Salvation itself is a miracle; described by Christ Himself as illustrated in Matthew 9:5 where the physical healing is contrasted to sins being forgiven. It would be nice to see this today where many are promised to receive their blessing or miracle or something to that affect where mammon is clearly the subject of intent for many of these practitioners who act as an amateur magician playing the old shell game; as it were. Everyone wants to live forever; what is the elixir therefore? But only the sick need a physician ( Luke 5:31) thus a self righteous Pharisee may have been enamored with that statement if they didn't detect He was referring to their self righteousness masking a corrupt and sick soul.
Part of loving others unconditionally is believing God can take someone like Saul of Tarsus and turn them around. It took time for the early church to accept that; not that you can blame skepticism on their part initially. We don't need to sugarcoat the Gospel but we do need to trust God to work in His elect. Saving faith can transform the worst person to a new creation; alternatively the nicest person (or sweetest frame according to one hymn) can't be trusted. Nice agreeable people are a much greater danger to themselves because they don't have others who can readily prosecute their character; and we can be drawn to such individuals ourselves and justify their rebellion to the extent that we are drawn into the same sin (such as an attractive female and adultery). Rebellion is as witchcraft ( 1 Samuel 15:23); this verse was brought up to me a long time ago in a discussion related to a rebellious wife and her actions.
The church; therefore needs to be separate and pure from the contamination of the world. This isn't like a secret society of rites that exclude outsiders but a sanctity that ultimately draws IN those God has called and chosen for such a path on the narrow road. We should be REAL people!
Thanks bro. S. Spencer. Your quote of Matthew 9:17 is most appropriate.
Jesus was emphasizing that His Coming should have been a time of expectancy and rejoicing, not with sorrow & accompanying fasting (vv 14,15). So too with the Law given to Israel (the whole Law, not just the Decalogue), which kept them bound and subservient to it, where the minutest departure from it brought judgement, sometimes death. Had Jesus not come to them - had God planned no release from that bondage, their lives would remain miserable, hopeless and damnable. But Jesus did come for them, coming in fulfilment of all the prophecies that went before Him, where the old sacrifices and offerings all pointed to Him, and being the complete embodiment of all of God's Laws perfectly obeyed & cast aside forever; now bringing real lasting 'Peace (with God) through the blood of His Cross' ( Colossians 1:20).
Unfortunately, in our human nature, we can't let go of those old perished wineskins, hoping that some of that remaining aged wine will give us further sustenance and the LORD would be pleased that we have partaken of every last drop of His Word. But the Word of God, the Living Word has come to us to nourish us with the Word that saves, nourishes and satisfies completely - not to be in bondage to a Law so designed, but to experience freedom to obey all His Laws as given by His Spirit, in the Power of His Spirit. Israel never experienced that, so they consistently failed God, as all who try to obey Him in their own strength, would. If we truly believe that we have been given forgiveness, life and peace under the New Covenant, what is there in the Old Covenant that could offer us anything at all? Maybe for some, there is more satisfaction in syncretising the two, not understanding or experiencing the full worth of the New Covenant alone. GBU.
I hope this does you good. I heard someone say How easy it is, with time and emotion, to allow the truth received to become diluted. But now I'm moving towards true love is also watchfulness. - But keeping it, oh, that part is harder. My soul, made for feeling, hasn't always known how to watch.
So, I hope that these words - will be for you a reminder that true faith is simple, the way is narrow, and God's heart is wide in mercy. (Be it Revelation 3:20; See Matthew 12:7; See Hosea 6:6) But our Lord declared firmly and tenderly: 'I want mercy, not sacrifice'. Thus, even those who see themselves without religious titles or external merits can find welcome in Him, for the door that is Christ - as John tells us - there is no key, no ritual, but only trust and step by step. ( Matthew 9:13; John 10).
This subject is personal to my situation so I feel it needs to be seen as to the meaning of scriptures in detail before moving on with this study. The parameters here make it clear not to make this about me but learning what wisdom I can after going through a divorce hopefully can help to expound on the scriptures. The focus on this series of postings is on Christ as the perfect man.
Forgiveness is what is important here; the Pharisees were legalists and also wanted to trap Jesus into taking one side or another of what the scribes felt was legal grounds for divorce. This was close to the time when Christ would severely rebuke the Pharisees in Matthew 23 days before His crucifixion. Desiring "mercy" rather than sacrifice is in Hosea 6:6 and was mentioned in Matthew 9:13. Ironically; the Prophet himself was told to marry a prostitute and buy her back in the beginning chapters to mirror God's call for His wayward nation and also His lament for Ephriam whose descendants had strayed from God (see chapter 11).
Verses 13-15 of Matthew 19 discuss children being brought to Christ and Him laying hands on them and praying; although exactly what was said is unclear. What can be seen is that the children were important and not as the rest of society deemed inferior much as women were in the section above in regard to being divorced or "put away" at times for the least perceived offence. Jesus was outstanding in His relations with the outcasts of society thus they falsely accused Him for hanging out with "sinners".
The rest of the chapter focuses on the rich young man who didn't want to give up all he had to follow Christ. We notice that Jesus says nothing to him in regard to following all the commandments. One could say he was arrogant; and of course no one can follow the letter of the law not to mention have intentions always good. Nonetheless the biggest problem was his money.
Thanks brother S. Spencer and for your further references. I certainly liked the Matthew 9:16,17 where our Lord essentially reminded John the Baptist's disciples that you can't mix the old with the new, or else the product desired would be lost & destroyed. As Jesus had now come, He came to bring in the new life (embedded in His Everlasting Covenant), that those who believe in Him for their salvation might be now clothed in His Righteousness (without any fragmentation or wear), and the Holy Spirit given to reign in redeemed hearts & lives. Calling upon the old garments & old wineskins now can only be detrimental & bring confusion to those wanting to live in the Spirit.
I also realize that much of biblical teaching, whether received in childhood or from the pulpit, can sometimes be superficial, thus more readily received. I am guilty of being one of those unfortunates. But after re-birth, my heart was set to really study the Scriptures for what they said in entirety with the Spirit's guidance & help, & not pander to what I was once fed. I found that most of those people were themselves not prepared or unable to go deeper into the Word, so they could only issue forth generalities: such as, we must obey the Ten Commandments as Christians, or other matters concerning the Triune Nature of God, or even His eternal Judgement. We must be prepared to look past the superficial or what is convenient & palatable, and look deeper, theologically/exegetically, into such important teachings. Onto Page 2.
John's disciples were Jews. They were still following the rules of Judaism and living under the obligations of the Old Covenant, with its ceremonial rituals and religious regulations, including fasting on certain days
Leviticus 16:29-31
Leviticus 23:32
Luke 18:12.
Jesus came to usher in the New and fulfillment of the Law and do away with the ( rituals and Foreshadowing ) ministry that veiled their Hearts.
There also is a Change in Priesthood!
Hebrews 7:11. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
According to God's Word, Jesus isn't only with us; He's unremittingly for us ( Ps. 56:9; Rom. 8:31). His presence is always a favorable, advocating, affectionate embrace of us. ( Rom. 5:8; 1 John 2:1) We are wrapped in His Presence-even after we sin because He always intercedes for us to the Father.
Our Savior refuses to sit back and watch us suffer alone. God the Son became fully human and always will identify, suffer, and walk with His people while saving us, forever binding himself to us intimately. God has not left us alone in our suffering. Jesus suffered for us; we have a God who loves us with empathy. And, the Holy Spirit suffers along with us, groaning as He intercedes for us with the Father (8:26-27).
Compassion causes one to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears.
Compassion moves one to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless.
Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human. And this is true of God incarnated, the Word, Son of the Father, enfleshed (John1:14) He did all these things in His divinity and humanity and continues to fully identify with, is pained with our suffering and misery. He became sin for us and thus knew the condemnation of sin on the cross.
And thus, Jesus is the Father's most compassionate gift to mankind. It is only by and through faith in Jesus Christ that we are forgiven of our guilt and rescued from our deplorable condition ( John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
The compassion of Christ can be clearly seen in the Gospel narratives. For example, in Matthew 9:36, we observe Christ's compassion for the harassed and helpless. In Matthew 14:14, we see His compassion for those who are sick and suffer disease. In Matthew 15:32, we witness His compassion for those who hunger.
Christ did not make atonement for sin to give us whole bodies, as many teach. That will only take place at the resurrection of the Last Day when we shall instantly be changed from corruption to incorruption, and from mortal to immortal. Our present bodies are fashioned from the dust of the ground and shall return to the dust. When mankind fell into sin, God cursed the ground from which man was formed. Surely, it can be said, if Christ died to give us physical health or physical healing, then the gospel is an abject failure, because each and every day, approximately 150,000 people on average die all over the world. They die for a variety of reasons, most of which relate to physical disease of one form or another. If they became a true child of God, are they prevented from physically dying? No. If someone who is sick becomes well again, is the faith of that person what healed him? God can heal, but God can heal in the life of one who is not saved just as quickly as one who is saved. The emphasis of the gospel is on the spiritual, not the physical. The believers who have experienced the first resurrection, namely the resurrection of their sin-sick souls, shall receive a brand new incorruptible spiritual body at the Last Day.
When Christ and the apostles performed miracles and healed the sick and gave sight to the blind, those were physical portraits pointing to some spiritual aspect. Once Christ went back to heaven and the apostles died, any miracles of that kind ceased. When Christ healed the sick, he did so to demonstrate that he has power on earth to forgive sins.
Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (see also Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24)
Matthew 8:26 - And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Jesus gets up and He rebukes. He says to them, why are ye fearful? The word fearful in Greek is not the word for fear. It's a word that means to be without courage. This could be better translated, "Why are you without courage, O little faith ones?"
Matthew 9:17 - Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
The word bottle is the word skins. These are not bottles that we know.
Matthew 9:32 - As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
When He went out, they brought to him a dumb man (somebody who couldn't speak). The Greek word would be translated MUTE. His condition was that he was demonized. He was mute because of the demon.
Matthew 10:16 - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
The word "harmless" in the Greek means artless. It literally means don't use your own ingenuity. In other words, God is not impressed when we use our ideas to do His work. Be wise as serpents. How is the serpent wise? Well, he is very alert and he watches and doesn't make quick reactions. We are to observe and be artless as doves. Jesus said that's the kind of person I will use.
Matthew 12:20 - A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
These are long stemmed reeds that are hollow on the inside, and they break really easy. So, when Jesus comes upon somebody that has a very frail weak condition like one of these weeds, He's not going to break them. He is going to help them.
A smoking flax is a wick of a lamp that is smoldering, but it's not lit.
What's interesting with this is that in Matthew 9:20-21, we read about a woman who has been hemorrhaging for 12 years. And her condition is that she is unclean. Any flow of blood makes a woman unclean. She's been hemorrhaging constantly for 12 years.
But look at the confidence of this woman in Verse 21: She comes up behind Jesus, and she touches the hem of His garment in confidence because she says if I could just touch the hem of His garment, I'll be healed.
Now this wasn't just like coming up behind somebody's trousers and saying if I touch the hem of His garment. This was the TALLIT, the outer garment of the Jew. And they had these little tassels that would hang down. The Jews held that if a Rabbi was truly a man of God and had the presence of God with him, you could touch the Tallit's, and a miracle would be performed.
She was convinced that Jesus is a man of God. But notice her confidence. She says I know if I come up and touch the hem of His garment (The little tallit), that I will be healed, and I'll be made whole. And she touched Him, and she was made whole.
I may seem to have strayed from my original topic of prayer; but since all types of "miraculous" ministers of the Gospel whether genuine or fake use some method of prayer as a means of operation. I haven't even delved yet into emotional; mental and spiritual healing although they are often either interchangeable or intersecting in many ways in a person's earthly existence.
Matthew 9:5 gives us food for thought; as to the greater challenge of forgiving sins than healing someone. Since the enemy can manipulate things somewhat in the physical realm a false miracle is certainly possible within limits; but cannot do the same in forgiving sins. (I should paraphrase that comment in saying that yes; some form of mental tranquility is used to render one senseless; and sear their conscience to their own sinful and appalling state but if God is calling that person the enemy is allowed also to cause increasing torment as only true love casts out fear). We; of course can't be so glib as to tell someone their sins are forgiven; instead we wait for someone to be convicted and say as the jailor to Paul how must we be saved?
Before discussing the emotional and mental healings which obviously are more difficult to prove scientifically (not to mention healing of the soul which HAS to be spiritual) I don't want to leave the question unanswered that may come up.
The question is; of course when should we pray for a healing and when NOT? Obviously I cannot play God here and tell someone as long as someone is alive at least that they shouldn't pray in that way. I would say that if someone has died that normally at least we shouldn't resort to that. It SEEMS on the surface that a few people appear to have experienced this; but in one case I may have brought up recently of a man in Africa; within a year he seems to have disappeared from view when others tried to find him. I'll leave that subject to a missionary to respond.
The verse doesn't say that. Paul states his preference in that verse.
But in 1 Corinthians 5:3 Paul says he actually is absent in body, but present in spirit to the Corinthians.
Luke 17:37 says wherever the body is (deceased) that eagles (like vultures) gather.
Someone stating his preference to be with the Lord doesn't automatically invalidate all the other scripture in the Bible that says we will sleep (in death) until Jesus returns. But I know there's a strong incentive to believe it for funerals and because the phrase has been repeated so many times. No one skips judgment day though.
Daniel 12:2, Job 14:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:18-20, Matthew 9:24.
Intro. Many dive into the concept of evolution focusing on the history of men and animals; plants and all other things in creation but spend little time oon the future scriptural statements and its implications in having new bodies and eventually a new heaven and earth. Rebirth; of course begins at its "conception" when someone is born again ( John 3:16). This truth was emphasized with Christ's comments in Luke 5:23 and Matthew 9:5. Man's soul is part of God's creation but of course with human eyes we cannot perceive things clearly; and of course physical healings alone go against the 2nd law of thermodynamics which states things are in a perpetual state of decay which is of course as believers should understand an effect of the fall from the beginning.
Doubless Antichrist as the "self made man" who also will proclaim some novel form of divinity will be on display as a so called "evolutionary leap" for men to follow (doubtless accompanied by the infamous mark of the beast which will give some sort of promise of immortality it would seem to emulate the apparently "miraculous" restoration from assassination which he has).
Anyone with a pea sized brain of reason at that point could see that man's so called progress to a more "advanced species" has been; to say the least disastrous even ignoring all the past generations with the horror that will be occurring in the Tribulation.
Only man could be deluded enough to worship a created being over God and in the end attempt to fight God influenced by his "spirit brothers" that thrust him forth (the emissaries mentioned coming from the frog like demonic utterances and of course led by Satan; the Antichrist and False Prophet to their doom).
We need to remember that man made assumptions about so called "cave men" being of little intelligence goes against historical findings; and that the flood was a real event worldwide due to the utter depravity tied in with Genesis 6.
Christ being a member of the Godhead never sinned. We see that He was tempted in all ways as we are as Hebrews 4:15 states.
In His own strength Christ certainly always had the right to do anything as well as the capability; but as we know God cannot lie ( Heb. 6:18 and other related scriptures). Thus; Satan truly was the only being that had the authority to give the right of rulership over the earth as a temptation; and Christ was the only recipient other than Antichrist who will receive this offer. The man of sin will accept it; and the world will accept THE LIE ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12). It was for our sake that Christ humbled Himself; even to death on a cross emptying Himself of all self promotion of His own glory for the sake of the Father's exaltation later. This encompasses a number of scriptures (see Philippians 2:7; Isaiah 53).
Thus; we see that the relationship among the Godhead brings humility followed by exaltation. We also should follow that guideline; knowing that no servant is greater than His master; we are also to suffer while in this brief earthly existence. ( John 13:16). How much of our own troubles are caused by our own sins varies; it is something we should overcome if we are truly to embrace His sufferings.
When we consider sinless perfection on a surface level we think of avoiding commission of acctions against God as well as avoiding omission of things we ought to do which is often neglected at the expense of the first issue. We can think of someone who never makes mistakes; never says a word that is unfitting; and other like characteristics. When examining in depth this subject we see how eternal spiritual laws and principles were always first and foremost; undergirding Christ's miracles. Salvation was shown to be more crucial than just healing (see Matthew 9:6); as the paralytic received healing along with forgiveness. Salvation is complete at the Resurrection of the just; inheriting new bodies
Thank you for this discussion, it is good to hear salvation is not dependent on this doctrine I have been told in many Churches I have attended I was not saved and was a heretic and shunned.
You know Greek better than I, but my understanding is the word Godhead which was added in the 1500s was translated twice and is misleading. Godhead is in the Bible 3 times, Acts 17:29, Greek word theios which means divine, Romans 1:20, Greek word theiotes which means divinity, divine nature, and Colossians 2:9 Greek word Theotetos which means deity.
The verse Colossians 2:9, in Jesus, dwelleth all the fulness of the deity of God, Jesus was filled without measure with God's Spirit/Holy Spirit John 3:34. John the Baptist said God had told him when Jesus was anointed/baptized John 1:32-33. God dwelt in Jesus and empowered Him by the Spirit. God gave Jesus power and authority Matthew 11:27. In John 1:14 we probably differ, God in Jesus dwelt/tabernacled among us. God was manifest in Jesus, John 12:49John 14:10.
Mark 2:5-8 in Matthew 11:25 Things were hidden from the wise and prudent, Scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees were the ones accusing Jesus of blasphemy, as we see in Matthew 9:6-8, the same event multitudes glorified God. Jesus was given full authority in Matthew 28:18 and John 17:2-3 that we should know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom the Father sent, same as all the introductions, greetings, and blessings given to the followers of Christ in the New Testament were from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and in Revelation 21:22.
All authority has been given to Jesus by the Father until the last enemy, death is put under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:25-28Revelation 20:14.
John 8:36: "If the Son sets you free, you'll be free indeed." The Word "free" is repeated twice here to emphasize the importance of freedom in human life. So many people live in bondage, but the good news is that the Son can set us free from every bondage, shackle, curse, sickness, depression, defeat, shame, and the like.
These things are caused by Satan and his demons, using sin as an entry point, and they can be passed down from one generation to another. Exodus 34:7 and Deuteronomy 5:9 "Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me."
Jesus gives a condition here, "if," to mean that not everybody is set free by the Son of God, but only those who choose to let Him set them free.
"The Son sets you free": Yes, He has the Power and Authority to set us free. He does not negotiate with the devils; He commands them. He has the power to forgive our sins. Matthew 9:6 "But so that you might know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sin . . ."
"You'll be free indeed": When Jesus sets us free, we are completely free. The freedom Christ offers is complete and not half. We're delivered from the powers of darkness.
May the Lord help us be free indeed, in Jesus' name.
The Bottles of heaven "clouds": it is an allusion to the girbahs, In the Hebrew its nay'-bel its a skin bag for liquids or bottles made of skin, in which they are accustomed to carry their water
God is asking Job does he know how God controls the weather!
It has nothing to do with you and I being a old bag of wine and it doesn't have anything that suggests one day we will be Gods.
I'm telling you this because that is what Jordyn is presenting to you.
Be careful! He has a way of spiritualizing the scripture and making it say what he wants it to say.
We know him well, He's been on this site for many years under several different names presenting this false doctrine.
The clouds in Hebrews is "nephos" it's used to picture a large dense multitude.
The clouds used in Job is "shachaq"
a powder (as beaten small); by analogy a thin vapor; by extension the firmament: - {cloud} small {dust} {heaven} sky. (Strongs definition in the Hebrew.)
The usage has no parallel.
Read Job 38:1-41 and get the context.
Now concerning the wine skins in Matthew 9:14-17.
verse 14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
John was the Last of the old testament prophets.
He came to announce the coming of the King.
Christ came to usher in something New.
Verse 16 and 17 Christ explains the change of dispensations.
The old dispensation of law was ending and Christ didn't come to patch it up, He came to present a new garment.
We being the body of Christ and Christ being the Head represents we being baptized into union with Christ and him being Lord over his body. He's the head and Lord over our lives by the quickening Spirit that rose Christ from the dead.
Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
There are those who look at the latter rain described in Joel 2:23-27 we see what is similar text (along with the early rain). The final revival of the world likely will fulfill other promises in Joel such as in Joel 2:28 also mentioned at least partially fulfilled in Acts 2:17. We also can't ignore how God has blessed Israel even today with more rainfall then surrounding nations; and no doubt the earth in the Millennium will be fruitful more than ever for the final fulfillment with literal rainy seasons of predictable nature (except for those who don't come to worship God as we see later on in Zechariah).
Verse 2 describes that there were those as if there was no shepherd; apparently struggling into part of verse 3. This reminds us of Christ's statement in Matthew 9:36-38.
Verses 3 and 5 show indications of later verses in Zechariah of Judah fighting against the enemy armies in campaigns related to Armageddon; specifically after the taking of half of the city of Jerusalem. Basically the rest of this chapter shows the unity of Judah and Ephriam and gives glory to Christ as the victor over the enemies. Verses 9 and 10 show an ingathering from Egypt and other places.
The pride of Assyria in verse 11 could be partially fulfilled in the past but Antichrist himself is known as the "Assyrian" in Ezekiel 31:3. Egypt is mentioned too; although it's national prominence will never be what it was ( Ezekiel 29:15) but it will cry out in the last days ( Isaiah 19:20) and of course it is mentioned in Zechariah 14:17 they will still exist and need to worship God every year.
Matthew is his Greek name. Matthew means gift of Yahweh. His Jewish name is Levi. And because his name is Levi, that tells us that he is from the tribe of Levi, and he is a priest of all people. Priests come from the tribe of Levi.
But what is interesting is this next part.
Occupation:
In Matthew 9:9, we find out that Matthew was a tax collector when Jesus called him. Now the Roman government would put the tax collection business up for bid every five years. The one that bid the highest gets to be the tax collector. And he would collect both what we call income tax and travel tax, and he would send it to the Roman government as they have prescribed. But he can tack on any amount he wants to keep for himself. So, tax collectors were very rich.
The problem is that we have a Jewish man from the tribe of Levi who should be serving as a priest in the temple, and he bids on the tax collector's job, and he starts working for the Roman government to tax his own people. Tax collectors were considered traitors by the Jews. They were unclean and unable to participate in the synagogue.
And so, here's Matthew saying I don't care, I am a rich man. Of course, the fellow Jews are calling him names and getting angry with him. But he doesn't care because he gets their money! But he is sitting at the tax collection booth when he is called by Jesus. And he gets up immediately and leaves. Right after this, and we see it in Matthew Chapter 9, but right after this, Matthew has a dinner in his home, and he invites all of his tax collector friends. He wants them to meet Jesus.
So then religious leaders got a little upset because they wanted to know why Jesus and the disciples, the people who were with Him at the beginning, why they were sitting down with tax collectors and sinners? A sinner to a Jew is somebody who didn't keep the law. They were considered traitors.
Some of those questions may be answered in God's Word.
The purpose of my original question posted is to collect verses and I still only have 1 supporting salvation now which is the one I found. Of the verses posted I don't see any saying we're saved immediately on earth before judgment. Some cited being born again and being a new creature which are great verses but being transformed is not salvation.
Simply evaluating this on a Biblical support basis there are far more verses supporting future salvation instead of the present one people commonly cite. I believe I listed 7 to 1 before and I found more that support future too, so it might be 10 to 1.
So if there are no other verses supporting this why does a majority of believers believe in something so hardly supported by the Bible? Could it originate from cultural factors? Funerals for example- often people try to comfort others by saying they're in heaven right now despite Daniel 12:2, Job 14:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:18-20, Matthew 9:24.
Just because there are questions does the questions themselves do not invalidate the truth of God's Word. God bless.
The Bible says that God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; Genesis 2:21 . Where in scripture does it ever say he awakened? Therefore, how can he or anyone who inherits the Adamic nature have an awareness of receiving anything REAL while one is asleep. He, just as us, can only dream in a sleeping condition. And certainly we all realize dreams are what they are because of their illusion of reality.
Jesus strongly hinted of our sleeping condition: John 11:11 and Matthew 9:24 , where He also emphasized death should not be our concern, but rather sleep.
Also, many believe Jesus is God, meaning that God must have died on the cross. Yet, I don't think God can be killed or die. Nor do I believe can any of His Children whom He created. To believe so is literally a nightmare; a most frightening form of dreaming.
There is is no death because what God creates shares His Life. God is Life, therefore again, there is no death because an opposite to God does not exist. Only a mind asleep can have the frightening nightmare of a power that can oppose Him. Is it not possible that when we seemingly awaken in the morning from our dreams that we've merely shifted from one dream to another without really waking?
The Bible says we will sleep until Christ's return:
Daniel 12:2
Job 14:12
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1 Corinthians 15:18-20
Matthew 9:24
A common reason why people assume they go straight to heaven is misinterpreting 2 Cor 5:8-10. The misinterpretation has been repeated so much its become standard dogma to many well meaning Bible readers. But the only problem is the Bible doesn't say that. Paul only says he'd "rather" absent from the body and present with the Lord. The word Rather is a preference. He's not making a broad statement about the afterlife that 100% of the time, when 100% of all people die, that instantly you skip judgment and are immediately with the Lord 100% of the time.
Adding further support to this is Paul in the previous book in 1 Corinthians 5:3 already said he was "absent" from the body when he couldn't meet with the Corinthians in person. Based on the same wording used, I think people are extrapolating way too much from Paul's preferential (rather) statement while ignoring the verses that already say everyone will face judgment and all the sleeping until Christ returns, etc. I would find it hard to ignore 5 verses in favor of one "rather" statement that Paul already used before. Paul also preferred everyone remain single like him- so the inferences seem to be disproportionately applied.
I'm trying to be a light to a person who is suicidal and often voices these ideal actions. Please pray for deliverance and salvation for this person. This is bondage, Jesus break it! Fight for her! Help me to win her family to You.
Pray for me too. I might be the only thing standing between this person and Hell.
I have been meaning to ask prayer for Turkey. I only saw brief news clips on YouTube. I haven't had time to research.
Please please pray for me, my children, and grandchildren. The devils not playing. The church needs to WAKE UP!!!
THE LORD JESUS IS COMING SOON!!!
The earth is in labor and the pangs can't get much closer together than they are right now! WAKE UP CHRISTIAN! Judgement will begin IN THE HOUSE OF GOD!
1Peter 4:17
Catch us the little foxes that spoil the vine, Lord. Help us to examine ourselves and work with what little time we have left.
Song of Solomon 2:5
God, save the lost!!!! Please send out laborers into the fields for the harvest is ready but the laborers are so few!
Matthew 9:35-38
Lord please use me. Use US.
This is an altar call!
REPENT! For the kingdom of Heaven is AT HAND!
Jesus help ME/US to weep and wail between the porch and the altar.
Psalms 126:5
IN JESUS NAME. ALWAYS. AMEN.
I don't have time to respond to prayers right now, but I'm praying for all who post their requests here.
If you have a globe please place it where you pray. In your secret place. Put your Hands on it and plead the blood of Jesus Christ over certain areas. Over America for sure. Ask God, in Jesus name, to bind up powers and principalities over America, China, Russia, etc. Pray for mercy and salvation and for the gospel to go freely into the earth. Or whatever prayer God lays on your heart.
Concerning the enemy;
Though the weapon be formed, let it not prosper, let it be bound and broken.
Send Holy Angels to war for souls that are bound to be SET FREE today and for the gospel to flood the Earth!
So far none of the responses regarding how these falling angels reproduced makes any sense.Perhaps familiar Biblical Scripture will bring us to more sound reasoning.
John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This logically means that flesh cannot produce spirit and Spirit cannot produce flesh, i.e. God does not give birth, create, or produce flesh. John 3:8 provides a glimpse of what spirit is, which obviously is not characteristic of the flesh. John 6:63 states, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh counts for nothing: the words that I speak unto you are spirit, and are life." So, the flesh does not matter, thus the spirit is ALL that does have meaning, and nothing else. John 4:24 says "God a Spirit: and they that worship him (Him) must worship in spirit and in truth. Nothing here indicating God is flesh. Contrarily, it is an emphatic statement, leaving no doubt. We must NOT worship in flesh and in what is NOT TRUE, i.e. untruth, lies, unreality, illusions, anything of the flesh or mind that thinks apart from Him.
Once again, I'm following a pattern from many of my previous postings, which some may begin to recognize: in reality or the Mind of God, which is Knowledge, truth cannot have an opposite. In truth and eternity and the Kingdom of God, they cannot coexist. Knowledge is stable and has no degrees or fluctuations. Only in time and in an unstable mind that perceives in a myriad of degrees, not on the same level with the Thoughts of God, maintain a faith in opposites. Is this not obvious in what we perceive as going on today in this world? Or at any time in the world's history? Or even on this website?
In lieu of this, How can Jesus literally be 100% God and !00% man (flesh)? Opposites produce strain on the mind, and God is not strain, but peace. Look at Matthew 9:16-17. Observe what opposites did to the garment and bottles.
And he spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow. ( Matthew 13:3)
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. ( Matthew 13:37)
A Sower went forth to sow, and that Sower is the Son of man. I repeat this because it is so important. It defines the present-day activity of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is His contemporary work - sowing seed, sowing the Word of God in the world.
In this day He is rejected as King and as Savior. Nonetheless, He is not defeated. The kingdom is coming, and while the kingdom is in abeyance He is dressed as a farmer sowing seed. His plans have not been interrupted. Many speak of the postponed kingdom. Personally, I do not like that expression because I do not think He has postponed anything. This thing is running according to His plan. It was not postponed from His viewpoint - it may be from our viewpoint, but not from His. Regardless of that, this is the day for sowing seed.
Now we do need to make a distinction here. I do not want to quibble nor split hairs, but follow me for a moment. The preaching of the Word is commonly called the harvest. Yet harvest time is not the picture for today; the picture for today is sowing time. Somebody says, "But didn't Jesus say, 'Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest'?" Yes, He did, but do you know in what connection He said it? It is well to put Scripture where it belongs. Notice Matthew 9:36-38:
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they were faint, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
Salvation itself is a miracle; described by Christ Himself as illustrated in Matthew 9:5 where the physical healing is contrasted to sins being forgiven. It would be nice to see this today where many are promised to receive their blessing or miracle or something to that affect where mammon is clearly the subject of intent for many of these practitioners who act as an amateur magician playing the old shell game; as it were. Everyone wants to live forever; what is the elixir therefore? But only the sick need a physician ( Luke 5:31) thus a self righteous Pharisee may have been enamored with that statement if they didn't detect He was referring to their self righteousness masking a corrupt and sick soul.
Part of loving others unconditionally is believing God can take someone like Saul of Tarsus and turn them around. It took time for the early church to accept that; not that you can blame skepticism on their part initially. We don't need to sugarcoat the Gospel but we do need to trust God to work in His elect. Saving faith can transform the worst person to a new creation; alternatively the nicest person (or sweetest frame according to one hymn) can't be trusted. Nice agreeable people are a much greater danger to themselves because they don't have others who can readily prosecute their character; and we can be drawn to such individuals ourselves and justify their rebellion to the extent that we are drawn into the same sin (such as an attractive female and adultery). Rebellion is as witchcraft ( 1 Samuel 15:23); this verse was brought up to me a long time ago in a discussion related to a rebellious wife and her actions.
The church; therefore needs to be separate and pure from the contamination of the world. This isn't like a secret society of rites that exclude outsiders but a sanctity that ultimately draws IN those God has called and chosen for such a path on the narrow road. We should be REAL people!
Jesus was emphasizing that His Coming should have been a time of expectancy and rejoicing, not with sorrow & accompanying fasting (vv 14,15). So too with the Law given to Israel (the whole Law, not just the Decalogue), which kept them bound and subservient to it, where the minutest departure from it brought judgement, sometimes death. Had Jesus not come to them - had God planned no release from that bondage, their lives would remain miserable, hopeless and damnable. But Jesus did come for them, coming in fulfilment of all the prophecies that went before Him, where the old sacrifices and offerings all pointed to Him, and being the complete embodiment of all of God's Laws perfectly obeyed & cast aside forever; now bringing real lasting 'Peace (with God) through the blood of His Cross' ( Colossians 1:20).
Unfortunately, in our human nature, we can't let go of those old perished wineskins, hoping that some of that remaining aged wine will give us further sustenance and the LORD would be pleased that we have partaken of every last drop of His Word. But the Word of God, the Living Word has come to us to nourish us with the Word that saves, nourishes and satisfies completely - not to be in bondage to a Law so designed, but to experience freedom to obey all His Laws as given by His Spirit, in the Power of His Spirit. Israel never experienced that, so they consistently failed God, as all who try to obey Him in their own strength, would. If we truly believe that we have been given forgiveness, life and peace under the New Covenant, what is there in the Old Covenant that could offer us anything at all? Maybe for some, there is more satisfaction in syncretising the two, not understanding or experiencing the full worth of the New Covenant alone. GBU.
I hope this does you good. I heard someone say How easy it is, with time and emotion, to allow the truth received to become diluted. But now I'm moving towards true love is also watchfulness. - But keeping it, oh, that part is harder. My soul, made for feeling, hasn't always known how to watch.
So, I hope that these words - will be for you a reminder that true faith is simple, the way is narrow, and God's heart is wide in mercy. (Be it Revelation 3:20; See Matthew 12:7; See Hosea 6:6) But our Lord declared firmly and tenderly: 'I want mercy, not sacrifice'. Thus, even those who see themselves without religious titles or external merits can find welcome in Him, for the door that is Christ - as John tells us - there is no key, no ritual, but only trust and step by step. ( Matthew 9:13; John 10).
This subject is personal to my situation so I feel it needs to be seen as to the meaning of scriptures in detail before moving on with this study. The parameters here make it clear not to make this about me but learning what wisdom I can after going through a divorce hopefully can help to expound on the scriptures. The focus on this series of postings is on Christ as the perfect man.
Forgiveness is what is important here; the Pharisees were legalists and also wanted to trap Jesus into taking one side or another of what the scribes felt was legal grounds for divorce. This was close to the time when Christ would severely rebuke the Pharisees in Matthew 23 days before His crucifixion. Desiring "mercy" rather than sacrifice is in Hosea 6:6 and was mentioned in Matthew 9:13. Ironically; the Prophet himself was told to marry a prostitute and buy her back in the beginning chapters to mirror God's call for His wayward nation and also His lament for Ephriam whose descendants had strayed from God (see chapter 11).
Verses 13-15 of Matthew 19 discuss children being brought to Christ and Him laying hands on them and praying; although exactly what was said is unclear. What can be seen is that the children were important and not as the rest of society deemed inferior much as women were in the section above in regard to being divorced or "put away" at times for the least perceived offence. Jesus was outstanding in His relations with the outcasts of society thus they falsely accused Him for hanging out with "sinners".
The rest of the chapter focuses on the rich young man who didn't want to give up all he had to follow Christ. We notice that Jesus says nothing to him in regard to following all the commandments. One could say he was arrogant; and of course no one can follow the letter of the law not to mention have intentions always good. Nonetheless the biggest problem was his money.
Jesus shows eternal rewards following Him.
Apostle Paul was a Pharisee and his name was Saul of Tarsus.
Philippians 3:5
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, aPharisee;
Was this Pharisees Saul of Tarsus ?
Matthew 9:11
And when thePhariseessaw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
Was this Pharisees Saul of Tarsus ?
Matthew 12:2
But when thePhariseessaw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day.
Was this Pharisees Saul of Tarsus ?
Matthew 19:3
ThePhariseesalso came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause?
Apostle Paul does not know Jesus Christ in the flesh anymore. Apostle Paul only knows Jesus Christ in the in the resurrection.
2 Corinthians 5:16
Wherefore henceforthknowwenoman after the flesh: yea, though we haveknown Christ after the flesh, yetnow henceforthknowwehimnomore.
Apostle Paul only knows the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:10
That I may know him, and the power of hisresurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Ray. In Christ Jesus 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Thanks brother S. Spencer and for your further references. I certainly liked the Matthew 9:16,17 where our Lord essentially reminded John the Baptist's disciples that you can't mix the old with the new, or else the product desired would be lost & destroyed. As Jesus had now come, He came to bring in the new life (embedded in His Everlasting Covenant), that those who believe in Him for their salvation might be now clothed in His Righteousness (without any fragmentation or wear), and the Holy Spirit given to reign in redeemed hearts & lives. Calling upon the old garments & old wineskins now can only be detrimental & bring confusion to those wanting to live in the Spirit.
I also realize that much of biblical teaching, whether received in childhood or from the pulpit, can sometimes be superficial, thus more readily received. I am guilty of being one of those unfortunates. But after re-birth, my heart was set to really study the Scriptures for what they said in entirety with the Spirit's guidance & help, & not pander to what I was once fed. I found that most of those people were themselves not prepared or unable to go deeper into the Word, so they could only issue forth generalities: such as, we must obey the Ten Commandments as Christians, or other matters concerning the Triune Nature of God, or even His eternal Judgement. We must be prepared to look past the superficial or what is convenient & palatable, and look deeper, theologically/exegetically, into such important teachings. Onto Page 2.
Two covenants cannot run together!
This reminds me of Matthew 9:14-17.
John's disciples were Jews. They were still following the rules of Judaism and living under the obligations of the Old Covenant, with its ceremonial rituals and religious regulations, including fasting on certain days
Leviticus 16:29-31
Leviticus 23:32
Luke 18:12.
Jesus came to usher in the New and fulfillment of the Law and do away with the ( rituals and Foreshadowing ) ministry that veiled their Hearts.
There also is a Change in Priesthood!
Hebrews 7:11. If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
Blessings.
Pt. 2
According to God's Word, Jesus isn't only with us; He's unremittingly for us ( Ps. 56:9; Rom. 8:31). His presence is always a favorable, advocating, affectionate embrace of us. ( Rom. 5:8; 1 John 2:1) We are wrapped in His Presence-even after we sin because He always intercedes for us to the Father.
Our Savior refuses to sit back and watch us suffer alone. God the Son became fully human and always will identify, suffer, and walk with His people while saving us, forever binding himself to us intimately. God has not left us alone in our suffering. Jesus suffered for us; we have a God who loves us with empathy. And, the Holy Spirit suffers along with us, groaning as He intercedes for us with the Father (8:26-27).
Compassion causes one to cry out with those in misery, to mourn with those who are lonely, to weep with those in tears.
Compassion moves one to be weak with the weak, vulnerable with the vulnerable, and powerless with the powerless.
Compassion means full immersion in the condition of being human. And this is true of God incarnated, the Word, Son of the Father, enfleshed (John1:14) He did all these things in His divinity and humanity and continues to fully identify with, is pained with our suffering and misery. He became sin for us and thus knew the condemnation of sin on the cross.
And thus, Jesus is the Father's most compassionate gift to mankind. It is only by and through faith in Jesus Christ that we are forgiven of our guilt and rescued from our deplorable condition ( John 14:6; Acts 4:12).
The compassion of Christ can be clearly seen in the Gospel narratives. For example, in Matthew 9:36, we observe Christ's compassion for the harassed and helpless. In Matthew 14:14, we see His compassion for those who are sick and suffer disease. In Matthew 15:32, we witness His compassion for those who hunger.
See Pt. 3
Christ did not make atonement for sin to give us whole bodies, as many teach. That will only take place at the resurrection of the Last Day when we shall instantly be changed from corruption to incorruption, and from mortal to immortal. Our present bodies are fashioned from the dust of the ground and shall return to the dust. When mankind fell into sin, God cursed the ground from which man was formed. Surely, it can be said, if Christ died to give us physical health or physical healing, then the gospel is an abject failure, because each and every day, approximately 150,000 people on average die all over the world. They die for a variety of reasons, most of which relate to physical disease of one form or another. If they became a true child of God, are they prevented from physically dying? No. If someone who is sick becomes well again, is the faith of that person what healed him? God can heal, but God can heal in the life of one who is not saved just as quickly as one who is saved. The emphasis of the gospel is on the spiritual, not the physical. The believers who have experienced the first resurrection, namely the resurrection of their sin-sick souls, shall receive a brand new incorruptible spiritual body at the Last Day.
When Christ and the apostles performed miracles and healed the sick and gave sight to the blind, those were physical portraits pointing to some spiritual aspect. Once Christ went back to heaven and the apostles died, any miracles of that kind ceased. When Christ healed the sick, he did so to demonstrate that he has power on earth to forgive sins.
Matthew 9:6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. (see also Mark 2:10; Luke 5:24)
Continued in Part 4
Matthew 8:26 - And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
Jesus gets up and He rebukes. He says to them, why are ye fearful? The word fearful in Greek is not the word for fear. It's a word that means to be without courage. This could be better translated, "Why are you without courage, O little faith ones?"
Matthew 9:17 - Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.
The word bottle is the word skins. These are not bottles that we know.
Matthew 9:32 - As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with a devil.
When He went out, they brought to him a dumb man (somebody who couldn't speak). The Greek word would be translated MUTE. His condition was that he was demonized. He was mute because of the demon.
Matthew 10:16 - Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
The word "harmless" in the Greek means artless. It literally means don't use your own ingenuity. In other words, God is not impressed when we use our ideas to do His work. Be wise as serpents. How is the serpent wise? Well, he is very alert and he watches and doesn't make quick reactions. We are to observe and be artless as doves. Jesus said that's the kind of person I will use.
Matthew 12:20 - A bruised reed shall he not break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment unto victory.
These are long stemmed reeds that are hollow on the inside, and they break really easy. So, when Jesus comes upon somebody that has a very frail weak condition like one of these weeds, He's not going to break them. He is going to help them.
A smoking flax is a wick of a lamp that is smoldering, but it's not lit.
What's interesting with this is that in Matthew 9:20-21, we read about a woman who has been hemorrhaging for 12 years. And her condition is that she is unclean. Any flow of blood makes a woman unclean. She's been hemorrhaging constantly for 12 years.
But look at the confidence of this woman in Verse 21: She comes up behind Jesus, and she touches the hem of His garment in confidence because she says if I could just touch the hem of His garment, I'll be healed.
Now this wasn't just like coming up behind somebody's trousers and saying if I touch the hem of His garment. This was the TALLIT, the outer garment of the Jew. And they had these little tassels that would hang down. The Jews held that if a Rabbi was truly a man of God and had the presence of God with him, you could touch the Tallit's, and a miracle would be performed.
She was convinced that Jesus is a man of God. But notice her confidence. She says I know if I come up and touch the hem of His garment (The little tallit), that I will be healed, and I'll be made whole. And she touched Him, and she was made whole.
God Bless!!!
I may seem to have strayed from my original topic of prayer; but since all types of "miraculous" ministers of the Gospel whether genuine or fake use some method of prayer as a means of operation. I haven't even delved yet into emotional; mental and spiritual healing although they are often either interchangeable or intersecting in many ways in a person's earthly existence.
Matthew 9:5 gives us food for thought; as to the greater challenge of forgiving sins than healing someone. Since the enemy can manipulate things somewhat in the physical realm a false miracle is certainly possible within limits; but cannot do the same in forgiving sins. (I should paraphrase that comment in saying that yes; some form of mental tranquility is used to render one senseless; and sear their conscience to their own sinful and appalling state but if God is calling that person the enemy is allowed also to cause increasing torment as only true love casts out fear). We; of course can't be so glib as to tell someone their sins are forgiven; instead we wait for someone to be convicted and say as the jailor to Paul how must we be saved?
Before discussing the emotional and mental healings which obviously are more difficult to prove scientifically (not to mention healing of the soul which HAS to be spiritual) I don't want to leave the question unanswered that may come up.
The question is; of course when should we pray for a healing and when NOT? Obviously I cannot play God here and tell someone as long as someone is alive at least that they shouldn't pray in that way. I would say that if someone has died that normally at least we shouldn't resort to that. It SEEMS on the surface that a few people appear to have experienced this; but in one case I may have brought up recently of a man in Africa; within a year he seems to have disappeared from view when others tried to find him. I'll leave that subject to a missionary to respond.
The verse doesn't say that. Paul states his preference in that verse.
But in 1 Corinthians 5:3 Paul says he actually is absent in body, but present in spirit to the Corinthians.
Luke 17:37 says wherever the body is (deceased) that eagles (like vultures) gather.
Someone stating his preference to be with the Lord doesn't automatically invalidate all the other scripture in the Bible that says we will sleep (in death) until Jesus returns. But I know there's a strong incentive to believe it for funerals and because the phrase has been repeated so many times. No one skips judgment day though.
Daniel 12:2, Job 14:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:18-20, Matthew 9:24.
Intro. Many dive into the concept of evolution focusing on the history of men and animals; plants and all other things in creation but spend little time oon the future scriptural statements and its implications in having new bodies and eventually a new heaven and earth. Rebirth; of course begins at its "conception" when someone is born again ( John 3:16). This truth was emphasized with Christ's comments in Luke 5:23 and Matthew 9:5. Man's soul is part of God's creation but of course with human eyes we cannot perceive things clearly; and of course physical healings alone go against the 2nd law of thermodynamics which states things are in a perpetual state of decay which is of course as believers should understand an effect of the fall from the beginning.
Doubless Antichrist as the "self made man" who also will proclaim some novel form of divinity will be on display as a so called "evolutionary leap" for men to follow (doubtless accompanied by the infamous mark of the beast which will give some sort of promise of immortality it would seem to emulate the apparently "miraculous" restoration from assassination which he has).
Anyone with a pea sized brain of reason at that point could see that man's so called progress to a more "advanced species" has been; to say the least disastrous even ignoring all the past generations with the horror that will be occurring in the Tribulation.
Only man could be deluded enough to worship a created being over God and in the end attempt to fight God influenced by his "spirit brothers" that thrust him forth (the emissaries mentioned coming from the frog like demonic utterances and of course led by Satan; the Antichrist and False Prophet to their doom).
We need to remember that man made assumptions about so called "cave men" being of little intelligence goes against historical findings; and that the flood was a real event worldwide due to the utter depravity tied in with Genesis 6.
Christ being a member of the Godhead never sinned. We see that He was tempted in all ways as we are as Hebrews 4:15 states.
In His own strength Christ certainly always had the right to do anything as well as the capability; but as we know God cannot lie ( Heb. 6:18 and other related scriptures). Thus; Satan truly was the only being that had the authority to give the right of rulership over the earth as a temptation; and Christ was the only recipient other than Antichrist who will receive this offer. The man of sin will accept it; and the world will accept THE LIE ( 2 Thess. 2:11-12). It was for our sake that Christ humbled Himself; even to death on a cross emptying Himself of all self promotion of His own glory for the sake of the Father's exaltation later. This encompasses a number of scriptures (see Philippians 2:7; Isaiah 53).
Thus; we see that the relationship among the Godhead brings humility followed by exaltation. We also should follow that guideline; knowing that no servant is greater than His master; we are also to suffer while in this brief earthly existence. ( John 13:16). How much of our own troubles are caused by our own sins varies; it is something we should overcome if we are truly to embrace His sufferings.
When we consider sinless perfection on a surface level we think of avoiding commission of acctions against God as well as avoiding omission of things we ought to do which is often neglected at the expense of the first issue. We can think of someone who never makes mistakes; never says a word that is unfitting; and other like characteristics. When examining in depth this subject we see how eternal spiritual laws and principles were always first and foremost; undergirding Christ's miracles. Salvation was shown to be more crucial than just healing (see Matthew 9:6); as the paralytic received healing along with forgiveness. Salvation is complete at the Resurrection of the just; inheriting new bodies
Thank you for this discussion, it is good to hear salvation is not dependent on this doctrine I have been told in many Churches I have attended I was not saved and was a heretic and shunned.
You know Greek better than I, but my understanding is the word Godhead which was added in the 1500s was translated twice and is misleading. Godhead is in the Bible 3 times, Acts 17:29, Greek word theios which means divine, Romans 1:20, Greek word theiotes which means divinity, divine nature, and Colossians 2:9 Greek word Theotetos which means deity.
The verse Colossians 2:9, in Jesus, dwelleth all the fulness of the deity of God, Jesus was filled without measure with God's Spirit/Holy Spirit John 3:34. John the Baptist said God had told him when Jesus was anointed/baptized John 1:32-33. God dwelt in Jesus and empowered Him by the Spirit. God gave Jesus power and authority Matthew 11:27. In John 1:14 we probably differ, God in Jesus dwelt/tabernacled among us. God was manifest in Jesus, John 12:49 John 14:10.
Mark 2:5-8 in Matthew 11:25 Things were hidden from the wise and prudent, Scribes, Sadducees, and Pharisees were the ones accusing Jesus of blasphemy, as we see in Matthew 9:6-8, the same event multitudes glorified God. Jesus was given full authority in Matthew 28:18 and John 17:2-3 that we should know the only true God and Jesus Christ whom the Father sent, same as all the introductions, greetings, and blessings given to the followers of Christ in the New Testament were from God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and in Revelation 21:22.
All authority has been given to Jesus by the Father until the last enemy, death is put under His feet, 1 Corinthians 15:25-28 Revelation 20:14.
May our discussion inspire study.
God bless,
RLW
These things are caused by Satan and his demons, using sin as an entry point, and they can be passed down from one generation to another. Exodus 34:7 and Deuteronomy 5:9 "Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them; for I, the Lord thy God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me."
Jesus gives a condition here, "if," to mean that not everybody is set free by the Son of God, but only those who choose to let Him set them free.
"The Son sets you free": Yes, He has the Power and Authority to set us free. He does not negotiate with the devils; He commands them. He has the power to forgive our sins. Matthew 9:6 "But so that you might know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sin . . ."
"You'll be free indeed": When Jesus sets us free, we are completely free. The freedom Christ offers is complete and not half. We're delivered from the powers of darkness.
May the Lord help us be free indeed, in Jesus' name.
The Bottles of heaven "clouds": it is an allusion to the girbahs, In the Hebrew its nay'-bel its a skin bag for liquids or bottles made of skin, in which they are accustomed to carry their water
God is asking Job does he know how God controls the weather!
It has nothing to do with you and I being a old bag of wine and it doesn't have anything that suggests one day we will be Gods.
I'm telling you this because that is what Jordyn is presenting to you.
Be careful! He has a way of spiritualizing the scripture and making it say what he wants it to say.
We know him well, He's been on this site for many years under several different names presenting this false doctrine.
The clouds in Hebrews is "nephos" it's used to picture a large dense multitude.
The clouds used in Job is "shachaq"
a powder (as beaten small); by analogy a thin vapor; by extension the firmament: - {cloud} small {dust} {heaven} sky. (Strongs definition in the Hebrew.)
The usage has no parallel.
Read Job 38:1-41 and get the context.
Now concerning the wine skins in Matthew 9:14-17.
verse 14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?
John was the Last of the old testament prophets.
He came to announce the coming of the King.
Christ came to usher in something New.
Verse 16 and 17 Christ explains the change of dispensations.
The old dispensation of law was ending and Christ didn't come to patch it up, He came to present a new garment.
We being the body of Christ and Christ being the Head represents we being baptized into union with Christ and him being Lord over his body. He's the head and Lord over our lives by the quickening Spirit that rose Christ from the dead.
Romans 8:8-14.
God bless you.
Verse 1 states:
Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
There are those who look at the latter rain described in Joel 2:23-27 we see what is similar text (along with the early rain). The final revival of the world likely will fulfill other promises in Joel such as in Joel 2:28 also mentioned at least partially fulfilled in Acts 2:17. We also can't ignore how God has blessed Israel even today with more rainfall then surrounding nations; and no doubt the earth in the Millennium will be fruitful more than ever for the final fulfillment with literal rainy seasons of predictable nature (except for those who don't come to worship God as we see later on in Zechariah).
Verse 2 describes that there were those as if there was no shepherd; apparently struggling into part of verse 3. This reminds us of Christ's statement in Matthew 9:36-38.
Verses 3 and 5 show indications of later verses in Zechariah of Judah fighting against the enemy armies in campaigns related to Armageddon; specifically after the taking of half of the city of Jerusalem. Basically the rest of this chapter shows the unity of Judah and Ephriam and gives glory to Christ as the victor over the enemies. Verses 9 and 10 show an ingathering from Egypt and other places.
The pride of Assyria in verse 11 could be partially fulfilled in the past but Antichrist himself is known as the "Assyrian" in Ezekiel 31:3. Egypt is mentioned too; although it's national prominence will never be what it was ( Ezekiel 29:15) but it will cry out in the last days ( Isaiah 19:20) and of course it is mentioned in Zechariah 14:17 they will still exist and need to worship God every year.
I. About the Author (Name and nationality):
Matthew is his Greek name. Matthew means gift of Yahweh. His Jewish name is Levi. And because his name is Levi, that tells us that he is from the tribe of Levi, and he is a priest of all people. Priests come from the tribe of Levi.
But what is interesting is this next part.
Occupation:
In Matthew 9:9, we find out that Matthew was a tax collector when Jesus called him. Now the Roman government would put the tax collection business up for bid every five years. The one that bid the highest gets to be the tax collector. And he would collect both what we call income tax and travel tax, and he would send it to the Roman government as they have prescribed. But he can tack on any amount he wants to keep for himself. So, tax collectors were very rich.
The problem is that we have a Jewish man from the tribe of Levi who should be serving as a priest in the temple, and he bids on the tax collector's job, and he starts working for the Roman government to tax his own people. Tax collectors were considered traitors by the Jews. They were unclean and unable to participate in the synagogue.
And so, here's Matthew saying I don't care, I am a rich man. Of course, the fellow Jews are calling him names and getting angry with him. But he doesn't care because he gets their money! But he is sitting at the tax collection booth when he is called by Jesus. And he gets up immediately and leaves. Right after this, and we see it in Matthew Chapter 9, but right after this, Matthew has a dinner in his home, and he invites all of his tax collector friends. He wants them to meet Jesus.
So then religious leaders got a little upset because they wanted to know why Jesus and the disciples, the people who were with Him at the beginning, why they were sitting down with tax collectors and sinners? A sinner to a Jew is somebody who didn't keep the law. They were considered traitors.
Job 14:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:18-20, Matthew 9:24.
Matthew 9:16-17 gives a distinction between the old covenant and the new covenant.
You can't put new wine into old bottles or new garments on to old garments.
We are Identified with Jesus Christ finish work on the cross.
We're given a new heart whereby a new inner man is created. We have been given an earnest of the spirit.
However, we still have this body of sin that wars against our nature. This is what Paul is saying in Romans 7:20-25.
Sin should not have Dominion over you, (Meaning, it should not rule over or dominate you).
This is not just your outward actions that we focus so hard on trying to control.
This also speaks on your thoughts and temperament, your lusts in your members, desiring to want.
The lust of the eyes and so on.
Our blood washed garments are made perfect, "by the cross",
THIS IS WHAT PAUL IS TELLING US IN ROMANS 6.
Paul is saying you have been joined with Christ.
Does that make you perfect? NO.
The payment was perfect, but the purchase has yet to be perfect.
Paul is saying recognize that sin has no rule/dominion over you.
Our position in Christ remains forever. This is what 1 John 3:1-9 is saying.
So, do we sin outwardly? Answer; 1 John 1:7-10 is the sum of it all.
Your best effort to keep them clean is like cleaning with filthy rags. That's all our righteousness is!
Our righteous deeds may build on the already set foundation, but it won't "add to the foundation.
We are imperfect vessels looking for the mercy of Christ.
Jude sums it up in vs 21-24 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.
GOD BLESS
Some of those questions may be answered in God's Word.
The purpose of my original question posted is to collect verses and I still only have 1 supporting salvation now which is the one I found. Of the verses posted I don't see any saying we're saved immediately on earth before judgment. Some cited being born again and being a new creature which are great verses but being transformed is not salvation.
Simply evaluating this on a Biblical support basis there are far more verses supporting future salvation instead of the present one people commonly cite. I believe I listed 7 to 1 before and I found more that support future too, so it might be 10 to 1.
So if there are no other verses supporting this why does a majority of believers believe in something so hardly supported by the Bible? Could it originate from cultural factors? Funerals for example- often people try to comfort others by saying they're in heaven right now despite Daniel 12:2, Job 14:12, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Corinthians 15:18-20, Matthew 9:24.
Just because there are questions does the questions themselves do not invalidate the truth of God's Word. God bless.
The Bible says that God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam; Genesis 2:21 . Where in scripture does it ever say he awakened? Therefore, how can he or anyone who inherits the Adamic nature have an awareness of receiving anything REAL while one is asleep. He, just as us, can only dream in a sleeping condition. And certainly we all realize dreams are what they are because of their illusion of reality.
Jesus strongly hinted of our sleeping condition: John 11:11 and Matthew 9:24 , where He also emphasized death should not be our concern, but rather sleep.
Also, many believe Jesus is God, meaning that God must have died on the cross. Yet, I don't think God can be killed or die. Nor do I believe can any of His Children whom He created. To believe so is literally a nightmare; a most frightening form of dreaming.
There is is no death because what God creates shares His Life. God is Life, therefore again, there is no death because an opposite to God does not exist. Only a mind asleep can have the frightening nightmare of a power that can oppose Him. Is it not possible that when we seemingly awaken in the morning from our dreams that we've merely shifted from one dream to another without really waking?
God Is
Peace
The Bible says we will sleep until Christ's return:
Daniel 12:2
Job 14:12
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
1 Corinthians 15:18-20
Matthew 9:24
A common reason why people assume they go straight to heaven is misinterpreting 2 Cor 5:8-10. The misinterpretation has been repeated so much its become standard dogma to many well meaning Bible readers. But the only problem is the Bible doesn't say that. Paul only says he'd "rather" absent from the body and present with the Lord. The word Rather is a preference. He's not making a broad statement about the afterlife that 100% of the time, when 100% of all people die, that instantly you skip judgment and are immediately with the Lord 100% of the time.
Adding further support to this is Paul in the previous book in 1 Corinthians 5:3 already said he was "absent" from the body when he couldn't meet with the Corinthians in person. Based on the same wording used, I think people are extrapolating way too much from Paul's preferential (rather) statement while ignoring the verses that already say everyone will face judgment and all the sleeping until Christ returns, etc. I would find it hard to ignore 5 verses in favor of one "rather" statement that Paul already used before. Paul also preferred everyone remain single like him- so the inferences seem to be disproportionately applied.
God bless.
God bless you and yours, In Jesus mighty name.
Pray for me too. I might be the only thing standing between this person and Hell.
I have been meaning to ask prayer for Turkey. I only saw brief news clips on YouTube. I haven't had time to research.
Please please pray for me, my children, and grandchildren. The devils not playing. The church needs to WAKE UP!!!
THE LORD JESUS IS COMING SOON!!!
The earth is in labor and the pangs can't get much closer together than they are right now! WAKE UP CHRISTIAN! Judgement will begin IN THE HOUSE OF GOD!
1Peter 4:17
Catch us the little foxes that spoil the vine, Lord. Help us to examine ourselves and work with what little time we have left.
Song of Solomon 2:5
God, save the lost!!!! Please send out laborers into the fields for the harvest is ready but the laborers are so few!
Matthew 9:35-38
Lord please use me. Use US.
This is an altar call!
REPENT! For the kingdom of Heaven is AT HAND!
Jesus help ME/US to weep and wail between the porch and the altar.
Psalms 126:5
IN JESUS NAME. ALWAYS. AMEN.
I don't have time to respond to prayers right now, but I'm praying for all who post their requests here.
If you have a globe please place it where you pray. In your secret place. Put your Hands on it and plead the blood of Jesus Christ over certain areas. Over America for sure. Ask God, in Jesus name, to bind up powers and principalities over America, China, Russia, etc. Pray for mercy and salvation and for the gospel to go freely into the earth. Or whatever prayer God lays on your heart.
Concerning the enemy;
Though the weapon be formed, let it not prosper, let it be bound and broken.
Send Holy Angels to war for souls that are bound to be SET FREE today and for the gospel to flood the Earth!
So far none of the responses regarding how these falling angels reproduced makes any sense.Perhaps familiar Biblical Scripture will bring us to more sound reasoning.
John 3:6 "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This logically means that flesh cannot produce spirit and Spirit cannot produce flesh, i.e. God does not give birth, create, or produce flesh. John 3:8 provides a glimpse of what spirit is, which obviously is not characteristic of the flesh. John 6:63 states, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh counts for nothing: the words that I speak unto you are spirit, and are life." So, the flesh does not matter, thus the spirit is ALL that does have meaning, and nothing else. John 4:24 says "God a Spirit: and they that worship him (Him) must worship in spirit and in truth. Nothing here indicating God is flesh. Contrarily, it is an emphatic statement, leaving no doubt. We must NOT worship in flesh and in what is NOT TRUE, i.e. untruth, lies, unreality, illusions, anything of the flesh or mind that thinks apart from Him.
Once again, I'm following a pattern from many of my previous postings, which some may begin to recognize: in reality or the Mind of God, which is Knowledge, truth cannot have an opposite. In truth and eternity and the Kingdom of God, they cannot coexist. Knowledge is stable and has no degrees or fluctuations. Only in time and in an unstable mind that perceives in a myriad of degrees, not on the same level with the Thoughts of God, maintain a faith in opposites. Is this not obvious in what we perceive as going on today in this world? Or at any time in the world's history? Or even on this website?
In lieu of this, How can Jesus literally be 100% God and !00% man (flesh)? Opposites produce strain on the mind, and God is not strain, but peace. Look at Matthew 9:16-17. Observe what opposites did to the garment and bottles.
see pg. 2
Part 9
Some Seed.
And he spoke many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow. ( Matthew 13:3)
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man. ( Matthew 13:37)
A Sower went forth to sow, and that Sower is the Son of man. I repeat this because it is so important. It defines the present-day activity of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is His contemporary work - sowing seed, sowing the Word of God in the world.
In this day He is rejected as King and as Savior. Nonetheless, He is not defeated. The kingdom is coming, and while the kingdom is in abeyance He is dressed as a farmer sowing seed. His plans have not been interrupted. Many speak of the postponed kingdom. Personally, I do not like that expression because I do not think He has postponed anything. This thing is running according to His plan. It was not postponed from His viewpoint - it may be from our viewpoint, but not from His. Regardless of that, this is the day for sowing seed.
Now we do need to make a distinction here. I do not want to quibble nor split hairs, but follow me for a moment. The preaching of the Word is commonly called the harvest. Yet harvest time is not the picture for today; the picture for today is sowing time. Somebody says, "But didn't Jesus say, 'Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest'?" Yes, He did, but do you know in what connection He said it? It is well to put Scripture where it belongs. Notice Matthew 9:36-38:
But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they were faint, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few. Pray ye, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest.
See Part 10.