Lately I've heard about certain esoteric roots related to Alice Bailey for one that apparently were part of the origin of this popular and trending move in "Christendom" today. Much like the attitude of those in Communism from its inception there are many "useful idiots" whether well intentioned or not that are being; well used to take over this world as a Kingdom that was not one Christ Himself said He wasn't interested in ruling over at the time He came the first time to earth ( John 18:36).
Now Satan isn't seen as the god of this world; some within the movement may speak of those who have evil designs doing his bidding; but it is never recognized it seems that he indeed has; for the time been given the status of the "god of this world" ( 2 Cor. 4:4). Never mind any verses mentioning a one world ruler who will be worshipped by EVERYONE not written in the book of life in Revelation 13:8. I suppose these leaders think Satan can be tricked somehow or overpowered from his throne at present so they can complete their grand design or mandate; and somehow not be part of his own sick plan for domination through their efforts in creating to a large extent "Mystery Babylon".
Again; with every false way enough truth is used to convince most people that it is right. We certainly should vote for those who at least appear to expouse truth and righteousness that is clearly superior to another candidate; if not for our own hides; for the care and love of our brother and neighbor and what is best for them. This requires the wisdom to abstain from such a vote if our conscious doesn't convict us that we can't vote for either party. It also means we shouldn't be naive to how; as the saying goes absolute power corrups absolutely and to carefully follow the money trail. We must hold our politicians accountable to do what they say not say what they claim they do.
Christ is the head of the church; the church doesn't rule over Him.
You stated, "Christ Himself states this very clearly in John 18:36. The Kingdom of Christ consists of ALL of God's Elect throughout the history of the world,
Here's how John 18:36 reads, "Jesus answered, MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
JESUS SAID HIS KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD!
The Davidic Kingdom, established through the covenant with King David, is a specific EARTHLY KINGDOM with a physical lineage and earthly reign.
The Kingdom of God, on the other hand, is a BROADER CONCEPT ENCOMPASSING GOD'S UNIVERSAL REIGN AND SOVEREIGNTY, both now and in the future, and can be entered through spiritual rebirth.
This is an eternal kingdom that has no beginning and ending and was never in need of being restored.
The Bible is clear when it comes to the promises made to National Israel and the Churches, both the blessings and the curses related to this earth have been and will be fulfilled. These corporate representations of God's Kingdom were used of God in His Salvation and Judgment program but because of their unfaithfulness both are no longer in play in terms of representing God's Eternal Kingdom on this sin-cursed earth.
The eternal promises regarding Christ's Kingdom have nothing to do with this sin-cursed earth. Christ Himself states this very clearly in John 18:36. The Kingdom of Christ consists of ALL of God's Elect throughout the history of the world, i.e. all whom Christ has saved and is saving beginning with Abel right up until the last of God's elect are saved just before Christ puts in His appearance to finalize His Judgment and Salvation program and create New heavens and a New Earth. Everything related to this earth will be eternally destroyed and never come into mind again. This is what John 18, Romans 9, Galatians 4, Hebrews 11, Matthew 24, and the entire Old and New Testaments are teaching.
God made no Eternal promises to National Israel or the Churches and Congregationsonly the Eternal Israel and the Eternal Church consisting only of those whom He has saved. Once we understand this, everything the Bible teaches regarding the Kingdom of Christ falls into place. Otherwise we have a fragmented Judgment and Salvation program which is not taught in the Bible.
God defines the Eternal Jerusalem as ALL True Believers from every nation where they are found including National Israel. They are a Remnant chosen by Grace from throughout the world and throughout time. God is not a respecter of persons nor of nations.
If we do not understand that Christ spoke in parables and without a parable spake He not, we cannot understand the types and figures God has used to teach us about His Kingdom and His Judgment and Salvation program.
Thank you Bible Alone for those worthy reminders about how we should treat God's Word. Only correct biblical hermeneutics, without personal feelings & inclinations entering in, will reveal the Truth and richness of God's Word. And yes, comparing Scripture with Scripture is essential, and again we need care that Scriptures compared are indeed very relevant to the matter being revealed.
Also, I appreciated your quoting John 18:33-38. I think you were directing our thoughts to Christ's coming Kingdom - that His Kingdom was not of this world. A couple of things came to mind here: Jesus' Mission was not to conquer and subdue His enemies, thus installing a premature kingdom, but to first give His Life for our sins that when He comes again to reign in Jerusalem it will be a Kingdom based on fulfilled prophecy & righteous rule when sin & its despicable author will be chained for a long time & prevented from causing havoc in human hearts.
And this should also remind us that it was never in God's Plan that His children would attempt by force to bring about His Kingdom on Earth (it simply is not our job to do), rather that we should lead holy blameless lives before all, standing sure & being vocal against the rampant sin around us, be instant in sharing the Gospel, and to await the coming of Jesus Who alone will rule and judge righteously. GBU.
John 18:36 "Jesus answered, MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."
John 18:33-38 "Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault [at all]".
Hebrews 11:13-16 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they SEAK A COUNTRY. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a BETTER [country], that is, an HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY"
Read 2 Peter 3. "12...wherein the HEAVENS being ON FIRE shall be DISSOLVED, and the ELEMENTS shall MELT with FERVENT HEAT? 13 Nevertheless we, ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE, look for NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH, WHEREIN DWEALLETH RIGHTEOUSNESS."
As we dive into this topic further, I want to remind the audience that as we approach the end or consummation of this present age we will see the proclamations of truly Holy Spirit filled believers and false prophets line up more and more because the facts are clear; Revelation and its judgments are about to commence and whether it will be under God's protection ( Psalm 91:4) or under His wrath depends on our spiritual state at the time. It is how we interpret events that reveals where our heart is; and sadly many concepts such as Dominionism and full Preterism can be toxic doctrines that inevitably will make many of these individuals believe that Antichrist is actually Christ. Success is defined as power and influence in society according to these mindsets something no doubt Satan desires along with worship of himself. What part of Christ's proclamation my Kingdom is not of this world lest my servants fight ( John 18:36). What part of His self sacrificial life and death that occured immediately after this statement during one of His trials before crucifixion don't some people undestsand? Therefore it is safe to say that those trying to conform this world in this way ignore the verse where it says we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds. ( Romans 12:2). As I have said in other postings before; there is a valid point bought out by some of this mindset; that as long as His church remains the gates of hell cannot prevail against it; and even with most lukewarm or doctrinally compromised His remnant has a duty and responsibility to continue to work the harvest to fulfill the task of making Disciples and being in His service until He comes. We need to soberly assess the time we are in when many are predicted to fall away (See 1 Timothy 4:1); and eventually the admonition of Matthew 24:10 will be fulfilled on a global scale as the Tribulation saints will be martyred wherever they are.
"Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." John 18:36 KJV
Good morning! A morning meditation. If we know the Lord's peace who is the Prince of Peace, why would we leave his peace to war?
Day four, 13th of Nisan, they were in Bethany in Simon the leper's house, and a woman came in and poured precious ointment on Jesus's head, Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9. Judas makes the deal to betray Jesus, Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11. Toward the end of the day, the disciples ask him where he wants them to prepare to eat the Passover, Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-15, and Luke 22:7-13.
In Mark 14:12 and Luke 22:7, it says that on the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover lambs. The Passover lambs are killed on the 14th, Passover day, not on the first day of unleavened bread, the 15th. The Last Supper was at the beginning of Passover day, before the lambs were killed; we must remember that days start at sundown. We also see in John 18:28 that after the Last Supper, when they took Jesus to Pilate, they would not go into the judgment hall because they would be defiled, as they had not eaten the Passover.
When the sun went down on the fourth day, which we call Wednesday, is the beginning of Passover day, the 14th of Nisan, the day Jesus was crucified and the Passover lambs are killed.
The lambs are killed on the 14th in the evening, when the sun begins to go down, any time after noon until it sets. The lambs are eaten the night of the 15th, the first day of the seven-day feast, which is a holy convocation/Sabbath, Exodus 12:6-16, the same night they went out of Egypt, not on Passover day.
The Lord's Supper and the crucifixion occurred on Passover day, the fifth day since Jesus rode into Jerusalem, marking it as the 5th day of the week we call Thursday. Friday was the 15th, the first day of Unleavened Bread. John called it a high day, John 19:31. The Greek word is megas, meaning great, a feast holy convocation, which resulted in two Sabbaths in a row, Friday and Saturday.
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.
Should a Christian pray for someone to die because of sin or teaching another doctrine ? ?
Peter wanted to kill one of the high priest' s servant when Jesus was taken .
Jesus Christ was not having anyone to fight for him, he stopped it right away.
John 18:10
Then SimonPeterhaving a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his rightear. The servant's name was Malchus.
Apostle Paul pray that the young man should be taken by Satan because of the relationship between him and his stepmother . I truly believe, Apostle Paul regret saying that and repented.
1 Corinthians 5:5
To deliver such an one untoSatanfor the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
I had a Pastor that prayed that God would take away his backsliding sister, she was a bad testimony for the church. Years past on, my Pastor wife passed away and he got remarried and then my Pastor died. I loved the man, but I think he man a mistake. God will love who he wants to love.
Romans 9:13
As it is written,Jacobhave I loved, but Esau have I hated.
We will never know God's thoughts. I can never look at someone and say because they said this and that, they should never live. It's God choice to let Satan to take us out.
Isaiah 55:8
Formythoughtsare not yourthoughts, neither are your waysmyways, saith theLord.
May we all live a great life with Jesus Christ and continues the race and finish it in Faith.
I have been considering your questions and praying how I can respond to help you. First of all, I will say that you can receive thoughtful responses on this forum. You can also find good answers to these two questions by searching the internet with these questions. The responses there may be as good if not better than what I or others have done so here on this forum. Not all internet sources are equally sound from a biblical perspective just as not all responses to your questions here are such. I would recommend the Got Question site as a start. They give a fairly concise explanation to your questions.
As I was thinking on your questions, I came to these responses:
1) Does Scripture speak of Jesus existing prior to His conception in Mary?
The first Scripture I will cite is John chapter 1. It does tell us that Jesus is the Word of God, who also is God, who was with God from the beginning. Jesus is said by John to have created all that has been created. And that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
John 8:56: Jesus says that He existed before Abraham existed. He used the term "I AM" in this verse which is a specific reference to the name God gave to Moses in Exodus 3, which means "I self-exist" or "I exist because I exist".
In many verses Jesus states that He came from heaven to earth, from the Father, being sent from the Father, that He is from above. The Gospel of John is replete with verses that state this.
John 8:23; John 1:18; John 3:1,17; John 6:38; John 17:21; John 3:34; John 18:36; John 1:15; John 3:12-13, 31-36; John 16: 27-28.
John 12:41refers back to Isaiah 6:5 where Isaiah saw the LORD seated on the throne and all the angels said "Holy, Holy, Holy".
John here says that Isaiah saw the glory of Jesus on the throne because he was speaking of Jesus is verses 37-40.
The New Testament states explicitly in many places that Jesus is the Christ (Jewish Messiah). In Micah 5:2 states that the Messiah existed for all eternity past.
As we see in Matthew 26:17 and Mark 14:10, they say when they kill the Passover (lamb). Luke 22:7 also says when the Passover must be killed. This is on Passover day, the 14th when they killed the lambs. The 15th, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is the Sabbath, not the 14th. The 14th is a preparation day, just like a Friday is for the weekly Saturday.
There are no restrictions on the 14th, Passover Day, the day Jesus was crucified, Joesph could buy or prepare whatever he wanted, before sunset that day. That is why we see they wanted to get Jesus in the tomb before sunset because the next day is the first day of Unleavened Bread is a holy convocation/Sabbath day
In Luke 22:15 Jesus is telling them He desired to eat this Passover, but in the next verse, He says He will not eat it anymore. He said this because He knew He would be crucified that same day, the 14th Passover Day. He would be dead and placed in the tomb before they ate the Passover the next night.
On the 14th, the Lord's Supper, the garden, the arrest, the high priest, Pilate, was crucified, and He died at 3 PM, about 3-4 hours before sunset. The Passover Lambs were killed at even, which would be the afternoon when the sun was going down. Jesus was placed in the tomb before sunset and after sunset, it was the 15th, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, this is when they ate the Passover meal.
Only the priests could catch the blood of the Passover lambs and put it on the altar and the Levites would clean the lambs. In the morning after the Last Supper, the priests took Jesus to Pilate they would not go in, John 18:28 they would be defiled and could not catch the blood of the lambs that would be killed later that day the same day Jesus was crucified, the 14th Passover day.
Mark 14:12, "And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?:
Matthew 26:17 agrres to that. Similarly Luke 22:7, "Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat."
So the meaning of Luke 22:15 is that Jesus actually ate the passover meal with his disciples.
Now we know from Exodus 12:1-11, that the lambs were sacrificed in the evening of the 14th of Nisan and immediately after when it got dark and the 15th of Nisan started, according to how the Israelites were considering their days and nights, they ate the passover meal. Exodus 12:11, "And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover."
But John disagrees to them. He places the Passover one day later. John 18:28, "Then led they (the Pharisses) Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover."
Having in mind that John wrote his gospel last of all, actually as the tradition says many decades after the first three evangelists, when he was in his 80's or 90's, and knew what they had written in their gospels, his story seems to be the right one. So it seems that Jesus ate the passover meal with His apostles one day earlier, probably because He knew that he would be in the tomb the day of the passover. If we see some details in the gospels of the first three, we get the same conclusion. Example: Mark 12:45, "And he BOUGHT fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre."
I do not keep Passover, because Jesus fulfilled it. It is one of the ordinances taken out of the way and removed.
Instead, I observe the Lord's Supper, which was instituted by Jesus in it's place.
Verse 14 of John chapter 19: "And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!" No doubt they are preparing for the Passover. It is approaching.
Jesus & the Disciples kept the Passover far earlier in the day, as the day began so it was many hours earlier than those who betrayed Him. They all kept it, but Jesus did it much earlier. Jesus did it at the start of the day. The Jews did it later in the day near sunset. Jesus' trial and Crucifixion happened fast. From betrayal to Crucifixion it was about 6 or so hours. So sometime near the end of the first 12 hours of the day, give or take, Jesus was placed upon the Cross. Remember a day starts in the evening as it begins to grow dark.
John 18:28: Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: & it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover.
Jesus was on the cross as the lambs died.
Jesus was placed in the tomb at Sunset the 14th, just prior to the Sabbath which began at Sunset. So hour 1 of the 15th began at sundown at about 7pm.
Counting forward. 24 hours, we are at Sunset on the 15th at about 7pm. So hour 1 of the 16th began.
Counting forward 24 hours and we are at Sunset of the 16th. Which was Friday. At Sunset Friday, Saturday begins at about 7pm.
Counting forward 24 hours, just prior to Sunset Saturday, Jesus Christ is Resurrected, fulfilling the 72 hours He told us He would be in the grave. He is raised from the tomb the same time He was placed in the tomb.
3x24 is 72. This is THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS, JUST AS JESUS STATED.
At Sunset on Saturday, Sunday begins about 7pm. At this point, Jesus has already left the tomb and been Resurrected.
I read the article you shared and would like to clarify a few points regarding the Passover. According to Luke 22:15-16, Jesus wanted to eat the Passover with His disciples before He suffered, but He did not partake in it He knew He would die at the same time as the Passover lambs, so He would not be there on the 15th.
In Exodus 12, we see that lambs were killed on the 14th of Nisan, known as Passover Day, which is also a preparation day for the 7-day Feast of Unleavened Bread that begins on the 15th. The Passover meal was consumed on the night of the 15th.
John 18:28 shows that on the 14th, the same day Jesus had the Last Supper in the morning the priests would not enter the judgment hall because they would be defiled and could not catch the blood of the Passover lambs and pour it into the altar or eat the Passover if they were defiled.
The article's author is mistaken in claiming that Jesus and His disciples ate the Passover on Tuesday, as Scripture does not support this.
In summary, the 14th of Nisan is Passover Day and a preparation day for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins on the 15th. The lambs were killed in the evening of the 14th any time after the sun started to go down.
Scripture is clear there were 5 days from when Jesus rode into Jerusalem to when He was crucified, the Scriptures should show if studied in my other post. He rode in on the first day of the week and He was crucified on the fifth day of the week this is what the Scripture tells us.
The True Gospel is transparent to nationality or economic status or political standing. It has nothing to do with economic prosperity or with socio-political issues. When the churches become involved in political activism or social or economic issues, they forget that the task of the believers is to be an ambassador of the kingdom of God. When Jesus was placed on trial for his life at the behest of the chief priests, Jesus said to Pontius Pilate:
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Concerning political rulers, the Bible commands in Romans 13:1-5 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
The true gospel has been emasculated in our day as the churches have become more involved with the social and physical and political issues of the day, which in themselves have nothing to do with the true gospel.
Even more significant, virtually every church today proclaims a man-made do-it-yourself gospel of grace plus works where they will tell you how to become saved.
The TRUE GOSPEL is beautifully expressed in Eze 36 & Jer 29. God does 100% of the work of Salvation. Read Jonah 3 and Joel 2:12-14.
Thanks brother Jesse for these very helpful notes to better understand the KJB as taken from the Greek. As to your point on the 39 lashes punishment, I believe this is taken from Deuteronomy 25:1-3, where 40 lashes were prescribed, but to avoid going over that number, whether through a miscount or by breaking the Law, 39 lashes were given. This number wouldn't apply to the Roman form of scourging I'm sure, or was Pilate under some control by the Jewish leaders concerning this type of punishment ("Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me" John 18:35)? Blessings.
John 18:23 - Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
If I have spoken evil, (literally inappropriately), bear witness of the evil: but if I have spoken well, (that is, according the lines of the law), why do you smite me?
John 18:35 - Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Here, the Greek text expects the answer no. "I am not a Jew, am I?"
John 18:36 - Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Literally, it is in the Imperfect Tense with a Subjunctive Particle that means, "Up until now, my servants would have been fighting if my kingdom is from out of the earth as a source, so that I would not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from here."
John 19:1 - Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
So, Pilate takes Jesus, and scourged (MASTIGOO) him, the MASTIKS. The whipping of Jews and the whipping of the Romans are two different kinds. The Jews had ropes with pieces of metal and glass and bone all wrapped up in these strips and they will take someone and tie them up and just take the whip and beat them. But they will only beat them 39 times. Why 39, I'm not sure?
Most people never made it through the whipping before they died. And if they didn't die, they were taken to the cross with all of their insides showing.
It was a terrible thing to go through. The Roman way was even worse. They didn't just use ropes, but they used a solid rod like a fishing rod to make the whipping have more leverage. They too had the cat-o-nine tails, the glass and the lead, and the rocks. And they would beat you for as long as they wanted to. That's what they did to Jesus. They beat Him.
John 18:3 - Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
The word band actually means a cohort of soldiers, which was a group of some 600 soldiers. It's a SPERA in Greek. So, Judas had 600 soldiers with him, and officers. These would be the temple police. So not only does he have an army contingent, but he also has the temple police. Some of the historians say that there were at least 1,000 people that came out to take Jesus. They came from the chief priests and Pharisees. They came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. The word weapons means clubs.
John 18:5 - They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
They answered and said to Him, Jesus of Nazareth, or more literally, the Greek text says Jesus the Nazarene.
Jesus said unto them, and please follow closely because the Greek text is different than any of the English translations (including the King James). Jesus said unto them I AM.
He didn't say "he". Jesus asks, "Who are you looking for?" They respond, "Jesus the Nazarene." He says, I AM, (EGO EMI). That is the name of God in the Old Testament. Our English text is a little weak here and somewhat diminishes who Christ is, God Himself!
John 18:8 - Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
Jesus answered, I have told you that I AM (not I am he): if therefore you are seeking me, and in the Greek, this is called a first-class condition assumed to be true. He is saying since therefore you are seeking me, and check this out because this is a command in the Greek text: He says, "let these go their way:" He is not asking permission. It is a command, Imperative Mood!
Thanks again for your thoughtful reply! I really appreciate the depth of your insights and your commitment to finding the Truth.
1. Earth's Age:
I totally get your skepticism about both the 6,000-year and 4.54 billion-year views. Science uses methods like radiometric dating to estimate the Earth's age, but it's always evolving. On the other hand, religious interpretations vary, with some seeing the creation story as symbolic. I think science explains "how" things work, while religion covers the "why."
2. Isaiah 40:21-22 - The Circle of the Earth:
You mentioned Isaiah saying God "sits upon the circle of the earth." Whether that's literal or poetic, the key takeaway for me is that God's perspective is way bigger than ours-like we're tiny grasshoppers in comparison.
3. John 17:4-5 - Jesus' Existence Before Creation:
Jesus' prayer about being glorified with the Father before the world began highlights His eternal nature. He was there from the start, making everything through Him ( John 1:3). It's a powerful reminder of His divine role in creation.
4. John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God:
This verse points to Jesus as the way we understand God. Even though no one has seen God, Jesus, who is one with the Father, makes Him known to us. It shows how Jesus bridges the gap between us and the divine.
5. The Search for Truth:
I agree with you that Truth is the most important thing. When Pilate asked "What is truth?" ( John 18:38), Jesus answered it in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." For me, that's the ultimate truth-everything else helps us get closer to understanding that.
Thanks again for the great discussion! I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts.
John 17:24 - Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Father, I will, (literally I wish), I desire, that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; in order that they may behold my glory. And the word "behold" is the word view, to actually see the very substance and nature and character of God Himself.
John 18:1 - When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
It says, when Jesus had spoken these words, and that would be everything in Chapters 13 through 17 ending off with the prayer.
But when Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth (or went out) with His disciples over the brook Cedron. This would be the Kidron Valley right between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
It's called the Brook Kidron (or Cedron) because it flows in the winter time, and that's what the word "brook" means in Greek. It means winter flow. So, over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden. And this is at the foot or the base of the Mount of Olives, into which He entered, and His disciples. This is the place where Jesus spent many of his evenings with the disciples.
John 18:2 - And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
And Judas also, which betrayed Him. And in the Greek text, the word "betrayed" is a Present Participle, the one who is in the process of betraying Him. He knew the place: Judas had gone there many times before with Jesus and the disciples.
For Jesus often times resorted (or gathered) there with his disciples.
So, He knew that Judas had gone out. He's finished instructing the disciples. So, He goes to the garden where Judas knows where to find Him.
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."
Spirit of the times is spirit of doctrines which have a form of godliness but denying the power of God. Man having the gift of the gab gathers a following and such a one was Theudas was a populist leader, one who would have taken a bullet for democracy and he did gather a party. "For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to naught."(Ac.5:36) Judas followed and Acts of the Apostles tells, "After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed." Seducing spirits whip up doctrines and man shall take up to sow mischief and garner public support. The Spirit is still that of the devil. Nationalism is such. Jesus would have none of it. "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."( John 18:36) Yet what makes the churches still pursue it? They do not want to know word of God and the spiritual demand on their lives, it is a total surrender. Instead what does the spirit of times teach these Christians? "Never surrender." What do they care abou walking in faith and not by sight? What conspiracy theories they swallow and yet call themselves Christians. This is what makes worst specimens of human race pass for their champions, so they wage a cultural war for them. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:/That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
Yes,certainly,as you said,GOD HIMSELF manifested himself to the Hebrews through the OT;which was written by the twenty-four elders,starting with Moses,understand?By the way,JESUS said GOD is Spirit- John 4:24-,what is the name of the invisible Spirit of GOD?Well,GOD had said in the beginning- Genesis 1:26(the beginning is JESUS,who is the LITERAL IMAGE of GOD,He is GOD)-, yes, GOD had said:"Let us make man in OUR image,after OUR likeness", then, both are One, and as we can see, since ancient times, since Genesis, GOD revealed He would be made flesh.
By the prophet Isaiah,who is one of the 24 elders,GOD again revealed He would be made flesh, and around 2000 years ago He LITERALLY fulfilled His promise- John 1:14-and what is the NAME that GOD chose for He Himself? The NAME that GOD chose for He Himself was/is JESUS - JOSHUA-. Luke 1:26-the angel GABRIEL was sent FROM GOD(the Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing) unto a city of Galilee,named Nazareth,and said to Mary:behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a SON, and shalt call his NAME JESUS. He shall be great, and called the Son of the Highest: the Lord GOD(the Word is GOD, GOD Himself, self-executing) shall give unto Him the throne of His father David.
Remember: The Jews said to JESUS: John 8:41-we have one Father, even God. And JESUS said to the Devil, father of the Jews-Yahweh:It is written,Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the MOUTH OF GOD-Mat.4:4.
Psalms 110:1combined with Hebrews 1:8(plus Matthew 25:11, James 2:1, Isaiah 49:14, Luke 20:42, 1 Corinthians 9:1) -
GOD said to the Lord JESUS:Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy Kingdom.
KJV Psalms 83:18, Isaiah 12:2, Exodus 6:3, Isaiah 26:4 LORD=JEHOVAH; ->JEHOVAH is another esoteric and kabbalistic and spiritist nickname of the father of the Jews.
Luke 16:5 lord=a King or one of authority,yes, see John 18:37.
It is true that it is surprizing also to me that the grk word "aion" (age/time) is used sometimes in the NT instead of the word "world" because in modern grk it means "century". So I have done a research and came up that in ancient grk it had the meaning apart from "a very long period of time", it also had the meaning of "the period of time a person lives".
So it was used in conjuction to people"s lives. And it seems that sometimes (but not always) the writers of the NT use it for the time that this world/humanity exists. And with that meaning it is used in Mat 28. With the same meaning it also used by Luke in Luke 16:8, by Paul in Rom 12:2 and Ephesians 6:12 where Paul talks about the "rulers of the darkness of this world" , where the word "age/time" is used for "world".
But in other verses the world "kosmos" which is the actual grk word for "world" is used, ie in John 18:20, also John 16:11 where John talks about "the prince of this world". (compare it with Ephesians 6:12 that talks about the same thing). So as a final conclusion those two words are interchanged for "world".
Spencer:
"Kosmos" in anc grk means "mankind, humanity". In mod grk it means everything, people, animals, plants. land.
"Oikoumene" means the places/land on earth where people are living.
Also the word "ktisis" is used for world, it means "creation".
Well this is enough with lessons in Greek. Confusing? We have to trust those scholars who have done a very good job in translating the NT. There isn't a perfect translation, all translations lack in some things, even modern greek can not match with ancient greek in meanings. As a conclusion all translations are more or less good. There is no actual error when other words are used as long as the meaning of the text is right. Some go word for word, others not, but there are more understandable than the former ones. Everybody has their favourite translation. We can always use 2 or more when we are not sure what it is meant. GBU
The kingdom entrusted to Jesus was not of this world. "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." ( John 18:36). God made angels spirits and ministers flaming fire, which Elisha could see for which faith is required. Instead what does the false prophet do? "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." The source for this elsewhere and like the magicians in the court of Pharaoh resisted Moses and God. Similarly the beast wields people power while the anti-Christ spoke as the dragon would, "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (Re.13:11,13)
With this background the early church had to contend with the Jews, "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie."(Re.3:9) Herod had spawned a political movement. Authority of Herod was as with the beast came from Satan. "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." 42 months include such temporal powers, each one resisting God. Nationalism of the Idumaean line was propped up by Imperial Rome. And is it of any surprise when Christianity became the official religion, and absorbed the culture of the Church of Rome,- Christian nationalism and culture wars are tares planted by the enemy.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."(12:11) The two witnesses, 'loved not their lives unto the death'. Jesus assures, " For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."(Matt.16:25)
"And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book...that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them. " (17:18-19). Moses was in fact referring to the coming of their king who however would not need a nation per se that was not upright in their heart. For this reason Jesus before Pilate declares, "My kingdom is not of this world."( John 18:36)
In his lament over Jerusalem he gives us a reason why. Their love of God was as superficial as their kingdom, which would not endure. "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate"(Matt.23:38)
To recap: The fifth of the Pentateuch matches with the Book of Psalms, also in five fold divisions. The Spirit uses numbers as tags to indicate the word of God is as much essential for the inner man as is for a child of God to be perfected. (See entry under N-Numbers/Five)
The term "Kinsman Redeemer" (Hebrew: Goel, [H1350] translated: "kinsman"
Num. 5:8; 27:11; Ruth 2:1; 3:9, 12, 13; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14; John 18:26; Romans 16:11) is the title for a position of responsibility within an Old Testament Hebrew family which was established by God.
This individual was entrusted with the ability to protect, as well as seeking justice when a family member was wronged; as a way of maintaining righteousness within the tribal society of Israel.
We might refer to this position as the godfather of the Hebrews, yet in a legal and moral function, as compared to one of criminality and abuse.
The idea of the Kinsman Redeemer held two different functions / roles within the same title.
1st, was the function / role of the "Goel" or Redeemer.
The idea was that if a man died without children, normally his brother, or Goel (Next in line of kinship), had an obligation to raise seed to the dead brother so as to keep his posterity going, along with the inheritance of the land.
He redeemed that man's progeny, this is referred to as the "Levirate law."
2nd, was the function / role of the "Avenger of Blood"
When a "wrong" (Crime) was done to a single member of the family; it was considered a crime against the entire tribe, yet the responsibility was left to kinsman-Redeemer.
It should be remembered that at this time there was no social governmental structure within Israel that would carry on this function.
And even after there was a governmental structure installed, the kinsman-Redeemer still had the responsibility to maintain order and leadership within the family, wherein the government might utilize a punishment of those that had violated a tribe member, this did not override the role of the kinsman-Redeemer.
In the case of a murder committed, the kinsman-Redeemer would fulfill Justice by killing the murderer himself.
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
One of the darkest chapters in the Church history was demonstrated in Germany when it was mandatory for the service in churches to be conducted while Hitler's Mein Kampf and The Bible side by side. This came about firstly by hijacking the name of Luther as he godfather for the regime on the basis of this Augustinian monk sided with powers-that- be during the Peasant Revolt 1520-30. He sided on the basis of ("Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation-"Ro.13:1-3) This is not the doctrine of Jesus who said, "My kingdom is not of this world"( John 18:36). It came in turn from doctrine of his Father. Luther having won the support of temporal powers against the Church of Rome merely returned the favor. But during the 1000-year Reich his position became the tradition, ("Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition."-v.6). This is the problem which we have in the selected passage. There are not middle ground between God and mammon in which you hide. "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (12:30) How Luther scattered the gift of God abroad so the Satanic cult in 1940 would drag the church through mud serves as a stark warning in our own culture wars. What shall Christians face some centuries hence?
The true gospel is transparent to nationality or economic status or political standing. It has nothing to do with economic prosperity or with socio-political issues. When the churches become involved in political activism or social or economic issues, they forget that the task of the believers is to be an ambassador of the kingdom of God. When Jesus was placed on trial for his life at the behest of the chief priests, Jesus said to Pontius Pilate ( John 18:36)
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Concerning political rulers, the Bible commands in Romans 13
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
The true gospel has been emasculated in our day as the churches have become more involved with the social and physical and political issues of the day, which in themselves have nothing to do with the true gospel. Sure, Jesus fed the 5,000 who had come to hear him, but that was not his primary mission, and later we read in John 6:15
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Without JESUS it is IMPOSSIBLE to exist peace not only in the Jerusalem, but in the nation of Israel as a whole. By the way, the Holy City, where also our Lord was crucified, is now spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. You know that JESUS prophesied the Temple would be destroyed, saying: "There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down"- Matthew 24:2- , and it LITERALLY fulfilled in the year 70AD, and Israel was scattered around the world until 1948, i.e.1878 years of severe punishments and curses in LITERAL fulfilment of Deusteronomy 28:15-68, 53 verses of terrible chastisements-Take a look. The dispersed people of Israel have never had peace in the last two millennia. And NOW? The WORST will come now, even now, from now on, because the Day of Vengeance arrived, understand? 2Thes.1:7-9; combined with Matthew 24:15-25.
7 ... the Lord JESUS shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, (angels? Luke 20:35-36.Take a look)
8 In flaming FIRE taking VENGEANCE on them that know not GOD, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord JESUS Christ:
9 Who shall be PUNISHED with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power;
Remember: Pilatos asked to the Jews: John 18:39-40
39 Ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the KING of the JEWS?
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
JESUS said: John 5:43-I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if ANOTHER shall come in his own name(an IMPOSTOR, a FALSE MESSIAH), him ye will receive. (This prophecy of our Lord JESUS will LITERALLY be fulfilled in days ahead)
2 Do ye know that the saints shall Judge the world?
Re.1:7 Behold,JESUS cometh with clouds( Acts 1:9-11-take a look)and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.
Lately I've heard about certain esoteric roots related to Alice Bailey for one that apparently were part of the origin of this popular and trending move in "Christendom" today. Much like the attitude of those in Communism from its inception there are many "useful idiots" whether well intentioned or not that are being; well used to take over this world as a Kingdom that was not one Christ Himself said He wasn't interested in ruling over at the time He came the first time to earth ( John 18:36).
Now Satan isn't seen as the god of this world; some within the movement may speak of those who have evil designs doing his bidding; but it is never recognized it seems that he indeed has; for the time been given the status of the "god of this world" ( 2 Cor. 4:4). Never mind any verses mentioning a one world ruler who will be worshipped by EVERYONE not written in the book of life in Revelation 13:8. I suppose these leaders think Satan can be tricked somehow or overpowered from his throne at present so they can complete their grand design or mandate; and somehow not be part of his own sick plan for domination through their efforts in creating to a large extent "Mystery Babylon".
Again; with every false way enough truth is used to convince most people that it is right. We certainly should vote for those who at least appear to expouse truth and righteousness that is clearly superior to another candidate; if not for our own hides; for the care and love of our brother and neighbor and what is best for them. This requires the wisdom to abstain from such a vote if our conscious doesn't convict us that we can't vote for either party. It also means we shouldn't be naive to how; as the saying goes absolute power corrups absolutely and to carefully follow the money trail. We must hold our politicians accountable to do what they say not say what they claim they do.
Christ is the head of the church; the church doesn't rule over Him.
Sorry for such a late response.
You stated, "Christ Himself states this very clearly in John 18:36. The Kingdom of Christ consists of ALL of God's Elect throughout the history of the world,
Here's how John 18:36 reads, "Jesus answered, MY KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
JESUS SAID HIS KINGDOM IS NOT OF THIS WORLD!
The Davidic Kingdom, established through the covenant with King David, is a specific EARTHLY KINGDOM with a physical lineage and earthly reign.
The Kingdom of God, on the other hand, is a BROADER CONCEPT ENCOMPASSING GOD'S UNIVERSAL REIGN AND SOVEREIGNTY, both now and in the future, and can be entered through spiritual rebirth.
This is an eternal kingdom that has no beginning and ending and was never in need of being restored.
Blessings.
The Bible is clear when it comes to the promises made to National Israel and the Churches, both the blessings and the curses related to this earth have been and will be fulfilled. These corporate representations of God's Kingdom were used of God in His Salvation and Judgment program but because of their unfaithfulness both are no longer in play in terms of representing God's Eternal Kingdom on this sin-cursed earth.
The eternal promises regarding Christ's Kingdom have nothing to do with this sin-cursed earth. Christ Himself states this very clearly in John 18:36. The Kingdom of Christ consists of ALL of God's Elect throughout the history of the world, i.e. all whom Christ has saved and is saving beginning with Abel right up until the last of God's elect are saved just before Christ puts in His appearance to finalize His Judgment and Salvation program and create New heavens and a New Earth. Everything related to this earth will be eternally destroyed and never come into mind again. This is what John 18, Romans 9, Galatians 4, Hebrews 11, Matthew 24, and the entire Old and New Testaments are teaching.
God made no Eternal promises to National Israel or the Churches and Congregationsonly the Eternal Israel and the Eternal Church consisting only of those whom He has saved. Once we understand this, everything the Bible teaches regarding the Kingdom of Christ falls into place. Otherwise we have a fragmented Judgment and Salvation program which is not taught in the Bible.
God defines the Eternal Jerusalem as ALL True Believers from every nation where they are found including National Israel. They are a Remnant chosen by Grace from throughout the world and throughout time. God is not a respecter of persons nor of nations.
If we do not understand that Christ spoke in parables and without a parable spake He not, we cannot understand the types and figures God has used to teach us about His Kingdom and His Judgment and Salvation program.
Also, I appreciated your quoting John 18:33-38. I think you were directing our thoughts to Christ's coming Kingdom - that His Kingdom was not of this world. A couple of things came to mind here: Jesus' Mission was not to conquer and subdue His enemies, thus installing a premature kingdom, but to first give His Life for our sins that when He comes again to reign in Jerusalem it will be a Kingdom based on fulfilled prophecy & righteous rule when sin & its despicable author will be chained for a long time & prevented from causing havoc in human hearts.
And this should also remind us that it was never in God's Plan that His children would attempt by force to bring about His Kingdom on Earth (it simply is not our job to do), rather that we should lead holy blameless lives before all, standing sure & being vocal against the rampant sin around us, be instant in sharing the Gospel, and to await the coming of Jesus Who alone will rule and judge righteously. GBU.
John 18:33-38 "Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews? 34 Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? 35 Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done? 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. 37 Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault [at all]".
Hebrews 11:13-16 "These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of [them], and embraced [them], and confessed that they were STRANGERS AND PILGRIMS ON THE EARTH. 14 For they that say such things declare plainly that they SEAK A COUNTRY. 15 And truly, if they had been mindful of that [country] from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a BETTER [country], that is, an HEAVENLY: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath PREPARED FOR THEM A CITY"
Read 2 Peter 3. "12...wherein the HEAVENS being ON FIRE shall be DISSOLVED, and the ELEMENTS shall MELT with FERVENT HEAT? 13 Nevertheless we, ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE, look for NEW HEAVENS AND A NEW EARTH, WHEREIN DWEALLETH RIGHTEOUSNESS."
As we dive into this topic further, I want to remind the audience that as we approach the end or consummation of this present age we will see the proclamations of truly Holy Spirit filled believers and false prophets line up more and more because the facts are clear; Revelation and its judgments are about to commence and whether it will be under God's protection ( Psalm 91:4) or under His wrath depends on our spiritual state at the time. It is how we interpret events that reveals where our heart is; and sadly many concepts such as Dominionism and full Preterism can be toxic doctrines that inevitably will make many of these individuals believe that Antichrist is actually Christ. Success is defined as power and influence in society according to these mindsets something no doubt Satan desires along with worship of himself. What part of Christ's proclamation my Kingdom is not of this world lest my servants fight ( John 18:36). What part of His self sacrificial life and death that occured immediately after this statement during one of His trials before crucifixion don't some people undestsand? Therefore it is safe to say that those trying to conform this world in this way ignore the verse where it says we should be transformed by the renewing of our minds. ( Romans 12:2). As I have said in other postings before; there is a valid point bought out by some of this mindset; that as long as His church remains the gates of hell cannot prevail against it; and even with most lukewarm or doctrinally compromised His remnant has a duty and responsibility to continue to work the harvest to fulfill the task of making Disciples and being in His service until He comes. We need to soberly assess the time we are in when many are predicted to fall away (See 1 Timothy 4:1); and eventually the admonition of Matthew 24:10 will be fulfilled on a global scale as the Tribulation saints will be martyred wherever they are.
Good morning! A morning meditation. If we know the Lord's peace who is the Prince of Peace, why would we leave his peace to war?
Part 2
Day four, 13th of Nisan, they were in Bethany in Simon the leper's house, and a woman came in and poured precious ointment on Jesus's head, Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9. Judas makes the deal to betray Jesus, Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11. Toward the end of the day, the disciples ask him where he wants them to prepare to eat the Passover, Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-15, and Luke 22:7-13.
In Mark 14:12 and Luke 22:7, it says that on the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover lambs. The Passover lambs are killed on the 14th, Passover day, not on the first day of unleavened bread, the 15th. The Last Supper was at the beginning of Passover day, before the lambs were killed; we must remember that days start at sundown. We also see in John 18:28 that after the Last Supper, when they took Jesus to Pilate, they would not go into the judgment hall because they would be defiled, as they had not eaten the Passover.
When the sun went down on the fourth day, which we call Wednesday, is the beginning of Passover day, the 14th of Nisan, the day Jesus was crucified and the Passover lambs are killed.
The lambs are killed on the 14th in the evening, when the sun begins to go down, any time after noon until it sets. The lambs are eaten the night of the 15th, the first day of the seven-day feast, which is a holy convocation/Sabbath, Exodus 12:6-16, the same night they went out of Egypt, not on Passover day.
The Lord's Supper and the crucifixion occurred on Passover day, the fifth day since Jesus rode into Jerusalem, marking it as the 5th day of the week we call Thursday. Friday was the 15th, the first day of Unleavened Bread. John called it a high day, John 19:31. The Greek word is megas, meaning great, a feast holy convocation, which resulted in two Sabbaths in a row, Friday and Saturday.
God bless,
RLW
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.
Peter wanted to kill one of the high priest' s servant when Jesus was taken .
Jesus Christ was not having anyone to fight for him, he stopped it right away.
John 18:10
Then SimonPeterhaving a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his rightear. The servant's name was Malchus.
Apostle Paul pray that the young man should be taken by Satan because of the relationship between him and his stepmother . I truly believe, Apostle Paul regret saying that and repented.
1 Corinthians 5:5
To deliver such an one untoSatanfor the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
I had a Pastor that prayed that God would take away his backsliding sister, she was a bad testimony for the church. Years past on, my Pastor wife passed away and he got remarried and then my Pastor died. I loved the man, but I think he man a mistake. God will love who he wants to love.
Romans 9:13
As it is written,Jacobhave I loved, but Esau have I hated.
We will never know God's thoughts. I can never look at someone and say because they said this and that, they should never live. It's God choice to let Satan to take us out.
Isaiah 55:8
Formythoughtsare not yourthoughts, neither are your waysmyways, saith theLord.
May we all live a great life with Jesus Christ and continues the race and finish it in Faith.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Heaven is waiting for all of us.
I have been considering your questions and praying how I can respond to help you. First of all, I will say that you can receive thoughtful responses on this forum. You can also find good answers to these two questions by searching the internet with these questions. The responses there may be as good if not better than what I or others have done so here on this forum. Not all internet sources are equally sound from a biblical perspective just as not all responses to your questions here are such. I would recommend the Got Question site as a start. They give a fairly concise explanation to your questions.
As I was thinking on your questions, I came to these responses:
1) Does Scripture speak of Jesus existing prior to His conception in Mary?
The first Scripture I will cite is John chapter 1. It does tell us that Jesus is the Word of God, who also is God, who was with God from the beginning. Jesus is said by John to have created all that has been created. And that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
John 8:56: Jesus says that He existed before Abraham existed. He used the term "I AM" in this verse which is a specific reference to the name God gave to Moses in Exodus 3, which means "I self-exist" or "I exist because I exist".
In many verses Jesus states that He came from heaven to earth, from the Father, being sent from the Father, that He is from above. The Gospel of John is replete with verses that state this.
John 8:23; John 1:18; John 3:1,17; John 6:38; John 17:21; John 3:34; John 18:36; John 1:15; John 3:12-13, 31-36; John 16: 27-28.
John 12:41refers back to Isaiah 6:5 where Isaiah saw the LORD seated on the throne and all the angels said "Holy, Holy, Holy".
John here says that Isaiah saw the glory of Jesus on the throne because he was speaking of Jesus is verses 37-40.
The New Testament states explicitly in many places that Jesus is the Christ (Jewish Messiah). In Micah 5:2 states that the Messiah existed for all eternity past.
Part 1
As we see in Matthew 26:17 and Mark 14:10, they say when they kill the Passover (lamb). Luke 22:7 also says when the Passover must be killed. This is on Passover day, the 14th when they killed the lambs. The 15th, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, is the Sabbath, not the 14th. The 14th is a preparation day, just like a Friday is for the weekly Saturday.
There are no restrictions on the 14th, Passover Day, the day Jesus was crucified, Joesph could buy or prepare whatever he wanted, before sunset that day. That is why we see they wanted to get Jesus in the tomb before sunset because the next day is the first day of Unleavened Bread is a holy convocation/Sabbath day
In Luke 22:15 Jesus is telling them He desired to eat this Passover, but in the next verse, He says He will not eat it anymore. He said this because He knew He would be crucified that same day, the 14th Passover Day. He would be dead and placed in the tomb before they ate the Passover the next night.
On the 14th, the Lord's Supper, the garden, the arrest, the high priest, Pilate, was crucified, and He died at 3 PM, about 3-4 hours before sunset. The Passover Lambs were killed at even, which would be the afternoon when the sun was going down. Jesus was placed in the tomb before sunset and after sunset, it was the 15th, the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, this is when they ate the Passover meal.
Only the priests could catch the blood of the Passover lambs and put it on the altar and the Levites would clean the lambs. In the morning after the Last Supper, the priests took Jesus to Pilate they would not go in, John 18:28 they would be defiled and could not catch the blood of the lambs that would be killed later that day the same day Jesus was crucified, the 14th Passover day.
I hope this makes sense and not too repetitive.
See part 2
May I share my thoughts on what you posted?
Mark 14:12, "And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?:
Matthew 26:17 agrres to that. Similarly Luke 22:7, "Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.
And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat."
So the meaning of Luke 22:15 is that Jesus actually ate the passover meal with his disciples.
Now we know from Exodus 12:1-11, that the lambs were sacrificed in the evening of the 14th of Nisan and immediately after when it got dark and the 15th of Nisan started, according to how the Israelites were considering their days and nights, they ate the passover meal. Exodus 12:11, "And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD'S passover."
But John disagrees to them. He places the Passover one day later. John 18:28, "Then led they (the Pharisses) Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover."
Having in mind that John wrote his gospel last of all, actually as the tradition says many decades after the first three evangelists, when he was in his 80's or 90's, and knew what they had written in their gospels, his story seems to be the right one. So it seems that Jesus ate the passover meal with His apostles one day earlier, probably because He knew that he would be in the tomb the day of the passover. If we see some details in the gospels of the first three, we get the same conclusion. Example: Mark 12:45, "And he BOUGHT fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre."
Instead, I observe the Lord's Supper, which was instituted by Jesus in it's place.
Verse 14 of John chapter 19: "And it was the preparation of the Passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!" No doubt they are preparing for the Passover. It is approaching.
Jesus & the Disciples kept the Passover far earlier in the day, as the day began so it was many hours earlier than those who betrayed Him. They all kept it, but Jesus did it much earlier. Jesus did it at the start of the day. The Jews did it later in the day near sunset. Jesus' trial and Crucifixion happened fast. From betrayal to Crucifixion it was about 6 or so hours. So sometime near the end of the first 12 hours of the day, give or take, Jesus was placed upon the Cross. Remember a day starts in the evening as it begins to grow dark.
John 18:28: Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: & it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover.
Jesus was on the cross as the lambs died.
Jesus was placed in the tomb at Sunset the 14th, just prior to the Sabbath which began at Sunset. So hour 1 of the 15th began at sundown at about 7pm.
Counting forward. 24 hours, we are at Sunset on the 15th at about 7pm. So hour 1 of the 16th began.
Counting forward 24 hours and we are at Sunset of the 16th. Which was Friday. At Sunset Friday, Saturday begins at about 7pm.
Counting forward 24 hours, just prior to Sunset Saturday, Jesus Christ is Resurrected, fulfilling the 72 hours He told us He would be in the grave. He is raised from the tomb the same time He was placed in the tomb.
3x24 is 72. This is THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS, JUST AS JESUS STATED.
At Sunset on Saturday, Sunday begins about 7pm. At this point, Jesus has already left the tomb and been Resurrected.
I read the article you shared and would like to clarify a few points regarding the Passover. According to Luke 22:15-16, Jesus wanted to eat the Passover with His disciples before He suffered, but He did not partake in it He knew He would die at the same time as the Passover lambs, so He would not be there on the 15th.
In Exodus 12, we see that lambs were killed on the 14th of Nisan, known as Passover Day, which is also a preparation day for the 7-day Feast of Unleavened Bread that begins on the 15th. The Passover meal was consumed on the night of the 15th.
John 18:28 shows that on the 14th, the same day Jesus had the Last Supper in the morning the priests would not enter the judgment hall because they would be defiled and could not catch the blood of the Passover lambs and pour it into the altar or eat the Passover if they were defiled.
The article's author is mistaken in claiming that Jesus and His disciples ate the Passover on Tuesday, as Scripture does not support this.
In summary, the 14th of Nisan is Passover Day and a preparation day for the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins on the 15th. The lambs were killed in the evening of the 14th any time after the sun started to go down.
Scripture is clear there were 5 days from when Jesus rode into Jerusalem to when He was crucified, the Scriptures should show if studied in my other post. He rode in on the first day of the week and He was crucified on the fifth day of the week this is what the Scripture tells us.
God bless,
RLW
The True Gospel is transparent to nationality or economic status or political standing. It has nothing to do with economic prosperity or with socio-political issues. When the churches become involved in political activism or social or economic issues, they forget that the task of the believers is to be an ambassador of the kingdom of God. When Jesus was placed on trial for his life at the behest of the chief priests, Jesus said to Pontius Pilate:
John 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Concerning political rulers, the Bible commands in Romans 13:1-5 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
The true gospel has been emasculated in our day as the churches have become more involved with the social and physical and political issues of the day, which in themselves have nothing to do with the true gospel.
Even more significant, virtually every church today proclaims a man-made do-it-yourself gospel of grace plus works where they will tell you how to become saved.
The TRUE GOSPEL is beautifully expressed in Eze 36 & Jer 29. God does 100% of the work of Salvation. Read Jonah 3 and Joel 2:12-14.
John 18:23 - Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
If I have spoken evil, (literally inappropriately), bear witness of the evil: but if I have spoken well, (that is, according the lines of the law), why do you smite me?
John 18:35 - Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Here, the Greek text expects the answer no. "I am not a Jew, am I?"
John 18:36 - Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Literally, it is in the Imperfect Tense with a Subjunctive Particle that means, "Up until now, my servants would have been fighting if my kingdom is from out of the earth as a source, so that I would not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from here."
John 19:1 - Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
So, Pilate takes Jesus, and scourged (MASTIGOO) him, the MASTIKS. The whipping of Jews and the whipping of the Romans are two different kinds. The Jews had ropes with pieces of metal and glass and bone all wrapped up in these strips and they will take someone and tie them up and just take the whip and beat them. But they will only beat them 39 times. Why 39, I'm not sure?
Most people never made it through the whipping before they died. And if they didn't die, they were taken to the cross with all of their insides showing.
It was a terrible thing to go through. The Roman way was even worse. They didn't just use ropes, but they used a solid rod like a fishing rod to make the whipping have more leverage. They too had the cat-o-nine tails, the glass and the lead, and the rocks. And they would beat you for as long as they wanted to. That's what they did to Jesus. They beat Him.
John 18:3 - Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
The word band actually means a cohort of soldiers, which was a group of some 600 soldiers. It's a SPERA in Greek. So, Judas had 600 soldiers with him, and officers. These would be the temple police. So not only does he have an army contingent, but he also has the temple police. Some of the historians say that there were at least 1,000 people that came out to take Jesus. They came from the chief priests and Pharisees. They came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. The word weapons means clubs.
John 18:5 - They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
They answered and said to Him, Jesus of Nazareth, or more literally, the Greek text says Jesus the Nazarene.
Jesus said unto them, and please follow closely because the Greek text is different than any of the English translations (including the King James). Jesus said unto them I AM.
He didn't say "he". Jesus asks, "Who are you looking for?" They respond, "Jesus the Nazarene." He says, I AM, (EGO EMI). That is the name of God in the Old Testament. Our English text is a little weak here and somewhat diminishes who Christ is, God Himself!
John 18:8 - Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
Jesus answered, I have told you that I AM (not I am he): if therefore you are seeking me, and in the Greek, this is called a first-class condition assumed to be true. He is saying since therefore you are seeking me, and check this out because this is a command in the Greek text: He says, "let these go their way:" He is not asking permission. It is a command, Imperative Mood!
Thanks again for your thoughtful reply! I really appreciate the depth of your insights and your commitment to finding the Truth.
1. Earth's Age:
I totally get your skepticism about both the 6,000-year and 4.54 billion-year views. Science uses methods like radiometric dating to estimate the Earth's age, but it's always evolving. On the other hand, religious interpretations vary, with some seeing the creation story as symbolic. I think science explains "how" things work, while religion covers the "why."
2. Isaiah 40:21-22 - The Circle of the Earth:
You mentioned Isaiah saying God "sits upon the circle of the earth." Whether that's literal or poetic, the key takeaway for me is that God's perspective is way bigger than ours-like we're tiny grasshoppers in comparison.
3. John 17:4-5 - Jesus' Existence Before Creation:
Jesus' prayer about being glorified with the Father before the world began highlights His eternal nature. He was there from the start, making everything through Him ( John 1:3). It's a powerful reminder of His divine role in creation.
4. John 1:18 - No One Has Seen God:
This verse points to Jesus as the way we understand God. Even though no one has seen God, Jesus, who is one with the Father, makes Him known to us. It shows how Jesus bridges the gap between us and the divine.
5. The Search for Truth:
I agree with you that Truth is the most important thing. When Pilate asked "What is truth?" ( John 18:38), Jesus answered it in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life." For me, that's the ultimate truth-everything else helps us get closer to understanding that.
Thanks again for the great discussion! I look forward to hearing more of your thoughts.
John 17:24 - Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
Father, I will, (literally I wish), I desire, that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; in order that they may behold my glory. And the word "behold" is the word view, to actually see the very substance and nature and character of God Himself.
John 18:1 - When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
It says, when Jesus had spoken these words, and that would be everything in Chapters 13 through 17 ending off with the prayer.
But when Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth (or went out) with His disciples over the brook Cedron. This would be the Kidron Valley right between Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
It's called the Brook Kidron (or Cedron) because it flows in the winter time, and that's what the word "brook" means in Greek. It means winter flow. So, over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden. And this is at the foot or the base of the Mount of Olives, into which He entered, and His disciples. This is the place where Jesus spent many of his evenings with the disciples.
John 18:2 - And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
And Judas also, which betrayed Him. And in the Greek text, the word "betrayed" is a Present Participle, the one who is in the process of betraying Him. He knew the place: Judas had gone there many times before with Jesus and the disciples.
For Jesus often times resorted (or gathered) there with his disciples.
So, He knew that Judas had gone out. He's finished instructing the disciples. So, He goes to the garden where Judas knows where to find Him.
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils."
Spirit of the times is spirit of doctrines which have a form of godliness but denying the power of God. Man having the gift of the gab gathers a following and such a one was Theudas was a populist leader, one who would have taken a bullet for democracy and he did gather a party. "For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to naught."(Ac.5:36) Judas followed and Acts of the Apostles tells, "After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed." Seducing spirits whip up doctrines and man shall take up to sow mischief and garner public support. The Spirit is still that of the devil. Nationalism is such. Jesus would have none of it. "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence."( John 18:36) Yet what makes the churches still pursue it? They do not want to know word of God and the spiritual demand on their lives, it is a total surrender. Instead what does the spirit of times teach these Christians? "Never surrender." What do they care abou walking in faith and not by sight? What conspiracy theories they swallow and yet call themselves Christians. This is what makes worst specimens of human race pass for their champions, so they wage a cultural war for them. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:/That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness."
Yes,certainly,as you said,GOD HIMSELF manifested himself to the Hebrews through the OT;which was written by the twenty-four elders,starting with Moses,understand?By the way,JESUS said GOD is Spirit- John 4:24-,what is the name of the invisible Spirit of GOD?Well,GOD had said in the beginning- Genesis 1:26(the beginning is JESUS,who is the LITERAL IMAGE of GOD,He is GOD)-, yes, GOD had said:"Let us make man in OUR image,after OUR likeness", then, both are One, and as we can see, since ancient times, since Genesis, GOD revealed He would be made flesh.
By the prophet Isaiah,who is one of the 24 elders,GOD again revealed He would be made flesh, and around 2000 years ago He LITERALLY fulfilled His promise- John 1:14-and what is the NAME that GOD chose for He Himself? The NAME that GOD chose for He Himself was/is JESUS - JOSHUA-. Luke 1:26-the angel GABRIEL was sent FROM GOD(the Word is GOD,GOD Himself,self-executing) unto a city of Galilee,named Nazareth,and said to Mary:behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a SON, and shalt call his NAME JESUS. He shall be great, and called the Son of the Highest: the Lord GOD(the Word is GOD, GOD Himself, self-executing) shall give unto Him the throne of His father David.
Remember: The Jews said to JESUS: John 8:41-we have one Father, even God. And JESUS said to the Devil, father of the Jews-Yahweh:It is written,Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the MOUTH OF GOD-Mat.4:4.
Psalms 110:1combined with Hebrews 1:8(plus Matthew 25:11, James 2:1, Isaiah 49:14, Luke 20:42, 1 Corinthians 9:1) -
GOD said to the Lord JESUS:Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy Kingdom.
KJV Psalms 83:18, Isaiah 12:2, Exodus 6:3, Isaiah 26:4 LORD=JEHOVAH; ->JEHOVAH is another esoteric and kabbalistic and spiritist nickname of the father of the Jews.
Luke 16:5 lord=a King or one of authority,yes, see John 18:37.
It is true that it is surprizing also to me that the grk word "aion" (age/time) is used sometimes in the NT instead of the word "world" because in modern grk it means "century". So I have done a research and came up that in ancient grk it had the meaning apart from "a very long period of time", it also had the meaning of "the period of time a person lives".
So it was used in conjuction to people"s lives. And it seems that sometimes (but not always) the writers of the NT use it for the time that this world/humanity exists. And with that meaning it is used in Mat 28. With the same meaning it also used by Luke in Luke 16:8, by Paul in Rom 12:2 and Ephesians 6:12 where Paul talks about the "rulers of the darkness of this world" , where the word "age/time" is used for "world".
But in other verses the world "kosmos" which is the actual grk word for "world" is used, ie in John 18:20, also John 16:11 where John talks about "the prince of this world". (compare it with Ephesians 6:12 that talks about the same thing). So as a final conclusion those two words are interchanged for "world".
Spencer:
"Kosmos" in anc grk means "mankind, humanity". In mod grk it means everything, people, animals, plants. land.
"Oikoumene" means the places/land on earth where people are living.
Also the word "ktisis" is used for world, it means "creation".
Well this is enough with lessons in Greek. Confusing? We have to trust those scholars who have done a very good job in translating the NT. There isn't a perfect translation, all translations lack in some things, even modern greek can not match with ancient greek in meanings. As a conclusion all translations are more or less good. There is no actual error when other words are used as long as the meaning of the text is right. Some go word for word, others not, but there are more understandable than the former ones. Everybody has their favourite translation. We can always use 2 or more when we are not sure what it is meant. GBU
The kingdom entrusted to Jesus was not of this world. "Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence." ( John 18:36). God made angels spirits and ministers flaming fire, which Elisha could see for which faith is required. Instead what does the false prophet do? "And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." The source for this elsewhere and like the magicians in the court of Pharaoh resisted Moses and God. Similarly the beast wields people power while the anti-Christ spoke as the dragon would, "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon." (Re.13:11,13)
With this background the early church had to contend with the Jews, "Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie."(Re.3:9) Herod had spawned a political movement. Authority of Herod was as with the beast came from Satan. "And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months." 42 months include such temporal powers, each one resisting God. Nationalism of the Idumaean line was propped up by Imperial Rome. And is it of any surprise when Christianity became the official religion, and absorbed the culture of the Church of Rome,- Christian nationalism and culture wars are tares planted by the enemy.
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."(12:11) The two witnesses, 'loved not their lives unto the death'. Jesus assures, " For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."(Matt.16:25)
"And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book...that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them. " (17:18-19). Moses was in fact referring to the coming of their king who however would not need a nation per se that was not upright in their heart. For this reason Jesus before Pilate declares, "My kingdom is not of this world."( John 18:36)
In his lament over Jerusalem he gives us a reason why. Their love of God was as superficial as their kingdom, which would not endure. "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate"(Matt.23:38)
To recap: The fifth of the Pentateuch matches with the Book of Psalms, also in five fold divisions. The Spirit uses numbers as tags to indicate the word of God is as much essential for the inner man as is for a child of God to be perfected. (See entry under N-Numbers/Five)
(See entry under P- Psalms, The Book of)
Part 1.
The term "Kinsman Redeemer" (Hebrew: Goel, [H1350] translated: "kinsman"
Num. 5:8; 27:11; Ruth 2:1; 3:9, 12, 13; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14; John 18:26; Romans 16:11) is the title for a position of responsibility within an Old Testament Hebrew family which was established by God.
This individual was entrusted with the ability to protect, as well as seeking justice when a family member was wronged; as a way of maintaining righteousness within the tribal society of Israel.
We might refer to this position as the godfather of the Hebrews, yet in a legal and moral function, as compared to one of criminality and abuse.
The idea of the Kinsman Redeemer held two different functions / roles within the same title.
1st, was the function / role of the "Goel" or Redeemer.
The idea was that if a man died without children, normally his brother, or Goel (Next in line of kinship), had an obligation to raise seed to the dead brother so as to keep his posterity going, along with the inheritance of the land.
He redeemed that man's progeny, this is referred to as the "Levirate law."
2nd, was the function / role of the "Avenger of Blood"
When a "wrong" (Crime) was done to a single member of the family; it was considered a crime against the entire tribe, yet the responsibility was left to kinsman-Redeemer.
It should be remembered that at this time there was no social governmental structure within Israel that would carry on this function.
And even after there was a governmental structure installed, the kinsman-Redeemer still had the responsibility to maintain order and leadership within the family, wherein the government might utilize a punishment of those that had violated a tribe member, this did not override the role of the kinsman-Redeemer.
In the case of a murder committed, the kinsman-Redeemer would fulfill Justice by killing the murderer himself.
This was not looked at as revenge, but justice.
See Part 2.
"But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men."
One of the darkest chapters in the Church history was demonstrated in Germany when it was mandatory for the service in churches to be conducted while Hitler's Mein Kampf and The Bible side by side. This came about firstly by hijacking the name of Luther as he godfather for the regime on the basis of this Augustinian monk sided with powers-that- be during the Peasant Revolt 1520-30. He sided on the basis of ("Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation-"Ro.13:1-3) This is not the doctrine of Jesus who said, "My kingdom is not of this world"( John 18:36). It came in turn from doctrine of his Father. Luther having won the support of temporal powers against the Church of Rome merely returned the favor. But during the 1000-year Reich his position became the tradition, ("Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition."-v.6). This is the problem which we have in the selected passage. There are not middle ground between God and mammon in which you hide. "He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad." (12:30) How Luther scattered the gift of God abroad so the Satanic cult in 1940 would drag the church through mud serves as a stark warning in our own culture wars. What shall Christians face some centuries hence?
The true gospel is transparent to nationality or economic status or political standing. It has nothing to do with economic prosperity or with socio-political issues. When the churches become involved in political activism or social or economic issues, they forget that the task of the believers is to be an ambassador of the kingdom of God. When Jesus was placed on trial for his life at the behest of the chief priests, Jesus said to Pontius Pilate ( John 18:36)
36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Concerning political rulers, the Bible commands in Romans 13
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
The true gospel has been emasculated in our day as the churches have become more involved with the social and physical and political issues of the day, which in themselves have nothing to do with the true gospel. Sure, Jesus fed the 5,000 who had come to hear him, but that was not his primary mission, and later we read in John 6:15
15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.
Continued in part 5
Without JESUS it is IMPOSSIBLE to exist peace not only in the Jerusalem, but in the nation of Israel as a whole. By the way, the Holy City, where also our Lord was crucified, is now spiritually called Sodom and Egypt. You know that JESUS prophesied the Temple would be destroyed, saying: "There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down"- Matthew 24:2- , and it LITERALLY fulfilled in the year 70AD, and Israel was scattered around the world until 1948, i.e.1878 years of severe punishments and curses in LITERAL fulfilment of Deusteronomy 28:15-68, 53 verses of terrible chastisements-Take a look. The dispersed people of Israel have never had peace in the last two millennia. And NOW? The WORST will come now, even now, from now on, because the Day of Vengeance arrived, understand? 2Thes.1:7-9; combined with Matthew 24:15-25.
7 ... the Lord JESUS shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, (angels? Luke 20:35-36.Take a look)
8 In flaming FIRE taking VENGEANCE on them that know not GOD, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord JESUS Christ:
9 Who shall be PUNISHED with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power;
Remember: Pilatos asked to the Jews: John 18:39-40
39 Ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the KING of the JEWS?
40 Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
JESUS said: John 5:43-I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if ANOTHER shall come in his own name(an IMPOSTOR, a FALSE MESSIAH), him ye will receive. (This prophecy of our Lord JESUS will LITERALLY be fulfilled in days ahead)
2 Do ye know that the saints shall Judge the world?
Re.1:7 Behold,JESUS cometh with clouds( Acts 1:9-11-take a look)and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of Him. Even so, Amen.