For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. ( 2 Thess. 2:7).
This verse was discussed in a video that I have frequented lately and I thought indeed it is the crucial "lynchpin" as it were for the whole series of events to come in the Tribulation.
The point in emphasizing this verse is to support the fact that Christ could and is likely to return on any given day as the circumstances are signs of what is to come but we don't know when it starts. Supporting scripture
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habukkuk 2:3).
Scripture cross references are important to bolster any given concept; including prophecy. The judgments to come (as we have been discussing of late in our church's small group) that are in Revelation are scattered throughout the O.T. with particular concentration in Isaiah and Daniel as well as Matthew 24; Zechariah; Jeremiah; Ezekiel; etal.
I find from a practical point of view all the warnings of men's heardened hearts to be informative as to what in reality they are now. Men are blinded to their own sin nature as well as the god that they are slaves to willingly to varying degrees just as they will be captivated by the Antichrist to come they also would follow him now. I am convinced that one of the greatest dangers of AI is that a god is tailored to everyone's fetish; custom made to create an image of the Beast to come. Everyone whose name isn't written in the book of life WILL worship him as Revelation 13 makes clear. Clearly as the sixth seal indicates and I have said repeatedly no atheists will be in the Tribulation at that point; and hence belief in the miraculous (albeit demonic) and true miracles of the two witnesses will be for a time happening simultaneously.
If your "battle" is with believing that Jesus is God, may I suggest the following scriptures for your consideration:
Genesis 1:1 along with John 1:1-3, Revelation 19:13, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 10:30, John 14:9, Mark 2:5-7, John 8:58, John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:8, John 5:18, 1 John 5:20, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Acts 10:25-26, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:13, Micah 5:2, John 17:5, John 1:14. There are more, but these should suffice.
You mention that "Christians say that there is no separation between Christ and God," and that the bible shows otherwise. Jesus said I and my Father are one, and He also said that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. This may not mean anything to you, but in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is described as the APOUGASMA (the out beam) of God's glory, God projecting Himself through the time/space factor in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ, being God, was never separated from the source. This is why Jesus can say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
The best example I can give would be taking a flashlight in a dark room and shining it on a wall. The flashlight is the source, and the light is projected on the wall from the source. There is no separation unless the flashlight is turned off. Now, imagine the flashlight being God, and the light shining on the wall is Jesus, again, no separation. Jesus is said to be the true light which came down from heaven, the APOUGASMA of God.
If you are sincerely struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ (Him being God), I hope these scriptures I've provided might help. Also, if you would like, I can share my personal understanding on Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42 and why Christ would ask this.
If I may ask, are you a Christian? If so, who do you say Jesus is?
Here we see the Parable of the Two Sons (v. 28-32) and the Parable of the Tenants (v. 33-41) followed by further warnings of Christ of the Kingdom of God. Verse 42 contains a quote from Psalm 118 showing that He was indeed the stone which they had rejected after they affirmed in the second parable what should be done to the wicked tenants when the owner comes back.
It appears from my limited study that John has the most references to attempts to kill Christ; although some manuscripts eliminate the last verse in Matthew 21 no doubt there was constant desire to go after the Lord whether to arrest Him or kill Him on the spot. They were concerned about the reaction of the crowd for the obvious fact that miracles couldn't be denied. NO one ever cast any doubt on the veracity of the miracles; but they did as to who He was and His credentials such as denying His virgin birth ( John 8:41); and he being merely the son of Joseph and Mary in John 6:42. Which was it the real or illegitimate son? They couldn't accept the virgin birth which means the testimony of Mary and Joseph was taken to be false in that regard.
They knew that no one had ever healed the blind even with the resurrection recorded in the book of Kings of the widow's son. ( 1 Kings 17; John 9:32).
Reading Isaiah 53 shows a graphic picture of Christ and His sufferings at the cross along with other passages in that book and other prophecies such as Psalm 22 in particular. Which is more of a miracle God in all His glory creating the heavens and the earth and sustaining the universe or condescending to take human form to be the propitiation for our sins? ( 1 John 2:2). Which displays His Divine attributes most clearly? In truth; both aspects need to be emphasized lest we consider Him to be anything less than God or insufficient to come in our place to make an atonement for all of the sins of His children. First He had to live as one of us in order to die in our place ( 1 Cor. 15
It appears as with the 1904 event and perhaps others from the 19th century that church attendance continued after conversions; and another common element was a noticeable decrease in crime. This may have also occurred recently; but from my observation just having a church with genuine believers affecting a local community can have an impact-I am considering a place I used to attend near Pittsburgh and the local community (I guess I can't mention anything specific here). We are all called to be salt and light in a dark world and of course many things we won't know fully in this life as to how our own prayers and witness make a difference. If you have ever been around someone suddenly apologizing for cursing and bad behavior as one individual I ran into a couple years back you can see the Spirit can affect people around us.
It is sobering to consider the Pyongyong fervor in the early 1900's and where things stand today. The darkness of the world system and things such as Socialism and Fascism of course demonstrate how a Godly nation can descend so quickly into madness and folly. We need to work while it is yet day ( John 9:4); just as Christ knew His earthly ministry was short we have to be aware also; the time of the end is rapidly approaching!
I am hopeful about some of the college revival happening of late as I mentioned in an earlier comment. Let us hope we see young people especially who usually are involved in large moves of conversions out there witnessing and sharing the Gospel.
Persecution and trials promised to all who are godly in Christ Jesus ( 2 Tim. 3:12); but if there aren't examples to follow then individuals or small groups of 2 or 3 need to take the initiative. That can mean here in this country or overseas; wherever the Spirit leads and our talent and giftings can minister. Serving in ministry of course as a support person; feeding the hungry; etc is just as important along with giving to missionaries.
The Twelve Disiples thought that the blind man's parents sins because of his blindness. Sometimes we need to slow down and wait for the Lord's answer, before judging.
John 9:1-5
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Today, Jesus Christ is not walking the earth in the flesh, Jesus Christ is in the Third Heaven sitting next to the Father.
Romans 8:34
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at therighthandofGod, who also maketh intercession for us.
God gave the Holy Spirit to the Twelve Disiples and then it stayed with the Gentiles.
John 14:26
But theComforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Israel is blind to the gospel of grace as a nation, but when the Gentiles fill the body of Christ, God will open there hearts and they will be able to see again.
Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of theGentilesbe come in.
Acts 9:16 is typical of the overall experience; more or less of Christians; in this case applying to Paul specifically. 2 Timothy 3:12 is in a similar vein along with scores of other scriptures; many from the Lord Himself. The prosperity gospel not only convinces people to take up a sinful lifestyle expecting God to be a cosmic genie; but it also robs a believer of the sanctification process where TRUE spiritual rewards can be attained through being refined as through the fire ( 1 Peter 1:6-7). Therefore whenever calamity or distress occurs we attribute it to Satan; and in some sense do the opposite error of Job who attributed things to God that Satan was allowed to afflict him with and thought God had abandoned him. That view of course is also wrong; but expecting somehow to escape the admonition of 2 Timothy 3:12 seem to ignore the word ALL which doesn't seem too difficult on a surface level to comprehend.
We should remember Christ Himself even when he healed sickness due to sin didn't withhold deliverance; but admonished to go and sin no more ( john 5:14) so that something worse doesn't happen; in the case of that individual likely that would be death and eternal judgment. Let us not forget the blind man whose condition wasn't due to sin in John 9:3; neither he NOR his parents had some generational curse involved in that particular illustration.
How sad to think that someone who is in poverty is somehow not trusting God enough; and no doubt many of these megachurches miss out on opportunities to help individuals in their own midst in needs even if there are charitable efforts where some help is given. I think I can say without too much risk of error that the church is already at the point of judgment overall.
In general therefore true movements of God are not going to have a prominent public display; and we only need to see this in the life of the Lord who wasn't interested in attention from a sideshow.
God sent his Son as the true Light to the world and the Word had set his ministry according as the scripture may be fulfilled. "Recovering of sight to the blind" ( Luke 4:18) was one among them. Before him stood the blind. "When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man's eyes." (John9:6) Like chaff what is dust? Insignificant is it not? But Jesus told his disciples,"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."(Matt.10:16). Whosoever and the dust of the house or the city and intrinsically bound. In geology dust is the result of the weathering process, but no matter, it represent the ungodly society of men. Similarly what is a shoe lace? Abraham would not even receive a shoe latchet,"And that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich." Wealth of the king of Sodom was of Satan who in according him pomp and privileges, made him a servant to sin. Abraham in trusting God for his blessings placed himself under the Law of the Spirit. The same Law governing the everlasting covenant made him observe a life of separation. The disciples were to shake off the dust of their feet for a witness.
Jesus spat on the ground, a sign even as his blood is, that his life was on the line. Death and resurrection would come later. By the same token we have the miry clay mentioned in the king's dream. "And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay."(Dan.2:43) Iron is the brute force, a quality of the beast and other sons of perdition..("But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces,". Imposter churches are covenant breakers to compromise with Satan. They are servants to sin for praise of men. They shall be smashed and thrown to winds as was in the king's dream.
John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Literally, "Before Abraham was in existence, I AM in existence!" Before Abraham was in existence, I was already in existence, and always had been. The "I AM" of the Old Testament!
John 9:27 - He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
It says, "will you also be his disciples? In the Greek text it expects the answer no.
John 9:34 - They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
That is the official term for excommunication. They kicked him out!
John 9:40 - And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
The Greek text says that they expected the answer no. We are not blind also are we, looking to Jesus?
John 10:1 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Thief and robber, very interesting words in the Greek text! The reason why there are two different words here that pretty much represent the same thing is because there are two different words in the Greek New Testament.
Some people get confused about this. They believe that that Jesus died between two thieves, but in the NIV, in the gospel of John, it says that He died amongst criminals, which is true. It doesn't say anything about thieves.
Well, Matthew, Mark and Luke, they mention the fact that He died amongst robbers. That is where we get that part of it. The only difference between a thief and a robber is that a thief will steal by stealth or by deception. A robber does it by force. So, thieves and robbers, these are depicted in the Jewish proverb as false Christ's and false teachers.
When Adam sinned it was his imperfections manifesting itself.
Adam and Eve eyes were opened after they ate of the fruit. They were now able to see things that were there that they never seen before!
Is it possible that without the knowledge of good and evil sin is not imputed as we see in Romans 5:12-13 and John 9:41.
Let's take a closer look at Romans 5, being that it seems relevant to our discussion.
Romans 5:12-14 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(For until the law sin was in the world: BUT SIN IS NOT IMPUTED WHEN THERE IS NO LAW. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
What do we inherit from Adam? Just his offence?
What about his nature before and after the fall?
I'm having trouble presenting this so let me give an example by way of a hypothetical scenario.
Let's imagine Adam and Eve had children before the fall, (eating of the fruit of the tree) and also children afterwards.
Would all of them inherit Adam's offense or just those born afterwards?
I believe they all would because Adam had a nature that was bound to fall.
One that was subject to sin.
As for Christ We've been over Matthew 4:1-11.
That wasn't a test to see if he would sin but rather to prove him.
It was to show he was who the Scripture say he was.
The Son of God.
And you are referring to Hebrews 4:15. My understanding of that is Christ "being in the flesh" he was able to relate to our testing but WASN'T ABLE to Succumb to the testing and sin.
"To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;"
God asks Job, Has the rain a father?(v.28a). The Spirit gives us the answer. "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods."(Ps.24:1-2). His throne upon the floods means that it is not that you seek it in the lower parts of the heaven but towards the throne of God. The Spirit calls it bottles of heaven. " Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, God created the earth by His word so fulness thereof consists of clouds the sun, the moon and including even the clay. In v.38 we read,"When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together" is it useless? "When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,/And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing." ( John 9:6-7)
"To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
God sent his word and healed applies to everything on man and grass. "My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass." (De.32:2)
"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old./Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert./The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen."(Is.43:18-20)
"Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?"
"I theLordhave called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;"
This chapter begins with the Man component in the everlasting covenant which as the key text tells us is the covenant of the people. Nothing less shall fully justify the Fellowship of God with Man. When God sent Jesus Christ to the world He sent him as the true Light so we shall firstly set the Gentiles in the context of the light. God is the Father of lights so it is appropriate to set the separation of light from darkness in terms of light. 'Unto this day' explains the inheritance of saints in light. In the covenant we shall look at the part of God whose Will encompasses 'in that day".
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto theLord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Is.55:7) In the light of the word what is darkness to the holiness of God? His holiness addresses the ways of the wicked. The covenant between God and the Son is according to the Word of the Law. The Psalmist says, "The darkness and the light are both alike to thee" and the word sent forth shall not return to him in void. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.(Is.55:11).
Jesus Christ presented himself as the light of the world. "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."( John 9:5) This is what led to the light of the Lamb which is not on the earth but in mid-air, "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband./And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them,"(Re.21:2-3)
Luke 13:16 does show that this woman was bound by Satan, but it does not imply that he is responsible for all our illnesses.
In those days, it was a common philosophy among the Jews that if a person was suffering physically, it was because they have sinned or were not right with God. But this woman's physical condition was caused by a demon. This woman had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, and she did not have the ability to lift herself up. She walked along and she was almost bent in half and her head was down towards the ground as she was walking.
But what's important to know, and this might answer the question on if the devil is responsible for our illnesses, but not all illnesses or infirmities are caused by demons or Satan. If you remember back in John 9:1-3 about this blind man, the disciples asked, "Who sinned, this man, or his parents that he was born blind?" Jesus answered and said neither!
But you see, that was their philosophy. Their way of thinking was that the only reason that somebody suffers physically is because they have sinned or maybe their parents did, so they are suffering for it. Not all sickness and illness have to do with sin or that somebody has done something wrong. But there are specific things, especially in Jesus' day, that when a person was demonized, possessed by a demon, it also meant that the demon was holding them in prison in some kind of a physical way.
LORD WILLING ALL ISRAELITES TAKE HEED TO THESE SCRIPTURES WHEN PRAYING AND REQUESTING PRAYERS.......
Proverbs 28:9
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
John 9:31
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law, and he doesn't listen to those who deliberately sin and don't do his will.
Walk as Yahawashi("Jesus") walked and you will farewell.
1 John 2:4-7
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks.
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Here in Revelation, chapters 1,2, and 3 the Lord is addressing his Church.
In this thread I want to focus on the candle stick. (Which is actually a lamp stand.) "Light barer".
The Lord identifies the Lamp stand in verse 20) the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Revelation 1:20.
Also, what's important to see is Jesus's placement in the picture drawn. He is in the midst of the lampstand.
This is a picture of the Menorah.
It is to be oiled filled and never burn out.
WITH THAT IN MIND LETS GO TO THE GOSPELS.
John 9:4.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
John 1:4-12.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
It is clear Jesus came into the world to give light to a dark world and testifies to the world that its works is evil.
And Jesus replied, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things." ( Luke 20:8).
The Pharisees; who derided Christ throughout His public ministry had this to say shortly before the crucifixion. Jesus shut them out; as well as remaining silent soon after during Pilate's interrogation. Self exaltation and justification wasn't necessary for Christ didn't seek to be served but to serve and give His life for a ransom for many. ( Mark 10:45) The fact is; the Pharisees and religious leaders should have known who He was; and therefore were operating in deliberate blindness; uniquely qualifying them to commit the unpardonable sin. (See Matthew 12:24).
Part of the concept of the verse on "casting pearls before swine" ( Matt. 7:6) relates to this. Jesus hid meanings of the Parables to others who were deliberately spiritually blind (see Matthew 13:34; and Matthew 13:15; Isaiah 42:19-20). John 9:39-41 shows the end of an entire chapter related to a blind man's healing; where Jesus explains how men are made blind to the truth; but the Pharisees after asking if that was the intention of what Jesus said were still left with the judgment for themselves because they could see and were responsible for their sin.
These are sobering reminders that man is not justified in any righteousness of their own and estranged from God from the womb ( Psalm 58:3); yet has a conscience given by God where men are judged more harshly that know the law ( Romans 2:15).
Jesus warned that judgment would be worse for those cities that rejected Him than for Sodom and Gomorrah ( Matthew 10:15).
This attitude led to the unpardonable sin; blasphemy of the Holy Spirit where Beelzebub was attributed to Christ's healing rather than God ( Matthew 12:22). The issue of forgiveness of sins was truly where the problem was; since the miracles were manifold.
Nonetheless; Jesus wouldn't use His power to save Himself on the cross or when unbelief was present (see Matthew 13:58).
In the study of Creation there appear to be at least 2 different accounts in Genesis but they are emphasizing different things and hence complement one another ( Genesis 1 and 2). There are many Psalms related to Creation as well. We also see in Jesus quoting almost every book including reference to the Creation ( Matthew 19:8 on divorce); as well as the literal story of Jonah as to how it relates to the Son of Man ( Matthew 12:40). These accounts show the truth of the Old Testament and aren't able to hold water to arguments that things were merely symbolic.
One could argue as an atheist that since the same things seem to happen over and over again in scripture they can't be true; and/or they are borrowed from pagan traditions. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says that there is "nothing new under the sun." If we study things like prophecy there are more often than not multiple fulfillments; we can look at the earlier example of the Temple and abomination therein and see not just Antiochus but also the siege of Rome in 70 AD and to a lesser extent around 130 AD and the final application for Antichrist himself yet to come. The same pattern exists with Psalm 22 and descriptions foreshadowing Christ and demonstrating David's situation; some seem mutually exclusive others overlapping. Jesus was frequently hounded and persecuted much as David was; the difference being He was sinless; David was not. The whole story of the death; burial and Resurrection is seen with the pagan legends and religions as well but if we believe Satan is real he always is coming as a substitute for or against the God of the Bible; as we see in the persona of the Antichrist Beast and world economic and religious system. Satan knows scripture well enough to quote it; and we wouldn't expect anything less from the enemy of God's people.
We can see in the miracles of Christ similar things to the ministry of Elijah. Healing of the blind is unique ( John 9:32-33
Yes the Light is indeed the Light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And upon careful study of the scriptures the darkness was already there, thus it was created because as you pointed out in Isaiah 45:7. I have revelation that that darkness was the Old Lucifer who turned the light God gave to him into that darkness and God knew he would,for it is All according to his eternal purpose. The Light of the knowledge of God excelleth that darkness. Thus something happened between Genesis 1:1-2. For everything was overturned and made a wilderness at the fierce anger of the Lord. I think it's in Jeremiah 4:23- (Paraphrase) got I'm speaking the truth from the heart. " I beheld and lo the earth was void and empty and darkness and it was overthrow by the fierce anger of the Lord. And Isaiah 14 says Lucifer made the world as a wilderness. And he calls the darkness - NIGHT. So it was overthrown in the night by The lord.- Job 34:25. And paraphrasing Jesus Christ. He said are their not 12 hours in a day? And John 9:4 I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is DAY: THE NIGHT COMETH, WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK JOHN 9:5- while I Am in the world,I am the Light of the world. He will come as a thief in the night. I am persuaded I have the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of prophecy. Not that I am anything or anyone. But Jesus Christ And Him loving My poor and needy self. Thank you so much for blessing me with an opportunity to share the deep things of God's unsearchable word. God bless you
Again a very backwards teaching as we are washed from sin not cleansed. The reason why you sin and can't stop sinning is because you are a slave to it a slave to the devil. The apostle Paul preached in Romans 6:18 "Being then made free from sin ye become the servants of righteousness" (Jesus) The apostle Paul is just like me an ex-sinner saved by grace.
John 8:34] Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
[35] And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
[36] If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
The apostle Paul did not say he sins daily. He dies daily and not to sin, but to the things of the world. We have to die daily as Paul picked up from Jesus teaching.
John 9:41] Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
We are to be blind remain dead to sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The wages of sin is death/hell firer and brimstone. The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. This eliminates 99% of all Christians as they claim they can not be righteous free from sin.
1st Cor 6:9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Romans 6:[20] For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
[21] What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
[22] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Good luck in being heard as God does not hear the prays of sinners. We see this everyday people dying in the hospital or looking for an out because of their pain and God hasn't heard them yet. A saved sinner means is a righteous person.
If nobody is without sin then nobody is going to heaven. Jesus told people in John 5:14 "go and sin no more." The Bible says in 1st John 3:8 "he that commith sin is of the devil..." no such verse as you sin because you are of God or Jesus. The wages of sin is hell fire and brimstone Romans 6:23. It pays to sin, it pays to serve the devil, your wage or payment is called death and not life eternal. Sinless people after the cross as Christ came to wash away sin and not make a new type of sinner called Christian sinners.
The apostle Paul just like me is an ex-sinner saved by grace Romans 6:18. If nobody can be free from sin, Jesus died for nothing. The Bible makes it clear God does not hear the prayers uttered by sinners John 9:31.
Romans 6:16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
[17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
[18] Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Romans 5:19] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
[20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
[21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
The apostle Paul was free from sin after he was saved, Peter, John, James, etc. All ex-sinners as they knew that sin is deceitful and only brings death. Why sin? Why walk in sickness, darkness, and death?
1st John 1:[6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness ((sin)), we lie, and do not the truth:
[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
John 9:31] Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Christianity all around the world believe for the most part God loves them and they are saved by grace and yet they still sin. This is not what the bible says at all in John 9:31. The blind man was kicked out of church for preaching the truth. This is something that was known and not some new doctrine or directive issued by the church council or church meetings that God does not hear the prayer of sinners. The ex-blind man who went to church all his life never read the book of the law as brail was not invented yet for people to read. Yet, he heard something from behind the pulpit that stood out in his mind, unlike any other verse or scripture. I believe Isaiah 59:1-2 was reinforced into his mind over and over again in order for the ex-blind man to come up with the truth.
Isaiah 59:1] Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
[2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
The ex-blind man was excommunicated from his church for preaching the truth. You go down and preach what the ex-blind man in John 9 preached and you will be out in the street. Churches don't want to hear God does not hear the prayers of sinners. Churches want to indulge in their riot with their ungodly events and way of living for the devil up to their neck in sin and unrighteousness. To get churches to go back to the old ways of revival like Jeremiah 6:16 will never happen, as they have tasted too much of the world and the devil's delights and are not interested in engaging with the words of Jesus Christ which are spirit and life John 6:63. All sin is of the devil 1st John 3:8. Tge wages or payment is called hellfire and brimstone Romans 6:23. I am an ex-sinner saved by grace, an ex-sinner is a righteous person Romans 6:18.
-while disobeying HIS word then we became ineffective Christians who cannot even say boo to a demon.
Yes, Such People and ministries exist
-There are Men of God who are actually Led by the Spirit of God and are called according to the Gifts given to men by our Lord Jesus Christ, but instead of putting a show they fear God and walk with Him.
They that believe in Him, and they that are committed to His do Him will Revelation 12:11, KJV.
But what we are witnessing is.
-Men have departed from God and the church is a business and entertaining industries.
-Men don't pray earnestly before God and if they pray it's a shopping request rather than worship before God.
-No one is taking head according to the word of God and repentance has become optional this days where people have forgeten that God does not hear sinners ( John 9:31, KJV) and our sins separates us from our God (Isiah 59:2,KJV)
-Lets us pick our Bibles and wipe the dust off from them and lets us be given to God in prays and fasting seeking to fellowship with Him always while continuing in the word of GOD grounded in faith Amen.
-Remember faith without works is dead!
Lastly repent of your sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
Time is a sign. It is in this sense we have the Spirit tells specifically of its purpose under the heaven. "And a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die (Ec.3:1-6)". God's covenant with Noah is similarly pendent on the decree that He made with his Son, and it has to do with the day (Ps.2:7). (See entry under D-Day)
Time is of no consequence to eternal God. So we have time reconstituted to apply the role of the Son of man as the Word made flesh. St Peter provides us a clue to it in 2 Pe.3:8.
"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.( John 9:4)." His call 'follow me' applies to the day in which the Preacher sets out a whole range of work any man who would follow the way the Son may do.
"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him (Ps.2:12)."
Noah walked with God and he did according to the instruction. So how long he took to build the ark is left out by the Spirit for a reason. The Spirit instruct us to abide in God a Spirit so our volume carries our earthly circumstance, time subsumed into the will of God. When you received the Son,, you are part of the body of Christ as the ark of Noah and the man symbolically became one.
Covenant of heaven with the earth has thus a time marked by the Spirit where number has specific significance in the same manner a bow in heaven would signify.
Each day is with regards to the day, that is appointed for the Son and it shall have its own sequence continual progression of events till the fulness of times. This is also tagged as a pillar of the house that Wisdom built. (Pr.9:1)
God separated Day from Night, which marks the Day especial and apart from other days mentioned in the creation account. Jesus remarked on this day in these words, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day."( John 9:14) In another passage we know it includes both Father and Son. I and my Father are one. As for the works, he was specific, My Father works hitherto, and I work." ( John 5:17)
God named or called the light Day.(v.5) Here the Spirit is giving us the hint with regards to names. God decreed a day, -'Thou art my Son' (Ps.2:7) and with it his name is superior to every name in heaven or under it. He has given him "a name, which is above every name.' It brings in turn the significance of the expression, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. So we have to conclude that death of his Son was well established under an everlasting covenant and it has to do with the Fellowship of God with Man. Holiness of God requires the divine Will is holy, meaning it requires no correction or afterthought to settle for a Plan B. It is what we read in the following passage. ."(Ph.2:8-11)
The quote from the Gospel of John refers to a night and from the context it is clear that it is about his impending death on the cross. "the night cometh, when no man can work."(John9:4).
And God called the firmament, the heaven significance of which is in the face, The waters above interacts with waters which is below.
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. ( John 9:41).
In the Old Testament we see the mad Prophet Balaam stopped by a donkey who God readily used to block his way and for a mouthpiece of rebuke. ( 2 Peter 2:16-18 as quoted in the N.T. from Numbers 22-24). We see also how the demons Jesus cast out knew who Jesus was ( Mark 3:11-12). This is somewhat understandable from the fact that the angels were there to see God in heaven and witness the creation of the earth ( Job 38:7).
We are warned in James 2:19 about not just saying that we believe in God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; this is quoted many times in scripture. The conscience of men can be seared after some time; hearts hardened ( 1 Tim. 4:2; Exodus 7:3 and subsequent verses with Pharaoh). A believer has a healthy awe based on God's Holiness; and without holiness no man can see God ( Heb. 12:14).
Only man could see the miracles of Christ and still remain in unbelief. That would not just be related to the physical miracles when on earth; but also the miracle of salvation which often was accompanied by deliverance in scripture but which we see today. Mercifully God forgives any sin against the Father or Son is forgivable ( Matt. 12:32); but against the Holy Spirit is not.
The Spirit demonstrates His Holiness amongst the ministry of John 16:8 warning the world of sin; righteousness and judgment to come. The opposite of a broken and contrite heart is pride and self righteousness (only the sick need a physician Matt. 9:12).
Therefore such Pharisitical people also make their own twisted judgments on right and wrong and condemn others based on that mindset.
May we read scripture for its true meaning not through any man centered agenda; respecting ALL of it as God's Word ( 2 Tim. 3:16). May we have a heart to always glean new truths from God; seeking His face daily ( Psalm 1:2
For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. ( 2 Thess. 2:7).
This verse was discussed in a video that I have frequented lately and I thought indeed it is the crucial "lynchpin" as it were for the whole series of events to come in the Tribulation.
The point in emphasizing this verse is to support the fact that Christ could and is likely to return on any given day as the circumstances are signs of what is to come but we don't know when it starts. Supporting scripture
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habukkuk 2:3).
Scripture cross references are important to bolster any given concept; including prophecy. The judgments to come (as we have been discussing of late in our church's small group) that are in Revelation are scattered throughout the O.T. with particular concentration in Isaiah and Daniel as well as Matthew 24; Zechariah; Jeremiah; Ezekiel; etal.
I find from a practical point of view all the warnings of men's heardened hearts to be informative as to what in reality they are now. Men are blinded to their own sin nature as well as the god that they are slaves to willingly to varying degrees just as they will be captivated by the Antichrist to come they also would follow him now. I am convinced that one of the greatest dangers of AI is that a god is tailored to everyone's fetish; custom made to create an image of the Beast to come. Everyone whose name isn't written in the book of life WILL worship him as Revelation 13 makes clear. Clearly as the sixth seal indicates and I have said repeatedly no atheists will be in the Tribulation at that point; and hence belief in the miraculous (albeit demonic) and true miracles of the two witnesses will be for a time happening simultaneously.
Let us work while it is yet day ( John 9:4).
RP
Brother Chris gave you some verses that first came to mind.
Also, are you sure you're not thinking of John 9:31
"Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
Read John 9:30-41 perhaps you have these verses in mind.
Blessings.
If your "battle" is with believing that Jesus is God, may I suggest the following scriptures for your consideration:
Genesis 1:1 along with John 1:1-3, Revelation 19:13, Colossians 1:15-17, Matthew 1:23, John 10:30, John 14:9, Mark 2:5-7, John 8:58, John 20:28, Isaiah 9:6, Philippians 2:5-7, Colossians 2:9, 1 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 1:8, 2 Peter 1:1, Revelation 1:8, John 5:18, 1 John 5:20, Luke 24:52, John 9:38, Acts 10:25-26, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 1:3, Revelation 22:13, Micah 5:2, John 17:5, John 1:14. There are more, but these should suffice.
You mention that "Christians say that there is no separation between Christ and God," and that the bible shows otherwise. Jesus said I and my Father are one, and He also said that if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father. This may not mean anything to you, but in the book of Hebrews, Jesus is described as the APOUGASMA (the out beam) of God's glory, God projecting Himself through the time/space factor in the person of Christ. Jesus Christ, being God, was never separated from the source. This is why Jesus can say if you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.
The best example I can give would be taking a flashlight in a dark room and shining it on a wall. The flashlight is the source, and the light is projected on the wall from the source. There is no separation unless the flashlight is turned off. Now, imagine the flashlight being God, and the light shining on the wall is Jesus, again, no separation. Jesus is said to be the true light which came down from heaven, the APOUGASMA of God.
If you are sincerely struggling with the deity of Jesus Christ (Him being God), I hope these scriptures I've provided might help. Also, if you would like, I can share my personal understanding on Matthew 26:39 and Luke 22:42 and why Christ would ask this.
If I may ask, are you a Christian? If so, who do you say Jesus is?
"And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind."
Blessings
Here we see the Parable of the Two Sons (v. 28-32) and the Parable of the Tenants (v. 33-41) followed by further warnings of Christ of the Kingdom of God. Verse 42 contains a quote from Psalm 118 showing that He was indeed the stone which they had rejected after they affirmed in the second parable what should be done to the wicked tenants when the owner comes back.
It appears from my limited study that John has the most references to attempts to kill Christ; although some manuscripts eliminate the last verse in Matthew 21 no doubt there was constant desire to go after the Lord whether to arrest Him or kill Him on the spot. They were concerned about the reaction of the crowd for the obvious fact that miracles couldn't be denied. NO one ever cast any doubt on the veracity of the miracles; but they did as to who He was and His credentials such as denying His virgin birth ( John 8:41); and he being merely the son of Joseph and Mary in John 6:42. Which was it the real or illegitimate son? They couldn't accept the virgin birth which means the testimony of Mary and Joseph was taken to be false in that regard.
They knew that no one had ever healed the blind even with the resurrection recorded in the book of Kings of the widow's son. ( 1 Kings 17; John 9:32).
Reading Isaiah 53 shows a graphic picture of Christ and His sufferings at the cross along with other passages in that book and other prophecies such as Psalm 22 in particular. Which is more of a miracle God in all His glory creating the heavens and the earth and sustaining the universe or condescending to take human form to be the propitiation for our sins? ( 1 John 2:2). Which displays His Divine attributes most clearly? In truth; both aspects need to be emphasized lest we consider Him to be anything less than God or insufficient to come in our place to make an atonement for all of the sins of His children. First He had to live as one of us in order to die in our place ( 1 Cor. 15
It appears as with the 1904 event and perhaps others from the 19th century that church attendance continued after conversions; and another common element was a noticeable decrease in crime. This may have also occurred recently; but from my observation just having a church with genuine believers affecting a local community can have an impact-I am considering a place I used to attend near Pittsburgh and the local community (I guess I can't mention anything specific here). We are all called to be salt and light in a dark world and of course many things we won't know fully in this life as to how our own prayers and witness make a difference. If you have ever been around someone suddenly apologizing for cursing and bad behavior as one individual I ran into a couple years back you can see the Spirit can affect people around us.
It is sobering to consider the Pyongyong fervor in the early 1900's and where things stand today. The darkness of the world system and things such as Socialism and Fascism of course demonstrate how a Godly nation can descend so quickly into madness and folly. We need to work while it is yet day ( John 9:4); just as Christ knew His earthly ministry was short we have to be aware also; the time of the end is rapidly approaching!
I am hopeful about some of the college revival happening of late as I mentioned in an earlier comment. Let us hope we see young people especially who usually are involved in large moves of conversions out there witnessing and sharing the Gospel.
Persecution and trials promised to all who are godly in Christ Jesus ( 2 Tim. 3:12); but if there aren't examples to follow then individuals or small groups of 2 or 3 need to take the initiative. That can mean here in this country or overseas; wherever the Spirit leads and our talent and giftings can minister. Serving in ministry of course as a support person; feeding the hungry; etc is just as important along with giving to missionaries.
The Twelve Disiples thought that the blind man's parents sins because of his blindness. Sometimes we need to slow down and wait for the Lord's answer, before judging.
John 9:1-5
1 And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
2And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?
3Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
4I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
5As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
Today, Jesus Christ is not walking the earth in the flesh, Jesus Christ is in the Third Heaven sitting next to the Father.
Romans 8:34
Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at therighthandofGod, who also maketh intercession for us.
God gave the Holy Spirit to the Twelve Disiples and then it stayed with the Gentiles.
John 14:26
But theComforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
Israel is blind to the gospel of grace as a nation, but when the Gentiles fill the body of Christ, God will open there hearts and they will be able to see again.
Romans 11:25
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of theGentilesbe come in.
Ray, in Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Acts 9:16 is typical of the overall experience; more or less of Christians; in this case applying to Paul specifically. 2 Timothy 3:12 is in a similar vein along with scores of other scriptures; many from the Lord Himself. The prosperity gospel not only convinces people to take up a sinful lifestyle expecting God to be a cosmic genie; but it also robs a believer of the sanctification process where TRUE spiritual rewards can be attained through being refined as through the fire ( 1 Peter 1:6-7). Therefore whenever calamity or distress occurs we attribute it to Satan; and in some sense do the opposite error of Job who attributed things to God that Satan was allowed to afflict him with and thought God had abandoned him. That view of course is also wrong; but expecting somehow to escape the admonition of 2 Timothy 3:12 seem to ignore the word ALL which doesn't seem too difficult on a surface level to comprehend.
We should remember Christ Himself even when he healed sickness due to sin didn't withhold deliverance; but admonished to go and sin no more ( john 5:14) so that something worse doesn't happen; in the case of that individual likely that would be death and eternal judgment. Let us not forget the blind man whose condition wasn't due to sin in John 9:3; neither he NOR his parents had some generational curse involved in that particular illustration.
How sad to think that someone who is in poverty is somehow not trusting God enough; and no doubt many of these megachurches miss out on opportunities to help individuals in their own midst in needs even if there are charitable efforts where some help is given. I think I can say without too much risk of error that the church is already at the point of judgment overall.
In general therefore true movements of God are not going to have a prominent public display; and we only need to see this in the life of the Lord who wasn't interested in attention from a sideshow.
God sent his Son as the true Light to the world and the Word had set his ministry according as the scripture may be fulfilled. "Recovering of sight to the blind" ( Luke 4:18) was one among them. Before him stood the blind. "When Jesus had said this, He spit on the ground, made some mud, and applied it to the man's eyes." (John9:6) Like chaff what is dust? Insignificant is it not? But Jesus told his disciples,"And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet."(Matt.10:16). Whosoever and the dust of the house or the city and intrinsically bound. In geology dust is the result of the weathering process, but no matter, it represent the ungodly society of men. Similarly what is a shoe lace? Abraham would not even receive a shoe latchet,"And that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich." Wealth of the king of Sodom was of Satan who in according him pomp and privileges, made him a servant to sin. Abraham in trusting God for his blessings placed himself under the Law of the Spirit. The same Law governing the everlasting covenant made him observe a life of separation. The disciples were to shake off the dust of their feet for a witness.
Jesus spat on the ground, a sign even as his blood is, that his life was on the line. Death and resurrection would come later. By the same token we have the miry clay mentioned in the king's dream. "And whereas thou sawest iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay."(Dan.2:43) Iron is the brute force, a quality of the beast and other sons of perdition..("But in his estate shall he honour the God of forces,". Imposter churches are covenant breakers to compromise with Satan. They are servants to sin for praise of men. They shall be smashed and thrown to winds as was in the king's dream.
John 8:58 - Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Literally, "Before Abraham was in existence, I AM in existence!" Before Abraham was in existence, I was already in existence, and always had been. The "I AM" of the Old Testament!
John 9:27 - He answered them, I have told you already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear it again? will ye also be his disciples?
It says, "will you also be his disciples? In the Greek text it expects the answer no.
John 9:34 - They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
That is the official term for excommunication. They kicked him out!
John 9:40 - And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?
The Greek text says that they expected the answer no. We are not blind also are we, looking to Jesus?
John 10:1 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
Thief and robber, very interesting words in the Greek text! The reason why there are two different words here that pretty much represent the same thing is because there are two different words in the Greek New Testament.
Some people get confused about this. They believe that that Jesus died between two thieves, but in the NIV, in the gospel of John, it says that He died amongst criminals, which is true. It doesn't say anything about thieves.
Well, Matthew, Mark and Luke, they mention the fact that He died amongst robbers. That is where we get that part of it. The only difference between a thief and a robber is that a thief will steal by stealth or by deception. A robber does it by force. So, thieves and robbers, these are depicted in the Jewish proverb as false Christ's and false teachers.
When Adam sinned it was his imperfections manifesting itself.
Adam and Eve eyes were opened after they ate of the fruit. They were now able to see things that were there that they never seen before!
Is it possible that without the knowledge of good and evil sin is not imputed as we see in Romans 5:12-13 and John 9:41.
Let's take a closer look at Romans 5, being that it seems relevant to our discussion.
Romans 5:12-14 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
(For until the law sin was in the world: BUT SIN IS NOT IMPUTED WHEN THERE IS NO LAW. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.
What do we inherit from Adam? Just his offence?
What about his nature before and after the fall?
I'm having trouble presenting this so let me give an example by way of a hypothetical scenario.
Let's imagine Adam and Eve had children before the fall, (eating of the fruit of the tree) and also children afterwards.
Would all of them inherit Adam's offense or just those born afterwards?
I believe they all would because Adam had a nature that was bound to fall.
One that was subject to sin.
As for Christ We've been over Matthew 4:1-11.
That wasn't a test to see if he would sin but rather to prove him.
It was to show he was who the Scripture say he was.
The Son of God.
And you are referring to Hebrews 4:15. My understanding of that is Christ "being in the flesh" he was able to relate to our testing but WASN'T ABLE to Succumb to the testing and sin.
God bless.
"To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man;"
God asks Job, Has the rain a father?(v.28a). The Spirit gives us the answer. "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods."(Ps.24:1-2). His throne upon the floods means that it is not that you seek it in the lower parts of the heaven but towards the throne of God. The Spirit calls it bottles of heaven. " Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, God created the earth by His word so fulness thereof consists of clouds the sun, the moon and including even the clay. In v.38 we read,"When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together" is it useless? "When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay,/And said unto him, Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation, Sent.) He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing." ( John 9:6-7)
"To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth?
God sent his word and healed applies to everything on man and grass. "My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass." (De.32:2)
"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old./Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert./The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen."(Is.43:18-20)
"Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?"
This verse references the sign God gave Gideon.
"I theLordhave called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;"
This chapter begins with the Man component in the everlasting covenant which as the key text tells us is the covenant of the people. Nothing less shall fully justify the Fellowship of God with Man. When God sent Jesus Christ to the world He sent him as the true Light so we shall firstly set the Gentiles in the context of the light. God is the Father of lights so it is appropriate to set the separation of light from darkness in terms of light. 'Unto this day' explains the inheritance of saints in light. In the covenant we shall look at the part of God whose Will encompasses 'in that day".
"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto theLord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." (Is.55:7) In the light of the word what is darkness to the holiness of God? His holiness addresses the ways of the wicked. The covenant between God and the Son is according to the Word of the Law. The Psalmist says, "The darkness and the light are both alike to thee" and the word sent forth shall not return to him in void. So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.(Is.55:11).
Jesus Christ presented himself as the light of the world. "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world."( John 9:5) This is what led to the light of the Lamb which is not on the earth but in mid-air, "And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband./And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them,"(Re.21:2-3)
Luke 13:16 does show that this woman was bound by Satan, but it does not imply that he is responsible for all our illnesses.
In those days, it was a common philosophy among the Jews that if a person was suffering physically, it was because they have sinned or were not right with God. But this woman's physical condition was caused by a demon. This woman had a spirit of infirmity for eighteen years, and she did not have the ability to lift herself up. She walked along and she was almost bent in half and her head was down towards the ground as she was walking.
But what's important to know, and this might answer the question on if the devil is responsible for our illnesses, but not all illnesses or infirmities are caused by demons or Satan. If you remember back in John 9:1-3 about this blind man, the disciples asked, "Who sinned, this man, or his parents that he was born blind?" Jesus answered and said neither!
But you see, that was their philosophy. Their way of thinking was that the only reason that somebody suffers physically is because they have sinned or maybe their parents did, so they are suffering for it. Not all sickness and illness have to do with sin or that somebody has done something wrong. But there are specific things, especially in Jesus' day, that when a person was demonized, possessed by a demon, it also meant that the demon was holding them in prison in some kind of a physical way.
Hope this helps!
Proverbs 28:9
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
John 9:31
Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.
God detests the prayers of a person who ignores the law, and he doesn't listen to those who deliberately sin and don't do his will.
Walk as Yahawashi("Jesus") walked and you will farewell.
1 John 2:4-7
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Luke 8:10 And he said, Unto you it is given to know the MYSTERIES of the kingdom of God: but to others in
parables; that SEEING they might NOT SEE, and HEARING they might not UNDERSTAND.
John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If you were blind, you should have NO SIN: but now you say, WE SEE, therefore your SIN REMAINETH.
John 9:3 Jesus answered them, Neither this man SINNED, nor his parents: but hat the works of God should be made manifest IN HIM.
God Bless You
Part 1.
Revelation 1:12-13.
And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks.
And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.
Here in Revelation, chapters 1,2, and 3 the Lord is addressing his Church.
In this thread I want to focus on the candle stick. (Which is actually a lamp stand.) "Light barer".
The Lord identifies the Lamp stand in verse 20) the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Revelation 1:20.
Also, what's important to see is Jesus's placement in the picture drawn. He is in the midst of the lampstand.
This is a picture of the Menorah.
It is to be oiled filled and never burn out.
WITH THAT IN MIND LETS GO TO THE GOSPELS.
John 9:4.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.
John 1:4-12.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light.
That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
It is clear Jesus came into the world to give light to a dark world and testifies to the world that its works is evil.
John 7:7.
On to page 2.
The Pharisees; who derided Christ throughout His public ministry had this to say shortly before the crucifixion. Jesus shut them out; as well as remaining silent soon after during Pilate's interrogation. Self exaltation and justification wasn't necessary for Christ didn't seek to be served but to serve and give His life for a ransom for many. ( Mark 10:45) The fact is; the Pharisees and religious leaders should have known who He was; and therefore were operating in deliberate blindness; uniquely qualifying them to commit the unpardonable sin. (See Matthew 12:24).
Part of the concept of the verse on "casting pearls before swine" ( Matt. 7:6) relates to this. Jesus hid meanings of the Parables to others who were deliberately spiritually blind (see Matthew 13:34; and Matthew 13:15; Isaiah 42:19-20). John 9:39-41 shows the end of an entire chapter related to a blind man's healing; where Jesus explains how men are made blind to the truth; but the Pharisees after asking if that was the intention of what Jesus said were still left with the judgment for themselves because they could see and were responsible for their sin.
These are sobering reminders that man is not justified in any righteousness of their own and estranged from God from the womb ( Psalm 58:3); yet has a conscience given by God where men are judged more harshly that know the law ( Romans 2:15).
Jesus warned that judgment would be worse for those cities that rejected Him than for Sodom and Gomorrah ( Matthew 10:15).
This attitude led to the unpardonable sin; blasphemy of the Holy Spirit where Beelzebub was attributed to Christ's healing rather than God ( Matthew 12:22). The issue of forgiveness of sins was truly where the problem was; since the miracles were manifold.
Nonetheless; Jesus wouldn't use His power to save Himself on the cross or when unbelief was present (see Matthew 13:58).
In the study of Creation there appear to be at least 2 different accounts in Genesis but they are emphasizing different things and hence complement one another ( Genesis 1 and 2). There are many Psalms related to Creation as well. We also see in Jesus quoting almost every book including reference to the Creation ( Matthew 19:8 on divorce); as well as the literal story of Jonah as to how it relates to the Son of Man ( Matthew 12:40). These accounts show the truth of the Old Testament and aren't able to hold water to arguments that things were merely symbolic.
One could argue as an atheist that since the same things seem to happen over and over again in scripture they can't be true; and/or they are borrowed from pagan traditions. Ecclesiastes 1:9 says that there is "nothing new under the sun." If we study things like prophecy there are more often than not multiple fulfillments; we can look at the earlier example of the Temple and abomination therein and see not just Antiochus but also the siege of Rome in 70 AD and to a lesser extent around 130 AD and the final application for Antichrist himself yet to come. The same pattern exists with Psalm 22 and descriptions foreshadowing Christ and demonstrating David's situation; some seem mutually exclusive others overlapping. Jesus was frequently hounded and persecuted much as David was; the difference being He was sinless; David was not. The whole story of the death; burial and Resurrection is seen with the pagan legends and religions as well but if we believe Satan is real he always is coming as a substitute for or against the God of the Bible; as we see in the persona of the Antichrist Beast and world economic and religious system. Satan knows scripture well enough to quote it; and we wouldn't expect anything less from the enemy of God's people.
We can see in the miracles of Christ similar things to the ministry of Elijah. Healing of the blind is unique ( John 9:32-33
John 8:34] Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
[35] And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.
[36] If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
The apostle Paul did not say he sins daily. He dies daily and not to sin, but to the things of the world. We have to die daily as Paul picked up from Jesus teaching.
John 9:41] Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth.
We are to be blind remain dead to sin but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. The wages of sin is death/hell firer and brimstone. The unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of heaven. This eliminates 99% of all Christians as they claim they can not be righteous free from sin.
1st Cor 6:9] Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Romans 6:[20] For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
[21] What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
[22] But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Good luck in being heard as God does not hear the prays of sinners. We see this everyday people dying in the hospital or looking for an out because of their pain and God hasn't heard them yet. A saved sinner means is a righteous person.
The apostle Paul just like me is an ex-sinner saved by grace Romans 6:18. If nobody can be free from sin, Jesus died for nothing. The Bible makes it clear God does not hear the prayers uttered by sinners John 9:31.
Romans 6:16] Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
[17] But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
[18] Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Romans 5:19] For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.
[20] Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:
[21] That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
The apostle Paul was free from sin after he was saved, Peter, John, James, etc. All ex-sinners as they knew that sin is deceitful and only brings death. Why sin? Why walk in sickness, darkness, and death?
1st John 1:[6] If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness ((sin)), we lie, and do not the truth:
[7] But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Christianity all around the world believe for the most part God loves them and they are saved by grace and yet they still sin. This is not what the bible says at all in John 9:31. The blind man was kicked out of church for preaching the truth. This is something that was known and not some new doctrine or directive issued by the church council or church meetings that God does not hear the prayer of sinners. The ex-blind man who went to church all his life never read the book of the law as brail was not invented yet for people to read. Yet, he heard something from behind the pulpit that stood out in his mind, unlike any other verse or scripture. I believe Isaiah 59:1-2 was reinforced into his mind over and over again in order for the ex-blind man to come up with the truth.
Isaiah 59:1] Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:
[2] But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
The ex-blind man was excommunicated from his church for preaching the truth. You go down and preach what the ex-blind man in John 9 preached and you will be out in the street. Churches don't want to hear God does not hear the prayers of sinners. Churches want to indulge in their riot with their ungodly events and way of living for the devil up to their neck in sin and unrighteousness. To get churches to go back to the old ways of revival like Jeremiah 6:16 will never happen, as they have tasted too much of the world and the devil's delights and are not interested in engaging with the words of Jesus Christ which are spirit and life John 6:63. All sin is of the devil 1st John 3:8. Tge wages or payment is called hellfire and brimstone Romans 6:23. I am an ex-sinner saved by grace, an ex-sinner is a righteous person Romans 6:18.
The prophecies in Jeremiah were as much for the PROMISED ISRAEL as was it for national Israel.
National Israel was preached the gospel then, as promised Israel is preached the gospel today.
John came preaching the GOSPEL of the Kingdom of God saying REPENT of your SINS.
They didn't understand THEN, as we don't understand TODAY.
Christ was CRUCIFIED from the foundation of the world, the sins of the FLESH God sees NOT, only the righteousness of Christ.
National Israel had this gospel THEN, as well as promised Israel has it TODAY.
Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our sins from us.
So what was John message of REPENTANCE of our sins.
UNBELIEF is the ONLY sin that keeps us from the PRESENCE of GOD.
John 16:8 An when HE (Christ) IS COME (the second time as the Spirit of Truth), he (Christ) will reprove the world of SIN.
John 16:9 Of SIN because they BELIEVE NOT ......
You REPENT of the sins of UNBELIEF.
CONFESS your SINS of not understanding God's word.
ASK and you will RECEIVE.
John 9:41 ... If you were BLIND, you would have NO SIN, but because you say I SEE, your SIN (not understanding) remaineth.
You may have to read the WORD fifteen hundred times as LIGHT is shined into DARKNESS: our carnal mind of misunderstanding.
These words are meant for encouragement, not condemnation, we are all being JUDGED by the WORD.
Each of us STAND or FALL by those WORDS.
Look at yourself as GOD sees YOU, a NEW CREATION.
Philippians 2:5 Let this MIND be IN YOU, which was ALSO in Christ Jesus,
Philippians 2:6 Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal to God.
God Bless YOU!
-while disobeying HIS word then we became ineffective Christians who cannot even say boo to a demon.
Yes, Such People and ministries exist
-There are Men of God who are actually Led by the Spirit of God and are called according to the Gifts given to men by our Lord Jesus Christ, but instead of putting a show they fear God and walk with Him.
They that believe in Him, and they that are committed to His do Him will Revelation 12:11, KJV.
But what we are witnessing is.
-Men have departed from God and the church is a business and entertaining industries.
-Men don't pray earnestly before God and if they pray it's a shopping request rather than worship before God.
-No one is taking head according to the word of God and repentance has become optional this days where people have forgeten that God does not hear sinners ( John 9:31, KJV) and our sins separates us from our God (Isiah 59:2,KJV)
-Lets us pick our Bibles and wipe the dust off from them and lets us be given to God in prays and fasting seeking to fellowship with Him always while continuing in the word of GOD grounded in faith Amen.
-Remember faith without works is dead!
Lastly repent of your sin and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
Amen.
The whole word of God is about Christ and his bride, the church.
The whole chapter of Ephesians 5 is speaking of Christ the husband and the woman his wife.
Ephesians 5:32 This is a MYSTERY, but I SPEAK CONCERNING Christ and HIS CHURCH.
John 9:41 Jesus said unto them, If you were blind you would have NO SIN, but because you say I SEE, you sin remaineth
God Bless YOU!
Time
Time is a sign. It is in this sense we have the Spirit tells specifically of its purpose under the heaven. "And a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die (Ec.3:1-6)". God's covenant with Noah is similarly pendent on the decree that He made with his Son, and it has to do with the day (Ps.2:7). (See entry under D-Day)
Time is of no consequence to eternal God. So we have time reconstituted to apply the role of the Son of man as the Word made flesh. St Peter provides us a clue to it in 2 Pe.3:8.
"I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.( John 9:4)." His call 'follow me' applies to the day in which the Preacher sets out a whole range of work any man who would follow the way the Son may do.
"Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him (Ps.2:12)."
Noah walked with God and he did according to the instruction. So how long he took to build the ark is left out by the Spirit for a reason. The Spirit instruct us to abide in God a Spirit so our volume carries our earthly circumstance, time subsumed into the will of God. When you received the Son,, you are part of the body of Christ as the ark of Noah and the man symbolically became one.
Covenant of heaven with the earth has thus a time marked by the Spirit where number has specific significance in the same manner a bow in heaven would signify.
The Second Day
Each day is with regards to the day, that is appointed for the Son and it shall have its own sequence continual progression of events till the fulness of times. This is also tagged as a pillar of the house that Wisdom built. (Pr.9:1)
God separated Day from Night, which marks the Day especial and apart from other days mentioned in the creation account. Jesus remarked on this day in these words, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day."( John 9:14) In another passage we know it includes both Father and Son. I and my Father are one. As for the works, he was specific, My Father works hitherto, and I work." ( John 5:17)
God named or called the light Day.(v.5) Here the Spirit is giving us the hint with regards to names. God decreed a day, -'Thou art my Son' (Ps.2:7) and with it his name is superior to every name in heaven or under it. He has given him "a name, which is above every name.' It brings in turn the significance of the expression, the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world. So we have to conclude that death of his Son was well established under an everlasting covenant and it has to do with the Fellowship of God with Man. Holiness of God requires the divine Will is holy, meaning it requires no correction or afterthought to settle for a Plan B. It is what we read in the following passage. ."(Ph.2:8-11)
The quote from the Gospel of John refers to a night and from the context it is clear that it is about his impending death on the cross. "the night cometh, when no man can work."(John9:4).
And God called the firmament, the heaven significance of which is in the face, The waters above interacts with waters which is below.
Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. ( John 9:41).
In the Old Testament we see the mad Prophet Balaam stopped by a donkey who God readily used to block his way and for a mouthpiece of rebuke. ( 2 Peter 2:16-18 as quoted in the N.T. from Numbers 22-24). We see also how the demons Jesus cast out knew who Jesus was ( Mark 3:11-12). This is somewhat understandable from the fact that the angels were there to see God in heaven and witness the creation of the earth ( Job 38:7).
We are warned in James 2:19 about not just saying that we believe in God. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom; this is quoted many times in scripture. The conscience of men can be seared after some time; hearts hardened ( 1 Tim. 4:2; Exodus 7:3 and subsequent verses with Pharaoh). A believer has a healthy awe based on God's Holiness; and without holiness no man can see God ( Heb. 12:14).
Only man could see the miracles of Christ and still remain in unbelief. That would not just be related to the physical miracles when on earth; but also the miracle of salvation which often was accompanied by deliverance in scripture but which we see today. Mercifully God forgives any sin against the Father or Son is forgivable ( Matt. 12:32); but against the Holy Spirit is not.
The Spirit demonstrates His Holiness amongst the ministry of John 16:8 warning the world of sin; righteousness and judgment to come. The opposite of a broken and contrite heart is pride and self righteousness (only the sick need a physician Matt. 9:12).
Therefore such Pharisitical people also make their own twisted judgments on right and wrong and condemn others based on that mindset.
May we read scripture for its true meaning not through any man centered agenda; respecting ALL of it as God's Word ( 2 Tim. 3:16). May we have a heart to always glean new truths from God; seeking His face daily ( Psalm 1:2