There are christians who preach the Prosperity Gospel. Tenths of thousands gather to listen to them.
But the Bible teaches many other gospels.
A. The gospel of Hunger.
1 Cor 4:11, "Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;"
B. The Gospel of Work,
1 Cor 4:12, "And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:"
C. The Gospel of Persecution.
Rom 8:17, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
D. The Gospel of the Servant.
Matthew 20:26-27, "But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:"
E. The gospel of Towel
John 13:4-5, "4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
As well as many other unpleasant to hear Gospels
2 Timothy 4:3-4, "
For the time will come when they (us, the christians) will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
b. and this is concerning the apostles not destined for Heaven but to remain on Earth to judge the twelve tribes. John 14:1-3 was Jesus' assurance & comfort to His disciples (in their questioning and confusion: John 13:33-38), that He had to leave them to return to His Father. But He would return for them. During His departure, Jesus would prepare 'dwelling places' for them and that at His Return, He would take them to be with Him (at His Father's house - Heaven). Do these verses suggest to you that Jesus' Promise to them is that their destiny would actually be Heaven (at least in the interim, with the saints in their deaths or the rapture)? It would be very difficult to believe that these places being prepared in Heaven for the apostles are not actually located in Heaven but on Earth (or maybe what the new Earth has in store for them), given what Jesus spoke about. Blessings.
1 John 4:16 has part of the verse state that God is love; probably next to the verse "Jesus wept" the shortest sentence in the Bible. As to its implications; of course we could write volumes; and as John also stated; if all the books of the wold were used it still would fall short as to describing everything about Christ ( John 21:25). This was the Disciple; after all that Jesus loved mentioned in John 13:23 and 2 other verses also in John. It sounds rather presumptuous on the surface to make such a claim; especially in light of the other Disciples in the "inner circle" namely Peter and I believe Andrew. A study on these implications is beyond my scope or even understanding; perhaps someone else could take the reins on that...
Anyway I wanted to bring up some basic tenants related to this subject; hopefully not boring anyone with redundancy with things I have said in the past. I'm not sure who has read what likely is well over 1000 posts here; if anyone does mention something I am repeating from say 2 years ago maybe they are a bit too obsessed with me; anyway I digress...
I could start out with 1 Corinthians 13 as a homework assignment. I think I will begin with what love is NOT as for some odd reason even those claiming to be believers seem to have at best a muted sense of what God's love is. Let us examine the first and probably most obvious error
Starting with "God is love" is often the scripture touted by those who would twist scriptures
2 Peter 3:16 discusses twisting scriptures directly; although the irony here is that he was talking about difficult to understand ones while love should be pretty easy to understand. After all those who love Him are to keep His commands ( John 14:15) but this is related to Luke 6:46 in those who say "Lord, Lord" but don't do what He says. More to come....
If I may offer up a different perspective on prayer, I read over the scriptures you gave and the message that Jesus is presenting to His disciples have nothing to do with prayer being answered or not being answered. In John 13:12-20, we are given the purpose of the foot washing. In context, this message was given as an example of service and how His people should serve Him. This would also apply to believers today.
There are several teachings in the bible on prayer, and out of all the teachings, there's one place in the bible that seems to be a summary statement of all the teachings on prayer. It is found in 1 John 5:14-15 which reads, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
The term "we have" in Verse 15 is present, ongoing. When we pray for something for His will to be done, we have our answer already, now and continuing in the future. God answers every prayer when we ask according to His will.
When we ask for the Lord's will to be done, we are expressing our submission to Him with whatever He does. We are to let go of the situation knowing that we have the answer to our prayer. Whatever it is, it's His answer!
I share this not as an argument, but to show that we as believers can know without a doubt that God will answer every prayer that we ask of Him when we ask for His will to be done in whatever it is we are asking.
John 13:13-14 only applied to the Disciples. He was having a private conversation with them and prefaced his address to "ye". This means that Jesus does not promise every believer that he will answer their prayers if asked in his name. We see this played out in Acts where Peter and the others did many miracles that we don't see today. Further proof that this verse only applies to the Disciples is the previous verse, John 13:12 "He that believeth on me"... "He" is referencing others not within earshot of the Disciples with him at the last supper. The rest of the world. Therefore, we all can believe and have everlasting life but do not have full access to the power of having our prayers answered when asked in Jesus name.
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.
now that i "know" christ's love Ephesians 2:19 Corinthians 3:4-7 and the whole book of Colossians
Shall we analyse?
Remember the song
Christ is the portrait of God - Colossians 1:15
Before he was born
He did justice and in himself he died
Supremacy and thrones are
They are yours - Colossians 1: 16-17
And that thread that broke
From my soul to God - Colossians 1:21
The holy blood sewed
Christ and his lines of love - Colossians 1: 20
And now a man made I
Can in man see God
Have peace, live, walk and be
Made me a friend in his pouring out - John 15:15
When we were targets of God's wrath now we have Peace with God - Romans 5:1
I have a doubt that you probably theologians (formal or deep self-taught), show me if there is something I missed.
to go to church or not to go to church?
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Peter 4:9, Psalms 133:1-3, Galatians 5:13. all these chapters do not speak of the church that is of my generation, Hebrews 10:24-25 this verse speaks of the mutual congregation.
continuing Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:32, Acts 2:41-47, 1 John 1:6-7, 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Peter 1:22, Colossians 3:16, Philippians 2:1-2, John 13:34, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Psalm 55:14. I keep reading and re-reading Romans 12 and I wonder if it's in everyday life or gathered with the church.
Luke 22:31-32 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Ugh. Next to the sufferings of Christ on the cross this may be the hardest scripture to take in. Whew.
Other than Job; there are no other accounts where such an event of permission to attack a saint by Satan himself is mentioned; although there are other occasions when clearly deception was given to the false prophets and collateral damage likely ensued with some of the plagues when David sinned that God allowed but the enemy no doubt wouldn't object to to say the least.
This is savage; there are no minced words here. Peter had been warned previously; I believe in Matthew 16:23 how wishing to escape death for the Messiah was a Satanically inspired comment. Now; Peter himself though his own fear and weakness would buckle to the pressure and deny Christ to save his own skin. Now we do observe that all the other Disciples also ran off; but they didn't have the audacity to make such a statement that they were ready to die for Him ( John 13:37).
Jesus knew that eventually he would be "converted" and strengthen his brothers; that looking ahead to Pentecost no doubt. There were further admonitions at that point as to the veracity and strength of Peter's love at that point which prophecy about Peter's own death to come.
We have the hard truth here that apparently Jesus granted Satan's request. John 18:8-9 showed prophetically that for the time being the disciples were not to be arrested and killed based on John 17:12 which had just been said before this. This is the only time I know of that Jesus referred to any New Testament statement as a prophetic fulfillment; but Peter should have known His prayers would be answered; as well as the promises for him to be the rock ( Matt. 16:18) of the church.
John records in chapters 12-17 the events in the last week of Christ's ministry leading up to his capture in verse 18 and the Crucifixion itself in chapter 19. Once again I hope I read the text carefully in order to say that here there are no further miracles demonstrated in His ministry. The controversy over Lazarus would start events rolling with the insane desire to have both him and Christ killed off ( John 12:9-11). The actual excoriation as I put it of the Pharisees is absent in John's account. Jesus in this Gospel is given much more emphasis as to His discourse with the Disciples which involved themes of the Trinity; His necessity to leave and comfort about the coming Spirit and His coming again and the prayer for the church as a whole in chapter 17. I shouldn't neglect the prophetic warnings in chapter 16 in being put to death.
The fact that 1/3 of the Gospels involves "Passion week" is significant. There was no time to waste; as Jesus knew the great shock to come would catch them off guard; that they would all run away and needed assurance as to the Spirit's role in transformation. Details about His death and resurrection are in all 4 gospels as it is no doubt the most significant aspect of His ministry as pertaining to us; even today. John 19:26 is the last mention of what are said to be 6 mentionings of "the one Jesus loved" in regard to John the author of this Gospel. At first glance that would seem rather arrogant. Maybe someone here has some insight; I would surmise that:
1) John was part of the group who went up in the Transfiguration. Interestingly; this event is NOT covered in John but in the other 3 Gospel accounts as well as 2 Peter. This would constitute the "inner circle" so to speak.
2) John laid across his bosom ( John 13:23).
3) Jesus Himself mentioned "if I want him to remain; what is that to you" in John 21:22 responding to Peter. He would die a natural death before then.
There's several words for Love in the Bible written in the Greek.
Here's just a few.
Phileo means friendly love while Eros denotes passionate, romantic love.
Ludus (playful love)
Pragma (enduring love)
Agape" is probably the Greek word for love we are most familiar with.
Agape represents unconditional, selfless love, This Love is described as "to be totally given over to something or someone".
I believe it depends on what Spirit you have in you.
Agape is a fruit of the Spirit that causes us to Love God, the things of God and the children of God.
When this benevolence is displayed by the Children of God "toward the children of God" it displays the true followers of Christ.
John 13:34-35 is one of the most relevant set of verses for us as Christians.
It's not a command but rather a statement of fact. ( You will love one another)
Verse 35 says "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples" This is caused by the Spirit of God in you!
I believe the Spirit of God directs this unconditional selfless love, to the things and people of God.
If a person have not the Spirit of God in them then John 3:19 is for them.
( And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved (Agapao) darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.)
1 John 2:15 reads, "Love (Agape) not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love (Agape) the world, the love (Agape) of the Father is not in him.
I'm not sure but I believe the difference between Agapao and Agape is the benevolence or out pouring of God's love to and through the believer.
We see that in Agape and the things and people of God is the object.
John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Jesus has come to the end of His earthly mission, the time of His crucifixion has come near, John 13:1. Jesus said, "glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:" Jesus has been obedient to His Father and has finished what He was sent to do, except for the last hours of left in Passover day when He will suffer and die.
The words that Jesus spoke are written in John 13 through John 16; all five chapters were written about while they were in the room where they had the Last Supper. He lifted His eyes to heaven. Jesus was praying to the Father, and the disciples were there. Judas left just before Jesus started this prayer. Jesus is in the upper room just before going to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prays for Himself, his disciples, and all future believers.
His hour had come, as He said in Luke 22:15-16, He desired to eat this Passover before He suffered, but He would not be there to eat it. And in John 12:23, He said the hour had come that He should be glorified. In John 7:33-39, Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit that those who believe in Him will receive, but it has not been given yet because Jesus was not yet glorified/resurrected. God glorified Jesus when He raised Jesus from the dead in His glorified body. We will also be raised in a body fashioned like His, Philippians 3:21.
Jesus knew what He would have to endure later that day: death on the cross. In this prayer, we can see Jesus' love for his disciples and his desire for them to remain in faith and purpose. His emotions in this prayer intensified in the garden, as reflected in Matthew 26:38-43 and Luke 22:40-44. All that Jesus did throughout His mission on earth was to glorify God, showing us the importance of glorifying God in all our actions.
If you love me you will obey my commandments ( John 14:15).
In light of yesterday's comments that I posted; surely this verse shows the works that are done with the proper attitude. Ephesians 2:10 describes works prepared for us from the Lord. In short it is His works done THROUGH us and His love should constrain us ( 2 Corinthians 14; also read verse 15). This passage read to verse 21 shows how we then evangelize to reconcile others toward God as we were.
Going back to the moment of salvation; it is rare to hear someone preach the fact these days that we are enemies of God ( Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21 and many like passages). Someone coming to true faith should have some realization of this; but preaching about only the love of God (and that far short of what "Agape" means much of the time) naturally makes people hearing that message assume that we would fall head over heals for Him; especially if there are no "strings" attached. Being a slave of righteousness certainly isn't too popular either; or frankly the concept that His Spirit "possesses" us. I have emphasized that TRUST has to be there in our walk with Christ for it to be real. That is a crucial link to obedience because to really believe we assent that His Word can be trusted; AND council where the Lord is present is often how He ministers to us through discipleship. That of course assumes we are in a Biblically sound fellowship to begin with; and doesn't mean we aren't Bereans or always trust what any man can say. Nonetheless God has a purpose for the structure of His church and we should trust Him to lead us to such a fellowship and give us opportunities for wise counsel for ourselves as well as us toward others.
Of course we are commanded to love one another ( John 13:34-35). In the fellowship of the saints in particular we should see that if we offend our brothers and sisters we are doing it to the Lord. Sometimes if we don't love fellow saints we need to ask God to give us Agape.
Me being a member at West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles CA
John 13:34 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
"A language you can understand.How to love God. Loving God. Adorned-Example Reverence Scripture-Revelations 21:2 KJV. Not to default and defraud. Identified Christian to be in Love of God with another.
Ways you can be in the Love of God are listen to his voice and word to obey, follow and do it. Quoted scripture for Christians Romans 12:2 KJV
Examples of God's love ,loving God,Love of God is Galatians 5:22 KJV, 1 Corinthians 13 to have faith and holiness.
John 13:Verse 35
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
" Disciple-Showing the holy bible (Jesus Christ) is life. To see Jesus Christ commandments as the truth and believe (passed from death to life) John 3:16 KJV-Allowing the grace of God work upon your hearts.
Brother, what you do is appreciated, you inspire study. I hope you do not mind this is my understanding, you say Jesus is not sitting on the right of God on His throne, that is an idiom, this means it is saying this is the person that has authority and power, and I agree but was given authority and power, but not with we will not see Jesus, Revelation 21:22. If we also read Ephesians 1:17-23 along with Acts 5:31 it says God exalted Jesus, exalted, the Greek word hupsoo means to lift or raise up, to exalt, raise high.
Ephesians 1:20-21, God raised Jesus and set Him; the Greek word kathizo means make to sit; I set, appoint a physical position of the power of the throne, that is God's divine power and authority over all of creation. After Jesus was raised from the dead, Psalm 8:6Philippians 2:9-10. This will be until all enemies are under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. The throne can also mean sharing in honor and glory by overcoming as we see in Revelation 3:21.
Jesus has been given this position, we know God placed Jesus above all in heaven and earth and under the earth Ephesians 1:19-21. Jesus was raised in a glorified body, and we will be raised in a body as His, Philippians 3:21. Jesus ascended and is in heaven in that glorified body, Acts 1:10 and when He returns it will be in that same glorified body, Revelation 19.
The other words that throw light on this are Matthew 28:18 and John 13:3, given the Greek word didomi which means to give, to give something to someone, to bestow a gift, to appoint to an office, to supply, furnish necessary things. Something given to you that you did not have before it was given like salvation and eternal life is given, godliness, 2 Peter 1:3-8.
We also have Matthew 11:27 "All things are delivered unto me of my Father" delivered the Greek word paradidomi a close word to didomi properly to give, hand over, to deliver over with a sense of close personal involvement.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Nevertheless, when our hearts are rightly related to Him, then there is a confidence given to us:
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (v. 21)
Furthermore, when we are in His will, there are added tokens that we are His children:
And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (v. 22)
Answered prayer is an argument that one is a legitimate child of God. The prayer life of the believer is vital in assuring the soul of salvation.
Love for the Brethren!!
A love for the brethren and a passion for the souls of men are evidence that we are children of God. One of the most convicting and confirming facts sealing assurance to the heart is love of the brethren. Scripture is positive at this point:
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. ( 1 John 3:14)
Animosity and hatred in the heart will rob the child of God of assurance. Malice toward another Christian produces bitterness of soul and is therefore not a fertile soil to cultivate assurance. Malice is condensed anger. Lack of love for another believer robs more Christians of real enjoyment and satisfaction in the Christian life than perhaps any other single factor. It not only blights the soul of the Christian, but it also destroys any public testimony:
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ( John 13:35)
To love other believers is not elective:
These things I command you, that ye love one another. ( John 15:17)
Do not let a little root of bitterness rob you of assurance. Make things right with other believers.
John 13:21 - When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
The word troubled means agitated, TARASO, agitated! If you picture a top loading washing machine, that's what it means, just going back and forth. He is agitated. The term "in spirit" doesn't mean the Holy Spirit. It means His inner person, His inner self. He was troubled. The word "betray" means deliver over.
John 13:22 - Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
Then the disciples looked, and that's the Imperfect Tense. They were continuously looking one to another, doubting of whom he spake.
John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Jesus says, a new commandment I give unto you. And I want to share a technical Greek point here with you. He says "A new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another;
In the Greek text, there is what is called a "HINA clause" here. He is not saying that is the command. He's saying, "I'm giving you a new command in order that you love one another!" Now Jesus has not given the command yet. The new command will be in John 14:1. This is why diagramming the sentences from an original language perspective gives you a heads-up on the context of sections. There is no command until Chapter 14 Verse 1. "Love" is not a new command.
But I'm giving you this new command in order that, (purpose clause), that you love one another according as I have loved you, in order that you also love one another. In comparison, how did He love them? Well, He showed them the extreme love by washing their feet. He is showing them the love of God by voluntarily laying down His life for them. That is the message and impression that He is leaving for them.
John 13:12 - So, after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
So, after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, again that is the HIMATIA. HIMATION is your outer garment. He put His outer garment back on, and was set down again, literally He reclined at the table. These were tables about a foot off the ground, 12 inches high, and they laid on cushions with their left elbow on the table and their feet outstretched, and with the right hand they would reach over, and they would take the food.
Everybody in the table is facing in the same direction. Everybody has got one elbow on the table. I mention this to you so that you can understand why later on John would lean on Jesus' chest to ask Him a question. That is because he's right next to Jesus and when you're leaning back to ask a private question, your elbow and that part of your back is actually touching the person's chest.
John 13:13 - Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
Two technical points I want to share with you: The word "master" is the word teacher, DIDASKALOS. You call me teacher and Lord and you say well, for so I am. But that last little phrase doesn't say "and so I am" in the Greek. It just says and "I AM," the title of God in the book of Exodus. It is a title. There is no "so" and no "he." It is simply "And I AM."
John 13:17 - If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
The word happy, MAKARIOS, means to experience the fullness of something. It doesn't mean happy as pertaining to the flesh, but rather experiencing the fullness of the Spirit of Christ.
John 13:9 - Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
So, Peter is going to extremes in both directions. I refuse to let you wash my feet. And Jesus says if you don't let me wash your feet you have no part with me. Peter says, "Well then give me a bath. Bathe me all over because I don't want to reject you. I want to be fully in relation with you!"
There are two words that are being handled here in this text that's very important here in Verse 10. LUO in the Greek without the OMICRON or letter O means to destroy. But LUO with the diphthong, the OU, means to bathe all over. The word NIPTO means wash. That is Hebrew for wash. NIPTO is to wash, as in hands and feet. Now a washing is just washing the hands or washing the feet, and they would use the term NIPTO. To bathe all over, they would use the word LUO.
John 13:10 - Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
So, he that is washed is the word LUO. The person who is bathed has no need to wash except for his feet whenever he gets his feet dirty. It was even a custom during Passover time that people took baths and then when they arrived at the guest's home, all he had to do was wash their feet, and they were clean all over.
So, Jesus says the person who washes or bathes has no need to wash but his feet, but he is clean every whit. The term "every whit" is the word "whole" HOLOS, whole or complete. He's completely clean!
If you've been bathed, and you have had your feet washed, you are completely wholly clean, but not all. What? Did one of them not take a bath? He's indicating a cleansing that Judas (remember Judas is still here) is the one that is not clean spiritually. So, it's not all!
John 13:4 - He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
Now His garments, the outer garment, or the coat if you will is called a HIMATIA. That is what He took off. He took off His HIMATIA, His outward garments. The CHITON is the inner garment. He did not take off the inner garment. And some people think that would be pretty embarrassing, that He took of all His clothes and then wrapped a towel around Him.
Well, He wasn't naked! He had His inner garments fully clothed. He took off the outer garment, which would be like a cloak, and He laid them aside. And thirdly, He took a towel and girded Himself. That is, He wrapped the towel around Himself in such a way so as to not only to wash the disciples' feet, but also to dry them. And they have pictures of slaves doing this with the towel draped around their waist and over their shoulders, so that they could pull it down and be wiping their feet off.
John 13:7 - Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
This is one of the keys to understanding what this section is teaching us. He says first all "What I do you don't know now." Well, they know what He is doing! But obviously they don't really know completely all what He's doing. The word "now" used in this verse, and there's a couple of words for now. The word NOOUN means now in time. But this is ARTE, which means "up till now," you have not known what I am doing, but you will know hereafter.
Now the term "hereafter" is actually plural. After these things, you will know. So not just foot washing, because the foot washing is the introduction to this whole section going up through Chapter 15. After these things are over, you will know what I did to you and what the teaching is. So, this entire lesson through Chapter 15, He says you don't know up till now what I've been doing, but you will know after these things.
My understanding is Jesus was baptized and anointed in the fall of the year__, he was 40 days and nights in the wilderness. Jesus then chose His 12 disciples. shortly after the wedding where Jesus turned the water to wine, He went to Passover John 2:23, this would be 6 months after He was anointed by the Holy Ghost.
There are 3 more Passovers and Jesus was crucified on the last one, John 5:1, 1.5 years John 6:4 2.5 years, and John 13:1 the Passover He was crucified 3.5 years from when He was anointed as the Messiah.
My understanding of Matthew 24 was also for the disciples for the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem not just for us today, if we compare Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 have when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet. But in Luke 21:20, He writes when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
The abomination of desolation is something done by someone as King Antiochus IV Epiphanes did in 168 BC. It happened before the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. My understanding is parts of Jesus's Olivet discourse were for them and parts are for us.
What is in Daniel 9:27 Jesus caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease when He died and the vail of the Temple rent from top to bottom. As Jesus told the woman at the well the hour has come ye shall not worship the Father in the mountain or Jerusalem, John 4:21
The wording in Daniel 9:27 is for the overspreading of abominations points to the abominations the leaders of Jerusalem will have done, Matthew 23:32-38 Jesus told them "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" The he, is Jesus who will make it desolate and, in their generation, it was made desolate by the people/Roman army, of the prince/Titus same as God used Babylon in 586 BC.
I hope this makes sense so that you can study for your understanding even if you disagree, if you have questions let me know.
Some seems to prefer to minister to only other believers and have very little to say to unbelievers.
They are quick to judge and tell them where they are going but don't offer them the only way of escape. The Gospel.
In John 17:20 we see Jesus praying for our ministering to them.
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
I once copied an article on Evangelism. Here's how it reads.
Part 1.
To evangelize means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone else. Personal evangelism should be the lifestyle of every true Christian. We've been given a great gift, and our Master left us with clear instructions: "Go into all the world and make disciples of every nation" Matthew 28:19. Before we can "make disciples," we must evangelize. There are other reasons, besides Jesus' command, that should also motivate us to share the greatest news in the world with people who haven't heard it:
Evangelism is an act of love. Love must be the defining characteristic of every follower of Jesus Christ John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, so anyone who walks in the Spirit will demonstrate love in dealing with people Galatians 5:16, 22-23. We possess the best news in the world, and love propels us to share it with those who haven't heard. Love wants everyone to have a chance to respond to God's offer of salvation. Withholding news that could save someone's life is the utmost cruelty; therefore, those who truly love God will love the people whom Jesus came to save John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:20.
Evangelism builds our own faith. Nothing helps us learn a subject like teaching it to someone else. When we make a practice of sharing our faith with those in our lives, we strengthen our own beliefs. Regular evangelism forces us to wrestle through the hard questions, find answers for ourselves, and prepare to respond to the questions of others.
We are not joined with those outside the body of Christ so, what are we as children of light supposed to do in a lost dark world?
We are to bare light and that light is supposed to shine on Christ.
We are his ambassadors in a foreign land.
We are to display the work of Christ in our lives and the evidence of a new birth bearing fruit. By this all people will know we are his disciples, and the fruit (especially Love for the Brothern) will also Distinguish between a false teaching religion/teachers and spirit filled believers where the spirit gathers and energizes. This is the operation of God by the baptism of the Holy spirit.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES; John 13:34-35, Matthew 7:16-20. 1 1John 4:20-21, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
We are to Love the unbeliever, witness to them, and treat them with kindness and help them in a Godly way.
So, in what ways we are not to be unequally yoked with them? Many things can be mentioned but I won't get into that here.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
"The command implies that a great difference exists between a believer and an unbeliever. Generally speaking, the motivations, goals, and methods of a Christian are incompatible with those of an unbeliever.
Faith changes the character of a person. A Christian's highest ambition in life is to glorify the Lord Jesus and please Him in all things; an unbeliever is, at best, indifferent to such goals. "
Again, don't get me wrong here, we are called to minister to them in particular.
That is the Lords Commission. Luke 4:18.
It is our Great Commission to spread the Gospel; Matthew 28:16-20.
We do that with truth! We don't do it with lies and deception.
"Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." (v.19)
Jesus cast out the unclean spirits from the man, who now in his sober mind wanted to follow Jesus. He was not the only one who wanted do it. "Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now?"( John 13:37). Jesus showed him the way to follow him and immediately what Jesus wanted of him was a life of witnessing.. After a life of harrowing what he needed most was rest to his soul. "Take my yoke and learn of me', the hardest part is for the Son to take care.(Matt.11:28-29) Jesus, ever true image of his Father, shows mercy.
In contrast we have the owners of the swineherds cowering before Jesus. They heard the testimony of the finger of God' and the man ever normal and they could not be but be afraid."And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid."(v.15) The loss of other man's riches did not heal them. The unclean spirit still worked with them and they would rather see the back of Jesus than risk loss of other means of revenue.
In v.13 we have the number of swines ("they were about two thousand") and were choked in the sea, which is a tag placed by the Spirit. Compare with this verse," And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them." It is cue that God had prepared the four angels for the end times. multiples of 2000 refer to the Alpha and Omega expressed in terms of day of salvation and regeneration- signifying endtimes- white throne judgment.
John saw them as well as heard the number. To be sure those who rejected Jesus for loss of their wealth shall have them as witnesses. If in the court of law hush money could be cited as proof shall these citizens of Gederanes escape rejecting the prince of life for some swine?
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. HEREBY KNOW WE THAT WE DWELL IN HIM, AND HE IN US, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
What John is saying is that no man has seen God at any time but if we love one another God dwells in us. In other words God today can manifest himself through believers in loving one another, "and the world sees That!
John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
"What makes this so unique?" What's new about it? Isn't it listed in the Commandments? What's unique and new about it is that he causes it!
Look at verse 35.
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,.
( God gave us his Spirit that causes us to love the Brothern.)
God's Spirit, "The Holyspirit" causes those who loves God to love his brother also. 1 John 4:21"
Romans 5:5.
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
Christ being a member of the Godhead never sinned. We see that He was tempted in all ways as we are as Hebrews 4:15 states.
In His own strength Christ certainly always had the right to do anything as well as the capability; but as we know God cannot lie ( Heb. 6:18 and other related scriptures). Thus; Satan truly was the only being that had the authority to give the right of rulership over the earth as a temptation; and Christ was the only recipient other than Antichrist who will receive this offer. The man of sin will accept it; and the world will accept THE LIE ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12). It was for our sake that Christ humbled Himself; even to death on a cross emptying Himself of all self promotion of His own glory for the sake of the Father's exaltation later. This encompasses a number of scriptures (see Philippians 2:7; Isaiah 53).
Thus; we see that the relationship among the Godhead brings humility followed by exaltation. We also should follow that guideline; knowing that no servant is greater than His master; we are also to suffer while in this brief earthly existence. ( John 13:16). How much of our own troubles are caused by our own sins varies; it is something we should overcome if we are truly to embrace His sufferings.
When we consider sinless perfection on a surface level we think of avoiding commission of acctions against God as well as avoiding omission of things we ought to do which is often neglected at the expense of the first issue. We can think of someone who never makes mistakes; never says a word that is unfitting; and other like characteristics. When examining in depth this subject we see how eternal spiritual laws and principles were always first and foremost; undergirding Christ's miracles. Salvation was shown to be more crucial than just healing (see Matthew 9:6); as the paralytic received healing along with forgiveness. Salvation is complete at the Resurrection of the just; inheriting new bodies
But the Bible teaches many other gospels.
A. The gospel of Hunger.
1 Cor 4:11, "Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;"
B. The Gospel of Work,
1 Cor 4:12, "And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:"
C. The Gospel of Persecution.
Rom 8:17, "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together."
D. The Gospel of the Servant.
Matthew 20:26-27, "But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:"
E. The gospel of Towel
John 13:4-5, "4He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. 5After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
As well as many other unpleasant to hear Gospels
2 Timothy 4:3-4, "
For the time will come when they (us, the christians) will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."
b. and this is concerning the apostles not destined for Heaven but to remain on Earth to judge the twelve tribes. John 14:1-3 was Jesus' assurance & comfort to His disciples (in their questioning and confusion: John 13:33-38), that He had to leave them to return to His Father. But He would return for them. During His departure, Jesus would prepare 'dwelling places' for them and that at His Return, He would take them to be with Him (at His Father's house - Heaven). Do these verses suggest to you that Jesus' Promise to them is that their destiny would actually be Heaven (at least in the interim, with the saints in their deaths or the rapture)? It would be very difficult to believe that these places being prepared in Heaven for the apostles are not actually located in Heaven but on Earth (or maybe what the new Earth has in store for them), given what Jesus spoke about. Blessings.
1 John 4:16 has part of the verse state that God is love; probably next to the verse "Jesus wept" the shortest sentence in the Bible. As to its implications; of course we could write volumes; and as John also stated; if all the books of the wold were used it still would fall short as to describing everything about Christ ( John 21:25). This was the Disciple; after all that Jesus loved mentioned in John 13:23 and 2 other verses also in John. It sounds rather presumptuous on the surface to make such a claim; especially in light of the other Disciples in the "inner circle" namely Peter and I believe Andrew. A study on these implications is beyond my scope or even understanding; perhaps someone else could take the reins on that...
Anyway I wanted to bring up some basic tenants related to this subject; hopefully not boring anyone with redundancy with things I have said in the past. I'm not sure who has read what likely is well over 1000 posts here; if anyone does mention something I am repeating from say 2 years ago maybe they are a bit too obsessed with me; anyway I digress...
I could start out with 1 Corinthians 13 as a homework assignment. I think I will begin with what love is NOT as for some odd reason even those claiming to be believers seem to have at best a muted sense of what God's love is. Let us examine the first and probably most obvious error
Starting with "God is love" is often the scripture touted by those who would twist scriptures
2 Peter 3:16 discusses twisting scriptures directly; although the irony here is that he was talking about difficult to understand ones while love should be pretty easy to understand. After all those who love Him are to keep His commands ( John 14:15) but this is related to Luke 6:46 in those who say "Lord, Lord" but don't do what He says. More to come....
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
Blessings
If I may offer up a different perspective on prayer, I read over the scriptures you gave and the message that Jesus is presenting to His disciples have nothing to do with prayer being answered or not being answered. In John 13:12-20, we are given the purpose of the foot washing. In context, this message was given as an example of service and how His people should serve Him. This would also apply to believers today.
There are several teachings in the bible on prayer, and out of all the teachings, there's one place in the bible that seems to be a summary statement of all the teachings on prayer. It is found in 1 John 5:14-15 which reads, "And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
The term "we have" in Verse 15 is present, ongoing. When we pray for something for His will to be done, we have our answer already, now and continuing in the future. God answers every prayer when we ask according to His will.
When we ask for the Lord's will to be done, we are expressing our submission to Him with whatever He does. We are to let go of the situation knowing that we have the answer to our prayer. Whatever it is, it's His answer!
I share this not as an argument, but to show that we as believers can know without a doubt that God will answer every prayer that we ask of Him when we ask for His will to be done in whatever it is we are asking.
Blessings to you in Christ!
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.
Shall we analyse?
Remember the song
Christ is the portrait of God - Colossians 1:15
Before he was born
He did justice and in himself he died
Supremacy and thrones are
They are yours - Colossians 1: 16-17
And that thread that broke
From my soul to God - Colossians 1:21
The holy blood sewed
Christ and his lines of love - Colossians 1: 20
And now a man made I
Can in man see God
Have peace, live, walk and be
Made me a friend in his pouring out - John 15:15
When we were targets of God's wrath now we have Peace with God - Romans 5:1
I have a doubt that you probably theologians (formal or deep self-taught), show me if there is something I missed.
to go to church or not to go to church?
1 Thessalonians 5:11, 1 Peter 4:9, Psalms 133:1-3, Galatians 5:13. all these chapters do not speak of the church that is of my generation, Hebrews 10:24-25 this verse speaks of the mutual congregation.
continuing Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:32, Acts 2:41-47, 1 John 1:6-7, 2 Corinthians 13:11, 1 Peter 1:22, Colossians 3:16, Philippians 2:1-2, John 13:34, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Psalm 55:14. I keep reading and re-reading Romans 12 and I wonder if it's in everyday life or gathered with the church.
Thank you very much!
Luke 22:31-32 31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.
Ugh. Next to the sufferings of Christ on the cross this may be the hardest scripture to take in. Whew.
Other than Job; there are no other accounts where such an event of permission to attack a saint by Satan himself is mentioned; although there are other occasions when clearly deception was given to the false prophets and collateral damage likely ensued with some of the plagues when David sinned that God allowed but the enemy no doubt wouldn't object to to say the least.
This is savage; there are no minced words here. Peter had been warned previously; I believe in Matthew 16:23 how wishing to escape death for the Messiah was a Satanically inspired comment. Now; Peter himself though his own fear and weakness would buckle to the pressure and deny Christ to save his own skin. Now we do observe that all the other Disciples also ran off; but they didn't have the audacity to make such a statement that they were ready to die for Him ( John 13:37).
Jesus knew that eventually he would be "converted" and strengthen his brothers; that looking ahead to Pentecost no doubt. There were further admonitions at that point as to the veracity and strength of Peter's love at that point which prophecy about Peter's own death to come.
We have the hard truth here that apparently Jesus granted Satan's request. John 18:8-9 showed prophetically that for the time being the disciples were not to be arrested and killed based on John 17:12 which had just been said before this. This is the only time I know of that Jesus referred to any New Testament statement as a prophetic fulfillment; but Peter should have known His prayers would be answered; as well as the promises for him to be the rock ( Matt. 16:18) of the church.
John records in chapters 12-17 the events in the last week of Christ's ministry leading up to his capture in verse 18 and the Crucifixion itself in chapter 19. Once again I hope I read the text carefully in order to say that here there are no further miracles demonstrated in His ministry. The controversy over Lazarus would start events rolling with the insane desire to have both him and Christ killed off ( John 12:9-11). The actual excoriation as I put it of the Pharisees is absent in John's account. Jesus in this Gospel is given much more emphasis as to His discourse with the Disciples which involved themes of the Trinity; His necessity to leave and comfort about the coming Spirit and His coming again and the prayer for the church as a whole in chapter 17. I shouldn't neglect the prophetic warnings in chapter 16 in being put to death.
The fact that 1/3 of the Gospels involves "Passion week" is significant. There was no time to waste; as Jesus knew the great shock to come would catch them off guard; that they would all run away and needed assurance as to the Spirit's role in transformation. Details about His death and resurrection are in all 4 gospels as it is no doubt the most significant aspect of His ministry as pertaining to us; even today. John 19:26 is the last mention of what are said to be 6 mentionings of "the one Jesus loved" in regard to John the author of this Gospel. At first glance that would seem rather arrogant. Maybe someone here has some insight; I would surmise that:
1) John was part of the group who went up in the Transfiguration. Interestingly; this event is NOT covered in John but in the other 3 Gospel accounts as well as 2 Peter. This would constitute the "inner circle" so to speak.
2) John laid across his bosom ( John 13:23).
3) Jesus Himself mentioned "if I want him to remain; what is that to you" in John 21:22 responding to Peter. He would die a natural death before then.
There's several words for Love in the Bible written in the Greek.
Here's just a few.
Phileo means friendly love while Eros denotes passionate, romantic love.
Ludus (playful love)
Pragma (enduring love)
Agape" is probably the Greek word for love we are most familiar with.
Agape represents unconditional, selfless love, This Love is described as "to be totally given over to something or someone".
I believe it depends on what Spirit you have in you.
Agape is a fruit of the Spirit that causes us to Love God, the things of God and the children of God.
When this benevolence is displayed by the Children of God "toward the children of God" it displays the true followers of Christ.
John 13:34-35 is one of the most relevant set of verses for us as Christians.
It's not a command but rather a statement of fact. ( You will love one another)
Verse 35 says "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples" This is caused by the Spirit of God in you!
I believe the Spirit of God directs this unconditional selfless love, to the things and people of God.
If a person have not the Spirit of God in them then John 3:19 is for them.
( And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved (Agapao) darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.)
1 John 2:15 reads, "Love (Agape) not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love (Agape) the world, the love (Agape) of the Father is not in him.
I'm not sure but I believe the difference between Agapao and Agape is the benevolence or out pouring of God's love to and through the believer.
We see that in Agape and the things and people of God is the object.
Blessings.
Part 1
John 17:1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
Jesus has come to the end of His earthly mission, the time of His crucifixion has come near, John 13:1. Jesus said, "glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:" Jesus has been obedient to His Father and has finished what He was sent to do, except for the last hours of left in Passover day when He will suffer and die.
The words that Jesus spoke are written in John 13 through John 16; all five chapters were written about while they were in the room where they had the Last Supper. He lifted His eyes to heaven. Jesus was praying to the Father, and the disciples were there. Judas left just before Jesus started this prayer. Jesus is in the upper room just before going to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus prays for Himself, his disciples, and all future believers.
His hour had come, as He said in Luke 22:15-16, He desired to eat this Passover before He suffered, but He would not be there to eat it. And in John 12:23, He said the hour had come that He should be glorified. In John 7:33-39, Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit that those who believe in Him will receive, but it has not been given yet because Jesus was not yet glorified/resurrected. God glorified Jesus when He raised Jesus from the dead in His glorified body. We will also be raised in a body fashioned like His, Philippians 3:21.
Jesus knew what He would have to endure later that day: death on the cross. In this prayer, we can see Jesus' love for his disciples and his desire for them to remain in faith and purpose. His emotions in this prayer intensified in the garden, as reflected in Matthew 26:38-43 and Luke 22:40-44. All that Jesus did throughout His mission on earth was to glorify God, showing us the importance of glorifying God in all our actions.
See part 2
John 13:34
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."
John 13:35
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
In light of yesterday's comments that I posted; surely this verse shows the works that are done with the proper attitude. Ephesians 2:10 describes works prepared for us from the Lord. In short it is His works done THROUGH us and His love should constrain us ( 2 Corinthians 14; also read verse 15). This passage read to verse 21 shows how we then evangelize to reconcile others toward God as we were.
Going back to the moment of salvation; it is rare to hear someone preach the fact these days that we are enemies of God ( Romans 5:10; Colossians 1:21 and many like passages). Someone coming to true faith should have some realization of this; but preaching about only the love of God (and that far short of what "Agape" means much of the time) naturally makes people hearing that message assume that we would fall head over heals for Him; especially if there are no "strings" attached. Being a slave of righteousness certainly isn't too popular either; or frankly the concept that His Spirit "possesses" us. I have emphasized that TRUST has to be there in our walk with Christ for it to be real. That is a crucial link to obedience because to really believe we assent that His Word can be trusted; AND council where the Lord is present is often how He ministers to us through discipleship. That of course assumes we are in a Biblically sound fellowship to begin with; and doesn't mean we aren't Bereans or always trust what any man can say. Nonetheless God has a purpose for the structure of His church and we should trust Him to lead us to such a fellowship and give us opportunities for wise counsel for ourselves as well as us toward others.
Of course we are commanded to love one another ( John 13:34-35). In the fellowship of the saints in particular we should see that if we offend our brothers and sisters we are doing it to the Lord. Sometimes if we don't love fellow saints we need to ask God to give us Agape.
West Angeles Church Consecration Calendar
Me being a member at West Angeles Cogic Church Cathedral Los Angeles CA
John 13:34 KJV
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY:
"A language you can understand.How to love God. Loving God. Adorned-Example Reverence Scripture-Revelations 21:2 KJV. Not to default and defraud. Identified Christian to be in Love of God with another.
Ways you can be in the Love of God are listen to his voice and word to obey, follow and do it. Quoted scripture for Christians Romans 12:2 KJV
Examples of God's love ,loving God,Love of God is Galatians 5:22 KJV, 1 Corinthians 13 to have faith and holiness.
John 13:Verse 35
My Interpetation REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
" Disciple-Showing the holy bible (Jesus Christ) is life. To see Jesus Christ commandments as the truth and believe (passed from death to life) John 3:16 KJV-Allowing the grace of God work upon your hearts.
Word Spoken and Written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
John 13:33-14:6 KJV
Jesus is the only way to the Father and to the full-My interpetation meekness and earth. JOHN 10:10 KJV
John 3:16 KJV Reveals Jesus Christ God the Father love is enough to have what you say and listen to holiness and do what said or asked.
I give God thanksgiving for allowing me to speak in holiness to have what I say and ask.
Word spoken and written by REDAPPLETREATY4MEONLY
Brother, what you do is appreciated, you inspire study. I hope you do not mind this is my understanding, you say Jesus is not sitting on the right of God on His throne, that is an idiom, this means it is saying this is the person that has authority and power, and I agree but was given authority and power, but not with we will not see Jesus, Revelation 21:22. If we also read Ephesians 1:17-23 along with Acts 5:31 it says God exalted Jesus, exalted, the Greek word hupsoo means to lift or raise up, to exalt, raise high.
Ephesians 1:20-21, God raised Jesus and set Him; the Greek word kathizo means make to sit; I set, appoint a physical position of the power of the throne, that is God's divine power and authority over all of creation. After Jesus was raised from the dead, Psalm 8:6 Philippians 2:9-10. This will be until all enemies are under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. The throne can also mean sharing in honor and glory by overcoming as we see in Revelation 3:21.
Jesus has been given this position, we know God placed Jesus above all in heaven and earth and under the earth Ephesians 1:19-21. Jesus was raised in a glorified body, and we will be raised in a body as His, Philippians 3:21. Jesus ascended and is in heaven in that glorified body, Acts 1:10 and when He returns it will be in that same glorified body, Revelation 19.
The other words that throw light on this are Matthew 28:18 and John 13:3, given the Greek word didomi which means to give, to give something to someone, to bestow a gift, to appoint to an office, to supply, furnish necessary things. Something given to you that you did not have before it was given like salvation and eternal life is given, godliness, 2 Peter 1:3-8.
We also have Matthew 11:27 "All things are delivered unto me of my Father" delivered the Greek word paradidomi a close word to didomi properly to give, hand over, to deliver over with a sense of close personal involvement.
Thank you and God bless,
RLW
1 John 3:20.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Nevertheless, when our hearts are rightly related to Him, then there is a confidence given to us:
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (v. 21)
Furthermore, when we are in His will, there are added tokens that we are His children:
And whatever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (v. 22)
Answered prayer is an argument that one is a legitimate child of God. The prayer life of the believer is vital in assuring the soul of salvation.
Love for the Brethren!!
A love for the brethren and a passion for the souls of men are evidence that we are children of God. One of the most convicting and confirming facts sealing assurance to the heart is love of the brethren. Scripture is positive at this point:
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. ( 1 John 3:14)
Animosity and hatred in the heart will rob the child of God of assurance. Malice toward another Christian produces bitterness of soul and is therefore not a fertile soil to cultivate assurance. Malice is condensed anger. Lack of love for another believer robs more Christians of real enjoyment and satisfaction in the Christian life than perhaps any other single factor. It not only blights the soul of the Christian, but it also destroys any public testimony:
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. ( John 13:35)
To love other believers is not elective:
These things I command you, that ye love one another. ( John 15:17)
Do not let a little root of bitterness rob you of assurance. Make things right with other believers.
See Part 9.
By the way, I was specifically speaking of John 13:34-35.
Understanding what defines command and understanding how it applies, especially in this passage is very important.
God bless.
John 13:21 - When Jesus had thus said, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
The word troubled means agitated, TARASO, agitated! If you picture a top loading washing machine, that's what it means, just going back and forth. He is agitated. The term "in spirit" doesn't mean the Holy Spirit. It means His inner person, His inner self. He was troubled. The word "betray" means deliver over.
John 13:22 - Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake.
Then the disciples looked, and that's the Imperfect Tense. They were continuously looking one to another, doubting of whom he spake.
John 13:34 - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
Jesus says, a new commandment I give unto you. And I want to share a technical Greek point here with you. He says "A new commandment I give to you, that ye love one another;
In the Greek text, there is what is called a "HINA clause" here. He is not saying that is the command. He's saying, "I'm giving you a new command in order that you love one another!" Now Jesus has not given the command yet. The new command will be in John 14:1. This is why diagramming the sentences from an original language perspective gives you a heads-up on the context of sections. There is no command until Chapter 14 Verse 1. "Love" is not a new command.
But I'm giving you this new command in order that, (purpose clause), that you love one another according as I have loved you, in order that you also love one another. In comparison, how did He love them? Well, He showed them the extreme love by washing their feet. He is showing them the love of God by voluntarily laying down His life for them. That is the message and impression that He is leaving for them.
John 13:12 - So, after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you?
So, after He had washed their feet, and had taken His garments, again that is the HIMATIA. HIMATION is your outer garment. He put His outer garment back on, and was set down again, literally He reclined at the table. These were tables about a foot off the ground, 12 inches high, and they laid on cushions with their left elbow on the table and their feet outstretched, and with the right hand they would reach over, and they would take the food.
Everybody in the table is facing in the same direction. Everybody has got one elbow on the table. I mention this to you so that you can understand why later on John would lean on Jesus' chest to ask Him a question. That is because he's right next to Jesus and when you're leaning back to ask a private question, your elbow and that part of your back is actually touching the person's chest.
John 13:13 - Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
Two technical points I want to share with you: The word "master" is the word teacher, DIDASKALOS. You call me teacher and Lord and you say well, for so I am. But that last little phrase doesn't say "and so I am" in the Greek. It just says and "I AM," the title of God in the book of Exodus. It is a title. There is no "so" and no "he." It is simply "And I AM."
John 13:17 - If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
The word happy, MAKARIOS, means to experience the fullness of something. It doesn't mean happy as pertaining to the flesh, but rather experiencing the fullness of the Spirit of Christ.
John 13:9 - Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
So, Peter is going to extremes in both directions. I refuse to let you wash my feet. And Jesus says if you don't let me wash your feet you have no part with me. Peter says, "Well then give me a bath. Bathe me all over because I don't want to reject you. I want to be fully in relation with you!"
There are two words that are being handled here in this text that's very important here in Verse 10. LUO in the Greek without the OMICRON or letter O means to destroy. But LUO with the diphthong, the OU, means to bathe all over. The word NIPTO means wash. That is Hebrew for wash. NIPTO is to wash, as in hands and feet. Now a washing is just washing the hands or washing the feet, and they would use the term NIPTO. To bathe all over, they would use the word LUO.
John 13:10 - Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all.
So, he that is washed is the word LUO. The person who is bathed has no need to wash except for his feet whenever he gets his feet dirty. It was even a custom during Passover time that people took baths and then when they arrived at the guest's home, all he had to do was wash their feet, and they were clean all over.
So, Jesus says the person who washes or bathes has no need to wash but his feet, but he is clean every whit. The term "every whit" is the word "whole" HOLOS, whole or complete. He's completely clean!
If you've been bathed, and you have had your feet washed, you are completely wholly clean, but not all. What? Did one of them not take a bath? He's indicating a cleansing that Judas (remember Judas is still here) is the one that is not clean spiritually. So, it's not all!
John (Part 21):
John 13:4 - He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
Now His garments, the outer garment, or the coat if you will is called a HIMATIA. That is what He took off. He took off His HIMATIA, His outward garments. The CHITON is the inner garment. He did not take off the inner garment. And some people think that would be pretty embarrassing, that He took of all His clothes and then wrapped a towel around Him.
Well, He wasn't naked! He had His inner garments fully clothed. He took off the outer garment, which would be like a cloak, and He laid them aside. And thirdly, He took a towel and girded Himself. That is, He wrapped the towel around Himself in such a way so as to not only to wash the disciples' feet, but also to dry them. And they have pictures of slaves doing this with the towel draped around their waist and over their shoulders, so that they could pull it down and be wiping their feet off.
John 13:7 - Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.
This is one of the keys to understanding what this section is teaching us. He says first all "What I do you don't know now." Well, they know what He is doing! But obviously they don't really know completely all what He's doing. The word "now" used in this verse, and there's a couple of words for now. The word NOOUN means now in time. But this is ARTE, which means "up till now," you have not known what I am doing, but you will know hereafter.
Now the term "hereafter" is actually plural. After these things, you will know. So not just foot washing, because the foot washing is the introduction to this whole section going up through Chapter 15. After these things are over, you will know what I did to you and what the teaching is. So, this entire lesson through Chapter 15, He says you don't know up till now what I've been doing, but you will know after these things.
My understanding is Jesus was baptized and anointed in the fall of the year__, he was 40 days and nights in the wilderness. Jesus then chose His 12 disciples. shortly after the wedding where Jesus turned the water to wine, He went to Passover John 2:23, this would be 6 months after He was anointed by the Holy Ghost.
There are 3 more Passovers and Jesus was crucified on the last one, John 5:1, 1.5 years John 6:4 2.5 years, and John 13:1 the Passover He was crucified 3.5 years from when He was anointed as the Messiah.
My understanding of Matthew 24 was also for the disciples for the upcoming destruction of Jerusalem not just for us today, if we compare Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14 have when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet. But in Luke 21:20, He writes when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh.
The abomination of desolation is something done by someone as King Antiochus IV Epiphanes did in 168 BC. It happened before the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. My understanding is parts of Jesus's Olivet discourse were for them and parts are for us.
What is in Daniel 9:27 Jesus caused the sacrifice and oblation to cease when He died and the vail of the Temple rent from top to bottom. As Jesus told the woman at the well the hour has come ye shall not worship the Father in the mountain or Jerusalem, John 4:21
The wording in Daniel 9:27 is for the overspreading of abominations points to the abominations the leaders of Jerusalem will have done, Matthew 23:32-38 Jesus told them "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate" The he, is Jesus who will make it desolate and, in their generation, it was made desolate by the people/Roman army, of the prince/Titus same as God used Babylon in 586 BC.
I hope this makes sense so that you can study for your understanding even if you disagree, if you have questions let me know.
God bless,
RLW
Evangelizing.
Some seems to prefer to minister to only other believers and have very little to say to unbelievers.
They are quick to judge and tell them where they are going but don't offer them the only way of escape. The Gospel.
In John 17:20 we see Jesus praying for our ministering to them.
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
I once copied an article on Evangelism. Here's how it reads.
Part 1.
To evangelize means to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with someone else. Personal evangelism should be the lifestyle of every true Christian. We've been given a great gift, and our Master left us with clear instructions: "Go into all the world and make disciples of every nation" Matthew 28:19. Before we can "make disciples," we must evangelize. There are other reasons, besides Jesus' command, that should also motivate us to share the greatest news in the world with people who haven't heard it:
Evangelism is an act of love. Love must be the defining characteristic of every follower of Jesus Christ John 13:35; 1 Corinthians 13:1-7. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, so anyone who walks in the Spirit will demonstrate love in dealing with people Galatians 5:16, 22-23. We possess the best news in the world, and love propels us to share it with those who haven't heard. Love wants everyone to have a chance to respond to God's offer of salvation. Withholding news that could save someone's life is the utmost cruelty; therefore, those who truly love God will love the people whom Jesus came to save John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:20.
Evangelism builds our own faith. Nothing helps us learn a subject like teaching it to someone else. When we make a practice of sharing our faith with those in our lives, we strengthen our own beliefs. Regular evangelism forces us to wrestle through the hard questions, find answers for ourselves, and prepare to respond to the questions of others.
See part 2.
Part 2.
We are not joined with those outside the body of Christ so, what are we as children of light supposed to do in a lost dark world?
We are to bare light and that light is supposed to shine on Christ.
We are his ambassadors in a foreign land.
We are to display the work of Christ in our lives and the evidence of a new birth bearing fruit. By this all people will know we are his disciples, and the fruit (especially Love for the Brothern) will also Distinguish between a false teaching religion/teachers and spirit filled believers where the spirit gathers and energizes. This is the operation of God by the baptism of the Holy spirit.
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES; John 13:34-35, Matthew 7:16-20. 1 1John 4:20-21, If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
We are to Love the unbeliever, witness to them, and treat them with kindness and help them in a Godly way.
So, in what ways we are not to be unequally yoked with them? Many things can be mentioned but I won't get into that here.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
"The command implies that a great difference exists between a believer and an unbeliever. Generally speaking, the motivations, goals, and methods of a Christian are incompatible with those of an unbeliever.
Faith changes the character of a person. A Christian's highest ambition in life is to glorify the Lord Jesus and please Him in all things; an unbeliever is, at best, indifferent to such goals. "
Again, don't get me wrong here, we are called to minister to them in particular.
That is the Lords Commission. Luke 4:18.
It is our Great Commission to spread the Gospel; Matthew 28:16-20.
We do that with truth! We don't do it with lies and deception.
How should Christian treat one another?
See part 3.
"Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee." (v.19)
Jesus cast out the unclean spirits from the man, who now in his sober mind wanted to follow Jesus. He was not the only one who wanted do it. "Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now?"( John 13:37). Jesus showed him the way to follow him and immediately what Jesus wanted of him was a life of witnessing.. After a life of harrowing what he needed most was rest to his soul. "Take my yoke and learn of me', the hardest part is for the Son to take care.(Matt.11:28-29) Jesus, ever true image of his Father, shows mercy.
In contrast we have the owners of the swineherds cowering before Jesus. They heard the testimony of the finger of God' and the man ever normal and they could not be but be afraid."And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid."(v.15) The loss of other man's riches did not heal them. The unclean spirit still worked with them and they would rather see the back of Jesus than risk loss of other means of revenue.
In v.13 we have the number of swines ("they were about two thousand") and were choked in the sea, which is a tag placed by the Spirit. Compare with this verse," And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them." It is cue that God had prepared the four angels for the end times. multiples of 2000 refer to the Alpha and Omega expressed in terms of day of salvation and regeneration- signifying endtimes- white throne judgment.
John saw them as well as heard the number. To be sure those who rejected Jesus for loss of their wealth shall have them as witnesses. If in the court of law hush money could be cited as proof shall these citizens of Gederanes escape rejecting the prince of life for some swine?
I would like to add to what Gigi has shared.
1 John 4:12-16.
No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. HEREBY KNOW WE THAT WE DWELL IN HIM, AND HE IN US, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
What John is saying is that no man has seen God at any time but if we love one another God dwells in us. In other words God today can manifest himself through believers in loving one another, "and the world sees That!
John 13:34-35, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
"What makes this so unique?" What's new about it? Isn't it listed in the Commandments? What's unique and new about it is that he causes it!
Look at verse 35.
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son,.
( God gave us his Spirit that causes us to love the Brothern.)
God's Spirit, "The Holyspirit" causes those who loves God to love his brother also. 1 John 4:21"
Romans 5:5.
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
I hope this helps. God bless.
We can do the right thing with the wrong heart and we fall short of perfection.
TO BE PERFECT YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE BLAMELESS.
1 Corinthians 8:9-12 is another scenario to consider.
We often think of the things we do wrong as sin.
What about the things we don't do right or good? Consider James 4:17.
Here's our goal.
Galatians 5:25-26
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
Let's see if we are perfect in this using Galatians 5:24 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts."
Here's a list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21.
( Most of these we can claim on the surface but God judges the heart.)
Are we PERFECTLY blameless in not doing any of these in our hearts?
THOSE ARE A LIST OF THINGS A CHRISTIAN SHOULDN'T BE DOING. ( If we are doing these we are sinning.)
Christians are known "BY" there Love for one another and should be barring fruit.
John 13:34-35.
1 John 4:20-21.
Matthew 7:15-16.
Let's use Galatians 5:22-23 to see what we should be doing. "PERFECTLY since our focus is on the ability to be perfect in these natural bodies.
love,
joy,
peace,
longsuffering,
gentleness,
goodness,
faith,
Meekness,
temperance.
IF YOU ARE NOT DOING THESE PERFECTLY "FOREVER ON! YOU ARE NOT PERFECT OR BLAMELESS.
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17.
God bless.
Christ being a member of the Godhead never sinned. We see that He was tempted in all ways as we are as Hebrews 4:15 states.
In His own strength Christ certainly always had the right to do anything as well as the capability; but as we know God cannot lie ( Heb. 6:18 and other related scriptures). Thus; Satan truly was the only being that had the authority to give the right of rulership over the earth as a temptation; and Christ was the only recipient other than Antichrist who will receive this offer. The man of sin will accept it; and the world will accept THE LIE ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12). It was for our sake that Christ humbled Himself; even to death on a cross emptying Himself of all self promotion of His own glory for the sake of the Father's exaltation later. This encompasses a number of scriptures (see Philippians 2:7; Isaiah 53).
Thus; we see that the relationship among the Godhead brings humility followed by exaltation. We also should follow that guideline; knowing that no servant is greater than His master; we are also to suffer while in this brief earthly existence. ( John 13:16). How much of our own troubles are caused by our own sins varies; it is something we should overcome if we are truly to embrace His sufferings.
When we consider sinless perfection on a surface level we think of avoiding commission of acctions against God as well as avoiding omission of things we ought to do which is often neglected at the expense of the first issue. We can think of someone who never makes mistakes; never says a word that is unfitting; and other like characteristics. When examining in depth this subject we see how eternal spiritual laws and principles were always first and foremost; undergirding Christ's miracles. Salvation was shown to be more crucial than just healing (see Matthew 9:6); as the paralytic received healing along with forgiveness. Salvation is complete at the Resurrection of the just; inheriting new bodies