Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 174

Biblical Greek Perspectives:

(Hebrews Part 1):

Written to Hebrew Christians. The author is unknown. Hebrews was written to warn against apostasy during persecution. The theme of Hebrews is "The just shall live by faith."

Hebrews 1:1 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,

It says God, who at sundry times and in divers manners. Sundry times means various times. And in various ways. In other words, in the Old Testament, God worked through progressive revelation. God manifested certain truths about Himself through certain stages of history, and through different people. And not just people, but different things, like the burning bush, or some of these other epiphanies where God revealed Himself through circumstances, and even animals, as far as that's concerned.

So, in many times, and in many ways, God spoke in time past, indicating that He's about ready to tell us that He doesn't do this anymore. He doesn't work this way anymore. In time past, He spoke to the fathers, and that would be the patriarchs. He spoke to the fathers.

And then the key to this, the instruments: by the prophets. The literal translation is not by the prophets, but in the prophets. The Greek text indicates that He wasn't just speaking through them. He was in them. He was in the prophets.

Thank you GIGi, I was racking my brain trying to find it.

Grace and Peace

Ezek.28.12-14 "Covering cherub" (2 of 2)

Prince of Tyrus was a man who deceived himself to think, " I am a God, I sit in the seat of God, in the midst of the seas; yet thou art a man"(Ezek.28.2) He is similar to deified Caesars, and time has proved it a lie. It is thus the covering cherub has dispensed seat power and authority to men. This measurement of angel-man we see first introduced in the night vision. "a

nd, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him./And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed."(Dan.7.13-14). Ancient of days hyphenated with the Son of man we see next in the inaugural vision of Rev.1. Thus we have two sets of measurements used by God and Satan . Of the latter we find in the beast rising out of the sea. In him sits all four beasts found in the vision of Daniel.(Rev.13.1-2) "Having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy, what does he do? "And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name," (13.6) He does exactly same as the prince of Tyrus does. Historically we know his fate as with the deified Caesars. Their measurement did not add up. The Spirit instructs us why. Ezekiel records thus, "in the man's hand a measuring reed of six cubits" (Ezek.40.5) The number Six refers to the beast having the number 666. "Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six."(13.18) The command number 10 is yet another. He is judged under the law of sin and death. As indicative of this we have this " I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit,"(Dan.7.10)

Ezek.28.12-14 "Covering cherub" (1 of 2)

"And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day."

Of this angelic order we shall first consider the covering cherub who was set up by the will of God. He left his own habitation and taking along all those who supported his own will," will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High./ Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit."(Isa.14.14-15) God has reserved in everlasting chains and it is under darkness, here Jude refers. This is further supported by Rev.20.1-3. In the Vision of the Woman clothed with the sun we have a reference to the war in heaven and the displacement."he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."(Rev.12.9)

The cherub covers sons of perdition as children of light abide under the most High. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." The Spirit has thus given us additional references to support the spiritual truth stated in Gen.1.3-4 "And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness." By the same token compare this phrase the sides of the pit 'Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit" It is similar to the sides of the north in the context of Zion, "the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.("I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.")(Isa.14.13; Ps.48.2). Ezekiel refers to the King of Tyrus who is the proxy for the cherub. This man-angel measurement we also find in use with regards to the holy city. "according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel."(Rev.21.17)Lucifer. dragon, prince of the power of the air are all used in reference to the angels who left their first state.

Hi Brother Giannis.

You stated, "the Spirit of Christ does not refer to the Holy Spirit. It is the mind/mindset, the way Jesus was thinking and consequently acting.

And you referenced Philippians 2:5-8 to show the mindset that is to be obedient to God's commandements as Christ was.

I agree that we are to have the mind of Christ and to know and love God's commandments.

I don't believe the passage you used in Philippians is the best scripture to use to drive home your point.

Isn't Philippians 2:5-8 a lesson for believers to esteem other better than themselves?

( Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.) Philippians 2:3-4.

Again, I agree that we are to have the mind of Christ but is it possible to have the mind of Christ apart from Christ Spirit being IN us?

1 Corinthians 2:7-12 reads.

"But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, BUT THE SPIRIT WHICH IS OF GOD; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

I believe Romans 8:9 is showing the contrast of one in the flesh and one born of God's Spirit when considering the following verses.

( Romans 8:10-11. )

Blessings.

"The Spirit of Christ"

Rom 8:9, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."

What is the Spirit of Christ? No, it does not refer to the Holy Spirit. It is the mind/mindset, the way Jesus was thinking and consequently acting.

Phil 2:5-8, "5Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

So the spirit of Christ is "Humbling Himself". Humbling Himself to God. Which means that Jesus humbled Himself, lowered Himself infront of God which means that He set apart His own will and got obedient to God (unto death).

But in the same verse it says that if the Spirit of God dwells in us then we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit. Yes but nomatter if one has the Spirit of God still they have to have Christ's mindset that is to be obedient to God's commandements. If not then new birth is of no use. They are "none of His". In such a case they will hear Jesus telling them some time "I do not know you".

But one may insist saying " Doesn't the verse in Gal 3:26 say that? "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus" We have believed in Christ, are we not God's children?".

Well, in Rom 8:14 it also says "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."

If we are not led by the Spirit (which means obeying God's Word) then we are not considered as true children of God, nomatter if we have been born again and baptized in the Spirit. Obeying God's commandements is essential for our salvation.

Gal 3:29, "And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise."

Jean

You can find this saying in Jeremiah 17:9

"Mountain of God"

"Therefore will I bring forth a fire from the midst of thee, it shall devour thee." (Ezek.28.18)

This chapter makes a distinction between prince and king of Tyrus. A similar use we saw in case of prince David and king David."And David my servant shall be king over them..."(Ezek.37.24) The same David in v.25 is qualified 'and my servant David shall be their prince for ever". The tag forever' refers to Jesus Christ the king of kings and lord of lords. In the tabernacle of God is with man, in new heaven' he is blessed under the everlasting Covenant. It is to which the 24 elders testify,"And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth." (Rev.5.10) They announce this only after the Lamb was found worthy in heaven to break open the book bound with seven seals. The same in the night vision Daniel sees,"A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened."(Dan.7.10). This is with reference to the Judgement of the covering cherub. "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire./ Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."(Ezek.28.14-15) Glory of pride embodied by the cherub is fire which we have in the fable of Jotham. "Let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech."(judge 9.18-20). The great tribulation from the beginning till the ending is a devouring fire brought upon the ungodly because they laid trust in the devil the father of lies. These ten horns that the beast sport are the kings and judged already under law of sin and death.

Is there a Bible Scripture that says something about the "heart is deceitfully wicked" or "continually wicked" (something like that)?

I first did not understand God and I doubted him but thru this I got a gift to speak in things and dream dreams I hope you did too

Amen God bless you

"Waters and depths"

The Spirit presents the natural world with symbols as heavenly places with similar symbols to the latter we have mountain of God. River of God is yet another. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. (Ps.46.4). This river from Eden divides into four river heads so they make also cities in the natural world come under different names.

The Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters in Gen.1.2 and when the Spirit while narrating the story of Moses instructs us the spiritual significance of his name, "And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water."(Exod.2.10). The same Spirit made Adam a living soul; and in case of Moses we read what made him choose God than pharaoh. " By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter."(Heb.11.23-27) The natural world with the names of Egypt or the river Nile are not so important as being aware of the holiness of God, faith to which his physical world is bonded. The Word or the Law is sovereign and it explains our obligation whether in body or in Spirit is to God. Moses is a hero of faith." By faith he forsook Egypt," and we are given the reason,"Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt,"and it made him 'faithful in all his house'.(Heb.3.2)

On the other hand what was king Tyrus but the son of perdition? He trusted in his own wisdom, "and by thy traffick hast thou increased thy riches, and thine heart is lifted up because of thy riches." He made tariff wars and extortion on ships that brought wealth from seven seas and he called it day of liberation? Wast it and the city of Tyre was wiped off the maps. The word of God had determined thus "Thou shalt die the deaths of the uncircumcised by the hand of strangers: for I have spoken it, saith the Lord God" (Ezek.28.2-10)

Greetings

Exodus 20:8-11 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it."

Ephesians 3:6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed and heirs according to the promise.

Rev.6.14 "The Scroll" (2 of 2)

"And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly. "(Exod.19.18) Smoke of a furnace we find in two places." behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces." God is a consuming fire, as a Purifier as well as indicative of judgment. (Gen.15.17) Also it is associated with the bottomless pit. "And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace."(Rev.9.2)

St John sees, "And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices". How God presented himself to the congregation of Israel was no different,"And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, " They heard the voice of God and were afraid,"And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die."( Exod. 20.19) The Spirit sets God as seated above the mountain as in the case of the spiritual Rock. "Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel." (Exod.17. 6,9) Similarly during the engagement of Joshua against the Amalekites it is Moses who stands in the place of God.

"And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it." (2.2) . Here the Spirit is setting the natural world as pendent to the world framed by the word. The stone cut not with hands shall scatter the nations, "Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors..."(Dan.2.35)

Rev.6.14 "As a scroll" (1 of 2)

"And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places."

Here we have the determined Will of the Father so as indicative of the wrath of the Lamb we have the heaven and the earth compared to a scroll which is rolled and put away into the library. Not so with the same event described here. It is judgment time. "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them."(Rev.20.11) The Spirit presents the utter fright of the worlds, -the collusion of the rulers of the darkness of this world with spiritual wickedness in high places as chaff blown away in the gust of wind. (Eph.6.12)

In order to show the worlds framed by the word as eternal as the Law of the Spirit that secures those who trusted in its shadow we have mountains as a symbol scattered throughout. The natural world has its uses as indeed mount Sinai or mount Horeb has in the history of nations. "They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." (Ps.125.1-2) The Spirit gives us the expression 'forever' which is a tag to indicate Jesus Christ who in earthly ministry was the rock of offence to the nation. "The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner."(Ps.118.22; Mt.21.42). The mountains are natural barriers and the safety of Jerusalem could only be assured where the Lord God has blessed them in his Son. " As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the Lord is round about his people from henceforth even for ever."

The Spirit gives us the time God descended upon mount Sinai and the mountain quaked greatly. What does it tell you? And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly."(Exod.19.18)

Well said Jesse!

Dear Bibleman72

Impetigo is a very serious bacterial infection. Your rash is probably related to this skin infection. Did the doctor identify it as a staff or strep infection? Did the Doctor prescribe antibiotics (oral and topical)? Please seek medical help if it spreads more or your legs or feet get really red and swollen as this could be cellulitis which can be life threatening.

I will be praying for both you and your mom. I am so sad for what both of you are going through. Keep strong in your faith and trust God no matter what happens to you or your mom. You both are in God's hands and no one can snatch you out of them.

Keep me updated. I am very concerned for both of you.

Hello Audrey. I wasn't sure whether you were asking this question from a Jewish or a Christian standpoint, since we hear from folk of other non-Christian faiths as well. If from a Jewish standpoint, then as those who are given the Ten Commandments and therefore are under the Law, they have very clear rules of Sabbath observance. And these rules are interspersed in the Books of Exodus (chaps 16, 20, 31, 35), Leviticus (chaps 16, 23, 25), Numbers (chaps 15, 28), & Deuteronomy (chap 5).

However, from a Christian (both saved Jew & Gentile) standpoint, then the Mosaic Law with its requirements & penalties have no bearing at all upon the believer in Christ. For the converted Jew, he has been freed from the bondage to the Law that only revealed sin (which could give absolutely no salvific benefit); and for the converted Gentile, he has been freed from the burden of sin that he realized had a grip on his life & found no salvation in anything he tried to rid himself of it. So, both the unsaved Jew & Gentile had to come under the mighty influence of God's Spirit to realize that neither the Law nor any attempt to unburden the sin & guilt that he carried could free him.

Even as the Apostle Paul, who was a high-ranking Pharisee at one point, could now say as a freed follower of Christ Jesus: "There is therefore now no condemnation (i.e. by the Law & God our Judge) to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death (i.e. the whole Mosaic Law)." ( Romans 8:1,2). As believers in Christ, we no longer are bound to the Law but to God's Spirit Who instructs us according to "the righteousness of the Law".

Yet, on the Lord's Day, which we, as the early Church worshiped, should respect the day as unto the Lord and use our time wisely in Church attendance, meeting with others, and thinking deeply & talking about the things of the Lord. Blessings.

What are we supposed to do on the sabbath?

Isa.2.2 "The House of Prayer"-2

This House is shown descending from heaven. "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband." ( Rev. 21.2) Where does it rest? "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it." (Isa.2.2)

It is called Zion on the sides of north. This is a peculiar expression 'on the sides' since north gives us the direction judgment of God comes. "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King."(Ps.48.2) It is the city of the king of kings, the lord of lords. (Rev.19.13-15) Here we are looking at the throne of God and of the Lamb. For this reason the Spirit hyphenates the throne of God with that of the Lamb. Compare the same expression 'the sides of the earth' in context of Lucifer, "For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north."(Isa.14.13)

1 Pet.4.17 "The House of Prayer"

"For the timeis comethat judgment must begin at the house of God: and ifitfirstbeginat us, what shall the endbeof them that obey not the gospel of God?"

In the Parable of the Tares we see the field showing up altogether a different result over a period of time. The servants ask their Master, "from whence then hath it tares?/He said unto them, An enemy hath done this." (Mt.13.27-28) The Lord of the house is longsuffering and he is fully aware of Satan and his wiles. "Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them./Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."(Mt.13.29-30)

"But gather the wheat into my barn." The will of God has reserved where His barn shall be. "In my Father's house are many mansions," including the outer darkness and lake of fire. It is presented when the new heaven and new earth are inaugurated. "for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea." The physical world is out and also the sea that was designated symbolically for ungodly nations. In the will of God was a body, a glorious spiritual prepared for the Son. and consequently nothing of the natural body of man what is designated as earthy shall remain. This is the House of Prayer for all nations. "Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people."(Isa.56.4-7) The Spirit refers 'even them' inclusive of Nations of Israel and of Gentiles who hold on to the everlasting Covenant. They shall have an everlasting name besides the name of the Father in their foreheads. (Rev.14.1); "and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written."

Isa.66.1 "The house"

"Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?"

Here the idea of heaven in relation to the footstool presents a rather confusing picture of two worlds where heaven as the throne and the earth as yet another. Omnipresent does not require such a world since the world itself is conceived by his Word. Instead we shall consider the kingdom of God as house whose house are we. "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God./And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;/But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we...."(Heb.3.4-6)

Referring to this kingdom of God the Spirit places the Word or the Law as sovereign authority. "For ever, OLord, thy word is settled in heaven."(Ps.119.89). This is the throne, and speaking of the complete and whole will of God, this throne indicates where this sovereign authority of the Word rests. The Son has his rest in heaven to which John in his gospel says thus:"No man hath seen God at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him."( Jn 1.18) On this basis he could say ' I and my Father are one.' God framed the worlds by his word so the world made to appear is His house proper and all other worlds are shakeable. "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven./And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain./ Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." How we serve now is part of the world made to appear from which all ungodliness and filth shall be purge. God is a consuming fire. Children of perdition have no place here.

John 21.4-14 "New" (conclusion)

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He asks the disciples present there, "Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No." (v.5). But soon they shall find a miraculous draught of fish and also bread. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."(v.9). The catch was apart from the fish. Their labour and the catch brought ashore was their testament. While what was the testament of the spiritual body? Is it not the fish laid thereon a fire of live coals and the bread? Thus there are two aspects to what we mean by the body.

"A body hast thou prepared me" (He.10:5-7; Ps.40:7) is Word based so it points to the covenant between the Father and the Son. "Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,/ I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."

The fish and bread witness the spiritual body of the risen Christ.

"This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead."( John 21:14)

Jn 21.4-14 "New" (2 of 3)

Testimony of Jesus Christ is referring to the everlasting Covenant between Father and the Son. Law of the Spirit determined the provisions so man created after our image must be brought to the same world where the Will of the Father is fully met in the sone. All the blessed shall have Jesus as the firstborn. He was the Word become flesh so the blessed have a template in the Word was with God. It is called 'after our likeness' so the true Light that he shone for us explains the life everlasting after our likeness' so the true Light that he shone for us explains the life everlasting and by faith and not by sight we walk. (Jn1.4)

All gospels save that of John narrate the last supper before his passion. It occurred in the evening.

John instead gives us the first meal on the day of regeneration. This we shall examine before we consider 'my body' for bread and "new testament"

The disciples according to the Gospel of John did not recognize their master. He was there in his risen body, naturally."but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus." ( John 21:4). Significance is in the morning, "But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore." The Spirit uses the morning to indicate that their repast shall be breaking the fast. He was evidently in his spiritual body and for forty days he was seen of them since he was risen.

At the mount before his passion he carried both physical and spiritual bodies and transfiguration was merely a foretaste of what was to come. Death had no more hold on the risen Christ so while he stood on the other shore he was in his spiritual body.

He asks the disciples present there, "Children, have ye any meat? They answered him, No." (v.5). But soon they shall find a miraculous draught of fish and also bread. "As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread."(v.9). (to be concluded)

"New" (1 of 2)

Take, eat; this is my body."(v.26) "For this is my blood of the new testament,"

Firstly my blood refers to a single act which was once in the divine Will under a symbol and as the word become flesh when he walked the earth it was fulfilled. The significance of the adjective 'new is consistent throughout. For example The Bible opens with this verse, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." (Gen.1.1) The book of te Revelation however has this verse,"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea./And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven," The new earth is the world as fulfilled by Jesus Christ where the world is framed by the Word. This Word was God and what the writer to the Hebrews cites refer to God in the Father Son relationship. There is therefore only one world and what is seen is temporal and what is unseen is eternal. The Bible as the testament of Jesus Christ can be summed up in terms of the Lamb as the symbol. In the divine Will the Spirit presents us the Lamb slain.('the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world,'-Rev.13.8). God sent his only Son to the world and John the Baptist testifies,"And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!"( Jn 1.36). In the new heaven and the new earth the throne of God and of the Lamb indicates the Will of God as fulfilled. "And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."(Rev.21.3; Exod.25.8-9) This is the world framed by the word of God in which the adjective 'new' establishes the fulfilment of the will of the Father.

Book of the Revelation is recorded by St John 'Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw."

I also may have to decide where to fellowship if I take a position out of town now available.

I gather from your posting that your current church preaches with great conviction and I would guess with bombastic shouting.

What you don't want to do is end up somewhere where a half truth is preached just to make people feel better. Open rebuke is better than hidden love.

If you are walking as you should and the gentle spirit and kind words are given a harsh response then indeed it may be the preacher is too hard hearted to continue. I would attempt to discuss with the Pastor your decision and be honest that he is avoiding showing the love of Christ and self control if indeed he is and suggest that he would consider being more balanced.

He may need to be confronted on a pride issue as well. This of course would be especially helpful if there were others; along with men of God that would vouch for that statement if fellow brothers and sisters are repeatedly having their character attacked without cause. The question is if the scriptures are directed or implied toward anyone specific or it is just a sermon giving harsh warnings as a general message. It also needs to be evaluated as to the emphasis; if it is to bring newcomers to the fear of the Lord which is actually a good thing in some ways with many of the "seeker friendly" churches that do more harm than good. Again; if he can't grasp that the love of God constrains us ( 2 Cor. 5:14) that isn't right. If he on the other hand is showing partiality toward those who are longer term members in either a positive or negative manner as compared to newcomers that isn't good either.

I am just concerned that you go from bad to worse. I pray that you have wisdom and discernment where to go before cutting all ties there and burning bridges. I have seen personally someone who a couple years ago was in training as a pastor in a church where the Pastor was arrogant and softened somewhat after being challenged.

Never a dull moment.

Today as I speak there are 19 Tornado warnings and nearly as many severe thunderstorm warnings. Worse; this is supposed to be an unprecedented 5 day event. We have had in the last week or so a 7.0 earthquake in Tonga and the 7.7 in Myanmar.

The wars continue along with rumors of new conflicts that our country is likely to be involved with.

No doubt Christian persecution is still going on; we have seen in recent months the continuing problems in N.E. Nigeria and last month in Syria with martyrdom large scale.

Along with this there is the constant spiritual battle with the world; flesh and the Devil. We need to "buffet ourselves" ( 1 Cor. 9:27) to continue to stay in the fight and endure until the end. I have always said we can learn some things from our enemy: here is a quick review.

He never rests day or night; that is implied by 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Interesting the verses that talk about never sleeping day or night actually refer to God such as in Psalm 121:4 and Isaiah 40:28 but Proverbs 4:16 talks about how evil men cannot sleep without doing evil.

He along with all the other demons know who Christ is and His authority ( James 2:19). Satan obviously is aware of this through His heavenly councils with angels and God as seen in Job 1 and 2. He knows that Christ has the power to turn stones into bread; as well as calling angels to His help as Satan quoted Psalm 91:11:12.

He has His own heirarchy or Kingdom (see Luke 11:18; Ephesians 6:12).

His goal has been consistent since His fall and the beginning of human history ( John 8:44).

I am sure we could find other passages in this vein. Ultimately God causes all good and evil ( Isaiah 45:7). All things are according to His purposes; just as Christ was exalted after His suffering so we shall be and rewarded if we persevere.

(see Hebrews 11:6).

Fight the good fight.

You are welcome brother Spencer, and blessings to you also!

(Philemon Part 2):

Philemon 1:10 - I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, and the word Onesimus means useful. They gave slaves these different names. He used to be a useful slave, and now he has a reputation of being useless. But Onesimus my son, whom I have begotten, or given birth, in my bonds, or while I'm chained up:

Philemon 1:12 - Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

Whom I have sent again, meaning Onesimus: thou therefore receive him, that is, my own bowels: He's saying by receiving Onesimus, you're receiving my own heart.

Philemon 1:15 - For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

Sometimes holding on to people is the worst thing possible. Basically, what he is saying is you lost your slave so that you can gain him back as a brother. Of course, Philemon didn't know all of this. You might relate to children who want to leave the home and get out and see the world as soon as possible. Sometimes the best thing to do is to accommodate them and say go out and see the world.

They leave and find out that it's not the way they think it is, and they come back. Perhaps you'll lose a son or daughter for a few years, but you'll gain them back. Sometimes you got to let them go. Sometimes you have to lose people to gain them back as saved brothers and sisters.

This is quite a letter. I didn't find much to share from a Biblical Greek perspective, but if we wanted to learn and discuss the topics of forgiveness, salvation, and grace, this would be a great book to go over.

Anyway, this finishes Paul's writings. Next, I will begin, Lord willing, the book of Hebrews. There isn't any book in the bible that I know of that gives a description of Jesus Christ and God having come in the person of Christ more than the book of Hebrews.

Blessings to you all, and good night!

Biblical Greek Perspectives:

Well, as I mentioned earlier this evening, Philemon is very short so I decided to take on the tedious task of going through this one-chapter book so here's what I would like to share with you.

(Philemon Part 1):

Authored by Paul and Timothy, and written to a Christian businessman by the name of Philemon who was living in the city of Colossae. And he wrote to him concerning Philemon's run-away slave Onesimus. Philemon was written at the same time as Colossians. The Theme of Philemon is the portrayal of the Gospel expressed between Paul and Philemon over Philemon's slave Onesimus.

Philemon 1:6 - That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

That the communication of thy faith may become effectual, and the word effectual means energized, by the acknowledging, or full knowledge (EPIGNOSEI) of every good thing, and that's AGATHOS, spiritual good, which is in you in Christ Jesus.

And that the fellowship, which is what the word communication means, KOINONIA. That the fellowship of your faith might become energized to the full knowledge of every good thing that's in you toward Christ, so that it would continue his ministry and his testimony.

Philemon 1:7 - For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

In the Greek language, they would use the inner organs of the body to express something that is not surface. In other words, we're talking about a love that is from the gut. That's how the Greeks would say it. And so, he's saying the bowels, or the hearts, not the surface human, but the actual hearts of the saints are refreshed by you, brother. So, he has great consolation or comfort when he hears that the saints are being refreshed by Philemon.