satan entered into Judas while at supper, John 13:27 Satan entered into him before the supper, Luke 22:3,4,7

Judas committed suicide by hanging, Matt 27:5 Judas did not hang himself, but died another way, Acts 1:18

The potter's field was purchased by Judas, Acts 1:18 The potter's field was purchased by the Chief Priests, Matt 27:6,7

There was but one woman who came to the sepulchre, John 20:1 There were two women who came to the sepulchre, Matt 28:1

There were three women who came to the sepulchre, Mark 16:1 There were more than three women who came to the sepulchre, Luke 24:10

It was at sunrise when they came to the sepulchre, Mark 16:2 It was some time before sunrise when they came, John 20:1

There were two angels seen by the women at the sepulchre, and they were standing up, Luke 24:4 There was but one angel seen, and he was sitting down, Matt 28:2,5

There were two angels seen within the sepulchre, John 20:11,12 There was but one angel seen within the sepulchre, Mark 16:5

Christ was to be three days and three nights in the grave, Matt 12:40 Christ was but two days and two nights in the grave, Mark 15:25,42,44,45,46; 16:9>

Holy ghost bestowed at pentecost, Acts 1:8,5 Holy ghost bestowed before pentecost, John 20:22

The disciples were commanded immediately after the resurrection to go into Galilee, Matt 28:10 The disciples were commanded immediately after the resurrection to go tarry at Jerusalem, Luke 24:49

Jesus first appeared to the eleven disciples in a room at Jerusalem, Luke 24:33,36,37/ John 20:19 Jesus first appeared to the eleven on a mountain in Galilee, Matt 28:16,17

Christ ascended from Mount Olivet, Acts 1:9,12 Christ ascended from Bethany,Luke 24:50,51

Paul's attendants heard the miraculous voice, and stood speechless, Acts 9:7 Paul's attendants heard not the voice and were prostrate, Acts 26:14

Abraham departed to go into Canaan, Gen 12:5 Abraham went not knowing where, Heb 11:8

Abraham had two sons, Gal 4:22 Abraham had but one son, Heb 11:17

Keturah was Abraham's wife, Gen 25:1 Keturah was Abraham's concubine, 1 Chron 1:32

Abraham begat a son when he was a hundred years old, by the interposition of Providence, Gen 21:2/ Rom 4:19/ Heb 11:12 Abraham begat six children more after he was a hundred years old without any interposition of providence, Gen 25:1,2

Jacob bought a sepulchre from Hamor, Josh 24:32 Abraham bought it of Hamor, Acts 7:16

God promised the land of Canaan to Abraham and his seed forever, Gen 13:14,15,17; 17:8 Abraham and his seed never received the promised land, Acts 7:5/ Heb 11:9,13

Goliath was slain by Elhanan, 2 Sam 21:19 *note, was changed in translation to be correct. Original manuscript was incorrect>The brother of Goliath was slain by Elhanan1 Chron 20:5

Ahaziah began to reign in the twelfth year of Joram, 2 Kings 8:25 Ahaziah began to reign in the eleventh year of Joram, 2 Kings 9:29

Michal had no child, 2 Sam 6:23 Michal had five children, 2 Sam 21:8

David was tempted by the Lord to number Israel, 2 Sam 24:1 David was tempted by Satan to number the people, 1 Chron 21:1

The number of fighting men of Israel was 800,000; and of Judah 500,0002 Sam 24:9 The number of fighting men of Israel was 1,100,000; and of Judah 470,0001 Chron 21:5

David sinned in numbering the people, 2 Sam 24:10 David never sinned, except in the matter of Uriah, 1 Kings 15:5

One of the penalties of David's sin was seven years of famine, 2 Sam 24:13 It was not seven years, but three years of famine, 1 Chron 21:11,12

David took seven hundred horsemen, 2 Sam 8:4 David took seven thousand horsemen, 1 Chron 18:4

David bought a threshing floor for fifty shekels of silver, 2 Sam 24:24 David bought the threshing floor for six hundred shekels of gold, 1 Chron 21:25

David's throne was to endure forever, Ps 89:35-37 David's throne was cast down, Ps 89:44 Speculative Doctrines

Christ is equal with God, John 10:30/ Phil 2:5 Christ is not equal with God, John 14:28/ Matt 24:36

Jesus was all-powerful, Matt 28:18/ John 3:35 Jesus was not all-powerful, Mark 6:5

The law was superseded by the Christian dispensation, Luke 16:16/ Eph 2:15/ Rom 7:6 The law was not superseded by the Christian dispensation, Matt 5:17-19

Christ's mission was peace, Luke 2:13,14 Christ's mission was not peace, Matt 10:34

Christ received not testimony from man, John 5:33,34 Christ did receive testimony from man, John 15:27

Christ's witness of himself is true, John 8:18,14 Christ's witness of himself is not true, John 5:31

Christ laid down his life for his friends, John 15:13/ John 10:11 Christ laid down his life for his enemies, Rom 5:10

It was lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death, John 19:7 It was not lawful for the Jews to put Christ to death, John 18:31

Children are punished for the sins of the parents, Ex 20:5 Children are not punished for the sins of the parents, Ezek 18:20

Man is justified by faith alone, Rom 3:20/ Gal 2:16/ Gal 3:11,12/ Rom 4:2 Man is not justified by faith alone, James 2:21,24/ Rom 2:13

It is impossible to fall from grace, John 10:28/ Rom 8:38,39 It is possible to fall from grace, Ezek 18:24/ Heb 6:4-6, 2 Pet 2:20,21

No man is without sin, 1 Kings 8:46/ Prov 20:9/ Eccl 7:20/ Rom 3:10 Christians are sinless, 1 John 3: 9,6,8

There is to be a resurrection of the dead, 1 Cor 15:52/ Rev 20:12,13/ Luke 20:37/ 1 Cor 15:16 There is to be no resurrection of the dead, Job 7:9/ Eccl 9:5/ Is 26:14

Reward and punishment to be bestowed in this world, Prov 11:31 Reward and punishment to be bestowed in the next world, Rev 20:12/ Matt 16:27/ 2 Cor 5:10

Annihilation the portion of all mankind, Job 3: 11,13-17,19-22/ Eccl 9:5,10/ Eccl 3:19,20 Endless misery the portion of all mankind, Matt 25:46/ Rev 20:10,15/ Rev 14:11/ Dan 12:2

The Earth is to be destroyed, 2 Pet 3:10/ Heb 1:11/ Rev 20:11 The Earth is never to be destroyed, Ps 104:5/ Eccl 1:4

No evil shall happen to the godly, Prov 12:21/ 1 Pet 3:13 Evil does happen to the godly, Heb 12:6/ Job 2:3,7

Worldly good and prosperity are the lot of the godly, Prov 12:21/ Ps 37:28,32,33,37/ Ps 1:1,3/ Gen 39:2/Job 42:12 Worldly misery and destitution the lot of the godlyHeb 11:37,38/ Rev 7:14/ 2 Tim 3:12/ Luke 21:17

Worldly prosperity a reward of righteousness and a blessing, Mark 10:29,30/ Ps 37:25/ Ps 112:1,3/ Job 22:23,24/Prov 15:6 Worldly prosperity a curse and a bar to future reward, Luke 6:20,24/ Matt 6:19,21/ Luke 16:22/ Matt 19:24/Luke 6:24

The Christian yoke is easy, Matt 11:28,29,30 The Christian yoke is not easy, John 16:33/ 2 Tim 3:12/ Heb 12:6,8

The fruit of God's spirit is love and gentleness, Gal 5:22 The fruit of God's spirit is vengeance and fury, Judg 15:14/ 1 Sam 18:10,11

Longevity enjoyed by the wicked, Job 21:7,8/ Ps 17:14/ Eccl 8:12/ Is 65:20 Longevity denied to the wicked, Eccl 8:13/ Ps 55:23/ Prov 10:27/ Job 36:14/ Eccl 7:17

Poverty a blessing, Luke 6:20,24/ Jams 2:5 Riches a blessingProv 10:15/ Job 22:23,24/ Job 42:12 Neither poverty nor riches a blessingProv 30:8,9

Wisdom a source of enjoyment, Prov 3:13,17 Wisdom a source of vexation, grief and sorrow, Eccl 1:17,18

A good name is a blessing, Eccl 7:1/ Prov 22:1 A good name is a curse, Luke 6:26

Laughter commended, Eccl 3:1,4/ Eccl 8:15 Laughter condemned, Luke 6:25/ Eccl 7:3,4

The rod of correction a remedy for foolishness, Prov 22:15 There is no remedy for foolishness, Prov 27:22

A fool should be answered according to his folly, Prov 26:5 A fool should not be answered according to his folly, Prov 26:4

Temptation to be desired, James 1:2 Temptation not to be desired, Matt 6:13

Prophecy is sure, 2 Pet 1:19 Prophecy is not sure, Jer 18:7-10

Man's life was to be one hundred and twenty years, Gen 6:3/ Ps 90:10 Man's life is but seventy years, Ps 90:10 Gen. 9:28 Noah lived to 950 years

The fear of man was to be upon every beast, Gen 9:2 The fear of man is not upon the lion, Prov 30:30

Miracles a proof of divine mission, Matt 11:2-5/ John 3:2/ Ex 14:31 Miracles not a proof of divine mission, Ex 7:10-12/ Deut 13:1-3/ Luke 11:19

Moses was a very meek man, Num 12:3Moses was a very cruel manNum 31:15,17

Elijah went up to heaven, 2 Kings 2:11 None but Christ ever ascended into heaven, John 3:13

All scripture is inspired, 2 Tim 3:16 Some scripture is not inspired, 1 Cor 7:6/ 1 Cor 7:12/ 2 Cor 11:17

Jesus prays to himself, his father which is also him, too?? Jesus and god are supposed to be one and the same, yet he asked on the cross, "My God, My God, Why Has Thou Forsaken Me?1. God being the creator of all things, created Satan and evil, Isaiah 45:7.2. It repented the Lord that he created a man and a woman. Gen. ch. 6 Vs: 6 So this statement shows that God himself made a great mistake. Although, it is not written that it repented God to have made Satan and allowed evil to exist in the first place.3. God rested on the 7th day of creation, damn good thing too, what else was he about to screw up?4. The all knowing God had to ask Adam and Eve where were they, when he was looking for them.5. The 3rd or 4th person to arrive was a murderer, Cain slew Abel and the all knowing God had to ask Cain where was his brother?If I were a god, I would have made sure that Adam and Eve conceived a male and a female to start the multiplication process to begin with instead of two rival brothers, perhaps Abel was gay? Yes/No?6. All people were so wicked that God had to destroy them, but why did God not offer them a plan of salvation, since Jesus was ready and willing to die for everyone's sins? And God already knew that Jesus was going to be born of a virgin some day, right? Oh I know, there were no virgins available at that time....ha ha ha7. Now after thousands of years, God's brain kicks into gear and he's thinking up a plan, a way for peoples sins to be forgiven, because we know that God hates sin, Did I say the God of love, hates?...yikes, God hates sin, but yet he created it and allows it to exist.8. Now Mary wanted a baby and has a visitation by an angel, a messenger from God....but not God??....no no, a messenger from God, and the angel impregnates Mary or was it God, or the messenger?9. After Jesus arrives we have spirits souls, miracles, etc. All this sounds contrived doesn't it? Sounds man made doesn't it?10. It's very important to God that Jesus be beaten, flogged, spit on, dragged, cursed, persecuted, so that mans sins may be forgiven. Of course, God could have just eliminated all sin to begin with, but we would not have such a bizarre story to deceive people into believing would we?11. God being Jesus in disguise as his only begotten son, calls out to God (himself) Matt. 27, 46 In the ninth hour Jesus called out My God, My God, Why has thou forsaken me? And God waits until the third day to receive himself?

If one man was beaten and dragged through the streets and can save souls, imagine what six million of God's (chosen people) tortured to death Jews can do, let's see...absolutely NOTHING!!!

TWO contrary Genesis versions suggests at least two writers, both ignorant or unmindful of each other, and ignorant of the facts of nature and astronomy, not to mention the age of the earth. Let any secular writer pen a book with so many contradictions (more of which will follow), on science, geology, morals or anything, and the world would plunge, as a vulture on carrion, to heap monumental scorn over the work. As "history," the Bible is unique. In First Kings 16:6,8 the king of Israel, Baasha, dies, replaced by his son Elah during the 26th year of Asa's (King of Judah) reign. But in Second Chronicles l6:1 we read that Baasha, king of Israel, goes against Judah during Asa's 36th year. A King dies, is buried, his son becomes King, but after a decade, the dead king leads a military adventure! In truthful historical chronicles, dead kings stay dead, but in the Bible when a king dies, he's merely planning to pick a fight! In Genesis 9:3: "Every moving thing that liveth shall be meat" for Noah. But Deuteronomy (14:7-21) later gives a list of animals, birds and fish that must not be eaten. Circumcision is required (Gen.17:10), and useless (Gal. 5:2). Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac (Gen.16:15 & 21:3) but Isaac was Abraham's "only" son? (Gen. 22:2,12 & Heb. 11:17). In Exodus 33:20, says God, "Thou canst not see my face; for there shall be no man see me and live." God must have been mistaken, or changed: For in Genesis 32:30 Jacob sees God "face to face" and lives. The same for Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu and 70 elders, who saw God, and ate and drank with him (Exodus 24:9-11). But not so, says John 1:18: "No man hath seen God at any time." How decide? Well, I agree with John. God dwells "in the light which no man can approach" (1 Tim. 6:l6). But this is not true, as in First Kings 8:12 it says: "The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness." Would literalists say I shouldn't be so "literal"? Is the "light" in which Jesus dwells "en(light)enment?" Does God remain in thick darkness but keeps this "light" of enlightenment? But aren't we opening a Pandora's box of endless "interpretation" here? Where do we draw the line if we do that? When the cry (Josh.10:12-13) "Sun, stand thou still" (and moon too) was uttered and carried out, the sun "stood still" in the sky, not setting. But of course, as we all now know about astronomy, a 'setting sun' is an inaccurate archaic and figurative phrase reflecting only the illusion of a moving sun. It's created by the actual motion of a rotating earth around its own axis. In the solar system, the sun is, of course, already "still" (while the moon isn't). But, I guess God knew what Joshua "meant," and instead of quibbling over astronomical facts, He allowed the Bible writings to describe it inaccurately (using the primitive terminology of the knowledge of the time). So God magically stilled both the earth and moon (and did it without cataclysmically throwing our land and continents off into space). But then, there's that "interpretation" thing again, because the "word of God" definitely does say the sun "stood still" (implying incorrectly that it had been in motion) and not that it "appeared" to, or that the "Earth stood still." Is the Bible literal or figurative? (See also Eccl. 1:5, about "the Sun also riseth...." and Chron 16:30; Psalms 93:1 [Earth is already immovable]) . MATTHEW quotes Jesus (19:26), "with God all things are possible." Did Matthew or Jesus forget something? In the Book of Judges (1:19) God is not almighty, as he helped rid Judah of inhabitants of the mountain, but could not drive out those in the valley "because they had chariots of iron." This God of miracles apparently can move the largest body in the solar system, the Sun (or at least stop planet earth), in order to prolong daylight for Joshua's military revenge (or to move the sun's shadow 10 degrees backward [2 Kings 20:10-11 or Isaiah 38:7- 8]). Yet this same mover of heavens is cowed by mere horses & buggies made of iron? I wonder what would happen if God decided to attack a "modern" 1950 Buick? Exodus 31:I7: Like a man, God rests and can be "refreshed." Isaiah scorns such contemptible weakness. In 40:28 he insists God, creator of the "ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary." An infinite God cannot tire, nor needs to be - nor can be -- "refreshed." Again on astronomy, the spectre of "interpretation" rises, asking us: 'what are these "ends" of the earth' quoted above? A spherical planet has no "ends." Even a flat plate or the line of a circle is "endless." The phrase "ends of the earth" then, was not figurative: We know the common belief then was that earth, very literally, did have "ends." Nowhere in the Bible is the earth described as "spherical." (See also Rev. 7:1: "...four angels standing on the four corners of the earth" & Daniel 4:10-11. Daniel's words here make little sense for a spherical earth)

GOD does not change. James 1:17 says God has "no variableness..." but then, in Jonah 3:10, God "repented" and changed his mind about smiting Nineveh's people. So what are we to think of assurances given in Numbers 23:19, which states, "God is not a man...neither the son of man, that he should repent." Yet this tireless omnipotent God himself volunteers the striking thought in Jeremiah 15:6, "I am weary with repenting." How human that confession sounds by a presumably unchanging God who 'cannot weary' (as Isaiah wrote above), nor repent.

In Deuteronomy 4:24 "God is a consuming fire, but in John 4:1 "God is love." He's "the God of Peace" in Romans 15:33 but in Exodus 15:3, "the Lord is a man of war." (Called a "man" here? Yet not called a man in Numbers 23:19?) God is "just and right" (Deut.32:4) yet in a mercenary manner he advises, in the dietary restrictions, that what you can't eat as unclean may be given "unto the stranger...or thou mayest sell it unto an alien." Gee, has the Better Business Bureau heard of this "just and right" commercial behavior? (Deut.l4:21) God said (Isaiah 45:7) "I make peace and create evil," a contradiction in one holy breath!! (And we all thought, of our own evil, it was 'the devil made me do it.') "Now go and smite Amelek and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass" (1 Sam. 15:3). That was Samuel's order for Saul originating from the Lord. Wrote one Bible commentator, M. J. Gauvin: "Slay the old man with trembling hands and silvered hair; murder the mother who shields with her body the life of her child; rifle the cradle, and plunge the glittering sword of death through the frail form of the smiling babe ...and know, ye fiends of ruthless slaughter, ye but fulfil the command of the God whose 'mercy endureth forever'!" "Love thy neighbor as thyself?" (Lev.l9:l8). Mass murder is again condoned in Exodus 32:27; in Deut. 2:15-16 and 34-36 and 3:2. No "just and right" God of true peace or love could command a massacre of innocents. These are the writings and contradictions in a religious human-inspired literature coming from the biases and values of an uncivilized warrior peoples. To call this the "inspired words" of a merciful, worthy Deity should be a base insult to even the meanest intelligence.

Sacrifices of helpless animals, even human sacrifices, such as of Isaac, offered by Abraham (but stopped), or of Jeptha's daughter, or the seven sons of David, are plentiful in the Bible, and are acceptable practices ordained by the Lord. See also Leviticus 27:28-29 about how humans, lands and beasts can be sacrificed. Yet elsewhere God condemns it as an abomination and is "weary to bear them." (Jer.7:22 & Is.1:11-16) Speaking of abominations, there is the mere handling of pigskin (Lev.ll:7-8). Woe unto football players! And woe unto those who curse their parents, for such deserve death (Lev.20:9). Yet they are enjoined to also hate mom and dad too, in order to become disciples (Luke 14:26). Resurrections? Job 7:9 says who "goeth down to the grave shall come up no more." The Old Testament denies immortality in no uncertain terms. The New Testament proclaims it - but as an eternal agony for most of you. All these contradictions make biblical words appear as if they are a departure from sanity - if they were the words of one consistent, unchanging being.

You'll read that children will suffer for the sins of the parents, yet elsewhere, read that no one will bear sins other than their own (Ex.20:5 vs Ezek.l8:20). The Sabbath is required to be kept as holy, but -- each of us can make up our own minds (Ex.20:8 vs Rom.l4:5) "Judge not, that ye be not judged' (Matt.7:l), yet others must be judged? (1Cor. 6:2-4). There's but one allowed reason (adultery) to divorce your wife, but elsewhere, divorce can be for any reason (Matt.5:32 vs Deut.2l:l4 & 24:1-3). Note, in this Deuteronomy a divorced woman can safely and sinlessly marry again, but in Matthew, a divorced woman that remarries is guilty of adultery, which deserves death of both her and her new husband (Lev.20:10). Neat sense of fairness, eh? If Eve was created merely from Adam's rib, it's no wonder that women are valued less than men, as in Leviticus 27:3-7, where a man's value in shekels is double that of a woman. Or: "neither was man created for woman but woman for man" (lCor. 11:8-9). This "Just and right" God in Exodus 21:20-21 approves a further double standard: Whereas adultery or just hitting your parents deserves death (Ex.2l:l5), a master beating a servant or maid to death with a rod shall only "be punished" in some non- lethal manner.

In Exodus 21:2I, the master can remain unpunished for beating servants daily because the servant "is his money." Similarly, throughout this chapter, is the sale and possession of human beings condoned (21:4,7). 'The Boss don't like no back-talk' is clear in Exodus 21:5-6: If a servant doesn't want to be sent away from his family (owned by the master) but says he loves them and will not leave, master can "bring him unto the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him forever." "Just and right"? One believer wrote me the Old Testament's inspired words were meant to "mitigate or regulate" behavior and raise it to a "more humane level" than usually practiced. Gimme a break! If the Old testament isn't "static or forever," as he wrote, why doesn't he also take the stories of Genesis as equally not final nor literal factual truth? Why one and not the other? Not only is slavery in the Old Testament, but in the New Testament, too: First Timothy 6:1,8 states those "under the yoke" (i.e. slaves) shall give "all honour" to their masters, and suggests in its context we should be grateful for scraps and rags without critique nor envy. Again in Ephesians 6:5, obedience to masters by servants is urged to be just like obedient worship given Christ. Worship the Boss?

However, this backward morality (which is excused as too entrenched in those times for even God to overthrow completely, God preferring to moderate it instead), was not too hard for a mere mortal, Spartacus, to challenge totally. How can a non-god espouse more advanced ideals of freedom, and oppose slavery completely, when the God of all the universe could only weakly compromise those principles among his subjects? "No evil shall happen to the just" we're told (Prov.l2:21). Yet Job, about whom God said no one else on earth was nearly as good and upright, is nevertheless handed over, by God, to Satan for torture (Job 2:3-7). The fate, also in the modern world, of good Christians and innocents under the protection of God's proverb, is horrendous. Moses is the meekest man in the world (Num.l2:3), yet he orders the butchery of women and children in cold blood and the taking of female children, who are still virgins, to keep alive "for yourselves" under the permission of God (Num.31:17)

The Bible speaks well of liquor and also condemns it (Deut. 14:226 vs Prov.20:l). It says avoid temptation, but welcome it too (Matt.6:l3 vs James 1:12). The same dichromatics appear for wealth as First Timothy preaches (6:10) "love of money is the root of all evil," added to by Luke 6:24, but denied by Proverbs 10:15, and elsewhere there. Here's more "perfect harmony" of the Bible's words: According to Luke, Christ ascended in the flesh. Paul says "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven" (Luke 24:39-51 vs 1 Cor.15:50). The evening of Christ's resurrection is the time of ascension for Luke, but Acts dates it 40 days after, (Luke 24:1-59 vs Acts 1:3 ). After resurrecting, Jesus was to meet the disciples, says Matthew, in Galilee; but says Luke, it was to be in Jerusalem -- merely 100 miles apart! (Matt.28:l6-17 vs Luke 24:33-36). "I and my Father are One" (John 10:30). But, "My Father is greater than I" (John 14:28) and "My God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Math. 27:46). The contradictions seem as infinite as God. Let your good deeds shine before men "that they may see your good works." So much for modesty. Then Matthew has Jesus say "Take heed that ye do not your alms before men to be seen of them." (Matt. 5:l6 vs 6:1) Many other details of the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension are disparate. This, of course, is normal when it's different human witnesses describing any traumatic event, committing errors such as misquoting, forgetting what was said exactly or reinterpreting meaning through the biased sieve of one's own prejudices. For example: Facing Pilate, Christ spoke only two words, said Matthew. John said Christ gave a speech! (Matt. 27:11 vs John 18:34-37). We are told repeatedly, the marvelous works found in nature, or all the universe, "require" and prove a creator's existence. But in the ultimate logical inconstancy of the Bible, it says nothing about why the greatest marvel of all needs no creator.

If God does not need to be created, what did God do before the universe? Where did God exist? Nowhere in Genesis did God create "time." Why not? Because so ubiquitous is time to us, it's "only human" to lose awareness of such a constant sensation (much as we mask out the sound of an electric fan blowing in our room or the engine's hum when we drive). Thus its need to be created failed to be recorded by human scribes who really couldn't conceive (nor notice) that it even needed to be created. [See Appendix below.] Did God create himself out of nothingness? I am no Bible scholar, but I know this is but surface-scratching the tip of the iceberg about Bible errors and conflicts, and it already proves it a fallible human document of many inaccuracies, failures of logic, with biases and mixed motives shown by petty witnesses and superstitious, ignorant drinking buddies. Maybe they had one too many?

If the Bible is true, then these conditions are real and verifiable outside of the Bible: The universe is only six thousand years old, dinosaurs never existed, the world is flat and the earth is in the center of the universe, the Sun goes around the earth, demons, invisible spirits, ghosts, holy ghosts, demons, angels, snakes, bushes, and donkeys, can talk, virgin birth is possible, god and jesus live in the clouds above, prayer has secret powers over this god, miracles and blessing do occur, invisible souls can either be saved or unsaved, depending on what a person decides to believe in their heart, the heart is the center of all thought and emotion, people can talk to god and jesus with their heart, there is no such thing as a brain, people can be raised from the dead, people can walk on water, water can be turned into wine, 5000 people can easily be fed with two loaves and two fishes, only invisible jesus can save invisible souls, diseases are caused by demons, science is of the devil, a person can live in the belly of a whale for three days and nights, a whales'stomach acid has no effect upon humans.”

https://www.reddit.com/r/atheism/comments/872qpm/i_found_this_monster_of_a_youtube_comment_that/

#atheist #agnostic #secular humanist #skeptic #Religion #Christianity #religious insanity #Bible

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jasper601 · 3 years ago

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Prayers for Revelation

Yahweh, You are the God that reveals secrets. Please reveal hidden secrets unto me (Dan. 2:28).

Reveal to me the secret and deep things (Dan. 2:22).

Let me understand things kept secret from the foundation of the world (Matt. 13:35).

Let me understand and have revelation of Your will and purpose for my life.

Give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation, and let the eyes of my understanding be enlightened (Eph. 1:17).

Let me understand heavenly things (John 3:12).

Open my eyes to behold wondrous things out of Your Word (Ps. 119:18).

Let me know and understand the mysteries of the kingdom (Mark 4:11).

Let me speak to others by revelation (1 Cor. 14:6).

Reveal Your secrets to me as Your servant and Your prophet (Amos 3:7).

Let hidden things be revealed and secrets things come to light in my life (Mark 4:22).

Hide Your truths from the wise and prudent, and reveal them unto me as a babe and suckling (Matt. 11:25).

Let Your arm be revealed in my life (John 12:38).

Reveal the things that belong to me and my offspring (Deut. 29:29).

Let Your Word be revealed unto me (1 Sam. 3:7).

Let Your glory be revealed in my life (Isa. 40:5).

Let Your righteousness be revealed in my life (Isa. 56:1).

Let me receive visions and revelations of your operations in my life, in the lives of my offspring, in the lives of my siblings and their offspring, in the lives of my loved ones and their offspring, and in the lives of others as you please, O Yahweh (2 Cor. 12:1).

Let me receive an abundance of revelations (2 Cor. 12:7).

Let me be a good steward of Your revelations (1 Cor. 4:1).

Let me speak the mystery of the Messiah (Col. 4:3).

Let me receive and understand Your hidden wisdom (1 Cor. 2:7).

Hide not Your commandments from me (Ps. 119:19).

Let me speak Your wisdom in a mystery O Yahweh (1 Cor. 2:7).

Give me utterance that I may boldly open my mouth to make known the mystery of the gospel (Eph. 6:19).

Make known unto me the mystery of Your will (Eph. 1:9).

Open in my life, Your dark sayings upon the harp (Ps. 49:4).

Let me understand Your parables; the words of the wise and their dark sayings (Prov. 1:6).

Yahweh, light my candle and enlighten my darkness (Ps. 18:28).

Make darkness light before me and around me. (Isa. 42:16).

Give me the treasures of darkness and hidden riches in secret places (Isa. 45:3).

Let Your candle shine upon my head (Job 29:3).

O Yahweh, Let my spirit be Your candle, searching all the inward parts of the belly (Prov. 20:27).

Let me understand Your deep things O Yahweh (1 Corinthians 2:10).

Let me understand Your deep thoughts (Ps. 92:5).

Let my eyes be enlightened with Your Word (Ps. 19:8).

Bless my eyes that they will always see (Luke 10:23).

Let all spiritual and natural blindness including glaucoma, cataracts and scales be removed from my eyes (Acts 9:18).

Let me comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height of Your love (Eph. 3:18).

Let my reins instruct me in the night season, and let me awaken with revelation (Ps. 16:7).

All these I ask in the authority of Yahushua. Amen.

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thebeautifulcatholicfaith · 8 years ago

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*CATHOLIC DOCTRINES ARE IN THE BIBLE* _Catholics are always intimidated into believing that we do things contrary to the Bible just because we are sometimes ignorant of what we do. The following will help you locate *WHERE* what we do in the Bible._ *1) PRAYING FOR THE DEAD* 2 Mac. 12:38-45 Wisdom 3:1 Tobit 4:17 *2) USE OF IMAGES AND SACRAMENTS _(these remind us of what they stand for)_* 2 kings 3:20-21 Num. 21:8-9 Ex 25:17-22 Col 1:20, 2:14 John 12:32 Acts 19:11-12 *3) AUTHENTICITY OF CATHOLIC TRADITION AS A SOURCE OF REVEALED TRUTH* 2 Thes 2:15 2 cor 10:10-11 John 21:25 2 John 1:12 3 John 1:13 *4) THE SHIFT OF THE DAY OF THE LORD FROM SATURDAY TO SUNDAY (SABBATH)* Rev 1:10 Acts 20:7 1 cor 16:1-2 John 20:1-22 *5) THE POPE'S AUTHORITY AS THE SUCCESSOR OF ST. PETER* John 21:15-17 Matt 16: 18-19 Acts 2:1-14 *6) THE REFERENCE TO CATHOLIC PRIESTS AS _'FATHER'_ WHEN THERE IS ONLY ONE FATHER IN HEAVEN* Gen 17:4 Jer 7:7 Num 12:14 Jn. 6:49 Mtt. 23:30 Lk. 1:73 *7) IS THE BIBLE IN SUPPORT OF THE HIERARCHY IN THE CHURCH? YES* Eph 4:11-13 1 Tim 5:17-25 1 Tim 3:1-7, 8-13 *8) IS PURGATORY REAL? YES! WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT IT?* Is 35:8, 52:1 Zech 13:1-2 1 cor 3:15 Lk. 12:47-48, 58-59 Rev. 21:27 Heb 12:22-23 Job 14:13-17 *9) ABOUT INCENSE* Ex 30:33-37 Num 16:6-7 Lev. 16:12-13 Lk.1:10 Rev. 8:32 *10) THE ROSARY IS A PRAYER IN HONOR OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY* Lk. 1:28, Lk. 1:42 *11) IS HOLY WATER THE WILL OF GOD TO BE USED?* 2 kings 2:19-22 John 5:1-18 John 7:37 *12) WHY DO WE ASK THE SAINTS TO PRAY FOR US?* Prov. 15:8, 15:29 Job 42:8 James 5:16 Mtt 16:19 *13) WHY DO WE USE MEDALS, CRUCIFIXES AND SCAPULARS AND BONE OF SAINTS?* (these help to remind us of what they stand for) 2 kings 13:20-21 *14) WHY MUST WE CONFESS OUR SINS TO ANYBODY OTHER THAN GOD.* Mtt 16:19, 1-20 *15) IS INFANT BAPTISM IN THE BIBLE?* Acts 16:15 33 Acts 18:8 Mtt 28:19 Acts 10:47-48 *I AM PROUD TO BE CATHOLIC.*

#Catholic #catholicism #church

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tj-van-heerden · 8 years ago

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The words of the Father and of Jesus

Num 20:24 [WEB] “Aaron shall be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah.

Num 27:14 because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

Deut 4:10 the day that you stood before Yahweh your God in Horeb, when Yahweh said to me, “Assemble the people to me, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.”

Deut 11:18, 19 Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul. You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. 19 You shall teach them to your children, talking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

1Kgs 6:12 “Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in my statutes, and execute my ordinances, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father.

Ps 138:2 I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your Name for your loving kindness and for your truth; for you have exalted your Name and your Word above all.

Prov 1:23 Turn at my reproof. Behold, I will pour out my spirit on you. I will make known my words to you.

Prov 2:1 My son, if you will receive my words, and store up my commandments within you,

Prov 4:4 He taught me, and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words. Keep my commandments, and live.

Prov 4:20 My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.

Prov 7:1, 2 1 My son, keep my words. Lay up my commandments within you. 2 Keep my commandments and live! Guard my teaching as the apple of your eye.

Isa 55:11 so is my word that goes out of my mouth: it will not return to me void, but it will accomplish that which I please, and it will prosper in the thing I sent it to do.

Isa 66:2 For my hand has made all these things, and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh: “but I will look to this man, even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at my word.

Jer 1:12 Then Yahweh said to me, “You have seen well; for I watch over my word to perform it.”

Jer 23:29 “Isn’t my word like fire?” says Yahweh; “and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

Jer 6:19 Hear, earth! Behold, I will bring evil on this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not listened to my words; and as for my law, they have rejected it.

Jer 11:10 They have turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, who refused to hear my words. They have gone after other gods to serve them. The house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.

Jer 13:10 This evil people, who refuse to hear my words, who walk in the stubbornness of their heart, and have gone after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, will even be as this belt, which is profitable for nothing.

Jer 19:15 “Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel says, ‘Behold, I will bring on this city and on all its towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have made their neck stiff, that they may not hear my words.’ ”

Jer 23:22 But if they had stood in my council, then they would have caused my people to hear my words, and would have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings.

Jer 25:8 Therefore Yahweh of Armies says: “Because you have not heard my words,

Jer 25:13 I will bring on that land all my words which I have pronounced against it, even all that is written in this book, which Jeremiah has prophesied against all the nations.

Jer 29:19 because they have not listened to my words,” says Yahweh, “with which I sent to them my servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them; but you would not hear,” says Yahweh.

Jer 35:13 “Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘Go and tell the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, “Will you not receive instruction to listen to my words?” says Yahweh.

Ezek 2:7 You shall speak my words to them, whether they will hear, or whether they will refuse; for they are most rebellious.

Ezek 3:4 He said to me, “Son of man, go to the house of Israel, and speak my words to them.

Ezek 12:28 “Therefore tell them, ‘The Lord Yahweh says: “None of my words will be deferred any more, but the word which I speak will be performed,” says the Lord Yahweh.’ ”

Mic 2:7 Shall it be said, O house of Jacob: “Is Yahweh’s Spirit angry? Are these his doings? Don’t my words do good to him who walks blamelessly?”

Zech 1:6 But my words and my decrees, which I commanded my servants the prophets, didn’t they overtake your fathers? “Then they repented and said, ‘Just as Yahweh of Armies determined to do to us, according to our ways, and according to our practices, so he has dealt with us.’ ”

Matt 24:35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Mark 8:38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his Father’s glory, with the holy angels.”

Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Luke 6:47-49 47 Everyone who comes to me, and hears my words, and does them, I will show you who he is like. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug and went deep, and laid a foundation on the rock. When a flood arose, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who hears, and doesn’t do, is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream broke, and immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Luke 9:26 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.

Luke 21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away.

John 5:24 “Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

John 8:31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.

John 8:51 Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”

John 14:23 Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.

John 14:24 He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me.

John 15:7 If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.

John 15:20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

Rev 3:8 “I know your works (behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one can shut), that you have a little power, and kept my word, and didn’t deny my name.

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lisagintexas · 5 years ago

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Life after Death?

This is the big question often asked. What happens after we die? Are we gone forever, or do we go to heaven or hell? Is reincarnation the answer? Are we dead till a resurrection?

I will try to bring up as many scriptures as possible that speak about death and life after death to understand more clearly what the scriptures say. The first scripture I can find regarding the dead is Deut.18:9-11 which says, “When you come into the land...you shall not learn to follow the detestable acts (abominations) of those nations...there shall not be found among you anyone who...practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead.” These are evil acts according to God. It seems all of these things can be done and are done by the nations. What it means to “call up the dead” I don’t know, but it’s dealing with the spirit world that exists and is off limits to those obedient to God.

In 2 Kings 4:32-35 we see Elisha prayed for the dead son of the Shunamite women as well as stretching himself out on the child and then God resurrected the boy from the dead. So from this example it seems the boy being dead did not immediately go to heaven or hell, but was resurrected back to physical life by God. Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, referred to the dead boy, saying “he has not awakened”, as if being dead is like being asleep.

Speaking of Josiah who was a righteous king in Judah, God says, “Surely I will cause you to join your ancestors in death, and you will die a natural death in peace.” 2 Kings 22:20 There is no mention of heaven or hell, just dying like those before him.

Here’s how David speaks about death. Psalms 6:4-6 “Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies’ sake! For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks?” Psalms 13:3 “Consider and hear me, O LORD my God; Enlighten my eyes, Lest I sleep the sleep of death.” Psalms 31:12 “I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind.” Psalms 76:6 “At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both the chariot and the horse were cast into a dead sleep.” Psalms 88:10-11 “Will You (God) work wonders for the dead? Will the dead arise and praise you? Will your loving kindness be declared in the grave?” Psalms 115:17 “The dead do not praise the LORD, nor any who go down into silence.” Psalms 143:3 “For the enemy has persecuted my soul, he has crushed my life to the ground, he has made me dwell in dark places, like those who have long been dead.” Psalms 146:3-4 “Do not put your trust in princes nor in a human beings in whom there is not salvation. His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; in that very day his plans perish.” Those are David’s words considering death. He didn’t talk at all about going to heaven and praising God after death, or going to hell to be tortured forever. Rather, death seems to be a place of nothingness, no words, no actions, like sleep.

Job says, “If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes. You will call, and I will answer You; You will desire the work of Your hands.” Job 14:14-15. Job seems to believe in a life after death, and speaks metaphorically of a change of some type that he will wait for while dead in the grave.

Solomon, the man known for the wisdom given to him by God, speaks this way. Prov. 11:4 “Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.” Prov. 11:19 “As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.” Prov. 12:28 “In the way of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.” Since we know nobody escapes death, the life Solomon mentions must be a life after death and is connected to the way we live, our righteousness. In Ecclesiastes Solomon says, “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Eccl. 12:7) Scripture says there is a spirit in man given by God, and according to Solomon this spirit returns to God at death.

Isaiah also makes some note worthy comments about death. He prophesies in Isa. 25:8 that God will “swallow up death forever, and the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces.” This is future hope that death will no longer exist. Paul quotes this in 1 Cor. 15:54-55, and John speaks also of this in Revelation 21:4.

Ezekiel 37:12 says, “Therefore prophesy and say to them (the dry bones of the house of Israel), “Thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, O My people, I will open your graves and cause you to come up from your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel...I will put my spirit in you, and you will live...” This seems to be a prophesy of life after death for Israel, a resurrection to physical life.

Malachi 4:1-3 speaks of a day coming when the wicked will be stubble and will be burned up. He says “those who fear God’s name will trample the wicked. For they will be ashes under the soles of your feet.”

Jeshua (Jesus) speaking to the Sadducees, who did not believe in the resurrection, says, “You are mistaken, not knowing the scriptures or the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, nor can they die anymore, but are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob: God is not the God of the dead but of the living.” (Matt. 22:29-32, Luke 20:34-38) Jeshua supported the teaching of the resurrection of the dead and life again for Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

At the death of Jeshua, saints were resurrected from their graves. (Matt 27:52-53). They were seen by others. If at death, the righteous go to heaven, why were these righteous coming out of their graves to physical life?

Jeshua said regarding those who provide a great meal and invite the poor, crippled, lame or blind instead of their friends, that “you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:13-14). Again, teaching that works of righteousness will be rewarded at the resurrection, not immediate life in heaven at death.

Jeshua also said, “the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgement.” John 5:28-29 Jeshua did not speak of heaven and hell but of a resurrection for both the good and the evil.

Martha talking about Lazarus, her brother who had been dead four days, said to Jeshua, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.” Jeshua said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” Again, a resurrection is the teaching, and life eternal at the resurrection for those who believe in him. And then Jeshua prayed to God and Lazarus was raised from the dead. (John 11:23-23,44). If he had gone to heaven, why was he now raised from the dead.

If one goes to heaven or hell at death, why did Jeshua stay in the grave for three days and three nights and then was resurrected from the grave and seen by many for 40 days?

All through the book of Acts the apostles spoke about the resurrection of Jeshua and the hope of the resurrection for us. Peter says, “the patriarch David, is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption, This Jesus, God has raised up.” (Acts 2:29-32). David, still asleep, dead, in the grave, foresaw the resurrection of Christ.

Peter and John taught the people and preached about Jesus and the resurrection from the dead. (Acts 4:2, 33). Paul also preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. (Acts 17:18,32). Paul said, “concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged.” (Acts 23:6, 24:21) Paul believed in the hope of the resurrection, not going to heaven at death. In his defense before Governor Felix he said, “I have hope in God, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust.” (Acts 24:15). It seems he agrees with Jeshua.

Paul discusses in 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 that some say there is not a resurrection of the dead, and proclaims, if this is true, Christ is not risen, and our faith is futile and we are still in our sins. He also says those who have “fallen asleep in Christ”, referring to the dead saints, have perished. But this is not so, because Paul believes in the resurrection of Jeshua and therefore a resurrection of the dead saints. Is this immediately upon death?

He makes clear, “Christ is risen from the dead and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” So if Christ is the firstfruits, meaning the first to rise from the dead, then any righteous believers before Christ are still dead in their graves. Paul continues, “for since by man came death, by man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive. But each one in his own order; Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Chirst’s at His coming.” (1 Cor. 15:20-23) So when are all the dead in Christ resurrected from the dead? At Christ’s coming is what Paul says. Until then they are asleep in the grave. Just as Jeshua was dead, asleep in the grave three days and three nights until the Father resurrected him. So the saints wait in the grave until the coming of Jeshua.

Paul describes the body we will be raised in, saying “it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body...as we have borne the image of the dust, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.” (1 Cor. 15:44, 49). Jeshua was raised from the grave in a different body than what he had before death. So we will be raised also in a heavenly body like him.

Continuing Paul says, “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God..I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.” (1 Cor. 15:50-52). The goal is to inherit the kingdom of God, not heaven. Jeshua told us to pray, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matt 6:9-10) God’s kingdom is in heaven now, but we are to pray that it will come here also. His kingdom will be on earth, and we will be inheritors of it.

Just as Paul said in the book of Acts that he was being judged for his hope in the resurrection from the dead, he also said to the church in Philippi (Philippians 3:10-11), “that I may know him (Jeshua) and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” Paul’s hope was the resurrection from the dead.

In 1 Thess. 4:14-16 Paul says, “if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with him those who sleep. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we will always be with the Lord.” Paul seems to say the same thing to the Thessalonians as he said to the Corinthians. Those asleep in Christ, the dead saints, will be resurrected from the dead, and those alive will join them and Christ. Where do they go after they meet Christ in the clouds? Jeshua is coming down from heaven, the saints are going up in the clouds to meet him. The angels standing by the disciples when Jeshua went up into the clouds out of their sight said, “Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11). This portrays him coming back to earth. Revelation 5:9-10 speaks of those redeemed by Jeshua’s blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation becoming a kingdom and priests to God and reigning on earth. Revelation 20:4-6 speaks about those who will live and reign with Christ for a thousand years, saying they are in the first resurrection and that they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him one thousand years.

The author of the book of Hebrews says “All these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” (Heb. 11:39-40) He was speaking about all the faithful that had died previously. They still await the promise of the resurrection.

It also says, “others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.” (Heb.11:35) This implies there is more than one resurrection if there is a better resurrection. The book of Revelation also says, “this is the first resurrection, blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection; over such the second death has no power”, (Rev. 20:5-6). If there is a first resurrection than again it is implied there is another one. Jeshua spoke of two resurrections, one to life and one to judgment. Paul also spoke of a resurrection for the just, and for the unjust.

Revelation 20:7-13 speaks of “after the thousand years have expired...I saw a great white throne judgment...I saw the dead, small and great standing before God, and the books were opened. And another was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books, the sea gave up the dead...death and hades delivered up the dead...they were judged each one according to their works.” This is a different resurrection than the resurrection of the just to eternal life. This resurrection is all the dead and a resurrection to judgement as Jeshua spoke of.

John speaking metaphorically refers to Jeshua as cleaning out his threshing floor, and gathering his wheat into the barn; but burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matt. 3:11-12) This is not being tortured forever in a hell fire, but burned up, as John says in a lake of fire and dead forever. Jeshua also spoke about this in the parable of the wheat and tares. (Matt. 13:24-30). The tares are bound and burned and the wheat gathered into his barn.

These scriptures teach a resurrection of the just at the return of Jeshua, alive in the kingdom of God as priests for one thousand years, followed by a resurrection of the unjust and a judgment for them according to their works. In the end, it says, “anyone not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire...which is the second death.” (Rev. 20:15, 21:8) Ultimately, life is over for those in the judgment who choose not to obey God.

In Hebrews 12:22-23 it speaks to the Christian Jews saying they have not come to Mt Sinai but “you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the entire gathering and assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of righteous men made perfect...”. This doesn’t say the firstborn are in heaven, but enrolled, or registered there. It also says the spirits of the righteous are there, not the person. Solomon said the spirit goes back to God who gave it. (Eccl. 12:7). John 19:30 says, Jeshua “gave up his spirit”.

Here’s my outlook. When we die, the spirit in mankind goes back to God. The body is dead in the grave, and is asleep, knowing nothing, until the resurrection of the just or unjust. The righteous are resurrected at the return of Jeshua, or changed if still alive. They are resurrected or changed into a body like Jeshua was when he was resurrected. Paul calls this a spiritual body. Jeshua said he was not a spirit, but that he had “flesh and bones”. (Luke 24:39) This is different than the human, natural body, which is flesh and blood. He was able to appear in a room without coming through the door. (John 20:19) He still ate food, broiled fish and honeycomb. (Luke 24:42-43). He was unrecognizable to those who knew him till their eyes were opened and he was able to disappear. (Luke 24:31) The righteous will reign with Jeshua on earth for one thousand years and will never die again. This will be the kingdom of God on earth with Jeshua as king. The unjust will be resurrected to a judgment either to be written in the book of life and given eternal life or cast into the lake of fire to die. Whether or not this judgement is over a period of time or immediately is not clear from scripture, but it seems reasonable to me that there will be time where all will have an opportunity to understand what is true and to choose to obey God.

What about near death experiences? You can read many scientific opinions regarding NDE’s. I know they don’t happen to everyone who is clinically dead. The brain is not something we completely understand in my opinion. But, presuming NDE’s confirm going to heaven and hell does not make sense to me since I don’t think the scripture validates this outlook. I believe the word of God should be our foundation, and if knowledge we get doesn’t agree with scripture, either we don’t understand scripture, or the knowledge that disagrees with scripture is not a full understanding of what is true.

I believe our hope should be the resurrection of the dead, especially the first resurrection where the second death has no power. A life of faith and righteousness leads to this hope.

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christianworldf · 5 years ago

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New Post has been published on Christian Worldview Institute

New Post has been published on https://christianworldviewinstitute.com/jewish-feasts/spring-feasts/feast-of-first-fruit/gods-feast-2-the-feast-of-firstfruits/

God's Feast #2 - The Feast Of Firstfruits

Scriptures Below! A 9 part series #2 “The Feast Of Firstfruits”. In-depth teaching on the subject of the feasts of God, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Pentecost, Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement & Feast of Tabernacles and knowing they apply to us will make a difference in your life, by David Middleton, pastor. Website: www.doersoftheword.org

Scriptures: Lev 23:2 Lev 23:4 Col 2:16-17 Heb 10:1 Lev 23:5-6 Matt 12:40 Lev 23:10-14 Josh 5:10-12 Col 1:15 Col 1:18 Rev 1:5 Rom 8:22-23 1Pet 3:19 1Pet 4:6 Matt 27:52-53 John 20:17 Heb 9:11-12 Prov 3:9 Ex 13:2 Ex 22:29 Deut 26:1-4 Deut 26:10-15 James 1:18 John 12:24 Luke 9:23 Rom 11:16 Rom 6:22 2Cor 5:15 Rom 12:1 1Pet 2:5 Phil 2:17 Gal 5:16-24 Rom 8:5-8 Heb 4:1-2 Heb 4:9-11 Rom 8:21 John 8:31-32 James 1:25 Gal 2:4 Gal 5:1 2Pet 2:19-20 Gal 3:10 Gal 5:19 1Thess 1:3 2Thess 1:11 James 2:14 James 2:17-18 James 2:20-24 2Cor 3:3 Heb 8:10 Heb 10:16 1John 1:7 Phil 1:11 James 3:18 Rom 6:22 Rom 6:16 Rom 6:18-19 John 15:1-2 John 15:5 John 15:8 1Cor 3:16-17 1Cor 6:19-20 2Cor 6:16-18 Rom 8:14 Rom 8:19 Heb 4:16 Rev 1:6 Luke 9:1 Luke 10:19 Ps 126:6 source

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claudinei-de-jesus · 4 years ago

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The future life

1. Teaching the Old Testament.

When studying the teaching of the Old Testament concerning the future life, it must be borne in mind that Christ's redemptive work has had a great effect on our relationship with death and life.

Christ "abolished death, and brought life and incorruption to the gospel" (2 Tim. 1:10). Christ brought fullness of light and absolute confidence in the life to come. He also brought about a great deliverance of the Old Testament saints of the time, who were kept in the middle state, a deliverance that brought them much more happiness. Although the Old Testament revelation is not as wide as that of the New Testament, concerning life after death, we find that doctrine there.

The Old Testament doctrine on immortality is based on the relationship between man and God. Man, created in the image of God, is endowed with the ability to know God and to have fellowship with him. This means that man is more than an animal, and that his existence goes beyond the limits of time. He was created to live and not to die. But sin brought death to the world and thus to man. Death, in its physical aspect, is the separation of the body from the soul. Death, however, does not imply extinction of the soul. The Old Testament consistently teaches that man's personality survives death.

The man's body was deposited in the grave while the soul went to the place called "Sheol" (translated "hell", "the well", and "the grave") the abode of the spirits of the deceased. It is proved that "Sheol" was not heaven by the fact that it was described as "below" (Prov. 15:24), the lowest earth (Ezek. 32:18), and the middle of hell (they descended) (Ezek. 32:21). That it was not a place of supreme happiness, is proved by the following descriptions: a place without remembrance of God (Ps. 6: 5), of cruelty (Cant. De Solomão 8: 6, Brazilian Version), place of pain (Jo 24:19 Brazilian version), a place of sadness (Ps. 18: 5 Brazilian version), and it was a place from which apparently nobody came back. John 7: 9 (Brazilian version).

* Sheol, not enjoying the brilliance of the person of the risen Christ, is a dark place that inspires fear, and therefore some of the Old Testament saints feared going to that place as the child fears to enter a dark room. (See Ps. 88 and Isa. 38.) Sheol was inhabited both by the righteous (John 14:13; Ps. 88: 3; Gen. 37: 34,35) and by the wicked (Prov. 5: 3-5; 7:27; Joh 24:19; Ps. 31:17). From the case of the rich man and Lazarus, we concluded that there were two sections in Sheol, a place of suffering for the wicked (Luke 16: 23,24) and another for the righteous, a place of rest and comfort (Luke 16:25). However, the Old Testament saints were not without hope. The Holy One of God, the Messiah, would go down to Sheol; God's people would be redeemed from Sheol. (Ps. 16:10; 49:15; Brazilian version.)

This prophecy was fulfilled when Christ, after his death, descended into the underworld of the spirits of the deceased (Matt. 12:40; Luc. 23: 42,43), and freed the Old Testament saints from Sheol, taking them with him to heavenly paradise. (Eph. 4: 8-10.) This passage seems to indicate that there has been a change in this spirit world, and that the place occupied by the righteous awaiting the resurrection has been moved to the heavenly regions. (Ephesians 4: 8; 2 Cor. 12: 2.) Since then, the spirits of the righteous ascend to heaven and the spirits of the wicked descend to condemnation. (Rev. 20: 13,14.) Other evidence from the Old Testament teaching on the future life is as follows:

1) The phrase "gathered to his people" (Gen. 25: 8) or "to the parents", used by Abraham, Moses, Aaron and David, must refer to conscious existence after death and burial, as these men they were not buried in the ancestral tombs.

2) The translations of Enoch and Elijah prove with certainty the existence of a future life of happiness in the presence of God.

3) Christ's words in Matt. 22:32 represent merely a strong expression of the Jews' own belief. Otherwise, they would have no influence on the listeners.

4) The doctrine of the resurrection from the dead is clearly set out in the Old Testament. (Joh 19:26; Dan. 12: 1,2.) 5) When Jacob said, "With tears I will go down to my son to the grave"

* In all these references, the reader must compare the versions of Almeida and Brasileira. (Translator's note).

(literally "Sheol", and thus translated in the Brazilian Version) (Gen. 37:35), by no means did he refer to the literal grave, as he supposed that Joseph's body had been devoured by a beast.

2. Teaching the New Testament.

The New Testament recognizes the existence beyond the grave, in which spiritual life continues under new and better conditions. Entering this life is man's ultimate goal. (Mar. 9:43.) Accepting Christ Himself, the believer in the present life has passed from death to life. (John 3; 36.) This, however, is only the beginning; its fullness belongs to the existence that begins with the "resurrection of life". (John 5:29.) There is life to come (1Tim. 4: 8); now it is hidden, but it will be revealed when Christ, who is our life, appears (Col. 3: 4).

Christ will give the crown of promised life to those who love him (Jas. 1:12). Even the state of those who have died in Christ is better than the present life in him (Phil. 1:21). But the fullness of life, as the land of Promise, and your birthright as children of God, will be revealed at the coming of Christ. (Rom. 8:17; Gal. 4: 7.)

Physical death cannot interrupt the fellowship between the Christian and his Lord. "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me, even if he is dead, will live; and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die (John 11: 25,26). With these words Jesus assured Martha and Mary that her brother had not perished, but he was safe. In effect, Jesus said the following: "I loved your brother and had sweet communion with him. Understanding who I am, remembering my power, do you think that I would allow death to interrupt this communion, which for us both was a great delight? "There are many formal arguments in favor of immortality. More than cold logic, what satisfies most is just to know that we are in communion with God and with his Christ.

Let us imagine the case of a faithful believer who for many years enjoyed precious fellowship with the Son of God, heard his voice and felt his presence. Now that he is prostrate on his deathbed, will we then hear the Son of God say to him: "We walk together, we enjoy sweet communion, but the time has come for eternal goodbye"? No, that wouldn't happen! Those who are "in Christ" (1 Thess. 4: 14-17) cannot be separated from him either by life or by death (Rom. 8:38).

For one who lived consciously in the presence of Christ, to be separated from Christ by death is impossible. For those who are united with the love of God, it is inconceivable to separate from that love to enter a state of nothingness and desolation. Christ says to all believers, "Is Lazarus, is anyone, united with me? Does he trust me? Everything that I am and all the power that resides in me will work in your life. Your brother is united to me by the bonds of trust and of love, and since I am the Resurrection and the Life, that power will work in him. " A vida futura

1. Ensino do Antigo Testamento.

Ao estudar-se o ensino do Antigo Testamento concernente à vida futura, deve-se ter em mente que a obra redentora de Cristo tem exercido grande efeito sobre a nossa relação com a morte e a vida.

Cristo "aboliu a morte, e trouxe à luz a vida e a incorrupção pelo Evangelho" (2Tim. 1:10). Cristo trouxe plenitude de luz e absoluta confiança quanto à vida vindoura. Ele também efetuou uma grande libertação dos santos do tempo do Antigo Testamento, que estavam guardados no estado intermediário, libertação que lhes proporcionou muito mais felicidade. Muito embora a revelação vétero-testamentária não seja tão ampla quanto a do Novo Testamento, concernente à vida apos a morte, encontramos ali a referida doutrina.

A doutrina do Antigo Testamento sobre a imortalidade baseia-se na relação entre o homem e Deus. O homem, criado à imagem de Deus, é dotado de capacidade para conhecer a Deus e com ele ter comunhão. Isso significa que o homem é mais do que animal, e que sua existência ultrapassa os limites do tempo. Foi criado para viver e não para morrer. Mas o pecado trouxe a morte ao mundo e, assim, ao homem. A morte, no seu aspecto físico, é a separação do corpo da alma. A morte, entretanto, não implica extinção da alma. O Antigo Testamento consistentemente ensina que a personalidade do homem sobrevive a morte.

O corpo do homem era depositado na sepultura enquanto a alma ia para o lugar denominado "Seol" (traduzido "inferno", "o poço", e "a sepultura") a morada dos espíritos dos finados. Prova-se que o "Seol" não era o céu pelo fato de ser descrito como estando "em baixo" (Prov. 15:24), terra mais baixa (Ezeq. 32:18), e o meio do inferno (desceram) (Ezeq. 32:21). Que não era um lugar de felicidade suprema, prova-se pelas seguintes descrições: um lugar sem lembrança de Deus (Sal. 6:5), de crueldade (Cant. de Salomão 8:6, Versão Brasileira), lugar de dor (Jo 24:19 Versão Brasileira), lugar de tristeza (Sal. 18:5 Versão Brasileira), e era um lugar do qual aparentemente ninguém voltava. Jo 7:9 (Versão Brasileira).

* O Seol, não desfrutando do brilho da pessoa de Cristo ressuscitado, é um lugar sombrio que inspira receio, e, por conseguinte, alguns dos santos do Antigo Testamento receavam ir para esse lugar como a criança receia entrar num quarto escuro. (Vide o Sal. 88 e Isa. 38.) Seol era habitado tanto pelos justos (Jo 14:13; Sal. 88:3; Gên. 37:34,35) como pelos ímpios (Prov. 5:3-5; 7:27; Jo 24:19; Sal. 31:17). Do caso do rico e Lázaro concluímos que havia duas seções no Seol um lugar de sofrimento para os ímpios (Luc. 16:23,24) e outro para os justos, um lugar de descanso e conforto (Luc. 16:25). Contudo, os santos do Antigo Testamento não estavam sem esperança. O Santo de Deus, o Messias, desceria ao Seol; o povo de Deus seria redimido do Seol. (Sal. 16:10; 49:15; Versão Brasileira.)

Essa profecia cumpriu-se quando Cristo, após sua morte, desceu ao mundo inferior dos espíritos dos finados (Mat 12:40; Luc. 23:42,43), e libertou do Seol os santos do Antigo Testamento, levando-os consigo para o Paraíso celestial. (Efés. 4:8-10.) Essa passagem parece indicar que houve uma mudança nesse mundo dos espíritos, e que o lugar ocupado pelos justos que aguardam a ressurreição foi trasladado para as regiões celestiais. (Efés. 4:8; 2Cor. 12:2.) Desde então, os espíritos dos justos sobem para o céu e os espíritos dos ímpios descem para a condenação. (Apo. 20:13,14.) Outras evidências do ensino do Antigo Testamento sobre a vida futura são as seguintes:

1) A frase "congregado ao seu povo" (Gên. 25:8) ou "aos pais", usada por Abraão, Moisés, Arão e Davi, deve referir-se à existência consciente após a morte e ao sepultamento, pois esses homens não foram enterrados nos túmulos ancestrais.

2) As trasladações de Enoque e Elias provam com certeza a existência duma vida futura de felicidade na presença de Deus.

3) As palavras de Cristo em Mat. 22:32 representam meramente uma forte expressão da própria crença dos judeus. De outra forma nenhuma influência teriam sobre os ouvintes.

4) A doutrina da ressurreição dentre os mortos é claramente exposta no Antigo Testamento. (Jo 19:26; Dan. 12:1,2.) 5) Quando Jacó disse: "Com choro hei de descer ao meu filho até a sepultura"

* Em todas essas referências, deve o leitor fazer o confronto das versões de Almeida e Brasileira. (Nota do Tradutor).

(literalmente "Seol", e assim traduzida na Versão Brasileira) (Gên. 37:35), de maneira nenhuma ele se referia à sepultura literal, pois ele supunha que o corpo de José fora devorado por uma fera.

2. Ensino do Novo Testamento.

O Novo Testamento reconhece a existência no além túmulo, na qual a vida espiritual continua sob novas e melhores condições. Entrar nessa vida é o supremo alvo do homem. (Mar. 9:43.) Aceitando o próprio Cristo, o crente já na vida presente passou da morte para a vida. (João 3;36.) Isso, entretanto, é somente o princípio; sua plenitude pertence à existência que começa com a "ressurreição da vida". (João 5:29.) Existe uma vida vindoura (1Tim. 4:8); agora está oculta, mas se manifestará quando Cristo, que é nossa vida, aparecer (Col. 3:4).

Cristo dará a coroa da vida prometida àqueles que o amam (Tia. 1:12). Mesmo o estado dos que faleceram em Cristo é algo melhor do que a presente vida nele (Fil. 1:21). Mas a plenitude de vida, qual terra da Promissão, e o seu direito de primogenitura como filhos de Deus, serão revelados na vinda de Cristo. (Rom. 8:17; Gál. 4:7.)

A morte física não pode interromper a comunhão entre o cristão e seu Senhor. "Eu sou a ressurreição e a vida; quem crê em mim, ainda que esteja morto, viverá; e todo aquele que vive, e crê em mim, nunca morrerá (João 11:25,26). Com essas palavras Jesus assegurou a Marta e Maria que seu irmão não havia perecido, mas estava seguro. Com efeito, Jesus dizia o seguinte: "Eu amava vosso irmão e com ele tive doce comunhão. Compreendendo quem eu sou, lembrando o meu poder, pensais que eu permitiria à morte interromper essa comunhão, que para nós ambos era uma grande delicia?" Existem muitos argumentos formais a favor da imortalidade. Mais do que a lógica fria o que mais satisfaz é justamente saber que estamos em comunhão com Deus e com o seu Cristo.

Vamos imaginar o caso dum crente fiel que durante muitos anos gozou de preciosa comunhão com o Filho de Deus, ouviu sua voz e sentiu sua presença. Agora que ele está prostrado no leito de morte ouviremos então o Filho de Deus dizer-lhe: "Andamos juntos, gozamos de doce comunhão, mas chegou a hora do eterno adeus"? Não, assim não aconteceria! Aqueles que estão "em Cristo" (1Tess. 4:14-17) não podem ser separados dele nem pela vida e nem pela morte (Rom. 8:38).

Para aquele que viveu conscientemente na presença de Cristo, ser separado de Cristo pela morte é coisa impossível. Para aqueles que estão unidos ao amor de Deus, é inconcebível separar-se desse amor para entrar num estado do nada e desolação. Cristo diz a todos os crentes: "Está Lázaro, está alguém, unido a mim? Ele confia em minha pessoa? Tudo que sou e todo o poder que em mim reside operarão em sua vida. Teu irmão está unido a mim pelos laços da confiança e do amor, e visto que eu sou a Ressurreição e a Vida, esse poder operará nele."

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gabbyjuvay-blog · 5 years ago

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HOW CAN THE CHURCH CAGE THE MONSTER CALLED MONEY IN THE BIBLE

1. MAKE HEAVEN YOUR FIRST PRIORITY.

Matt 6:33says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be addendumd to you” (NKJV). Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1Tim 6:11-15). Let your desire be for God. Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. Love with all your strength also. (Matt 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). Love God, not money.

Jesus said you cannot serve God and money (Matt 6:24; Luke 16:13b). Unfortunately when Jesus said so in Luke 16:13b to round off his parables, verse 14 says, the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, who had heard his sayings derided Him. Lovers of money always scoff or laugh it spiritual things. Their focus is this world and things of this world but 1 John 2:17 says the world is passing away, and the lust of it but he who does the will of God abides forever.

Keep eternity in focus. Any money or business you have to possess by losing your grip on eternal life is not worth it. “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36 NKJV). Why should you gain the world and lose your soul? Let that money or business go. When people are possessed by the love of money, eternal life does not mean anything to them. They don’t value it.

2. BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.

Avoid greed and covetousness. You cannot be content if you are comparing yourself with another person. If you are greedy, you cannot be content. The Bible warns us severally against greed and covetousness. (Exo 20:17; Rom 7:7; Luke 12:15; Deut 5:21; 1Cor 6:10, 5:11; Eph 5:5; 1 Tim 3:3, 8; 2 Tim 3:2).

Greed is the desire to have more. Covetousness is the desire to have what belongs to another person. Having more money by hook or by crook is the in-thing in the world but this should not be your driving force as a child of God as important as money is. Don’t forget Heb 13:5a says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have” (NKJV).

There is nothing you brought to this earth and you will not take anything out of it.

3. RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR NEEDS AND YOUR WANTS.

Differentiate between your needs and your wants. Don’t mistake your wants for your needs. Human wants are insatiable but our needs are usually few. God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil 4:19). He won’t satisfy your greed!

In what is usually called The Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught the disciples to pray: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt 6:11 NKJV). That phrase daily bread means daily need, the bread you need for that particular day. Most times what drives people to robbery, corruption, murder and all heinous crimes is not their need but their greed.

4. DON’T NURSE A DESPERATE AMBITION TO BE RICH.

Your concern should be to trust the Lord to meet your needs. An ambition, desperation or crave, to be rich, only plunges people into ruin and destruction (1Tim 6:9).

When you find yourself expressing this kind of determination, watch it – the love of money is creeping into your heart. God never said all His children would become millionaires but He promised to meet their needs; He promised to bless them. In fact, He has already blessed them. “How we praise God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we belong to Christ” (Eph 1:3 NLT).

If you are determined to be a millionaire and it is not part of His design for you, you can achieve it all the same but don’t give the glory to God. That does not mean that if you don’t nurse a desperate ambition to be rich, you will be poor. The blessing of the Lord makes rich and adds no sorrow to it (Prov 10:22). God will make you rich but not necessarily a millionaire! Don’t become what God has not planned to make you. Don’t build a house that God is not building (Psalm 127). God may allow you to succeed in building it but be ready to live there without Him. In Nigerian parlance, you’re on your own.

5. CAREFULLY AND REGULARLY EXAMINE YOUR MOTIVES.

It is very easy for somebody to slip into a mind condition of love of money without knowing it. Ask yourself: why am I doing what I am doing? Am I of recent under a strange desire to make more and more money? Is it through a righteous means? For what purpose and at whose expense are my getting the money? Is it at the expense of my time of fellowship with God privately in prayer and Bible study and corporate fellowship with saints, my family or my integrity? Am I doing it for my wants or for my needs? 1 Cor 11: 28a says a man should examine himself. So examine yourself. 2 Corinthians 13:5 also tells us to examine ourselves whether we are still in the faith. Examine yourself.

CONCLUSION: Don’t run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit (Jude 11). Don’t be like those who can do anything for money. As the saying goes, “Money is a good servant but a bad master.”If money is your master, you’ll do anything for money. Balaam, giving Israel’s enemy support, did Israel much harm but was eventually killed by the Israelites (Josh 13:22).

Be careful that you don’t fall for the craze in the world to crave for money. Trust God for your provision but don’t be idle because whoever refuses to work should not eat (1 Thess 3:10). Also let your motive be pure, obey kingdom financial principles and constantly examine yourself that the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches have not crept in to choke the Word of God in your heart – protect the word of God you hear (Matt 13:22, Mark 4:19).

Hold lightly the things of this world; don’t be attached to them. “Those in frequent contact with the things of the world should make good use of them without becoming attached to them, for this world and all it contains will pass away” (1 Cor 7:31 NLT). Beware! Don’t let the love of money replace the love of God in your heart. These are the last days. I pray that the Lord will keep you from falling into diverse temptations as you interact with life in Jesus’ name.

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jamaalw · 6 years ago

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“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.” – 2 Peter 2:1

In these last days the enemy is assaulting true Christians with many false teachers. There are in fact so many false teachers that I can spend hours and hours every day exposing them and I still wouldn’t have enough time to expose them all.

Is it important to spot out false teachers? Absolutely. The Bible is clear that we are to mark those who put obstacles in our way that are contrary to the the teaching that we have learned (Rom. 16:17). The Lord Jesus Christ warned that if a blind man leads another blind man they both fall into the pit (Matt. 15:4). Sadly, many are going to end up on the broad road to destruction because of false teachers. They shut up the Kingdom of God according to Jesus (Matthew. 23:13)

These false teachers not just in the United States but worldwide. This spiritual war that we are all in is a worldwide affair. The Bible is clear satan deceives the whole world (Rev. 12:9), that is why one must be vigilant as satan is like a roaring lion (1 Pet. 5:8). It is unsettling that the enemy can be operating right behind the pulpit via a Pastor, Evangelist, teacher etc. and that is why we should be a “fruit inspector.” Jesus warned us 2,000 years ago that we will know false prophets or teachers by their fruits; a good tree will produce will good fruits, but a bad tree will produce bad fruits.

Note: if an X teacher falls under one more of the following (with a few exceptions) it doesn’t always necessarily mean he is a false teacher since no one is perfect. The following can be a general idea to help you see certain red flags of a teacher.

1. Self-Promotion

“Promoting self under the guise of promoting Christ is currently so common as to excite little notice.” – AW Tozer

Jesus is and His teachings are supposed to be central. King Jesus didn’t come to be served but to serve. Be wary about those who boast about their success and achievement. This is an indicator of pride and pride is an abomination to God (Prov. 16:5).

One blatant indicator of a false teacher is self-promotion. If the ministry named after himself or herself is an obvious red flag. They will also tend to give themselves lofty titles such as “Reverend,” “Apostle,” or “Prophet.” There will also be a sort of a cult of personality around the person. The teacher or preacher will usually have written books (which are likely to be theologically bad), and their face will almost always be on the front cover.

Because of their celebrityhood there could be a sort of cult of personality built around the person. God is not a respecter of persons (Rom. 2:11) so why would God be behind a person to be boosted up? One shouldn’t think they are something when we are all nothing otherwise we deceived (Gal. 6:3). The Bible reads God will not share His glory to another (Isa. 42:8). Contrast these celebrity Pastors with the attitude of John the Baptist who said “I must decrease but He must increase” in referring to the Lord. A true Christian walking with Christ will be humble and Glorify God first and foremost. No man should be elevated above another when we are all supposed to be brothers (Matt. 23:8). Jesus Christ said the greatest of all is the one who is the least (Luke 9:48).

2. Tickles the Ears

“A popular evangelist reaches your emotions. A true prophet reaches your conscience.” – Leonard Ravenhill

False teachers will teach what sinful man wants to hear. Our flesh wants to hear smooth sayings. Exhortation to obedience to God’s commands is rare. You will never feel conviction by his sermons or teachings. Such teachings can be so insidious because it just seems so “right” or “true.” False teachers will tell people what their itching ears want to hear (hence they tickle the ears).

Does the preacher frequently emphasize God’s love but tends to ignore the “offensive” characteristics of God? Yes, God does love the world (John 3:16), and God is love (1 John 4:7). But God is also a God of wrath and judgment (John 3:36; Isaiah 26:21; Rev. 20:15). Sadly, we have heard God loves us so much that many sinners are going to be surprised to find himself that this God who is love sent them to hell. Jesus said that on that day many will to Him “Lord, Lord…” but Jesus will say to them “I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:22-23).

If Jesus had many hard teachings then surely should preachers. One preacher once said “if Jesus had preached the same message that ministers preach today, He would never have been crucified.” A few examples are when Jesus said if you don’t love Him more than mother, father or even child you are not worthy of Him (Matt. 10:37). Jesus said to strive to enter the narrow gate because broad is the road that leads to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14). Jesus said that if your eye or hand causes you to sin then it is better for one to gouge out your eye and cut off your hand than to end up in hellfire (Matt. 5:29-30). Jesus said to not fear man who can only kill the body but fear God who can destroy both body and soul in hell, and He said this to His friends (Matt. 10:28). Hard sayings from the meek Lamb of God. Remember, this is the same God that destroyed all human life but 8 people with global flood (Gen. 6:17) because of sin (Gen. 6:5). The God of the Bible is a holy (1 Pet. 1:16), jealous (Ex. 20:5), judgmental (Is. 61:8) God who hates sin (Heb. 1:9).

How many people in the pews know that to be blessed is to be persecuted (Matt. 5:10-12)? The Apostles thanked God for being persecuted for Jesus (Acts 5:41). Jesus said if you lose your life for His sake then you will gain it (Matt. 16:25). In fact, that is said in all 4 Gospels! Do you ever hear such a message from X preacher? Does his usually sermons or teachings focus what God can do for us rather on what we can do for God? Does he rarely, if ever preach against sins such as fornication or pornography, which widespread these days? Then that’s a teacher to avoid.

3. Materialism, Wealth, and Health

“The early church was married to poverty, prisons and persecutions. Today, the church is married to prosperity, personality and popularity” – Leonard Ravenhill

The prosperity Gospel has spread like a plague all throughout the world of Christendom. One study claims that 4 out of 10 churches in America preach prosperity.

Teachers of the prosperity Gospel will teach if you give money to their ministry God will bless you. The teaching that you will receive health and wealth if you sow a seed into their ministry is unbiblical. They will give self motives for so-called seed faith offerings. But we should give to glorify God and to benefit others.

Yes, God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. 9:7). Yes we should give as the apostles did (2 Cor. 12:15). But if the seed is true then why didn’t it apply to Paul (1 Cor. 4:10-11)?

If the preacher lives lavishly and luxuriously then that is a tell-tale sign to avoid the individual. If the preacher has a fleet of expensive cars and a mansion then that’s also a red flag. Jesus despite being King was very humble. In His triumphal entry into Jerusalem He didn’t ride on a regale horse but instead a lowly donkey. The Apostles and the early church were poor in the material sense, but were spiritually rich.

These prosperity preachers are materially rich because God is blessing them, right? Actually, no. The devil has blessed many of his people with riches and wealth. Jesus said to store your treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:19-21) so why are some of these preachers living in luxury? During His ministry Jesus could even find a place to lay His head (Lk. 9:58) so it should raise red flags when a preacher lives in a mansion. I seriously doubt the Spirit of the living God is working behind a preacher who would be so wealthy when there are millions of of Christians throughout the world living in poverty. Be careful about those who are making a profit out of their ‘ministry’.

Jesus said woe to you who are rich (Luke 6:24), and it is more difficult for a rich man to enter the Kingdom (Matt. 19:24). Jesus said you can’t serve both money and God, you will hate one and love the other (Luke 16:13). The Bible also reads the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil 1(Tim. 6:10).

What about good health? Well, good health is not promised by God. The Apostle Paul was sick (Gal. 4:13). God even allowed a messenger of satan to be a thorn in his flesh to buffet him to keep him humble (2 Cor. 12:7). In fact, he went through trials that contradicts the health and wealth preachers teach:

“24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches” (2 Cor. 11:24-28).

Didn’t God love Paul? Of course He did. But as the Bible reads “we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).

Yes, God can bless a person with money and supernaturally heal a person if He chooses to, but false teachers will tend to emphasize those aspects of God making Him to be a sort of Santa Clause. Jesus however said one’s focus should be on seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness first and things will be added onto a person (Matt. 6:33).

We should learn to be content (1 Tim. 6:6-10; Phil. 4:11-13). Peter warned about such false shepherds who fleece the flock: “through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you” (2 Pet. 2:3). The New Testament focuses more on the hereafter rather than on earthly rewards. Indeed, the Bible reads to took at the things above and not on earthly things (Col. 3:2). The name it and claim it, and prosperity Gospel is not scriptural as it focuses on the things on Earth instead of making God Himself our reward (Phil. 3:8).

4. Lying Signs and Wonders

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” – Matt. 24:24

Jesus warned there will be false prophets showing great signs and wonders who, if possible, will even deceive elect (Matt. 24:24). Such false teachers will publicize their supposed miracles. Jesus however told people He healed to not tell the general public. They will claim they can do all kind of miracles but they are almost never verification for such miracles. Their supposed power involves theatrics of display.Some of these false teachers use fake miracles to boost themselves or their ministry up. Don’t be deceived. If they do have genuine supernatural power (and some really do) is it really of God? The devil has supernatural power too. If the people prayed for are convulsing on the ground or laughing hysterically then it is likely not of God.

5. False Prophecies

“And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?22 When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.” – Deut. 18:21-22

There seems to be scores of self-proclaimed prophets these days. There are a plethora of them on Youtube and elsewhere on the internet. But God gave us a test to know if a prophet is really from Him or not. In Deuteronomy 18:22-21 it reads that if a supposed prophet gives even one false prophecy then he or she is rendered as a false prophet since God knows the beginning to the end (Is. 46:10).

I find it interesting many of these supposed prophets almost always “prophesy” very good things to people. This is reminiscent of the days of the prophet Jeremiah when God said “16 ….Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the Lord. 17 They keep saying to those who despise me, ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’ And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, ‘No harm will come to you’…. 21 I did not send these prophets, yet they have run with their message; I did not speak to them, yet they have prophesied” (Jer. 23:16-17; 21).

A lot of times their supposed “prophecies” sounds very appealing to the flesh. Test all things and use the litmus test God gives in Deuteronomy 18.

6. Unbiblical Lifestyle

“6 if any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 but a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9 holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” – Titus 1:6-9

Is the preacher or teacher really following Jesus?If he is a Pastor at a local church you are attending have you spent time with him outside of the church setting to see how he treats his family? Is he disobedient to what the Bible teaches? Does his actions betray what the scriptures teach? Is he very worldly? Has the teacher ever been involved in a scandal? Does he preach one thing but practice another thing?

Jesus strongly disliked hypocrites (Matt. 23:1-29). This should be a blatant indicator of a false teacher. Sadly, some people are so blinded by their loyalty to their Pastor that they will stick by him even when caught in a gross scandal. Blind loyalty to man can in itself be a form of idolatry. The Bible reads to avoid any believer who lives an unruly life (2 Thess. 3:6). The Bible even goes as far to read that one should not even eat with a person who is sexually immoral, a swindler or who is covetous (1 Cor. 5:11). Teachers or preachers are not exempt.

7. Scripture Twisting or Ignores Scripture

“But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” – Luke 11:28

They may be great orators but their messages or sermons are really hollow and empty fluff that appeals to the flesh, and not inspired by the Holy Spirit. They are essentially motivational speakers. They are the people that teach from man’s wisdom rather from God’s wisdom. He or she will take scripture out of context or doesn’t exegete scripture at all. Such teachers will misinterpret scripture to fit man-made doctrine.

Does the teacher emphasizes or goes to the extreme with certain doctrines? Does he add on to scripture his own doctrines? If yes, those are red flags. One end of the spectrum there are false teachers who don’t preach against sin, but on the other end of the spectrum there are false teachers who are exceedingly legalistic. Some even wrongly teach that one must keep the Old Testament laws to be saved rather than repenting and turning to the Lord Jesus Christ (read Gal. 2:16; 2:21; 3:11).

I have never in my life heard the Pope read from the Bible (I have doubts he has ever read a whole page out of the Bible). If the preacher doesn’t read scripture at all then completely avoid him.

Christians should never take for granted the importance of studying God’s Word. Jesus said man shall not live by bread alone but on every word that proceeds from God’s mouth (Matt. 4:4). Indeed, the Words of God are life (Jn. 6:33) and food (1 Tim. 4:6).

One must do his due diligence to study the Bible (preferably with the aid of the Holy Spirit) to judge whether the preacher’s message lines up with scripture.

8. Popularity

“If you want to be popular, preach happiness. If you want to be unpopular, preach holiness.” – Leonard Ravenhill

Jesus Christ was hated by the world (John 15:18-23), how is that the certain preachers are loved by the world? It is not biblical for there to be celebrity pastors. Contrast the popularity and celebrity of some the preachers to the words of John the Baptist who said “He must increase and I must decrease.” Jesus said the world loves its own so if the preacher is embraced by the ungodly that should raise red flags.

There are certain Pastors who are popular because they don’t preach from the Bible. If certain teachers or pastors are embraced by the world, which is ran by the devil (2 Cor. 4:4), then he probably watered down the teachings of the Bible. A lot of what it in in the Bible is offensive to the common person. How popular would a preacher be if he strongly condemned premarital sex and preached that fornicators will end up in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8)?

The Bible has a lot of teachings that are offensive and hard for those who love their life and many people even in churches love their life. There teachings appeal to the flesh.

Jesus said woe unto them when men speak well of you (Luke 6:26). Prophets in the bible were killed because they taught what people didn’t want to hear. Almost all of Jesus’ original 12 disciples were martyred.

9. Yokes Up With False Teachers

“14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

A true Christian should have nothing to do with the Pope, Islam, or any prosperity preacher, or teacher who teaches doctrine contrary to scripture.

It seems satan is trying to set up an ecumenism among the various faiths of the world in preparation for the Antichrist. In Amos Several very popular teachers have yoked up with people of false religions.Mainline Christianity should have nothing to do with Roman Catholicism, Islam or any other faith or religion that contradicts the eternal Gospel.

There are false teachers in mainline Christianity where the leaders are yoking up with those who preach another Gospel and another Jesus. The Bible reads to not put up with a person who preaches such things (2 Cor. 11:4). In fact, the Bible reads those who preach another Gospel is accursed (Gal. 1:8)!

If a Pastor is to shepherd his flock then he wouldn’t be shaking hands with the wolves. If such a leader doesn’t have the discernment to see who is a false teacher then he probably not fit to be in a leadership position in the first place.

10. Preaching Another Jesus and Another Gospel

“For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” – 2 Cor. 11:4

Perhaps the most important and strongest indicator of a false teacher. No matter what if the teacher denies Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God (Matt. 16:15-16) and He is God (Is. 9:6) one should avoid him!

There have been very influential people who came under the guise of being a follower of God that founded their own religion or cult, namely Muhammad, Joseph Smith, and Charles Taze Russell. Today there are millions of followers of their respective religions or cults. They believed in a Jesus that wasn’t the Biblical Jesus Christ. Every false teacher will deny the eternal Gospel, which is the Good News concerning Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4), but preachers another Gospel.

Or the preacher will pervert who Jesus is character wise. Their Jesus maybe a Jesus who doesn’t judge because He just loves everyone. However the Bible reads the wrath of God abides on unbelievers (John 3:36) and commands all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).

The Roman Catholics will profess Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world and that He is God in the flesh but they will deny sufficiency of His shed blood to cleanse us from all sins and will elevate Mary equal to or even above Jesus.

It’s vitally important for every person to personally know Jesus Christ of the Bible so it would easy to spot the counterfeit Jesuses taught by false teachers.

11. Too Proud To Be Corrected

These type of teachers have a tendency to take themselves too seriously – they think so highly of themselves they believe they are always right even if the Body of Christ comes in agreement against that person on an issue or issues. He is always right in his own eyes. If one rebukes him he retaliates. The Spirit of God is not behind such behavior (Pro. 12:1). Unwilling to heed correction is a sign of pride and pride is an abomination to God (Pro. 16:5).

Of course, correcting or restoring someone should be done the Biblical way (1 Tim. 5:19; Gal. 6:1).

12. Lack of Love

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.” – 1 Cor. 13:1-8

Ah, how can we not forget the most important characteristic a teacher ought to have: love. Jesus said the 2nd greatest commandment is to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:39).

Does the Pastor really care about his flock? Would he take time to personally minister to a person? Does he have compassion for people, and is humble as the Bible commands a Christian to be (1 Pet. 3:8)? Does he esteem others over himself (read Phil. 2:3)?

If the teacher is really operating by the Holy Spirit a marked characteristic of the person should be love because God is love (1 John 4:8). All of of the law is fulfilled when one loves his neighbor as he loves himself (Gal. 5:14; Rom. 10:13). If he does love others then does well (James 2:8).

12 Signs of a False Teacher "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

#Benny Hinn #bill johnson #Carl Lentz #creflo dollar #David E. Taylor #Ear ticklers #itching ears #Jennifer Leclaire #Joel Osteen #Joseph Prince #Joyce Meyers #Kris Vallotton #oprah #Paula White #Rick Warren #TD Jakes #the pope #Victoria Osteen #Women Pastors

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churchatthewell · 6 years ago

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(05/27/18) "The Peace of Solomon" (Fruits wk 4)

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Steve continues his series on the fruits of the spirit, this week looking at peace

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The Spirit of Gentleness: Moses. The Love of Ruth & Naomi. Joy & David.

Today: Peace & Solomon [David’s last son]

Like Joy last week, not a complete message on Peace or Solomon (David’s son). Huge subjects!

Solomon means ‘peaceful’. We’ll get to that later.

Like Joy, Peace is included in the Nature of the Kingdom (Rom 14:17). And Jesus in Jn 14-16, “Peace I give you … “ in relation to ‘troubles’ [Joy was in relation to the work of bearing fruit]

Jas 3:18, ‘wisdom from above’ … “fruit of righteousness is sown in peace”

Peace is mentioned in every book of the NT except for 1 John

Paul’s Salutation, “Grace & Peace”, the Old & New!

OT, shalom was a Blessing & Prayer of Peace: Completeness, Soundness, and Well-being of

the total person God-given. Also assoc with following the Law, suggesting security, contentment (Isa 26:3), prosperity (Ps 122:6-7) and the absence of war (1 Sam 7:14). Primarily an Observable Peace, external (a bit like joy was prompted by external).

NT, eirene implies a ‘joining together, prosperity’

Peace - an Inner tranquility the Holy Spirit gives to those who trust in God through Christ.

Isaiah’s prophecy expressed this, Isa 9:6-7.

The Peace Jesus spoke of was a combination of Hope, Trust, and a Rest of mind and soul, brought about by Reconciliation with God.

Stephen (re: Moses) in Acts 7:26 ‘reconcile’, Grk wds ‘at one again’, ‘at one peace’

Yet, Jesus says, “Do not think that I came to send/give/bring peace on the earth … a sword, division“ (Matt 10:34 & Lk 12:51)

HUGE SUBJECTS

Proclaimed by the host of angels at Christ's birth (Lk 2:14), prophesied by Zacharias at the birth of John the Baptist (Lk 1:79), introduced at the beginning of His ministry (Matt 5:9 ‘peacemakers’), throughout [missions], and at the end at the Lord's Supper (Jn 14:27). It was also the first word He spoke to the Disciples on Resurrection night (Jn 20:19-21).

Paul associated Peace and Spiritual Blessedness as a result of Faith in Christ (Rom 5:1), manifested in Prayer (Phil 4, ‘peace of God’) and encouraged us, ‘to keep the Unity of the Spirit in the bond of Peace’ (Eph 4). In Rom 3:17, quotes Isa 59:8, echoes Zacharias.

Solomon: The Fruit of Peace

Solomon’s Birth. Q: Who can tell the story of David & Bathsheba [Solomon’s mother]?

Read 2 Sam 12:8, 13-14.

Jas 3:18, ‘wisdom from above’ … “fruit of righteousness is sown in peace”. This Fruit did not come from Righteousness sown in peace. It was not the ‘peaceable fruit of Righteousness’ (Heb 12:11) that comes from discipline.

The Baby dies. Read 2 Sam 12:24-25. Love & Peace come together.

Solomon’s Reign. So many things associated with his 40 yr reign [following feuds]: Splendor of the United Kingdom at Rest, Temple built as well as Palace, Military advancements [defences, outposts, etc.], Trade & Commercial Prosperity … Solomon the Architect, Poet, Intellectual, wrote Song of Songs, Proverbs [collected, too], Ecclesiastes …

Some say ‘Songs’ was written in his youth/Love for God, ‘Proverbs’ as he grew in Prudence & Philosophy [Wisdom], and ‘Eccles’ in his old age ‘sad retrospect’; though warned in Prov 31:1-3 [or at least collected; controversy over ‘who’ Lemuel was]

Solomon’s Wisdom. Read 1 Kgs 3:3-9.

‘Understanding heart’, shama means to ‘hear intelligently’ connected to ‘obey’; ‘to judge’ means to govern

Read God’s reply, vss 10-13.

“Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men” (1 Kgs 4:30-31). The Queen of Sheba [from Ethiopia, Yemen?], ‘queen of the south will rise up in judgment’ [Matt 12:42, Lk 11:31]. Read 1 Kings 10:4-9, ‘the fruit of Righteousness is sown in Peace’ and can be seen.

Read 1 Kgs 3:16-end. Wisdom appeals to Love … the Love of a Mother. He knew God’s Love as Jedidiah, for David & himself.

SO, WHAT DOES ALL THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ‘PEACE’?

Peace needs/requires the Wisdom of God [1 Cor 1-2] that appeals to/’joined together’ with Love of God to Enter & Remain in His Rest. Read 1 Chron 22:6-10 [repeated in chap 28].

Jesus is our Peace [Eph 2:14-18]. He has broken down the partition among Men, but also between God & Man [Reconciled us], and also within our Souls [Heart & Mind, Isa 26:3], to have Peace to Enter the Rest [Heb 4:8-11, “If Joshua … “]. Rom 8:6!

Solomon’s Life became one of Pride, Wealth, and Extreme Sensuality – Idolatrous due to a DIVIDED HEART: The Wisdom of this world & the Wisdom of God, Love for self more than the Love of God (who says, “I also would have given you much more!”).

His Divided Heart produced a divided Kingdom, both Externally & Internally.

Saul did not have a heart for God, after his own heart and will, Kingdom torn from him the way he was trying to tear it from God (1 Sam 15:28)

David had a ‘heart after God, to do His will’ (Acts 13:22), when he started; but his heart became divided, i.e., he never overcame his sensuality. Solomon had 700 wives & 300 concubines, his father’s son, making David’s lust look like nothing! BTW: This cost a fortune to maintain, high taxes causing the people to question his love for God & them.

Solomon? His name meant ‘peace’ and he was afforded everything that makes for Peace & Rest. David’s wars were for Solomon’s Peace & Rest. Solomon through it all away in ‘vanity of vanities’.

Peace, the Prosperity of being Joined Together with the Wisdom & Love of God, remaining in His Rest (Gen 2:2, “On the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested”).

#notes #well #church #churchatthewellvidz #churchatthewell #christ #fruits of the spirit #fruit #peace #peacefulness #wisdom #love #kingdom #temple

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ultrachoppedpenguinbouquet · 6 years ago

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Alcohol in the Bible

Alcohol in the Bible In general, we can say that the Bible neither condemns drinking per se nor promotes it. Drinking alcoholic beverages is one of those grey areas that is a matter of one’s personal conscience. But there is more in scripture than just this individualistic approach.Isn’t it Really Grape Juice?Some take the words for wine to mean ‘grape juice.’ If this were so, then why would there be prohibitions against drunkenness? One cannot get drunk on grape juice. Further, Jesus’ first miracle was changing the water into wine at the wedding of Cana in Galilee. He made between 120 and 180 gallons of wine! Even if this had been grape juice, it would soon turn to wine because the fermentation process would immediately begin. But it most certainly was not grape juice: the head waiter in John 2:10 said, “Every man sets out the good wine first, then after the guests have drunk freely, the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.” The verb translated ‘drunk freely’ is almost always used of getting drunk (and is so translated in the NRSV here). In the least, the people at this wedding feast, if not drunk, would certainly be drinking alcohol fairly freely (if not, this verb means something here that is nowhere else attested4). And this makes perfect sense in the context: The reason why a man brings out the poorer wine later is because the good wine has numbed the senses a bit. Grape juice would hardly mask anything. Note also Acts 2:13—”they are full of sweet wine”—an inaccurate comment made about the apostles when they began speaking in tongues, as though this explained their unusual behavior. The point is: If they were full of grape juice would this comment even have made any sense at all? That would be like saying, “Well, they’re all acting strange and silly because they have had too much orange juice this morning!”There are other references to alcoholic beverages in the Bible: Several times in the first books of the Bible, wine, and strong drink are prohibited to those who take a Nazarite vow (cf. Num 6, Judges 13). Even grape juice and fresh and dried grapes (i.e., raisins, as the NIV renders the word) are prohibited to the Nazarite (Numbers 6:3)!5 But that restriction is only for those who make this vow. If someone today wants to claim that believers do not have the right to drink alcohol on the analogy of a Nazarite vow (as some today are fond of doing), they also should say that believers ought not to eat Raisin Bran!Negative Statements about Wine Indicate that it is not Grape JuiceFurther, the Bible at times speaks very harshly about becoming enslaved to drink or allowing it to control a person, especially to the point of drunkenness. Proverbs 20:1—“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, And whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise” (NASB). Cf. also Prov 21:17 (where heavy drinking and gluttony are equally condemned); 1 Sam 1:14; Isa 5:11, 22; 28:1 (drunkenness is condemned); 28:7; 29:9; 56:12; Jer 23:9; 51:7; Joel 3:3. In the New Testament notice: Eph 5:18 (“do not get drunk with wine”); 1 Tim 3:3, 8; Titus 1:7 ([elders and deacons ought not be] “addicted to wine or strong drink”); Titus 2:3 (older women, who would serve as role models to the younger ones, must not be addicted to wine). As well, numerous passages use wine or drunkenness in an analogy about God’s wrath, immorality, etc. (cf. Rev. 14:8, 10; 16:19; 17:2; 18:3).The significance of these negative statements is just this: If this were only grape juice, why would excess in drinking it be condemned? If this were only grape juice, why are certain mental effects attributed to it (cf., e.g., Psalm 60:3)? One can’t have it both ways. You can’t say that wine is always grape juice, for then the negative statements in scripture make no sense; those who say that it is only grape juice tend to focus just on the neutral and positive passages, conveniently allowing them to condemn the drinking of real wine at all times. But even this position is not logical: If the Bible only speaks of grape juice, then it makes no comment about alcoholic wine. And if so, then it does not directly prohibit it. And if we are going to prohibit something that the Bible does not address, why stop at wine? Why don’t we include the ballet, opera, football games, country-western music (actually, I might be in favor of banning this one!), saltwater fishing, zippers on clothes, etc. Once legalism infests the soul it doesn’t know where to quit.In sum, is wine the same as grape juice? No, for if it were, the Bible would hardly condemn the abuse of such. Those who argue that the two are identical simply cannot handle the passages that speak about excess.Neutral and Positive References to Alcoholic Beverages in the Bible At the same time, there are several neutral, almost casual references to alcoholic beverages. Genesis 14:18 refers to Melchizedek, a type of Christ, as offering wine to Abram; Nehemiah 2:1 refers to the king drinking wine (Nehemiah was required to taste it first to make sure it was not poisoned); Esther 5:6; 7:1-2 speaks of wine that Esther (the godly Jewess) drank with the king; Job 1:13 refers to righteous Job’s family drinking wine; Daniel 10:3 speaks of drinking wine as a blessing after a time of fasting. Some of Jesus’ parables are about wine, wineskins, vineyards (cf. Matt 9:17; 21:33; even John 15 speaks of God the Father as the vinedresser!). Paul tells Timothy to drink some wine for his stomach’s sake and not just water (1 Tim 5:23). The same Greek and Hebrew terms that were used to speak of the abuses of wine are used in these passages. One cannot argue, therefore, that alcoholic beverages are in themselves proscribed, while grape juice is permitted. The lexical data cannot be so twisted.There are, as well, positive statements about alcoholic beverages: Deut 14:26 implies that it is a good thing to drink wine and strong drink to the Lord: “And you may spend the money for whatever your heart desires, for oxen, or sheep, or wine, or strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice, you and your household” (NASB). Psalm 4:7 compares joy in the Lord to the abundance of wine; Psalm 104:14-15 credits God as the creator of wine that “makes a man’s heart glad” (cf. also Hos 2:8); honoring the Lord with one’s wealth is rewarded with the blessings of abundant stores of wine (Prov 3:10); love is compared to wine repeatedly in the Song of Songs, as though good wine were similarly sweet (1:2, 4; 4:10; 7:9). The Lord prepares a banquet with “well-aged wines... and fine, well-aged wines” for his people (Isa 25:6) [obviously this cannot be grape juice, for aging does nothing but ferment it!].The lack of wine is viewed as a judgment from God (Jer 48:33; Lam 2:12; Hos 2:9; Joel 1:10; Hag 2:16); and, conversely, its provision is viewed as a blessing from the Lord (cf. Gen 27:28; Deut 7:13; 11:14; Joel 2:19, 24; 3:18; Amos 9:13-14). Cf. also Isa 55:1; Jer 31:12; Zech 9:17.Indeed, there was even the Passover tradition that went beyond the biblical teaching: by the time of the first century, every adult was obliged to have four glasses of wine during the Passover celebration. Jesus and his disciples did this in the Last Supper.6 The fact that the wine of the Passover was a symbol the Lord used for his blood and for the new covenant implicitly shows that our Lord’s view of wine was quite different from that of many modern Christians.What is truly remarkable here are the many positive statements made about wine and alcoholic beverages in the Bible.7 Wine is so often connected with the blessings of God that we are hard-pressed to figure out why so many modern Christians view drink as the worst of all evils. Why, if one didn’t know better, he might think that God actually wanted us to enjoy life! Unfortunately, the only Bible most of our pagan friends will read is the one written on our lives and spoken from our lips. The Bible they know is a book of ‘Thou shalt nots,’ and the God they know is a cosmic killjoy.I think the best balance on this issue can be see in Luke 7:33-34: John the Baptist abstained from drinking wine; Jesus did not abstain [indeed, people called him a drunkard! Although certainly not true, it would be difficult for this charge to have been made had Jesus only drunk grape juice]. Both respected one another and both recognized that their individual lifestyles were not universal principles. One man may choose not to drink; another may choose to drink. We ought not condemn another servant of the Lord for his choice.As well, Romans 14 is a key passage for gleaning principles about how we ought to conduct ourselves in relation to one another on this issue: weaker brothers ought not to judge those whose freedom in Christ allows them to enjoy alcoholic beverages; stronger brothers ought not to disdain weaker brothers for their stance. Whether we drink or not, let us do all things to the glory of God.

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christianpublishinghouse-blog · 7 years ago

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Jesus was the master at using parables that related to the lives of people. Many of his parables reflected things that he had no doubt seen while he had up in Galilee. Ponder for a moment about his early life as a child and a teen. How many times did he see the common practice of his mother preparing leavened bread where she took a piece of fermented dough saved from a prior baking and using it as a leavening agent? (Matthew 13:33) How many hundreds of times did he watch as the fishermen let their nets down into the clear blue waters of the Sea of Galilee? (Matthew 13:47) How many times had he been playing or watching other children playing in the marketplace? (Matthew 11:16) Jesus saw an experienced many commonplace things of ancient life that made their way into his parables, such as the sowing of seeds, the marriage feasts, as well as the grain fields ripening in the sun.—Matthew 13:3-8; 25:1-12; Mark 4:26-29.

Therefore, we are hardly surprised to find the everyday life circumstances and situations of Jesus Christ sprinkled throughout Jesus’ many parables. Hence, if we are going to appreciate more fully his skill in using this teaching method, it will be necessary to examine what his words meant to the Jewish people who listened to him. Let us take a moment to consider two examples.

The Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat

Matthew 13:1, 2, 24-30 Updated American Standard Version (UASV)

13 On that day Jesus left the house and was sitting by the sea. 2 And such large crowds gathered to him that he went aboard a boat and sat down, and all the crowd was standing on the beach. 24 Another parable he set before them, saying: “The kingdom of the heavens was likened to[155] a man who sowed fine seed in his field. 25 But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed darnel[156] among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the wheat[157] sprouted and bore grain, then the darnel became evident also. 27 So the slaves of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? From where[158] then does it have darnel?’ 28 And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ So the slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, for fear that while gathering the darnel, you uproot the wheat with them 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest season, I will tell the reapers: First collect the darnel and bind them in bundles to burn them up; then gather the wheat into my storehouse.’”

We begin with The Parable of the Weeds Among the Wheat in the above text. We find Jesus telling us about “a man who sowed fine seed in his field. But while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed darnel [weeds] among the wheat, and went away.” Why did Jesus choose this distinct hostile act? Well, we must remember that this parable was told to the people near the Sea of Galilee, and the main occupation of the Galileans was obviously agriculture. There is scarcely anything more harmful to a farmer than to have an enemy come in the night and secretly oversow harmful weeds into his field! If we look at the laws of the government at that time, we find that such attacks happened. So, here again, we find a parable being drawn from a real-life situation that his listeners would be able to understand and appreciate the nuances that would make Jesus’ point more clear.

Luke 10:30-37 Update American standard Version (UASV)

30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and laid blows upon and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 Now by coincidence a certain priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And on the next day, he took out two denarii[1] and gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return I will repay you.’ 36 Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy toward him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Next, we have the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Jesus began by saying: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and laid blows upon and departed, leaving him half dead.” (Luke 10:30) It is meaningful that Jesus used the road that went “from Jerusalem to Jericho,” which contained the right details to make his point. When he was telling this parable he was in Judea, not far from Jerusalem. There, it is very like that his listeners were familiar with this seventeen-mile road in his parable. That road was “a dangerous place, and robbers often lay in wait for unprotected travelers.”[2] This was especially true of anyone traveling alone. It twisted through lonely terrain, providing many places for robbers to lay in wait.

We have something else unique about Jesus’ reference to the road that went “down from Jerusalem to Jericho.” First, the account is historically accurate by using the description of going “down.” “This is a stark and desolate seventeen-mile road, dropping from over 2,500 feet above sea level in Jerusalem to approximately 800 feet below sea level at Jericho. (Josephus, J.W. 4.8.3 §474.)[3] According to the account, first it was a priest and then it was a Levite who was also traveling that road, although neither of them stopped to help the victim. (Luke 10:31-32) The priests served at the temple in Jerusalem, and they were assisted by the Levites. When they were not working at the temple, many priests and Levites lived in Jericho, for Jericho was only 17 miles [27.4 km] from Jerusalem. Therefore, we see that they undoubtedly had many opportunities to travel that road. An important insight is that Jesus chose to tell the account from the perspective that the priest and the Levite were going along the road “from Jerusalem to Jericho,” not ‘from Jericho to Jerusalem.’ In other words, the priest and the Levite were going home (having time to stop and render aid and something more), not going to serve in the temple. You see, Jesus knew that, if the priest and the Levite were going to the Temple, people could argue that they thought the man was dead and they would have been unclean by touching a dead body, making them temporarily unfit to serve in the temple. (Leviticus 21:1; Numbers 19:11, 16) Again, Jesus’ parables reflected things that were well-known to his listeners?

[1] Denarius: (dēnarion; Roman, silver) The denarius was equivalent to a day’s wages for a common laborer (12 hours). It was sixty-four quadrantes. It had an image of Caesar on one side. It was the “head tax” coin demanded by the Roman government from their subjects.–Matt. 20:2, 9; Mark 14:5; Lu 10:35; 20:24; John 6:7; Rev. 6:6.

[2] Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 415.

[3] Clinton E. Arnold, Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002), 415.

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The reader will receive eight small introductory books in this one publication. Andrews’ intention is to offer his reader several chapters on eight of the most critical subject areas of understanding and defending the Word of God. This will enable the reader to lay a solid foundation for …

THE CULTURE WAR: How the West Lost Its Greatness & Was Weakened From Within

…The Culture War. How the West lost its greatness and was weakened from within outlines how the West lost its values, causing its current decline. It is a forceful attack on the extreme liberal, anti-religious ideology which since the1960’s has permeated the Western culture and …

EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN THE FIRST CENTURY Jesus’ Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth

EARLY CHRISTIANITY IN THE FIRST CENTURY will give its readers a thrilling account of first-century Christianity. When and how did they come to be called Christians? Who are all obligated to be Christian evangelists? In what way did Jesus set the example for our evangelism? What is the …

CRISIS OF FAITH Saving Those Who Doubt

Inside of some Christians unbeknownst to their family, friends or congregation, they are screaming, “I doubt, I doubt, I have very grave doubts!” OURS is an age of doubt. Skepticism has become fashionable. We are urged to question everything: especially the existence of God and the …

INVESTIGATING JEHOVAH?S WITNESSES: Why 1914 Is Important to Jehovah?s Witnesses

The intention of this book is to investigate the biblical chronology behind Jehovah’s Witnesses most controversial doctrinal position that Jesus began to rule invisibly from heaven in October 1914. This biblical chronology of the Witnesses hinges upon their belief that the destruction of …

Translation and Textual Criticism

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BIBLE TRANSLATION: Bible Translation Choices and Translation Principles [Second Edition]

…THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO BIBLE TRANSLATION (CGBT) is for all individuals interested in how the Bible came down to us, as well as having an insight into the Bible translation process. CGBT is also for those who are interested in which translation(s) would be the most beneficial to use.

CHOOSING YOUR BIBLE: Bible Translation Differences

There are more than 150 different Bible translations in the English language alone. Some are what we call literal translations, which seeks to give the reader the exact English equivalent of what was written in the original language text, thus allowing the reader access to the actual Word …

THE TEXT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT: The Science and Art of Textual Criticism

…THE TEXT OF THE NEW TESTAMENT was copied and recopied by hand for 1,500 years. Regardless of those scribes who had worked very hard to be faithful in their copying, errors crept into the text. How can we be confident that what we have today is the Word of God? Wilkins and Andrews …

MISREPRESENTING JESUS: Debunking Bart D. Ehrman’s “Misquoting Jesus” [Third Edition]

Edward D. Andrews boldly answers the challenges Bart D. Ehrman alleges against the fully inerrant, Spirit-inspired, authoritative Word of God. By glimpsing into the life of Bart D. Ehrman and following along his course of academic studies, Andrews helps the reader to understand the …

Biblical Studies

HOW TO STUDY YOUR BIBLE: Rightly Handling the Word of God

A comprehensive book on HOW TO STUDY YOUR BIBLE by observing, interpreting, and applying, which will focus on the most basic Bible study tools, principles, and processes for moving from an in-depth reading of the Scriptures to application. What, though, if you have long felt that you are …

THE NEW TESTAMENT: Its Background, Setting & Content

…the author’s intended meaning to his original readers and how that meaning can then apply to us. Marshall gives you what you need for deeper and richer Bible study. Dr. Lee M. Fields writes, “‘Deep’ study is no guarantee that mature faith will result, but shallow study guarantees …

THE LIFE OF JESUS CHRIST: What Do You Know About Jesus? [Updated and Expanded]

The life of Christ is an exhaustless theme. It reveals a character of greater massiveness than the hills, of a more serene beauty than the stars, of sweeter fragrance than the flowers, higher than the heavens in sublimity and deeper than the seas in mystery. As good Jean Paul has …

THE LIFE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL: The Apostle to the Nations [Updated and Expanded]

Stalker’s Life of St. Paul became one of the most widely read and respected biographies of the Apostle to the Gentiles. As an insightful compendium on the life of Paul, this work is of particular interest to pastors and teachers who desire to add realism and vividness to their account of …

INTERPRETING THE BIBLE: Introduction to Biblical Hermeneutics

Delving into the basics of biblical interpretation, Edward D. Andrews has provided a complete hands-on guide to understanding what the author meant by the words that he used from the conservative grammatical-historical perspective. He teaches how to study the Bible on a deep, scholarly …

HOW TO INTERPRET THE BIBLE: An Introduction to Hermeneutics

…Linguistic and literary factors are analyzed so that the various genres of Scripture are examined for their true meaning. The importance of having sound principles of interpretation cannot be overstated as to ignore them will result in all manner of erroneous assumptions. Beville presents …

THE CHURCH COMMUNITY IN CONTEMPORARY CULTURE: Evangelism and Engagement with Postmodern People

Once upon a time, Postmodernism was a buzz word. It pronounced Modernism dead or at least in the throes of death. It was a wave that swept over Christendom, promising to wash away sterile, dogmatic and outmoded forms of church. But whatever happened to postmodernism? It was regarded …

DEVELOPING HEALTHY CHURCHES: A Case-Study in Revelation

…church. It offers an appointment with the Great Physician that no Christian can afford to ignore. Developing Healthy Churches: A Case-Study in Revelationbegins with a well-researched outline of the origins and development of the church health movement. With that background in mind the …

DYING TO KILL: A Christian Perspective on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide

…liberties in a multi-cultural society that is becoming increasingly secular. This work provides an ethical framework in which euthanasia and assisted suicide can be evaluated. These issues are on the radar indicating a collision course with Christian values. It is time for Christians to be …

JOURNEY WITH JESUS THROUGH THE MESSAGE OF MARK

…Journey with Jesus through the Message of Mark is an insightful and engaging survey of Mark‘s Gospel, exploring each major section of the text along with key themes. It is a work that can be enjoyed by laypersons as well as pastors and teachers. Pastors will find the abundant use …

ANGELS & DEMONS The Bible Answers

What are angels & demons? Can angels help us? What does the Bible say about angels? What is the truth about angels? Can Angels affect your life? Who were the “sons of God” in Genesis 6:2? Who were the Nephilim in Genesis 6:2? Who is Michael the archangel? Can Satan the Devil control …

Bible Doctrines

WHERE ARE THE DEAD? Basic Bible Doctrines of the Christian Faith

What is the Bible’s viewpoint? Without delving into an endless stream of what man has said, Andrews looks at what the Bible says about death and the like. Why do we grow old and die? What happens at death? Is there life after death, or is this all there is? Do we have an immortal soul? …

IDENTIFYING THE ANTICHRIST: The Man of Lawlessness and the Mark of the Beast Revealed

Herein Andrews will give the reader exactly what the Bible offers on exposing who the Antichrist and the Man of Lawlessness are. If we look at the texts that refer to the antichrist and the man of lawlessness, we will have lines of evidence that will enable us to identify them. Why is it …

UNDERSTANDING THE CREATION ACCOUNT: Basic Bible Doctrines of the Christian Faith

Throughout the Scriptures, God is identified as the Creator. He is the One “who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it.” [Isa 45:18] He is the One “who forms mountains and creates the wind” (Am 4:13) and is the One “who made the heaven and …

The SECOND COMING of CHRIST: Basic Bible Doctrines of the Christian Faith

The information herein is based on the disciples coming to Jesus privately, saying, “Tell us, (1) when will these things be, and (2) what will be the sign of your coming, and (3) of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3) What will end? When will the end come? What comes after the end? Who …

WHAT IS HELL? Basic Bible Doctrines of the Christian Faith

What Really Is Hell? What Kind of Place is Hell? What Really Happens at Death? What Did Jesus Teach About Hell? How Does Learning the Truth About Hell Affect You? Who Goes to Hell? What Is Hell? Is It a Place of Eternal Torment? Does God Punish People in Hellfire? Do the Wicked Suffer in …

MIRACLES – DO THEY STILL HAPPEN TODAY? God Miraculously Saving People’s Lives, Apparitions, Speaking In Tongues, Faith Healing

Miracles were certainly a part of certain periods in Bible times. What about today? Are miracles still taking place. There are some very important subjects that surround this area of discussion that are often misunderstood. Andrews will answer such questions as does God step in and solve …

HOMOSEXUALITY – The BIBLE and the CHRISTIAN: Basic Bible Doctrines of the Christian Faith

Today there are many questions about homosexuality as it relates to the Bible and Christians. What does the Bible say about homosexuality? Does genetics, environment, or traumatic life experiences justify homosexuality? What is God’s will for people with same-sex attractions? Does the …

Christian Fiction

THE DIARY OF JUDAS ISCARIOT: How to Keep Jesus at Arm’s Length

…desert but none of such significance as a handful of scrolls retrieved from a buried Roman satchel (presumed stolen) at this site. The discovery has since come to be known as ‘The Diary of Judas Iscariot.’ In The Diary of JudasIscariot Owen Batstone relates the observations and feelings …

THE SECRET HIDEAWAY ON BRIDGETON HILL

Rachael Garrison knows all the shrewd ways to successfully close multi-million-dollar real estate deals with her father’s famous New York real estate enterprise. But beyond her savvy to rake in huge deals is her premonition that an impending global takeover of the world’s financial wealth is on the horizon by evil leaders of The Great Ten Nations. From New York City to the Irish Hills of Michigan, and into the streets of Detroit her life takes on enormous purpose as

THE RAPTURE: God’s Unwelcomed Wrath

Kevin Trill struggles with the notion that he may have missed the Rapture. With nothing but the clothes on his back and a solid gold pocket watch, he sets off towards Garbor, a safe haven for those who haven’t yet taken the mark of thebeast. While on his way to Garbor, he meets up …

SEEKERS AND DECEIVERS: Which One are You? It Is Time to Join the Fight!

There grew an element in the valley that did not want to be ruled by the Light of the Word. Over time, they convinced the people to reject it. As they started to reject this Light, the valley grew dim and the fog rolled in. The people craved the darkness rather than the Light because they were evil. They did not want to …

The Shadow Flames of Uluru: Book ONE in the CHAOS DOWN UNDER

When an ancestor saddles them with the responsibility to purge Australia of a demon threatening to wipe our humanity with black flames, fraternal siblings Amber and Michael Hauksby lay their lives on the line. As the world crumbles around them into chaos, and ancient marsupials wreak havoc in their hometown, they must journey into …

WRITE PLACE, RIGHT TIME: The Pre-Apocalyptic Misadventure of a Freelance Journalist

“Write Place, Right Time” follows the pre-apocalyptic misadventures of freelance journalist Don Lamplighter. While on what he expects to be a routine Monday night trip to a village board meeting, Lamplighter’s good nature compels him to help a stranded vehicle. Little does he know that by saving one of the car’s occupants, he sets forth a chain of what to him seem to be unrelated events where he must use his physical and social skills to save himself and others from precarious situations.

THE GREAT TEACHER: Jesus Taught With Parables Drawn From Everyday Life Jesus was the master at using parables that related to the lives of people. Many of his parables reflected things that he had no doubt seen while he had up in Galilee.

#Apologetics #Christian Apologetic Evangelism #Christian Apologetics #Christian Evangelism #Evangelism #The Work of an Evangelist

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