Having discussed in past postings the issue of divorce and remarriage and the almost uniform acceptance of such a state for professing believers when the original spouse is alive; I wished to briefly discuss the other reason the church has divorce rates at the level (or perhaps worse at times) than the world at learge. That; simply put is the lack of cherishing the value of marriage as we see in Hebrews 13:4-5
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
A covenant is a lifelong vow and should be something strongly supported by those in the church who also have covented to be faithful to church attendance; adherance to the Word; fulfilling their part in the Great Commission; etc. Unless we can expand our minds to encompass the rest of the week which we spend in our "secular" csreers; family life and social time we compartmentalize our lives and make our Sunday and perhaps midweek worship our primary "spiritual" experience and are therefore by default rather shallow in comprehending His will for our whole life. God doesn't see things the way we do; as we see from His choice of David to be King it wasn't outward appearance that mattered but the condition of the heart. This is why smoke and mirrors (literally) seen with today's "worship leaders" is only affective for those too spiritually blinded to appreciate true worship in Spirit and truth. We don't need to be an attractive woman (not too many opera singer type singers in these groups if you get my drift) to lead praise and song. We don't need to have a cookie cutter service; always of the same length to meet the expectations of the audience. We don't have to spend time and money on our sound systems; production-etc. The Gospel comes first; then everything else.
and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:12-13
God will judge personal sin. THE "LEFT HAND PROPLE"
The Bible is clear that individuals who practice sin will be judged. For example, there's a large laundry list of sin in Romans 1:29-31.
(29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,"
(30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,"
(31)Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:"
Paul clearly states that God will judge those who practice those things.
Romans 2:2
"But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things."
Romans 2:3
"And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Revelation 21:8
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
This portion of scripture
also gives us a list of those who practice sins and what will become of them.
Likewise, Hebrews tells us God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Hebrews 13:4
"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
To top it all off, Jesus himself says the one who rejects Him will be judged.
John 12:48
"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, THE SAME SHALL JUDGE HIM IN THE LAST DAY.
Peace be with you. How are you feeling? Are you getting better?
I've been keeping you in constant prayer - truly.
And believe me when I say: it has also been something that's deeply blessed me, even though I'm praying for someone I haven't met in person yet.
The Bible encourages us to pray for everyone - not only for friends, family, or people we know.
It speaks about praying for all men ( 1 Timothy 2:1), for those who suffer ( Hebrews 13:3), for those who persecute us ( Matthew 5:44), and also for the whole church - even if we've never seen each person ( Ephesians 6:18).
So, even without knowing you personally, I keep praying.
There is a purpose in this.
When something changes, don't forget to share.
Knowing that helps me feel that this time of intercession is not in vain - not at all.
You mention that you can't fall off a roof you are not on. That is true. You also cannot fall off a roof if you and are permanently secured to an anchor point. Sure, I can unhook myself and jump off, but I use the word permanently because Christ has sealed me with His Spirit, and that is permanent. I'm permanently secured to Christ and can never be separated from Him. If I decide to walk away, He goes with me because He says He will never leave me nor forsake me.
There are three verses I must consider, Deuteronomy 31:6, 31:8, Joshua 1:5, and Hebrews 13:5. These verses tell me that Jesus will never leave me nor forsake me. Sure, you might say I can leave Him, but if I leave, where does Christ go? Will He leave me? I must take Him at His word.
Now here's how great the Greek text is. In Hebrews 13:5, it says "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." What a beautiful statement. What a beautiful promise. You see, here's something we don't get from our English text, but in the Greek text, just in this statement alone, there are 5 negatives.
The word never represents two negatives. Whenever a writer in Greek uses two negatives, he's talking about an impossibility. Jesus says, "I will never," in other words, it will be impossible for Me to leave you. And then He says, "Nor forsake you." Now the word forsake comes with three negatives, so this gives us the five negatives. The only way a person can lose salvation is if Christ leaves them, and that's never going to happen according to Him.
Proverbs 18:1 Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
How did this get translated into: A man who separates himself is in pursuit of worldly desires?
I have detached myself from other people because all they do is either make me angry or make me cry.
I'm tired of being the person people come to when they want something. It's perfectly acceptable to just say "NO"!
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Daniel 9, there are 69 weeks from the commandment unto the Messiah. I understand this is when Jesus was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit, becoming the Messiah. In verse 26, Jesus's ministry was 3.5 years when Jesus was cut off/crucified, this would be 69.5 weeks. It is the people/army of the prince that will come and destroy, not the prince. We see a parable relating to this very thing, Matthew 22:1-7.
In verse 27, Jesus is the one who came to confirm the new covenant to the house of Israel, Jeremiah 31:31-34. His ministry was 3.5 years, which is in the middle of the 70th week when He was cut off. Jesus, through His apostles, confirmed the covenant to the house of Israel for the remaining 3.5 years until the death of Stephen, Acts 7:54-60. The confirming of the covenant to the house of Israel ended, and the gospel was then given to the Gentiles. 1 Corinthians 11:25, Hebrews 12:24, Hebrews 13:20.
It is not a beast that makes it desolate, we see in Matthew 23 Jesus was addressing the leaders of the Jewish nation, He was retorting to their rejection of His saving work on their behalf. They refused His call for repentance, because of their overspreading of abominations, Jesus said, "Behold your house is left unto you desolate".
This refers to the coming judgment on Jerusalem and the temple for their rejection of Jesus and the saving work of God. "even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured out on the desolate". What Jesus said your house is left unto you desolate, the consummation, the complete destruction poured out on the desolate in 70 AD.
Concerning the provision, and this is a statement of fact. Remember the word "be" in italics is the word "is." Grace is with you all. Amen. Grace has the definite article. He's talking about "the" grace of God is with you all. And then he says amen.
This is all I have for Hebrews. I know some of it was long, especially the sections on faith, but I hope you enjoyed Hebrews. Next, I will be starting the book of James. It is only five chapters long but as you know it is jammed packed with great teaching, like faith without works is dead.
In James, we can study what that means, what it means to be double minded, and how we are to endure hardships, because through it, God develops our faith. These things have a lot to do with the book of Hebrews. It's a continuing of the same subjects, just a little more in-depth.
Hebrews 13:21 - Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Now may the God of peace that raised Jesus from the dead, who is the great shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good work to do his will. Well, wouldn't you know it, the word perfect doesn't mean perfect. In fact, it's used in Ephesians Chapter 4, and we saw it in the beginning of Hebrews Chapter 11. It's the word KATARTIDZO which means to mend, to put your life together.
In the gospel of Mark, it was used when Jesus came along the seashore and found the disciples mending their nets. It's the same word used here. So, his wish, his desire is that the God of peace would mend them, put their lives together in every good work.
Now literally, it doesn't mean that He perfects us for good work, but we are perfected in the good work. While we are involved in our walk with the Lord, running the race, through it He restores us and mends us. May He make you perfect, mended, in every good work. And its purpose clause is to do His will.
Concerning pleasing: He who is working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight. So, God is working. That's the good work through which I am restored and mended, and He's doing that which is well pleasing in His sight. I might not understand it, but He's doing whatever it takes to mend me. And this is all through Jesus Christ;
Concerning praise: To whom, and notice the word "be" in our English bible is in italics. It should be "is." To whom is glory for ever and ever, concerning Jesus Christ, Amen.
Hebrews 13:15 - By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
The term giving thanks, giving is a Present Participle, confessing praise and thanks to His name. God says I don't want animal sacrifices. I want the sacrifice of praise and thanks. And again, that's not something to be practiced. He's after our heart, that no matter what is going on, we praise Him and thank Him because we know it's from Him. If we complain and murmur, then we are complaining against God!
Hebrews 13:18 - Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
He says Pray for us. That's a Present Imperative. Imperative is a command. Continue to pray for us.
The reason: For we trust we have a good conscience, and this is based on the fact that we have a clear good conscience before God, therefore pray for us in all things willing to live honestly.
Hebrews 13:20 - Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Now may the God of peace, because the main verb is not until we get down to Verse 21. And it's an Optative mood which means it's a wish. So, we could put the word may in here. Now may the God of peace, concerning prayer, power, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus. He's the God of peace, and He raised up Jesus from the dead.
Concerning His position: That great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. All of these scripture references in the Old Testament, as well as in the New Testament, say that Jesus is the great shepherd of the sheep: Psalm 23, Isaiah 63:11, Isaiah 40:11, Ezekiel 34:23, John 10:11, 1 Peter 2:25, and 1 Peter 5:4.
I look at the expression of faith in the believers that have come before us to see if it's the same one in me, or whether I got caught up in a deceitful spirit and false doctrine. The power of positive thinking is the opposite faith of anybody in the scripture. I look at their expression, and then I look at the expression on my life to find out if it's the same faith.
So, we're to compare the expression of faith in our life with the expression of faith of those that came before us. That's all capsulated in the word follow! But it doesn't mean to copy, and it doesn't mean to imitate by seeing how they do it and in my human, I practice doing it the same way they do it. That's not what it means. It's another important word in the Greek language that we've misunderstood. We think it means personal performance.
He's talking about those who came before us, not the people who are teaching you the word today, but those who came before, who spoke to you the word of God, past tense. That's what they did in Acts Chapter 2 when the church first started, they fellowshipped in the doctrine of the apostles and prophets.
That's what we do. We remember those who rule over us who have spoken the word of God to us, and whose faith we are to follow, considering the end of their lifestyle. Look how they ended up!
Hebrews 13:10 - We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
The word serve is a Present Participle, which are serving the tabernacle. Interesting, the same people who are serving in the tabernacle have no right to partake of the altar of the believer. You can't go in both directions!
Hebrews 13:7 - Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken. There it is, "who have spoken in the past," unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, or lifestyle.
The word follow is the same one that Paul used in 1 Corinthians 11:1, be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. The word follow does not mean to copy. Nor does it mean to imitate. It is the word for mime. That's different. In Greek literature, someone who was a mime was someone who came out on stage, and sometimes it would be one person playing all the parts, just changing masks. And they would live out the play or the message by their expressions and movements without speaking.
So, what Paul in 1 Corinthians, and what the writer of Hebrews is saying is, the faith that was in those who were before you that ministered the word of God to you, mimic their faith. Now what that means is, have the same expression of faith in your life as was in their life.
Now if you didn't catch it, this is very, very beautiful. You compare! If some people were to compare the faith that they're following today with the faith that's in the scriptures, or even back in Chapter 11 with those people, they find out that it is two different kinds of faith.
Hebrews 13:5 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Where it says, "let your conversation," it's literally a statement, the manner of life. The manner of life is without covetousness;
Whether you apply it to the track star, or to walking with Christ, it's all the same. The manner of life of the believer is without covetousness, which literally means without a love for money. The love for money is not even part of the Christian life.
And be content, literally, while being content, and there's actually two different directions here, staying away from covetousness, while at the same time being content with such things as you have: for he has said, a quote from Deuteronomy 31:6, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. This quote is from Genesis 28:15, Deuteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:5.
I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. This quote actually has 5 negatives in it. Number one, I will never leave thee. The word never represents two negatives. When a writer in Greek uses two negatives, he's talking about an impossibility. I will never, it will be impossible for me to leave you. Nor forsake you. The word forsake comes with three negatives. Now the word leave means to leave upon someone else's request. And the word forsake means to leave upon his own prompting.
So, here's what it is saying:
I will never leave you if you ask or tell me to. Nor will I ever, ever, forsake you. I will never leave you. Now that's quite a promise! Because after you're saved, and there are some who have been there, and they say Lord, why don't you just leave me alone, let me just go. But the Lord says I will never leave you, even if you tell me or ask me to. Nor will I ever, ever, leave you based on my own decision.
The term brotherly love is the word PHILADELPHIA, love for family, family love. And the word continue means let it remain. Let it continue on. Let the love for the family of God remain and continue on with you.
Interesting, Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:6, I have run the race, I have finished the course. And Paul ran. He didn't walk. He teaches believers how to walk, but he ran. And the writer of Hebrews is also speaking of running that race set before him.
But Jesus in John 13:35, says by this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one to another. You see, the love that is not only commanded, but described, is when Christians have the love of Christ for other Christians, not towards non-believers. Jesus says everybody will know you're my disciples when they see that you have love to one another.
And so, he says let brotherly love, let love for family, continue on.
Apostle Paul was close to Timothy. Does that mean he wrote Hebrews ?
Hebrews 13:23
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Did Apostle Paul write to Jews ? If yes, it was Hebrews and Paul had to be careful of speaking about the Gentiles . We know that the Jews didn't agree with Apostle Paul's epistle because it was hard to understand.
2 Peter 3:15-16
15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Apostle Paul was a real Jew and wrote in Hebrew .
Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day,ofthe stockofIsrael,ofthe tribeofBenjamin, anHebrewoftheHebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Note: Apostle Paul is a Jew that spoke Hebrew.
Peter, John, James , and Jude all wrote to Israel for the kingdom on earth that's coming, the Messiah of the King .
I am sure we all have thought about that, but it is hard to answer. We have a loving and just God wanting all to come to Him and be saved because He gave His only Son for the redemption of sins. Some may say no since the only way to the Father is through the Son but what about those who never had the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus?
All of us have a conscience and the knowledge of good and evil, some get to a point of no return and God gives them over to a reprobate mind, Romans 1:28. Some go so far into evil that their conscience is seared with a hot iron, 1 Timothy 4:2, they do not know good from evil. I do not know if you have ever met someone like that, but you can see cold darkness in their eyes.
If we read Romans 1-16 it is not the hearers of the law but the doers of the law for they, have it written in their heart and their conscience bears witness. Our conscience records all we have ever done or thought. I believe this is about those who have heard the gospel and those who did not have a chance to hear it.
Many take the great white throne judgment as for the lost only, but I believe this is for those who are not in the first resurrection, Revelation 20:4-6. My understanding is the great white throne judgment goes with Daniel 12:2John 5:28-29Matthew 25:31-46 and Revelation 20:11-15.
As it says in Revelation 20:15 all that was not found in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. So, to me, this is all the rest of the dead Revelation 20:5 if some were not found, some are found in the Book of Life. Some who lived before Jesus first came and some after Jesus came who never heard the gospel, their conscience bearing witness, will be found in the Book of Life. As we see in John 8:9Acts 24:16Romans 9:12 Corinthians 1:121 Timothy 3:9Hebrews 13:18.
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
My interpretation: textual evidence scriptures( 2 Corinthians 4:14 )To be delivered to become like God and becoming like God through sacrifice of praise and fruit of your lips giving thanksguving.
Interpretation- The act of interpreting,explanation of unintelligible words in language that is intelligible.
The new testament( New Convenant) was written in Greek
How to keep faith and have the victory over compassion not to come up short to become like God Philippians 4:13 KJV 1 Corinthians 1:23 KJV
John 15:26 KJV But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
That the testimony of Jesus Christ will bless you in all ways in life to have what you want.- 2 Corinthians 5:14 KJV.
My interpetation and spoken by Reginald Taylor Jr is plain and evident"(token " Not to be in state of hunger, depression, poverty" becoming wealthy and rich which is the new Convenant.- Psalm 112:3 KJV Proverbs 23:7 KJV
The testimony of Jesus Christ has blessed me - Psalm 112:3 KJV believing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ offering the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. ( 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 7:26, Joshua 1:8)
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The first Adam, his disobedience brought sin and death into the world, Romans 5:12-19. The last Adam by obedience to God brought forgiveness and life, the resurrection from the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.
Adam and Eve were naked and were not ashamed, their hearts were uncorrupted and free from sin. After they ate the forbidden fruit their eyes were opened, their consciences were opened to the knowledge of good and evil, and sin replaced the purity they had. They had a sense of fear and disgrace due to their disobedience.
The shame they now felt was due to the sinful nature that entered them and now they no longer perfectly perceived things, their view of their nakedness should be covered. Nakedness was not a sin, but a fallen perception of nakedness brought shame and sorrow they now felt.
As God covered Adam and Eve with coats of skins to cover their shame/nakedness. Our nakedness of shame can be covered with the garment Isaiah 61:10 given by Jesus. We in Jesus shall not be found naked, but clothed, with the garment of Christ's righteousness, our sins covered and cleansed by the blood of Jesus that makes it spotless and white as long as we continue in faith and overcome.
Concerning those that do not die in the Lord, that do not watch, and keep their garments will walk naked, their sins will be open to being seen, Revelation 16:151 Timothy 4:1-2Revelation 20:15.
Every human being, whether they're saved or unsaved, and regardless of their culture, ethnicity, or background, has a conscience, Romans 2:14-15. Inside this conscience is the battle between the flesh and the Spirit Romans 9:1 we can repent and be covered, if not we will be naked and found guilty. We cannot hide what is in our conscience, it records every good and evil we have ever done or thought. I feel this is where we are naked or clothed. Romans 4:6-82 Corinthians 1:121 Timothy 1:19Hebrews 9:9Hebrews 13:181 Peter 3:21.
The word for "angel" apparently means messenger or Pastor in Revelation 1:20; and OR it refers to an angel over a church. I tend to defer to the idea that it means both; as clearly the Spirit leaves a church where the "candlestick" is removed. That would mean whatever other angels of God were hanging out for whatever purposes ministering wouldn't be likely to stick around either except perhaps for a few individuals who hold to the faith. This gives us concern; of course with a good Pastor being removed or a bad one remaining. Oftentimes it seems a leader is good then turns rogue; particularly today.
Revelation 19:10 states At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus."
Revelation 22:9 But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!"
These verses along with others in the Old Testament show that angels of the Lord don't wish to be worshipped. All glory goes to God. They will normally appear as men; hence the saying in Hebrews 13:2 on entertaining angels unaware.
Although not redeemed as man is; those angels that remained true also are about the Father's business as Jesus was and all of us are supposed to be doing. They are no doubt awesome and greater than us; but are fighting battles on our behalf in heavenly places. We see this principal in Daniel 10:13-21 with the Prince of Persia being held back for 21 days. This intersects and corresponds with the time Daniel had been praying and fasting. It shows how the great men of God would have important top ranking angels involved in these conflicts.
Thanks for your reply, I know many have the understanding the sons of God in Genesis 6 are the line of Seth and the daughters of men are of Cain and those not following God. I will just give a little of my understanding not in debate.
Scripture tells us there were Nephilim/giants in the world before and after the flood Genesis 6:42 Samuel 21:16Joshua 12:4Numbers 13:33Deuteronomy 2:19-21Amos 2:9 Also in Joshua 13, 15, 17, 18, 2 Samuel 21 and 1 Chronicles 20 Also, in the Old Testament, there is the Rephaim or Rephaites, and the context describes them as giants. so, where did they come from?
2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1: 6 tell us of a group of angels who left their first estate and are locked in darkness. Many other fallen angels we battle including Satan are on this earth 2 Corinthians 11:14-15. But these angels are locked in darkness until judgment, and we see in Revelation 9:11 they have a king. These angels had to do something far greater than rebelling against God, my understanding is they adulterated God's creation, we see how corrupt it got.
We know from Jude and 2 Peter angels sinned, kept not their first estate, and left their habitation. Estate means condition, status, and dominion, and habitation means residence or dwelling place. I understand how many takes Matthew 22:30 and Mark 12:25 but Jesus is not referring to sex He is saying when we are resurrected, we will be like the angels in heaven who are immortal. We are mortal, we have to marry and reproduce when we are resurrected, we will be raised immortal same as the angels no more need to marry and reproduce, and we will be on the earth not heaven.
We see angels come down on earth that have bodies, they can eat and drink, Genesis 18:1-8 and other places like Hebrews 13:2. To me the angels who left their estate is where these giants came from, and we see when Israel went into the promised land God wiped out the giants or had them kill them all even the children.
There's many reasons why we can feel a void in the Spirit moving in our lives.
Sometimes it's chastening or just being out of the will of God.
Other times it could be a wavering of our faith.
And then it can be pruning for Spiritual growth.
Sometimes God's presence is not clear or obvious to the human eye.
That's one reason why we are called to "live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7.
The Holyspirit causes us to trust in God's promises such as Hebrews 13:5-6.
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me".
King David had to deal with Chastening and Correction in his reign as King.
But David knew God and trusted God and believed in his promises and mercy.
You see it evident in his Psalms 71:1-24 prayer.
Especially verses "20-21.Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
We are to bare fruit. We are expected to.
John 15:7-8.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
There's things that hinder us.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Further discussion on definitions for secondary themes; applications and doctrines.
Besides UNIVERSAL rules with examples such as I posted in my last message about marriage regulations; murder would also be something which demands justice as a universal law.
What I will call CASE SPECIFIC tenants are not going to determine whether we are truly saved or not but are primarily appropriate for confessing believers. Sin is sin; but we shouldn't expect people to stop cussing; drinking; gambling or doing other vices that aren't at least strictly forbidden in scripture. Also things which are impossible become possible such as not loving the world or anything in it ( 1 John 2:15). These issues also could determine the lifespan of an individual and be considered more in the category of general wisdom. Someone who is habitually overeating is doing more harm to their bodies (in general) because of what is in reality a soul issue; whereas someone sleeping around is primarily hurting their soul. In either case physical health concerns can develop simply living in a perishable vessel.
Perhaps the classification here could be something that is associated with but not directly linked to a primary doctrine. Showing hospitality such as described in Hebrews 13:2 ties into the concept of loving God (1st commandment0 and loving your neighbor as yourself. Since it would be more difficult for a homeless man to be able to offer much in the way of hospitality it is somewhat case specific.
The third category may be something that is POSSIBLY related to a primary tenant but can't be strongly proven. Such could be a person who holds to a certain diet mentioned as ceremonially clean in the Old Testament. One could argue this is to honor the "Temple" where the Spirit now resides ( 1 Cor. 6:19-20). A more controversial issue is the day of worship. We could make an argument for the original day of rest or the first day of the week but we must remember Collossians 2:16!
To continue study of our Great God for the letter "P"
He is our Prince of Peace
Is. 9:6 " For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
Acts 5:30-31 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
Jesus is our Prince. He does not rule as earthly princes do, but is humble, though mighty, sacrificial for us, not greedy, with us, not stand offish.
He give peace to His people, as He did for Israel in the land under David and Solomon. Not only is Jesus the Prince of Peace but the eternal King of Kings also.
Ps. 29:10-11 "the LORD sitteth King forever, The Lord will give strength unto his people, the LORD will bless His people with peace."
Jn 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Rom. 16:20 "And the God of peace will soon bruise Satan under your feet shortly."
He is our peace who has absolute power over the enemy and the Peace that unifies the church.
Eph. 2:14-15 "for He is our peace who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." (between Jewish believers and Christian believers)
Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now may the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever, amen."
1 Th. 5:23 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly,"
The peace of God is transcend all other types of peace. It is above and beyond what we is of the world
My Sabbath is everyday. My Jesus is no longer here in the flesh as we know no man after the flesh 2nd Cor 5:16-17.
2nd Cor 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
old things are passed away, Sabbath day old thing.
Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Jesus had to be born again as he died and was burred. What came out of the grave was not the same thing that went into the grave. Jesus was now a dead man walking full of holes and no blood. Can you live with no blood? Nope, Jesus was eating and talking because of the sprit of God his Father in him a new creature.
Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
The bible says flesh and blood can not enter the kingdom of heaven 1st Cor 15:50. Jesus was now a new creation eating, talking and breathing and yet he had no blood. A born again Jesus this time of the spirit and no longer of Mary.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
[11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ...
I hope your day has gone well. It is morning here in Washington state.
When I read your post to Chris, I immediately though of Matthew 22:23 where Jesus said, "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
To me, Jesus is saying that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive.
Also, refer to 1 Samuel, 2:6 in the song Hannah sang, "The Lord killeth, and maketh alive; he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up."
Notice the order, first death, then made alive. Of course this happens fully in the resurrection, but in considering what Jesus said that He who believes in me will never die. ( john 11:26)
And, one of my favorite verses: Romans 8:37-39
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This clearly says that death cannot separate us from God.
And Jesus said to His disciples, "Behold, I AM with you always, even to the end of the world." Matthew 28:20
And Paul encourages believers by reminding them that God said, "I will never leave You nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5, Josh. 1:5
So, to me, always and never mean that we will always be alive, whether in this life now or after we die.
Therefore, I believe that when we die, our body dies, but we are still alive with God. Our bodies will be rejoined to our soul and spirit when we are resurrected and then we will be made complete (whole, perfected) for eternity.
Luke 6:40] The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
John 17:23] I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
After:
Acts 3:16] And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Romans 12:2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1st Cor 2:6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
1st Cor 1:10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Philippians 3:15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Col 1:28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
2nd Timothy 3:17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Hebrews 13:20] Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
[21] Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Amen, when the preacher behind the pulpit does not believe in perfection, neither will the church. The man of God has to be perfect, unlike what we hear today unbelief.
I like you was sincere, etc, but I was sincerely wrong, oh how I struggled, the veil always separated me from my Beloved, there was no pure unity of the faith & oneness that Christ prayed for, my conscience bearing witness against me, no matter how I cried, repented, fasted, prayed or studies the letter, & walk accordingly, yet, the veil was still hung between us & why? 2Cor 3:6 I remember it quiet well, a yoyo of an experience.
1 Cor 15:34,45 true knowledge is given by the true Grace of God who appears bringing salvation to all mankind.
Ronald, have you ever had an unction that cross your own will, telling you not to do or say something & show you what to do or to say? & if not heeded to, condemn you for it? Or maybe you were in a tryst state, & say or did something & later Holy Spirit/ Grace convicted you of wrong? This is the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, Grace/Light/Anointing we have received & appears within us, & if minded & exercised is the daily Cross & is not a lie, abide in Him & in the steadfast confidence continual exercising of it, will eventually set us free from the law of sin & death. Received by Luke 10:42Psalms 130:5"the word of His Grace, who words are Spirit & Life" Psalms 145:12-18Psalms 123:2Psalms 62:5 meaning silencing all thoughts & imaginations & in stillness of soul, wait. Psalms 46:10 and He will appear Hebrews 9:28 . Believing that it is He appearing to you is faith, hearing the Word of God in the heart, that Paul preached & this faith purifies the heart & gives victory over the world.
2Cor 3:16-18 this stillness & waiting upon the Lord is turning to Him, who is Spirit, whom takes the veil away & gives us knowledge of Himself, 2Cor 4:6,7 setting us free from the bondage of sin, we know the Truth & the Truth set us free & transforms us into His Image. Light begets light, in whom there is no darkness at all.
causing you Philippians 2:13Hebrews 13:21 "obviously this is not sinning".
The Grace of God that appears to all mankind, begotten Paul & he declares in 1Cor 15:10 made what he now is.
What the Apostles received by the Revelation of Jesus Christ from His Grace appearance, they wrote down in the Epistle's that bares their name, & they believed & attain unto this knowledge by the diligent exercising thereof Hebrews 5:14Hebrews 12:11Philippians 3:16
Here's a small unfolding of His Grace / Light
They let Patience James 1:4,25James 5:111Pet 5:9,10
Make you Perfect Hebrews 13:21
Be ye Perfect Matt 5:48 indicating this perfection is the same as the Father, there's not a different standard of holiness for mankind describe here.
The angel declared to Mary, Matt 1:21 not in their sin!
Folks,
Everything that God does is perfect, do you really believe that He would sent His only begotten Son to suffer all that He did for our sakes, & it not be a perfect restoration for His beloved creations.
I tell you by the Scriptures, sound reasoning & the Holy Ghost it's goes beyond the state of Adam innocents before he fell
Rom 6:3-5 the newness of life spoken of here is the likeness of His resurrection life & that is attain by working of His Divine Power 2Pet 1:2-4
I'm talking Grace, here now in this life. Don't be deceived, it's accompanies all that Christ experience, 1Pet 2:21 this too is apart of being make in His image & likeness, walking as He walk, the Apostles final got it after Pentecost, being baptized unto His death. This is when 1John 1:1-5 truly came into spiritual experiential experience. John 7:17
John 4:23,24 True worship is doing His will
& that will is reveal by His Grace / Light appearance in your heart. 2Cor 4:6,7
You said "you need to repent from sin" right?
But yet you say you feel like God turned back on you.
God doesn't abandon those who belong to him!
Perhaps the grief you are experiencing in your life is proof he hasn't!
A true child of God can never enjoy a life living in sin. God won't permit it.
Andre, repentance means to change your mind that results in a change of action.
It's a change of heart turning away from sin, while simultaneously turning toward God.
God has been there all along!
If we are a born again believer and we choose to fall back into sin we either turned our back on God or have never truly turned to him.
We are to examine ourselves! (Check our actions and motives, not to see if we are perfect but to see if they line up with Christ.
We can have comfort that God will never turn his back on us.
Hebrews 13:5.
Having discussed in past postings the issue of divorce and remarriage and the almost uniform acceptance of such a state for professing believers when the original spouse is alive; I wished to briefly discuss the other reason the church has divorce rates at the level (or perhaps worse at times) than the world at learge. That; simply put is the lack of cherishing the value of marriage as we see in Hebrews 13:4-5
4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
A covenant is a lifelong vow and should be something strongly supported by those in the church who also have covented to be faithful to church attendance; adherance to the Word; fulfilling their part in the Great Commission; etc. Unless we can expand our minds to encompass the rest of the week which we spend in our "secular" csreers; family life and social time we compartmentalize our lives and make our Sunday and perhaps midweek worship our primary "spiritual" experience and are therefore by default rather shallow in comprehending His will for our whole life. God doesn't see things the way we do; as we see from His choice of David to be King it wasn't outward appearance that mattered but the condition of the heart. This is why smoke and mirrors (literally) seen with today's "worship leaders" is only affective for those too spiritually blinded to appreciate true worship in Spirit and truth. We don't need to be an attractive woman (not too many opera singer type singers in these groups if you get my drift) to lead praise and song. We don't need to have a cookie cutter service; always of the same length to meet the expectations of the audience. We don't have to spend time and money on our sound systems; production-etc. The Gospel comes first; then everything else.
My question in regard to verse
Revelation 20:12
How many books were opened?
Where is the reference to sins we have committed?
and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:12-13
God will judge personal sin. THE "LEFT HAND PROPLE"
The Bible is clear that individuals who practice sin will be judged. For example, there's a large laundry list of sin in Romans 1:29-31.
(29) Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,"
(30) Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,"
(31)Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:"
Paul clearly states that God will judge those who practice those things.
Romans 2:2
"But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things."
Romans 2:3
"And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
Revelation 21:8
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."
This portion of scripture
also gives us a list of those who practice sins and what will become of them.
Likewise, Hebrews tells us God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.
Hebrews 13:4
"Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge."
To top it all off, Jesus himself says the one who rejects Him will be judged.
John 12:48
"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, THE SAME SHALL JUDGE HIM IN THE LAST DAY.
So the conclusion is unavoidable-God is Good
Peace be with you. How are you feeling? Are you getting better?
I've been keeping you in constant prayer - truly.
And believe me when I say: it has also been something that's deeply blessed me, even though I'm praying for someone I haven't met in person yet.
The Bible encourages us to pray for everyone - not only for friends, family, or people we know.
It speaks about praying for all men ( 1 Timothy 2:1), for those who suffer ( Hebrews 13:3), for those who persecute us ( Matthew 5:44), and also for the whole church - even if we've never seen each person ( Ephesians 6:18).
So, even without knowing you personally, I keep praying.
There is a purpose in this.
When something changes, don't forget to share.
Knowing that helps me feel that this time of intercession is not in vain - not at all.
"For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me."
Proverbs 29:25
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
Hebrews 13:6
"So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."
Blessings
(Part 3):
You mention that you can't fall off a roof you are not on. That is true. You also cannot fall off a roof if you and are permanently secured to an anchor point. Sure, I can unhook myself and jump off, but I use the word permanently because Christ has sealed me with His Spirit, and that is permanent. I'm permanently secured to Christ and can never be separated from Him. If I decide to walk away, He goes with me because He says He will never leave me nor forsake me.
There are three verses I must consider, Deuteronomy 31:6, 31:8, Joshua 1:5, and Hebrews 13:5. These verses tell me that Jesus will never leave me nor forsake me. Sure, you might say I can leave Him, but if I leave, where does Christ go? Will He leave me? I must take Him at His word.
Now here's how great the Greek text is. In Hebrews 13:5, it says "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." What a beautiful statement. What a beautiful promise. You see, here's something we don't get from our English text, but in the Greek text, just in this statement alone, there are 5 negatives.
The word never represents two negatives. Whenever a writer in Greek uses two negatives, he's talking about an impossibility. Jesus says, "I will never," in other words, it will be impossible for Me to leave you. And then He says, "Nor forsake you." Now the word forsake comes with three negatives, so this gives us the five negatives. The only way a person can lose salvation is if Christ leaves them, and that's never going to happen according to Him.
How did this get translated into: A man who separates himself is in pursuit of worldly desires?
I have detached myself from other people because all they do is either make me angry or make me cry.
I'm tired of being the person people come to when they want something. It's perfectly acceptable to just say "NO"!
Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
That's good enough for me.
Part 2
Daniel 9, there are 69 weeks from the commandment unto the Messiah. I understand this is when Jesus was baptized and anointed with the Holy Spirit, becoming the Messiah. In verse 26, Jesus's ministry was 3.5 years when Jesus was cut off/crucified, this would be 69.5 weeks. It is the people/army of the prince that will come and destroy, not the prince. We see a parable relating to this very thing, Matthew 22:1-7.
In verse 27, Jesus is the one who came to confirm the new covenant to the house of Israel, Jeremiah 31:31-34. His ministry was 3.5 years, which is in the middle of the 70th week when He was cut off. Jesus, through His apostles, confirmed the covenant to the house of Israel for the remaining 3.5 years until the death of Stephen, Acts 7:54-60. The confirming of the covenant to the house of Israel ended, and the gospel was then given to the Gentiles. 1 Corinthians 11:25, Hebrews 12:24, Hebrews 13:20.
It is not a beast that makes it desolate, we see in Matthew 23 Jesus was addressing the leaders of the Jewish nation, He was retorting to their rejection of His saving work on their behalf. They refused His call for repentance, because of their overspreading of abominations, Jesus said, "Behold your house is left unto you desolate".
This refers to the coming judgment on Jerusalem and the temple for their rejection of Jesus and the saving work of God. "even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured out on the desolate". What Jesus said your house is left unto you desolate, the consummation, the complete destruction poured out on the desolate in 70 AD.
Thank you, brother.
God bless,
RLW
Hebrews 13:25 - Grace be with you all. Amen.
Concerning the provision, and this is a statement of fact. Remember the word "be" in italics is the word "is." Grace is with you all. Amen. Grace has the definite article. He's talking about "the" grace of God is with you all. And then he says amen.
This is all I have for Hebrews. I know some of it was long, especially the sections on faith, but I hope you enjoyed Hebrews. Next, I will be starting the book of James. It is only five chapters long but as you know it is jammed packed with great teaching, like faith without works is dead.
In James, we can study what that means, what it means to be double minded, and how we are to endure hardships, because through it, God develops our faith. These things have a lot to do with the book of Hebrews. It's a continuing of the same subjects, just a little more in-depth.
Blessings to you all in Christ!
Hebrews 13:21 - Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Now may the God of peace that raised Jesus from the dead, who is the great shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good work to do his will. Well, wouldn't you know it, the word perfect doesn't mean perfect. In fact, it's used in Ephesians Chapter 4, and we saw it in the beginning of Hebrews Chapter 11. It's the word KATARTIDZO which means to mend, to put your life together.
In the gospel of Mark, it was used when Jesus came along the seashore and found the disciples mending their nets. It's the same word used here. So, his wish, his desire is that the God of peace would mend them, put their lives together in every good work.
Now literally, it doesn't mean that He perfects us for good work, but we are perfected in the good work. While we are involved in our walk with the Lord, running the race, through it He restores us and mends us. May He make you perfect, mended, in every good work. And its purpose clause is to do His will.
Concerning pleasing: He who is working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight. So, God is working. That's the good work through which I am restored and mended, and He's doing that which is well pleasing in His sight. I might not understand it, but He's doing whatever it takes to mend me. And this is all through Jesus Christ;
Concerning praise: To whom, and notice the word "be" in our English bible is in italics. It should be "is." To whom is glory for ever and ever, concerning Jesus Christ, Amen.
Hebrews 13:15 - By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
The term giving thanks, giving is a Present Participle, confessing praise and thanks to His name. God says I don't want animal sacrifices. I want the sacrifice of praise and thanks. And again, that's not something to be practiced. He's after our heart, that no matter what is going on, we praise Him and thank Him because we know it's from Him. If we complain and murmur, then we are complaining against God!
Hebrews 13:18 - Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
He says Pray for us. That's a Present Imperative. Imperative is a command. Continue to pray for us.
The reason: For we trust we have a good conscience, and this is based on the fact that we have a clear good conscience before God, therefore pray for us in all things willing to live honestly.
Hebrews 13:20 - Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
Now may the God of peace, because the main verb is not until we get down to Verse 21. And it's an Optative mood which means it's a wish. So, we could put the word may in here. Now may the God of peace, concerning prayer, power, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus. He's the God of peace, and He raised up Jesus from the dead.
Concerning His position: That great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant. All of these scripture references in the Old Testament, as well as in the New Testament, say that Jesus is the great shepherd of the sheep: Psalm 23, Isaiah 63:11, Isaiah 40:11, Ezekiel 34:23, John 10:11, 1 Peter 2:25, and 1 Peter 5:4.
All of this was to lead up to the verb.
Hebrews 13:7 Continued:
I look at the expression of faith in the believers that have come before us to see if it's the same one in me, or whether I got caught up in a deceitful spirit and false doctrine. The power of positive thinking is the opposite faith of anybody in the scripture. I look at their expression, and then I look at the expression on my life to find out if it's the same faith.
So, we're to compare the expression of faith in our life with the expression of faith of those that came before us. That's all capsulated in the word follow! But it doesn't mean to copy, and it doesn't mean to imitate by seeing how they do it and in my human, I practice doing it the same way they do it. That's not what it means. It's another important word in the Greek language that we've misunderstood. We think it means personal performance.
He's talking about those who came before us, not the people who are teaching you the word today, but those who came before, who spoke to you the word of God, past tense. That's what they did in Acts Chapter 2 when the church first started, they fellowshipped in the doctrine of the apostles and prophets.
That's what we do. We remember those who rule over us who have spoken the word of God to us, and whose faith we are to follow, considering the end of their lifestyle. Look how they ended up!
Hebrews 13:10 - We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
The word serve is a Present Participle, which are serving the tabernacle. Interesting, the same people who are serving in the tabernacle have no right to partake of the altar of the believer. You can't go in both directions!
Hebrews 13:7 - Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken. There it is, "who have spoken in the past," unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation, or lifestyle.
The word follow is the same one that Paul used in 1 Corinthians 11:1, be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. The word follow does not mean to copy. Nor does it mean to imitate. It is the word for mime. That's different. In Greek literature, someone who was a mime was someone who came out on stage, and sometimes it would be one person playing all the parts, just changing masks. And they would live out the play or the message by their expressions and movements without speaking.
So, what Paul in 1 Corinthians, and what the writer of Hebrews is saying is, the faith that was in those who were before you that ministered the word of God to you, mimic their faith. Now what that means is, have the same expression of faith in your life as was in their life.
Now if you didn't catch it, this is very, very beautiful. You compare! If some people were to compare the faith that they're following today with the faith that's in the scriptures, or even back in Chapter 11 with those people, they find out that it is two different kinds of faith.
Hebrews 13:5 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Where it says, "let your conversation," it's literally a statement, the manner of life. The manner of life is without covetousness;
Whether you apply it to the track star, or to walking with Christ, it's all the same. The manner of life of the believer is without covetousness, which literally means without a love for money. The love for money is not even part of the Christian life.
And be content, literally, while being content, and there's actually two different directions here, staying away from covetousness, while at the same time being content with such things as you have: for he has said, a quote from Deuteronomy 31:6, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. This quote is from Genesis 28:15, Deuteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:5.
I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. This quote actually has 5 negatives in it. Number one, I will never leave thee. The word never represents two negatives. When a writer in Greek uses two negatives, he's talking about an impossibility. I will never, it will be impossible for me to leave you. Nor forsake you. The word forsake comes with three negatives. Now the word leave means to leave upon someone else's request. And the word forsake means to leave upon his own prompting.
So, here's what it is saying:
I will never leave you if you ask or tell me to. Nor will I ever, ever, forsake you. I will never leave you. Now that's quite a promise! Because after you're saved, and there are some who have been there, and they say Lord, why don't you just leave me alone, let me just go. But the Lord says I will never leave you, even if you tell me or ask me to. Nor will I ever, ever, leave you based on my own decision.
Hebrews 13:1 - Let brotherly love continue.
The term brotherly love is the word PHILADELPHIA, love for family, family love. And the word continue means let it remain. Let it continue on. Let the love for the family of God remain and continue on with you.
Interesting, Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:6, I have run the race, I have finished the course. And Paul ran. He didn't walk. He teaches believers how to walk, but he ran. And the writer of Hebrews is also speaking of running that race set before him.
But Jesus in John 13:35, says by this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one to another. You see, the love that is not only commanded, but described, is when Christians have the love of Christ for other Christians, not towards non-believers. Jesus says everybody will know you're my disciples when they see that you have love to one another.
And so, he says let brotherly love, let love for family, continue on.
Who wrote the book of Hebrews ? ?
Apostle Paul was close to Timothy. Does that mean he wrote Hebrews ?
Hebrews 13:23
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
Did Apostle Paul write to Jews ? If yes, it was Hebrews and Paul had to be careful of speaking about the Gentiles . We know that the Jews didn't agree with Apostle Paul's epistle because it was hard to understand.
2 Peter 3:15-16
15And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you;
16As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.
Apostle Paul was a real Jew and wrote in Hebrew .
Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day,ofthe stockofIsrael,ofthe tribeofBenjamin, anHebrewoftheHebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
Note: Apostle Paul is a Jew that spoke Hebrew.
Peter, John, James , and Jude all wrote to Israel for the kingdom on earth that's coming, the Messiah of the King .
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
I am sure we all have thought about that, but it is hard to answer. We have a loving and just God wanting all to come to Him and be saved because He gave His only Son for the redemption of sins. Some may say no since the only way to the Father is through the Son but what about those who never had the opportunity to hear the gospel of Jesus?
All of us have a conscience and the knowledge of good and evil, some get to a point of no return and God gives them over to a reprobate mind, Romans 1:28. Some go so far into evil that their conscience is seared with a hot iron, 1 Timothy 4:2, they do not know good from evil. I do not know if you have ever met someone like that, but you can see cold darkness in their eyes.
If we read Romans 1-16 it is not the hearers of the law but the doers of the law for they, have it written in their heart and their conscience bears witness. Our conscience records all we have ever done or thought. I believe this is about those who have heard the gospel and those who did not have a chance to hear it.
Many take the great white throne judgment as for the lost only, but I believe this is for those who are not in the first resurrection, Revelation 20:4-6. My understanding is the great white throne judgment goes with Daniel 12:2 John 5:28-29 Matthew 25:31-46 and Revelation 20:11-15.
As it says in Revelation 20:15 all that was not found in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. So, to me, this is all the rest of the dead Revelation 20:5 if some were not found, some are found in the Book of Life. Some who lived before Jesus first came and some after Jesus came who never heard the gospel, their conscience bearing witness, will be found in the Book of Life. As we see in John 8:9 Acts 24:16 Romans 9:1 2 Corinthians 1:12 1 Timothy 3:9 Hebrews 13:18.
This is my understanding.
God bless,
RLW
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
My interpretation: textual evidence scriptures( 2 Corinthians 4:14 )To be delivered to become like God and becoming like God through sacrifice of praise and fruit of your lips giving thanksguving.
Interpretation- The act of interpreting,explanation of unintelligible words in language that is intelligible.
The new testament( New Convenant) was written in Greek
How to keep faith and have the victory over compassion not to come up short to become like God Philippians 4:13 KJV 1 Corinthians 1:23 KJV
John 15:26 KJV But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:
That the testimony of Jesus Christ will bless you in all ways in life to have what you want.- 2 Corinthians 5:14 KJV.
My interpetation and spoken by Reginald Taylor Jr is plain and evident"(token " Not to be in state of hunger, depression, poverty" becoming wealthy and rich which is the new Convenant.- Psalm 112:3 KJV Proverbs 23:7 KJV
The testimony of Jesus Christ has blessed me - Psalm 112:3 KJV believing in the Gospel of Jesus Christ offering the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. ( 1 Peter 2:9, Hebrews 7:26, Joshua 1:8)
Published and spoken Word by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
The first Adam, his disobedience brought sin and death into the world, Romans 5:12-19. The last Adam by obedience to God brought forgiveness and life, the resurrection from the dead, 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.
Adam and Eve were naked and were not ashamed, their hearts were uncorrupted and free from sin. After they ate the forbidden fruit their eyes were opened, their consciences were opened to the knowledge of good and evil, and sin replaced the purity they had. They had a sense of fear and disgrace due to their disobedience.
The shame they now felt was due to the sinful nature that entered them and now they no longer perfectly perceived things, their view of their nakedness should be covered. Nakedness was not a sin, but a fallen perception of nakedness brought shame and sorrow they now felt.
As God covered Adam and Eve with coats of skins to cover their shame/nakedness. Our nakedness of shame can be covered with the garment Isaiah 61:10 given by Jesus. We in Jesus shall not be found naked, but clothed, with the garment of Christ's righteousness, our sins covered and cleansed by the blood of Jesus that makes it spotless and white as long as we continue in faith and overcome.
Concerning those that do not die in the Lord, that do not watch, and keep their garments will walk naked, their sins will be open to being seen, Revelation 16:15 1 Timothy 4:1-2 Revelation 20:15.
Every human being, whether they're saved or unsaved, and regardless of their culture, ethnicity, or background, has a conscience, Romans 2:14-15. Inside this conscience is the battle between the flesh and the Spirit Romans 9:1 we can repent and be covered, if not we will be naked and found guilty. We cannot hide what is in our conscience, it records every good and evil we have ever done or thought. I feel this is where we are naked or clothed. Romans 4:6-8 2 Corinthians 1:12 1 Timothy 1:19 Hebrews 9:9 Hebrews 13:18 1 Peter 3:21.
God bless,
RLW
The word for "angel" apparently means messenger or Pastor in Revelation 1:20; and OR it refers to an angel over a church. I tend to defer to the idea that it means both; as clearly the Spirit leaves a church where the "candlestick" is removed. That would mean whatever other angels of God were hanging out for whatever purposes ministering wouldn't be likely to stick around either except perhaps for a few individuals who hold to the faith. This gives us concern; of course with a good Pastor being removed or a bad one remaining. Oftentimes it seems a leader is good then turns rogue; particularly today.
Revelation 19:10 states At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus."
Revelation 22:9 But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!"
These verses along with others in the Old Testament show that angels of the Lord don't wish to be worshipped. All glory goes to God. They will normally appear as men; hence the saying in Hebrews 13:2 on entertaining angels unaware.
Although not redeemed as man is; those angels that remained true also are about the Father's business as Jesus was and all of us are supposed to be doing. They are no doubt awesome and greater than us; but are fighting battles on our behalf in heavenly places. We see this principal in Daniel 10:13-21 with the Prince of Persia being held back for 21 days. This intersects and corresponds with the time Daniel had been praying and fasting. It shows how the great men of God would have important top ranking angels involved in these conflicts.
Thanks for your reply, I know many have the understanding the sons of God in Genesis 6 are the line of Seth and the daughters of men are of Cain and those not following God. I will just give a little of my understanding not in debate.
Scripture tells us there were Nephilim/giants in the world before and after the flood Genesis 6:4 2 Samuel 21:16 Joshua 12:4 Numbers 13:33 Deuteronomy 2:19-21 Amos 2:9 Also in Joshua 13, 15, 17, 18, 2 Samuel 21 and 1 Chronicles 20 Also, in the Old Testament, there is the Rephaim or Rephaites, and the context describes them as giants. so, where did they come from?
2 Peter 2:4 and Jude 1: 6 tell us of a group of angels who left their first estate and are locked in darkness. Many other fallen angels we battle including Satan are on this earth 2 Corinthians 11:14-15. But these angels are locked in darkness until judgment, and we see in Revelation 9:11 they have a king. These angels had to do something far greater than rebelling against God, my understanding is they adulterated God's creation, we see how corrupt it got.
We know from Jude and 2 Peter angels sinned, kept not their first estate, and left their habitation. Estate means condition, status, and dominion, and habitation means residence or dwelling place. I understand how many takes Matthew 22:30 and Mark 12:25 but Jesus is not referring to sex He is saying when we are resurrected, we will be like the angels in heaven who are immortal. We are mortal, we have to marry and reproduce when we are resurrected, we will be raised immortal same as the angels no more need to marry and reproduce, and we will be on the earth not heaven.
We see angels come down on earth that have bodies, they can eat and drink, Genesis 18:1-8 and other places like Hebrews 13:2. To me the angels who left their estate is where these giants came from, and we see when Israel went into the promised land God wiped out the giants or had them kill them all even the children.
God bless,
RLW
There's many reasons why we can feel a void in the Spirit moving in our lives.
Sometimes it's chastening or just being out of the will of God.
Other times it could be a wavering of our faith.
And then it can be pruning for Spiritual growth.
Sometimes God's presence is not clear or obvious to the human eye.
That's one reason why we are called to "live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7.
The Holyspirit causes us to trust in God's promises such as Hebrews 13:5-6.
"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me".
King David had to deal with Chastening and Correction in his reign as King.
But David knew God and trusted God and believed in his promises and mercy.
You see it evident in his Psalms 71:1-24 prayer.
Especially verses "20-21.Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
We are to bare fruit. We are expected to.
John 15:7-8.
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
There's things that hinder us.
"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Hebrews. 12:1-3..
GB
Besides UNIVERSAL rules with examples such as I posted in my last message about marriage regulations; murder would also be something which demands justice as a universal law.
What I will call CASE SPECIFIC tenants are not going to determine whether we are truly saved or not but are primarily appropriate for confessing believers. Sin is sin; but we shouldn't expect people to stop cussing; drinking; gambling or doing other vices that aren't at least strictly forbidden in scripture. Also things which are impossible become possible such as not loving the world or anything in it ( 1 John 2:15). These issues also could determine the lifespan of an individual and be considered more in the category of general wisdom. Someone who is habitually overeating is doing more harm to their bodies (in general) because of what is in reality a soul issue; whereas someone sleeping around is primarily hurting their soul. In either case physical health concerns can develop simply living in a perishable vessel.
Perhaps the classification here could be something that is associated with but not directly linked to a primary doctrine. Showing hospitality such as described in Hebrews 13:2 ties into the concept of loving God (1st commandment0 and loving your neighbor as yourself. Since it would be more difficult for a homeless man to be able to offer much in the way of hospitality it is somewhat case specific.
The third category may be something that is POSSIBLY related to a primary tenant but can't be strongly proven. Such could be a person who holds to a certain diet mentioned as ceremonially clean in the Old Testament. One could argue this is to honor the "Temple" where the Spirit now resides ( 1 Cor. 6:19-20). A more controversial issue is the day of worship. We could make an argument for the original day of rest or the first day of the week but we must remember Collossians 2:16!
He is our Prince of Peace
Is. 9:6 " For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace."
Acts 5:30-31 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
Jesus is our Prince. He does not rule as earthly princes do, but is humble, though mighty, sacrificial for us, not greedy, with us, not stand offish.
He give peace to His people, as He did for Israel in the land under David and Solomon. Not only is Jesus the Prince of Peace but the eternal King of Kings also.
Ps. 29:10-11 "the LORD sitteth King forever, The Lord will give strength unto his people, the LORD will bless His people with peace."
Jn 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
Rom. 16:20 "And the God of peace will soon bruise Satan under your feet shortly."
He is our peace who has absolute power over the enemy and the Peace that unifies the church.
Eph. 2:14-15 "for He is our peace who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us." (between Jewish believers and Christian believers)
Hebrews 13:20-21 "Now may the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to Whom be glory forever and ever, amen."
1 Th. 5:23 "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly,"
The peace of God is transcend all other types of peace. It is above and beyond what we is of the world
2nd Cor 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
old things are passed away, Sabbath day old thing.
Rev 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
Jesus had to be born again as he died and was burred. What came out of the grave was not the same thing that went into the grave. Jesus was now a dead man walking full of holes and no blood. Can you live with no blood? Nope, Jesus was eating and talking because of the sprit of God his Father in him a new creature.
Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
The bible says flesh and blood can not enter the kingdom of heaven 1st Cor 15:50. Jesus was now a new creation eating, talking and breathing and yet he had no blood. A born again Jesus this time of the spirit and no longer of Mary.
Romans 8:10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
[11] But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ...
I hope your day has gone well. It is morning here in Washington state.
When I read your post to Chris, I immediately though of Matthew 22:23 where Jesus said, "I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living."
To me, Jesus is saying that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive.
Also, refer to 1 Samuel, 2:6 in the song Hannah sang, "The Lord killeth, and maketh alive; he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up."
Notice the order, first death, then made alive. Of course this happens fully in the resurrection, but in considering what Jesus said that He who believes in me will never die. ( john 11:26)
And, one of my favorite verses: Romans 8:37-39
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
This clearly says that death cannot separate us from God.
And Jesus said to His disciples, "Behold, I AM with you always, even to the end of the world." Matthew 28:20
And Paul encourages believers by reminding them that God said, "I will never leave You nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5, Josh. 1:5
So, to me, always and never mean that we will always be alive, whether in this life now or after we die.
Therefore, I believe that when we die, our body dies, but we are still alive with God. Our bodies will be rejoined to our soul and spirit when we are resurrected and then we will be made complete (whole, perfected) for eternity.
Luke 6:40] The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
John 17:23] I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
After:
Acts 3:16] And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.
Romans 12:2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1st Cor 2:6] Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
1st Cor 1:10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
Philippians 3:15] Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Col 1:28] Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
2nd Timothy 3:17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Hebrews 13:20] Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
[21] Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Amen, when the preacher behind the pulpit does not believe in perfection, neither will the church. The man of God has to be perfect, unlike what we hear today unbelief.
I like you was sincere, etc, but I was sincerely wrong, oh how I struggled, the veil always separated me from my Beloved, there was no pure unity of the faith & oneness that Christ prayed for, my conscience bearing witness against me, no matter how I cried, repented, fasted, prayed or studies the letter, & walk accordingly, yet, the veil was still hung between us & why? 2Cor 3:6 I remember it quiet well, a yoyo of an experience.
1 Cor 15:34,45 true knowledge is given by the true Grace of God who appears bringing salvation to all mankind.
Ronald, have you ever had an unction that cross your own will, telling you not to do or say something & show you what to do or to say? & if not heeded to, condemn you for it? Or maybe you were in a tryst state, & say or did something & later Holy Spirit/ Grace convicted you of wrong? This is the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus, Grace/Light/Anointing we have received & appears within us, & if minded & exercised is the daily Cross & is not a lie, abide in Him & in the steadfast confidence continual exercising of it, will eventually set us free from the law of sin & death. Received by Luke 10:42 Psalms 130:5"the word of His Grace, who words are Spirit & Life" Psalms 145:12-18 Psalms 123:2 Psalms 62:5 meaning silencing all thoughts & imaginations & in stillness of soul, wait. Psalms 46:10 and He will appear Hebrews 9:28 . Believing that it is He appearing to you is faith, hearing the Word of God in the heart, that Paul preached & this faith purifies the heart & gives victory over the world.
2Cor 3:16-18 this stillness & waiting upon the Lord is turning to Him, who is Spirit, whom takes the veil away & gives us knowledge of Himself, 2Cor 4:6,7 setting us free from the bondage of sin, we know the Truth & the Truth set us free & transforms us into His Image. Light begets light, in whom there is no darkness at all.
causing you Philippians 2:13 Hebrews 13:21 "obviously this is not sinning".
Grace be to you
The Grace of God that appears to all mankind, begotten Paul & he declares in 1Cor 15:10 made what he now is.
What the Apostles received by the Revelation of Jesus Christ from His Grace appearance, they wrote down in the Epistle's that bares their name, & they believed & attain unto this knowledge by the diligent exercising thereof Hebrews 5:14 Hebrews 12:11 Philippians 3:16
Here's a small unfolding of His Grace / Light
They let Patience James 1:4,25 James 5:11 1Pet 5:9,10
Make you Perfect Hebrews 13:21
Be ye Perfect Matt 5:48 indicating this perfection is the same as the Father, there's not a different standard of holiness for mankind describe here.
The angel declared to Mary, Matt 1:21 not in their sin!
Folks,
Everything that God does is perfect, do you really believe that He would sent His only begotten Son to suffer all that He did for our sakes, & it not be a perfect restoration for His beloved creations.
I tell you by the Scriptures, sound reasoning & the Holy Ghost it's goes beyond the state of Adam innocents before he fell
Rom 6:3-5 the newness of life spoken of here is the likeness of His resurrection life & that is attain by working of His Divine Power 2Pet 1:2-4
I'm talking Grace, here now in this life. Don't be deceived, it's accompanies all that Christ experience, 1Pet 2:21 this too is apart of being make in His image & likeness, walking as He walk, the Apostles final got it after Pentecost, being baptized unto His death. This is when 1John 1:1-5 truly came into spiritual experiential experience. John 7:17
John 4:23,24 True worship is doing His will
& that will is reveal by His Grace / Light appearance in your heart. 2Cor 4:6,7