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;#; <html>New Testament</html> ;#; <html><summary>THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO</summary></html> ===== SAINT MATTHEW ===== <html>Matthew 1 - Matthew the first of the eyewitness Gospel accounts of the physical life of Jesus Christ [the Gospels are placed in the Bible in the order that they were written, (the epistle 'Book of James' was probably the first New Testament document written) the epistles (letters) are placed according to their size - largest to smallest - then The Book of Revelation completes and closes the Bible Scriptures] - Matthew is going to prove beyond a reason of doubt that Jesus is the Jewish Messiah (Christ) by documenting Jesus' birth and descendancy from King David via the Jewish Temple genealogy scrolls and also by referencing the prophecies and scripture descriptions from the Hebrew Bible foretelling His coming - Matthew having established that Jesus is the Christ then narrates the Divine Ministry of Jesus Christ - The Ministry of Jesus in transitioning the Jewish Nation from faith and trust in exclusively following the law to faith and trust in a relationship with the living God the Messiah (Christ) - 'Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of [King] David ...' - 'Matthew 1:18-22 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise ... now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord [God] by the prophet ...'</html><html><summary> Eligible to be King: The genealogy in the Gospel of Matthew is given because any future King in Israel would have to show their relationship and eligibility to the previous throne of King David. In modern times an eligible relationship to King David could not be established as the Jewish Temple genealogy scrolls were destroyed in the 70 AD destruction of the Jerusalem Temple. The possibility does not exist of having a modern, post 70 AD, Messiah because it would not be possible for a person to confirm the required King David genealogy [for a King and also the promised Messiah] and it would be impossible in modern times for a person to fulfill the Old Testament laws, prophecies and Biblical accounts that substantiated Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah, the Christ. -- 'Matthew 1:1-16 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren; ... And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob; 16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.' -- 'Matthew 1:18-25 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.' </summary></html> <html><tt>Ray Stedman - Adventuring Through the Bible - The Message of Matthew: BEHOLD YOUR KING! - People often wonder why we have four Gospels - There is a very good reason for this - It is interesting to note that each of these Gospels is a development of an exclamatory statement that is found in the Old Testament - Four different times -- and only four times -- in the Old Testament there was an exclamatory statement made concerning the Messiah, introduced always by the word *behold - In one of the prophets (Zechariah 9:9) we read, "Behold thy King, O Israel!" In another place (Zechariah 6:12) we read, "Behold the man!" In a third place (Isaiah 42:1) we read, "Behold my servant!" In still a fourth place (Isaiah 35:3, Amos 4:12) we read, "Behold thy God!" These four statements are amplified and developed in the four Gospels -- Matthew, the Gospel of the King; Mark, the Gospel of the Servant; Luke, the Gospel of the Son of man; and John, the Gospel of God, the presentation of the Son of God (Mp3s)</tt></html><html><summary> Beginning in the New Testament we move from the realm of shadow, type, and prophecy, into the full sunshine of the presentation of the Son of God. The Old Testament speaks of him on every page, but speaks in shadows, in types, in symbols, and in prophecies -- all looking forward to the coming of Someone. You cannot read the Old Testament without being aware of that constant promise running through every page -- Someone is coming! Someone is coming! Now, when we open the Gospels, that Someone steps forth in the fullness of his glory. As John says, "We have beheld his glory...as of the only Son from the Father," (John 1:14 (RSV). I love the Gospels. They are to me one of the most perennially fascinating sections of the Bible. There you see Christ as He is. Remember that what He was is what He is; and what He is is what you have, if you are a Christian. All the fullness of His character and being and life is available to us, and we only learn what those resources are as we see Him as He was and is. That is why the Gospel records are so important to us. People often wonder why we have four Gospels. There is a very good reason for this. It is interesting to note that each of these Gospels is a development of an exclamatory statement that is found in the Old Testament. Four different times -- and only four times -- in the Old Testament there was an exclamatory statement made concerning the Messiah, introduced always by the word behold. In one of the prophets we read, "Behold thy king, O Israel!" In another place we read, "Behold the man!" In a third place we read, "Behold my servant!" In still a fourth place we read, "Behold thy God!" These four statements are amplified and developed in the four Gospels -- Matthew, the Gospel of the King; Mark, the Gospel of the Servant; Luke, the Gospel of the Son of man; and John, the Gospel of God, the presentation of the Son of God. These four Gospels give us four aspects of our Lord's character and person. They are not, strictly speaking, biographies. They are really sketches about the Person of Christ -- eyewitness accounts by those who knew him personally, or those immediately associated with them. Therefore, they have the ring of authenticity, and they carry to our hearts that first and marvelous impression that our Lord made upon his own disciples, and then upon the multitudes that followed him. No more amazing character has ever walked among men. As you read the Gospel accounts, I hope something of this fascination breaks upon your own heart as you see him stepping forth from these pages, revealed to you by the Spirit, when you see Him as He is. The first book of the New Testament is Matthew, and this is the place where most people start reading the Bible. I think more people begin reading in the New Testament than the Old, therefore, that would make Matthew the most widely read book in all the world. In fact, Renan, the French skeptic, said of this book, "This is the most important book of all Christendom." He also said, "The most important book that has ever been written is the Gospel of Matthew." But it has its critics, too. There are those who claim that this book contains nothing but the early legends of the church which grew up around Jesus, that these accounts are not historical, and that this book was not actually written until the fourth century A.D. Therefore, they say, we are uncertain as to how much is really true. Other critics make the claim that this is only one of many gospels that were circulated. Now, it is true that there are other gospels besides the four in the New Testament. There is the Gospel of Barnabas, for instance, and the Gospel of Peter, and yet other gospels. They can be found in a book called "The New Testament Apocrypha" if you would like to read them. The critics say that it is mere chance that these four Gospels survived. There is a legend that began with a German theologian named Pappas in about the 16th century who said that the Gospels were selected at the Council of Nice in 325 A.D. by gathering together all the many gospels that were circulating at that time, throwing them all under a table, and then reaching in and pulling out four which happened to be Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The foolishness of such a claim is evident to anyone who reads the Gospels with thoughtfulness. They are stamped with the fingerprints of God. The very pattern of these books reflects the divine imprint, and you cannot read them or compare them with the Old Testament without seeing that they come from an inspired source. Furthermore, you have merely to compare them with the Apocryphal gospels to see how foolish such a claim is. </summary></html> http://www.raystedman.org/adventure/index.html <html><tt>Which Language Did Jesus Speak - Aramaic or Hebrew? - There is no ground for assuming that Jesus did not speak Hebrew; and when we are told (Acts 21:40) that [Apostle] Paul spoke Hebrew [to the crowd in Jerusalem], we should take this piece of information at face value" - we also have that of the Church Fathers - Eight early writers assert that Matthew wrote his Gospel in Hebrew - The most important of these testimonies is that of Papias (birth about 60 AD - 135 AD, source wiki.com), a second century Church father "Matthew recorded in the Hebrew language the words [of Jesus], and everyone [Egyptian, Greek, Roman, etc.] interpreted them as he is able"</tt></html><html><summary> A Final Witness: In addition to the witnesses of the New Testament itself, archaeology, and linguistic scholarship, we also have that of the Church Fathers. Of them, Jean Carmignac says, "Eight early writers assert that Matthew wrote his Gospel in Hebrew: altogether there are over thirty formal assertions that this was so in the works of Papias, Hegesippus, Irenaeus, Origen, Eusebius of Caesarea, Cyril of Jerusalem, Epiphanius and Jerome". The most important of these testimonies is that of Papias, a second century Church father: "Matthew recorded in the Hebrew language the words [of Jesus], and everyone interpreted them as he is able". Dr. Brad Young sums up the importance of considering the Jewish background of Jesus' life and teachings: "...without consideration of the Jewish parallels, the Gospels will forever be filtered through Western culture, and Jesus will be completely missed or greatly misunderstood...The world...including church leaders and outstanding scholars, often has missed Jesus. The original Jewish environment of his life promises to reveal a new vision of Jesus and his message" (Jesus the Jewish Theologian, p. xxxvi). </summary></html> http://www.godward.org/Hebrew%20Roots/did%20jesus%20speak%20hebrew.htm <html><tt>RayStedman.org: ADVENTURING THROUGH THE BIBLE by Ray C. Stedman - #40 The 400 Years between the Old and New Testaments (Mp3)</tt></html><html><summary> Sunday evening services at Peninsula Bible Church in Palo Alto, California, were the setting for a series of 67 messages on the entire Bible preached by Ray C. Stedman. One book of the Bible was covered per message, with an additional message inserted to cover the history of the "400 Silent Years" between the close of the Old Testament canon (Malachi) and the First Gospel (Matthew). This series commenced June 28, 1964 and was completed on August 4, 1968. These sermons constitute Discovery Papers #201-267 inclusive. The book version, "Adventuring Through the Bible," was released in late 1997 and is currently in print. </summary></html> http://www.raystedman.org/adventure/index.html <html><tt>Apocrypha - Deuterocanonical Books of the Bible Apocrypha (Text)</tt></html><html><summary> The Project Gutenberg Etext of Deuterocanonical Books of the Bible also known as the Apocrypha [Book titles added as there were none in the files we received. One typo of Ezra to Esdr was changed as were some of the marginations. The books were each received as an Etext file, and have been put here into one single file for utilty and they are placed in an order suggested by one of our advisors--we would be happy to post indices of other suggested orderings and other commentaries.] </summary></html> http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/124 <html><tt>Generations of Jesus Christ - In the first chapter of the New Testament in Matthew 1:17 - These are fourteen of the generations from Abraham to King David - Matthew omits three generations (Kings) after Joram -- namely Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah (1 Chron. 3:11-12) and fourteen from King David's time to the exile - and fourteen from the exile to Christ {Matthew omitted the descendants of Jezebel [removed by God] from the genealogy. King David is counted twice and there are other known jumps in the Matthew genealogy of Joseph [the Stepfather of Jesus] as well.}</tt></html><html><summary> The genealogy (Heb. yachas, Gr. genealogia) is listed as such : Genealogy of Jesus Christ is divided into three sets of fourteen generations each, probably to aid memorization. - Judah was only the fourth son of Jacob. Matthew omits three generations (Kings) after Joram -- namely Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah (1 Chron. 3:11-12). Even in Ezra 7:1-5, six generations of priesthood are omitted, compared to 1 Chron. 6:3-15, thus such an omission in Hebrew genealogies is not peculiar to Matthew's religious considerations. He names Zerah (Za'ra) as well as Perez (Pha'res) and mentions the brothers of Judah and of Jeconiah, which is unusual. [Tamar], Ra'chab and Ruth are gentiles. Abiud through Matthan are not found in the Old Testament, but taken from a public registry. Matthew gave the names of those who were heirs to the Davidic throne, compared to Luke's [Mary] genealogy from Jesus to Adam that records that of the physical descent with his humanity. Both make plain his virgin birth, and therefore his deity. </summary></html> http://www.mazzaroth.com/ChapterSix/MatthewsGenealogy.htm <html><tt>Josh McDowell - The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict - Part One (YouTube)</tt></html><html><summary> Josh McDowell is regarded by most Christians and theologians as one of the most effective apologetics speakers around. When McDowell published his first powerful defense of the Bible in his book, "The Evidence That Demands A Verdict," it became a national bestseller within a matter of months. McDowell's writings contained a body of undeniable evidence on the validity of Holy Scripture. More recently McDowell has added even more solid information to his thesis, and, to the dismay of agnostics and atheists, made the validity of the Bible even MORE undeniable. This is the special television version of that powerful information presented by McDowell himself. </summary></html> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SekR-QHCXVU <html><tt>Josh McDowell - Evidence For Your Faith (Mp3's)</tt></html><html><summary> Former skeptic Josh McDowell examines the evidence about Jesus. Is this first century Hebrew carpenter truly the God he claimed to be? Or was he just a good man and maybe a little crazy? More than a Carpenter offers arguments for faith from a skeptic turned believer and now includes new content that addresses questions raised by today's popular atheist writers. </summary></html> http://server.firefighters.org/catalog/2009/ ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 2 - The birth of Jesus - The arrival of the Messiah (Christ) - Balaam's prophesied Christmas Star appears - Wise Men from the East journey to Jerusalem - King Herod the area's Roman appointed gentile King then also inquires about the newborn King - Herod a builder of stone and a destroyer of men sought the death of the newborn King - Joseph, Mary and Jesus flee Israel to live in Egypt until the death of Herod when they can safely return to Israel -- 'Matthew 2:1-2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea [Judah] in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him [the Messiah]'</html><html><summary> Three Wise Gifts: Wise Men of the East journeyed a long distance to find the newborn King of the Jews and to 'Worship Him' upon being led to the young Jesus [about one year old by the time the Wise Men arrived] the Wise Men presented Jesus with three Worship gifts to honor His unique standing among mankind. 1. Gold - the gift and possession for a King and the covering on the Ark of the Covenant [Exodus 25:11] for the Tabernacle and the Temple. 2. Frankincense - the gift of the Priesthood used by priests in an aroma sacrifice offering to God and as an incense [Exodus 31:34] in offering a sweet smoke aroma to God within the Holy place of both the Tabernacle and later the Temple. 3. Myrrh - the gift of an anointing oil for anointing a Prophet [particularly the 'man of sorrows,' 'acquainted with grief' Prophet [Isaiah 53:3] - 'the oil of joy for mourning' Isaiah 61:3] and as oil to anoint the Holy objects of the Tabernacle and later also for the Temple 'oil of holy ointment ' [Exodus 30:25]. - 'Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.' </summary></html> <html><tt>King Herod the Great - The Roman appointed king of Israel in the days of the birth of Jesus</tt></html><html><summary> Herod (73-4 BCE) was the pro-Roman king of the small Jewish state in the last decades before the common era. He started his career as a general, but the Roman statesman Mark Antony recognized him as the Jewish national leader. ... On moments like that, it was clear to anyone that Herod was not a Jewish but a Roman king. He had become the ruler of the Jews with Roman help and he boasted to be philokaisar ('the emperor's friend'), entertaining Agrippa, Augustus' right-hand man. On top of the gate of the new Temple, a golden eagle was erected, a symbol of Roman power in the heart of the holy city resented by all pious believers. Worse, Augustus ordered and paid the priests of the Temple to sacrifice twice a day on behalf of himself, the Roman senate and people. The Jewish populace started to believe rumors that their pagan ruler had violated Jewish tombs, stealing golden objects from the tomb of David and Solomon. ... Herod's reign ended in terror. The monastery at Qumran, the home of the Essenes, suffered a violent and deliberate destruction by fire in 8 BCE, for which Herod may have been responsible. When the king fell ill, two popular teachers, Judas and Matthias, incited their pupils to remove the golden eagle from the entrance of the Temple: after all, according to the Ten Commandments, it was a sin to make idols. The teachers and the pupils were burned alive. Some Jewish scholars had discovered that seventy-six generations had passed since the Creation, and there was a well-known prophecy that the Messiah was to deliver Israel from its foreign rulers in the seventy-seventh generation. The story about the slaughter of infants of Bethlehem in the second chapter of the Gospel of Matthew is not known from other sources, but it would have been totally in character for the later Herod to commit such a terrible act. </summary></html> http://www.livius.org/he-hg/herodians/herod_the_great01.html ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 3-4 - Jesus begins His earthly ministry by being baptized [washed - public testimony] by John the Baptist - Jesus was Baptized not unto repentance but as a Testimony [Exodus 29:4] to the people that His ministry had begun - Jesus is then led by the Holy Spirit into the desert for forty days of fasting and to be tempted by Satan - 'Matthew 3:16-17 And Jesus, when He was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him (John the Baptist), and he saw [Testimony] the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon Him: and lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is My beloved Son, in whom I Am well pleased'</html><html><summary> Matthew 4:1-3 Then was Jesus led up of the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter (Devil) came to Him, he said, If [Since, lit. Greek] thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.' - Satan unsuccessfully tempted Jesus three times and all three times Jesus replied to Satan with a quote from the Bible. 1. Turning stones to bread: Satan encourages Jesus to immediately satisfy His hunger by turning rocks to bread. Jesus had been led by the Holy Spirit to go into the desert to fast [and pray] - this was simply who is Jesus going to follow God for eternity or Satan for a moment. [Deut 8:3] Jesus did not even hesitate and would not even consider the suggestion of the Devil. 2. Satan wanted Jesus to test God's loyalty to Jesus by having Jesus jump from the top of the Temple building forcing God to react to the situation in saving Jesus from bodily harm. Jesus said "It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord they God" [Deut 6:16]. Again Jesus did not even consider Satan's proposal. Finally Satan told Jesus that if Jesus would "fall down" and worship Satan that Satan would give Jesus all the Kingdoms of the world. Note: 'Revelation 17:10 And there are seven kings [kingdoms of the world]: five are fallen [Nimrod, Egypt, Babylon (Iraq), Persia (Iran), Greece], and one is [Rome], and the other [Antichrist] is not yet come; and when he [Antichrist] cometh, he must continue a short space [3 ½ years].' Jesus again [Deut 6:13] declined to submit to Satan and Satan immediately departed from the presence of Jesus. - 'Matthew 4:11 Then the Devil (Satan) leaveth Him (Jesus), and, behold, angels came and ministered unto Him.' </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 5 - Jesus begins His 'Sermon on the Mount' teachings [it's been about one year since the baptism of Jesus the Gospel of John covers the first year's events with Jesus more fully than the other three Gospels] - The 'Sermon on the Mount' teachings are to orientate mankind away from human induced customs, rituals and fables into a meaningful relationship with God in Jesus Christ -- 'Matthew 5:2-12 And He (Jesus) opened His mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for My sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you'</html><html><summary> 'Matthew 5:17-19 Think not that I (Jesus) am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle [strokes of the pen] shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.' - The law has been compared to a blueprint that you have to follow in order to build a life pleasing to God. However the law is more of a painting and an illustration (drawing) than a blueprint. The Laws of God and the Prophecies of God are the Image [painting] of the true God that has always existed [John 1:14 And the Word [Law and the Prophets] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth] not a blueprint or a ritual that Jesus needed to conform Himself into. The Law [Leviticus 19:34] says to 'Love your neighbor' "and thou shalt love him (neighbor/stranger) as thyself" because God is Love. Jesus didn't come to learn how to love one another Jesus came to teach us how to love one another. Also Note: Jesus then instructs that the law is external that it is words and ideas written down on paper and that what mankind needs is both the living example in Jesus Himself and mankind also needs a step further than the example of Jesus Christ mankind needs to be enabled internally, in the human spirit, to be like Jesus has always been and for mankind to become the Law unto themselves [obeying and following the law on their own] to actually become in the image, the ability, of God in Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit newly residing inside of the regenerated individual human enabling a human to now become pleasing to God and capable of having an intimate individual relationship with the Holy God. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 6 - Jesus continues His 'Sermon on the Mount' teaching - The Lord's Prayer [more accurately called The Disciple's Prayer as it is a prayer format the Lord Jesus taught the disciples to follow - The actual Lord's Prayer is in John 17:1-26]</html><html><summary> 'Matthew 6:9-15 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed [Holy] be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread [needs]. And forgive us our debts [sins], as we forgive our debtors [those who sin against us]. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' - The Disciples Prayer is a model prayer it is not a rote, repetitive prayer though you can pray it word for word at times [often in congregations] it is not intend for individuals to constantly repetitively pray this prayer. 1. Acknowledge that God is in Heaven that He is our Father and that He is Very Holy. 2. That God's will is to be accomplished on earth as well just as much as in Heaven. 3. That God will meet our needs and also that we are to present our needs to God and ask God to meet our needs. 4. That we are sinners in need of forgiveness and that we also need to forgive others of their wrongs against us. Our request to God, for God to keep us from our own internal temptations and also for God to deliver us from external evil that does exist in this world. 5. Affirming that God has the power, authority and glory thought the entire universe. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 7 - Jesus concludes His 'Sermon on the Mount' teaching -- 'Matthew 7:24-29 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a Rock: ... And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at His doctrine: For He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.'</html><html><summary> Enter into Heaven via the Straight and Narrow Way of Jesus Christ: The way to Heaven is straight and it is narrow but it is also open and unrestricted as everyone can enter and everyone has access all the way to Heaven. The way to Heaven is open in the cross of Jesus Christ and accessible via the living resurrection of Jesus Christ. No other way apart from Jesus Christ exists for our entrance into Heaven because no other way is needed for our entrance into Heaven. - 'Matthew 7:13-14 Enter ye [you] in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life [eternal Spiritual life], and few there be that find it.' </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 8 - Jesus comes down the mountain from His 'Sermon on the Mount' teaching [in going up to the mountain top to teach Jesus is signifying that the people are now hearing the same voice that Moses heard - Jesus is the voice that Moses heard when he climbed the mountain top at Mt. Sinai to hear the voice of God] - Jesus performs a miracle [healing a man with leprosy] the first of Jesus' miracles recorded in the Gospel of Matthew</html><html><summary> 'Matthew 8:1-4 When He (Jesus) was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And, behold, there came a leper and *worshipped Him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, *thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go thy way, shew thyself to the Priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.' - Jesus told the man that he had just healed to "tell no man" the ultimate ministry of Jesus Christ was His cross and His resurrection. Jesus didn't want people talking about Him publically apart from the context of His cross and His resurrection. In telling the man to go to the Temple and to make the offering required [Leviticus 14:1-32] for being healed of leprosy Jesus was directing the man to be a witness to the Temple Priests that the Messiah had arrived. Ultimately Jesus was directing all of the people; the man healed, the Temple Priests and the crowds that were following Him to keep His ministry, His actions and most importantly His miracles in the proper Biblical context. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 9 - Jesus has taken the disciples to the other side of the Sea of Galilee - Establishing the city of Capernaum in the Galilee region as a base for most of His 3½ years of earthly ministry - Religious opposition to Jesus begins as Jesus forgives the sins of a man obviously crippled from a sinful [venereal disease] condition - 'Matthew 9:2-7 And, behold, they [followers] brought to Him (Jesus) a man sick of the palsy [an advanced crippling sexual disease], lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; *thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth [Mark 2:8 who can forgive sins but God only?]. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of Man (Jesus) 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. And he arose, and departed to his house.'</html><html><summary> For I (Jesus) am not come to call the [Jewish] righteous, but [Jewish] sinners to repentance: 'Matthew 9:12-13 But when Jesus heard that [people complained because He ate with sinners], He said unto them [Pharisees], They that be whole (able, strong) need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn [Hosea 6:6] what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not [Levitical] sacrifice: for I am not come to call the [Jewish] righteous, but [Jewish] sinners to repentance.' - Jesus is establishing His ministry while on the earth to mankind, first to the Jewish people then [after His cross and resurrection] to the rest of the world, all the Gentile nations. The righteous Jews [and righteous Gentiles i.e. the Roman Centurion (Matthew 8:5)] are those who desire God, who have a heart for God and for the things of God. Without reading too much into the scriptures it is interesting that Jesus did not go into the faithful family homes but He went to the lost of Israel; to the compromised people, the unscrupulous tax collectors, the unlawful pig farmers, the demon possessed and to the professional religious and political leaders of the day to call them to repentance. </summary></html> <html><tt>Sea of Galilee - Also known as Bahr Tubariya, Ginnosar, Lake of Galilee, Lake of Gennesaret, Lake of Gennesar, Sea of Chinnereth, Sea of Chinneroth, Sea of Kinnereth, Sea of Tiberias, Lake of Tiberias, Waters of Gennesaret, Yam Kinneret (Photos)</tt></html><html><summary> The Sea of Galilee is fed by the Jordan River, rainfall and springs on the northern side. More properly designated a lake, the Kinneret (the OT and modern name) is 13 miles long and 7 miles wide. At its deepest point the lake is only 150 feet deep. The rabbis said of it, "Although God has created seven seas, yet He has chosen this one as His special delight." </summary></html> http://www.bibleplaces.com/seagalilee.htm <html><tt>City of Capernaum - Jesus made Capernaum His home during most [especially the first part] of the [3½] years of His ministry - Jesus walked throughout much of the land of Israel visiting many cities at first the Jewish cities then later the mixed and Gentile cities in Israel [He entered Jerusalem the last week, Holy Week]: "Leaving Nazareth He went and lived in Capernaum" Matt 4:13 (Photos)</tt></html><html><summary> Jesus made Capernaum his home during the years of his ministry: "Leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum" (Matt 4:13). Peter, Andrew, James and John were fishermen living in the village. Matthew the tax collector also dwelt here. Capernaum is one of the three cities cursed by Jesus for its lack of faith. </summary></html> http://www.bibleplaces.com/capernaum.htm ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 10 - Jesus sends out 12 of His Disciples as chosen Apostles -- 'Matthew 10:5-8 These twelve [Apostles] Jesus sent forth ... and as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.'</html><html><summary> 'Matthew 10:5-8 These twelve [Apostles] Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not [until later]: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.' - Where the perceivable presence of God is available it is called Heaven even on earth [hell is where the perceivable presence of God is not available]. Jesus is God who has come to mankind and therefore 'The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand' in Jesus Christ the Kingdom of Heaven is now available to mankind. - While Jesus was personally discipling His Disciples and sending them out as His Apostles they were given authority to heal the sick, cast out demons and raise the dead as a way of authenticating their message that the Messiah had arrived. Now the witness to the Messiah (Jesus) is primarily the written Bible and not signs and wonders. However many of the verses of the New Testament Bible were written by the Apostles who were sent out by Jesus including Matthew and his Gospel of Matthew so we still have the Testimony 'Preaching' of the Apostles but the miracles of the Apostles are deemphasized in the modern Church while the Bible and particularly Bible prophecy is now emphasized [2 Peter 1:19] in authenticating to mankind the message that Jesus the Messiah has arrived to save mankind. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 11 - John the Baptist is placed in prison for denouncing the immortally of Herod who had taken his brother's wife (Herodias) [Herod's brother Philip was an administrator in Rome and after a visit to Rome Herod returned to Jerusalem with Herodias) - While in prison John the Baptist wonders why Jesus does not immediately begin His Kingdom [earthly] reign - John the Baptist and Jesus are contrasted - John the Baptist had an earthly, here and now prophetic ministry that was very political - Jesus had a Spiritual, eternal teaching ministry that was apolitical -- 'Matthew 11:2-3 Now when John had heard in the prison the [Spiritual] works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto Him, Art thou He (Messiah) that should come, or do we look for another?'</html><html><summary> 'Matthew 11:11-14 Verily I (Jesus) say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater [in prophetic knowledge of the Messiah] than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the [born again] Kingdom of Heaven is greater [in experiential knowledge of the Messiah] than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the [physically] violent take it by force [not knowing the Kingdom is Spiritual]. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John [John the Baptist is the last of the Old Testament Prophets]. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias (Elijah, 'my God is Jehovah'), which was for to come.' - John the Baptist although appearing with Jesus in the time and days of Jesus, John is an Old Testament person because John the Baptist lived and died before the cross and resurrection of Jesus, before the formation of the Christian Church by Jesus giving of His Spirit to each Disciple [John 20:22] on the day of the resurrection. John the Baptist died before receiving the 'born again' Holy Spirit that makes a person a New Testament Christian therefore John the Baptist remained an Old Testament figure. - John the Baptist was the greatest among all the prophets in that John had all of the knowledge from the Scriptures of the previous prophets plus John had his own prophesy revelations about the coming of Jesus and John saw the witness of the Father and the Holy Spirit at the baptism of Jesus. John the Baptist had the accumulated knowledge of the Old Testament and John like all the other Old Testament prophets had the Holy Spirit upon him but John the Baptist did not have the experience of the Holy Spirit inside of him in the 'born again' Christian way therefore the least person in the [born again] Kingdom of God is greater in experiential knowledge of God than the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. - John the Baptist was the forerunner and announcer of the coming Messiah Jesus and in that role John fulfilled the spirit of Elijah 'my God is Jehovah /Yahweh'. The [Malachi 4:5] prophecy where Elijah himself will return 'before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD' is probably physically fulfilled by the return of Elijah [and Moses] in the Revelation time period [Revelation 11:3]. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 12 - Jesus continues instructing and teaching the Disciples - Jesus is beginning to be considered by the people to be the Messiah - 'Son of David' is a term for the Messiah as according to prophecy [2 Samuel 7:12-13, Isaiah 7:13] the Messiah has to be a descendant of King David -- 'Matthew 12:23 And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the Son of David?'</html><html><summary> Jesus came to be the light of salvation to both the Jews and to the Gentiles. Jesus is the light to the entire world. The whole world is included in the plans of God carried out through His Son Jesus Christ. - 'Matthew 12:17-21 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias (Isaiah) the prophet, saying, Behold My Servant (Jesus), whom I have chosen; My Beloved, in whom My soul is well pleased: I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall any man hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall He not break [Jesus came to heal not to damage], and smoking flax shall He not quench [Jesus came to give light not extinguish light], till He send forth judgment unto [Revelation] victory. And in His Name (Jesus) shall the Gentiles trust [for eternal salvation].' - He (Jesus) 'shall show judgment to the Gentiles' and in His Name 'Shall the Gentiles trust' Jesus came into the Jewish culture in His visit to mankind yet He is also the light to the Gentile world as well. 'Revelation 2:23 and all the churches shall know that I Am He (Jesus) which searcheth the reins [our determination] and hearts [our soul]: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.' </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 13 - Jesus now begins teaching in Parables - A series of seven Kingdom parable teachings are given - Parables are a way to describe the unknown usually Heaven and the eternal spiritual realm by using known examples like fishing and farming ... "The kingdom of heaven is like ..." -- 'Matthew 13:2-11 And great multitudes were gathered together unto Him, so that He went into a ship [boat], and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. And He spake many things unto them in parables, saying, ... and the disciples came, and said unto Him, Why speakest thou unto them [us] in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you [right now] to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but to them it is not [yet] given. {Note: even the Disciples did not fully understand the parables until after the resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit [Luke 24:45 ] the Spirit of wisdom and understanding.}</html><html><summary> The Seven Parables of Jesus from Matthew Chapter 13 are from the teaching ministry of Jesus during His physical time on earth. The Seven Parables of Jesus also parallel the comments made by the Resurrected Jesus in His opening statements to each of the Seven Churches in His 'Book of Revelation.' The Epistles of the Apostle Paul also parallel both the Seven Parables of Jesus and the Seven Letters of the Resurrected Jesus. The Seven Parables of Jesus are from the teaching ministry of Jesus during His physical time on earth, the letters of the Apostle Paul are from a representative of Jesus on earth after the ascension of Jesus back up into Heaven and finally the Seven Letters of Revelation are teachings and instruction from the resurrected Jesus Christ. Three groups of teachings spanning three timeframes with the one unique message of Jesus Christ and His eternal Kingdom. - The Apostle Paul wrote a group of [New Testament] letters addressed to various Churches in existence throughout Asia. The letters are comprised of six Church letters and two letters written to individuals as a group (Romans, Hebrews) for a total of 7 Church group messages by the Apostle Paul. --- *Revelation Letter (Revelation 2:1-3:22) --> *Instruction & Correction Epistle [New Testament] --> *Parable Teaching (Matthew 13:1-50) --- 1. The Church at Ephesus --> 1st & 2nd Corinthians --> The Parable of the Sower. 2. The Church at Smyrna --> Galatians --> The Parable of Wheat and (Weeds) Tares. 3. The Church at Pergamos --> Ephesians --> The Parable of A Mustard Seed. 4. The Church at Thyatira --> Philippians --> The Parable of Leaven. 5. The Church at Sardis --> Colossians --> The Parable of A Buried Treasure. 6. The Church at Philadelphia --> Romans & Hebrews --> The Parable of The Pearl of Great Price. 7. The Church at Laodicea --> 1st & 2nd Thessalonians --> The Parable of A Large Net. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 14 - The transition from Old Testament to New Testament continues - John the Baptist is beheaded at the request of Herodias the new wife of Herod who had instructed her daughter to make the request of Herod after having her daughter dance for Herod in a seductive way during his birthday party - The fame of Jesus reaches the Palace of Herod Antipas [son of King Herod the Great, Matthew chapters 1-2]</html><html><summary> 'Matthew 14:10-12 And he (Herod) sent, and beheaded John [the Baptist] in the prison. ... and his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.' - The transition from the Old Testament age to the New Testament age continues. Had the Prophet John the Baptist remained it would have been confusing to the people as people continued to follow John the Baptist while the ministry of Jesus Christ was just now coming into its true focus that Jesus was to die for the sins of every person. Soon even the Temple itself and the Levitical Priesthood would like John the Baptist have successfully completed their purpose and having fulfilled their need will be removed from the scene in order to clear up any confusion that a functioning Levitical Temple and sacrificing Priesthood would create. - John the Baptist prepared the hearts of the Nation of Israel to receive their Messiah and they did as the Disciples and Apostles of Jesus Christ began and laid the foundation of the Christian Church that continues on to this day. The Levitical Priesthood as well brought forth all that it was intended to do as it provided the atoning blood sacrifices to enable God to dwell in their midst in a time before the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The vestiges of the Levitical Priesthood continues to provide an astounding array of examples, types, illustrations and shadows of the Atonement process for our understanding and for our edification. Both John the Baptist and the Levitical Priesthood are gone but their legacy will continue on for eternity. </summary></html> <html><tt>The death of John the Baptist - By the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37 AD - 100 AD) describes in his Jewish antiquities [97 AD] the authenticity of Josephus' words on John has never been doubted</tt></html><html><summary> The Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37-c.100) describes in his Jewish antiquities the destruction of the army of the Jewish leader Herod Antipas. Many people thought that this was a divine punishment, because Antipas had ordered the execution of a just man, John the Baptist. The incident is hard to date; the story assumes that Antipas' brother Philip had already died (which he did in 34 AD), but this seems too late, because John was already arrested before Jesus of Nazareth was executed (which probably happened in 30 AD [to 34 AD]). Unlike the Testimonium Flavianum, the authenticity of Josephus' words on John has never been doubted. The strongest argument for their authenticity is that they are not connected to Christian interpretations. If a Christian author would have inserted a story on John, he would have retold the stories found in the gospels of Mark and Luke. ... 'Now some of the Jews thought that the destruction of Herod's army came from God as a just punishment of what Herod had done against John, who was called the Baptist. For Herod had killed this good man, who had commanded the Jews to exercise virtue, righteousness towards one another and piety towards God. ...' </summary></html> http://www.livius.org/jo-jz/josephus/fj02.html ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 15 - Jesus continues to teach, instruct and direct the Disciples - Conflict with the established religious leaders continues to grow - Jesus miraculously feeds the multitudes [5,000 Jewish followers, and later 4,000 primarily Gentile followers]</html><html><summary> Jesus' Miraculous Feeding of the Multitudes: The first miracle [Matthew 14:13-21] fed over five thousand Jews and was in an open place near Bethsaida (house of mercy). The second miracle [Matthew 15:29-39] fed over four thousand mostly Gentiles and was located on a mountain near the Sea of Galilee in the area of the 10 Greek remnant cities [Greek Decapolis Cities in Israel] left over from the Greek Dynasty that ruled over Israel prior to the Roman Dynasty ruling over Israel in the time Jesus. In the previous feeding of the five thousand Jews [five represents grace] the Disciples gathered in 12 baskets [the complete Nation of Israel, one basket for each of the 12 Tribes of Israel] while in the later Gentile feeding of four thousand [four represents the whole world, the four corners - quadrants of the globe; E,W,N,S] the Disciples gathered in seven baskets [seven represents complete] and of note the type of Gentile baskets that were used were two to three times the size of the previous Jewish baskets used so although only seven baskets were gathered in more material was gathered in the Gentile feeding than the Jewish feeding though in both feedings all the people were completely filled and all of the remnants were completely gathered in. - 'Matthew 15:29-39 And Jesus departed from [northern most Mediterranean Sea coast of Israel, Tyre and Sidon] thence, and came nigh unto the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. And great [Gentile] multitudes came unto Him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet; and He healed them: Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they [Gentiles] glorified the God of Israel. Then Jesus called His disciples unto Him, and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with Me now three days, and have nothing to eat: and I will not send them away fasting, lest they faint in the way. And His disciples say unto Him, Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a multitude? And Jesus saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to His disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven [Gentile] baskets full. And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children. And He sent away the multitude, and took ship, and came into the coasts of Magdala [home of Mary Magdalene 'Mary of Magdala' located on the Sea of Galilee, by Mount Arbel].' </summary></html> <html><tt>Cities of Ancient Israel - Decapolis - Decapolis was a Greek name for a league of approximately ten (deka) Hellenistic or Hellenized cities with their territories - in Roman times with some Jews living there (Map)</tt></html><html><summary> Region. Decapolis was Greek name for a league of approximately ten (deka) Hellenistic or Hellenized cities with their territories, in Roman times (with some Jews living there). All of them, except Scythopolis, were on the Transjordan side of the River. The New Testament (Matt 4:25; Mark 5:20) is the earliest mention of Decapolis revealing it as largely a gentile territory bordering Galilee and Perea: [Matt. 4:25; Mark 5:20; 7:31]. It is very difficult to say which cities were part of the league at one time or another. Pliny (Nat. Hist. 5, 74) mentions Damascus, Philadelphia (Rabbath-Ammon), Raphana, Scythopolis (Beth Shan), Gadara, Hippos (Susita), Dium, Pella (Pehel), Gerasa and Canatha (Kanath), yet he admits that his list is different from that of other writers. Ptolemy (Geography v, 14, 18) lists different cities, omitting Raphana and adding Abila, Lycianae, and Capitolias. Stephan of Byzantium (Gerasa) mentions 14 cities rather than the original 10. </summary></html> http://www.bible-history.com/geography/ancient-israel/decapolis.html <html><tt>MAGDALA, HOME OF MARY MAGDALENE (Photo)</tt></html><html><summary> On the Sea of Galilee, near the base of towering Mount Arbel, lie the ruins of the ancient city of Magdala. Today the remains of the city can be found by traveling north about six kilometers on the coastal road from Tiberias. Magdala was placed on the map forever because of its most famous first-century resident. We know her from the dozen references in the New Testament as Mary Magdalene. We also know from the Gospels that Jesus (Yeshua) delivered this woman from a demonized life (Mark 16:9). Thereafter, she became a disciple par excellence. Mary accomplished something that the twelve selected disciples did not accomplish. She followed Jesus all the way to the cross (John 19:25), and three days later she was the first witness to the resurrection of the Lord (John 20:14-18). Mary's city, Magdala, is mentioned only once in scripture, in Matthew 15:39. Here it is stated that Jesus came to the region of Magdala. However, even in this instance, the NIV translates Magdala as Magadan. The area of Magdala is also associated in the New Testament with the name Dalmanutha, as seen in Mark 8:10. All other references to the city are indirect ones. Like so many other ancient cities, Magdala was rediscovered in the past century. In 1971-74, the city was excavated by Corbo and Loffreda. In their excavations they discovered a mini-synagogue, a water reservoir and some mosaics. One of the mosaics, now on display at Capernaum, depicts an ancient boat with both sails and oars, not unlike the famous boat actually discovered in the general area in 1986. </summary></html> http://www.churchisraelforum.com/Magdala_home_of_Mary_Magdalene.htm ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 16 - Jesus warns His Disciples about being influenced by the worldly teachings [leaven] of the Pharisees and the Sadducees - In Caesarea Philippi [lost city of Pan, possibly the most wicked place on earth] Jesus continues seeking the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel and Jesus asks the Disciples who they thought He is - Peter replies 'You are the Christ (Messiah) {not the false Satan god Pan}, the Son of the living God' - Having begun to establish His Divine nature Jesus then tells the Disciples of His need to go to Jerusalem and be sacrificed - 'Matthew 16:21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto His disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day'</html><html><summary> Who do people say that Jesus is? Matthew 16:13-19 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the 'Son of man' am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias (Elijah); and others, Jeremias (Jeremiah), or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon (Peter) Barjona [Peter 'son of Dove' (i.e. the same Holy Spirit Dove that John the Baptist saw), Holy Spirit grace]: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this [confession that Jesus is the Messiah] Rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys [knowledge that Jesus is the Christ] of the Kingdom of Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven [spiritual warfare prayer]: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven [intercessory prayer]. - People were saying that Jesus might be John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or one of several prophets even the Christ. Included in this wide display of options of who Jesus might be is that Jesus encompassed the emotions and attributes of a wide variety of people. Jesus being God has all of the emotions and attributes that each human has only a part of. For instance John the Baptist and Jeremiah had completely different personality traits. John the Baptist was very public, outgoing and confidant while Jeremiah was introverted. For the people observing and spending time with Jesus to reach such broad based conclusions about Jesus really means that the people also saw themselves and their own personalities in the person of Jesus. Jesus is completely able and capable of fellowshipping with each individual regardless of personality types or individual traits. </summary></html> <html><tt>2008.12.07 The Antichrist [Part 9 of 12] - The Tribe of Dan, Mount Hermon 'Mountain of forbidden place' a three peaked mountain also called Baal-Hermon Judges 3:3, Mt. Sion Deuteronomy 4:48 but not to be confused with Mt. Zion located in Jerusalem - 'Hermes' in Greek - ['Caesarea Philippi' renamed many times 200 B.C. Caesarea Pan (Pan, Satan worship), Caesarea Banias {Arabic} - lost city of Pan (Satan worship) human sacrifice on the high place of Mt. Hermon - where the fallen angels of Genesis 6 came down to], Fallen Angels - The Giants Nephilim - Scott A Johnson (Mp3s)</tt></html><html><summary> Brief Sermon Overview: Several obscure prophecies in the Bible point to the possibility that the Antichrist may (in part) descend from the Tribe of Dan. The Merovingians claim to come from the tribe of Judah through Jesus Christ. However, the weight of evidence indicates that they descended from the tribe of Dan. Although Scripture states that Samson was "of the family of the Danites" [Judges 13:2], Yair Davidy of Brit-Am Israel claims that Sampson's lineage includes the Messianic tribe of Judah: "Samson...came from the Tribe of Dan but his mother was from Judah. Samson, in some respects, was considered a forerunner of the Messiah who will come from Judah but his mother will be of the Tribe of Dan." [Brit-Am Israel newsletter, 2/9/99] The Tribe of Dan also is missing from Rev. 7 regarding the 12 tribes (144,000) sealed during the Tribulation and the half tribe of Manasses takes their place: "And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel. Of the tribes of Juda... Reuben... Gad... Aser... Nepthalim... Manasses... Simeon... Levi... Issachar... Zabulon... Joseph... Benjamin were sealed..." Revelation 7:4-8 According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Hermon means "Forbidden Place." Mount Hermon may of been the port of entry for the wicked angels, who corrupted the human race in the days of Noah. Moses wrote: "The sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose .... There were giants in the earth in those days, and also after that, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bare children to them... Gen. 6:1-3. </summary></html> http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakerWithinSource=&subsetCat=series&subsetItem=Current+Events+and+Bible+Study&mediatype=&includekeywords=&keyword=drscottjohnson&keyworddesc=drscottjohnson&currsection=sermonssource&AudioOnly=false&SourceOnly=true&keywordwithin=antichrist&x=0&y=0 ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 17 - Jesus travels outside of Israel 'into an high mountain apart' [it is the only known time of Jesus going outside of the land of Israel] - Jesus is Transfigured into His Heavenly (Spiritual) body in the sight of three of the 12 Apostles [Peter, James, John (Gospel of John)] - After the Transfiguration a demon attacks a child and the Disciples are unable to cast it out of the Child - Jesus 'rebuked the devil' and it departed - Jesus told the Disciples that their unbelief [taking their focus away from Jesus] allowed the devil to remain in the child -- 'Matthew 17:19-21 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him (devil) out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief [distraction from Jesus]: ... and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting'</html><html><summary> 'Matthew 17:1-8 And after six days [six, incomplete not yet a permanent transfiguration] Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart [outside of Israel], And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses [Law] and Elias (Elijah) [Prophets] talking with Him. ... While he (Peter) yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is My beloved Son, in whom I Am well pleased; hear ye Him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise [Resurrection], and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.' Jesus was without sin and therefore could be bodily Transfigured something sinful humans cannot do we need to first die and separate from our physical body of sin (Romans 8:3) and then we Christians receive our new transfigured (1 Corinthians 15:35-55) bodies. - Mt. Nebo [where Moses died] located outside of Israel separated from the Holy Land was also very likely the location of the Mt. of Transfiguration (Matt 17:1, Mark 9:1; Luke 9:28) because the Transfiguration of Jesus took place before the cross of Jesus and therefore the sins that kept Moses out of the Promise Land the first time would also keep Moses out of Israel this second time. If Moses is one of the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:1-12) in Jerusalem during the Revelation Period it will be because it is after the cross of Jesus and the sins of Moses are now gone having been nailed to the cross (Colossians 2:14) with all the other sins of humanity and now Moses can enter the Promise Land of Israel. Note: Peter, James and John are often set apart from the other disciples as they are representational of the three 'Last Days' - 'End Time' groups. Peter represents the Jews [Galatians 2:7 the gospel of the circumcision (Jews) was unto Peter], James was beheaded and represents the Martyred Saints of Revelation [Acts 12:2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword], and John represents the Born Again Raptured Christian Church [Revelation 4:1 I (John) looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven]. </summary></html> <html><tt>Mt. Nebo where Moses Died is Located in Jordan [Jordan is an excellent part of the Biblical lands though it is not a part of the Holy Land - The Holy Land is exclusively Israel and specifically Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24)] - The Time and Place of the Transfiguration of Jesus</tt></html><html><summary> ABSTRACT: This speculative article proposes that the Transfiguration of Jesus occurred on Mt. Nebo, [Easter] Sunday April 20, six days after Passover April 14, AD 32 [the next year AD 33 was the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus] about three weeks following the feeding of the 5000. The 5000 were fed when Passover was "near". Standard chronologies place the Transfiguration around the feast of Tabernacles six-months later, on or near Mt. Hermon. Peter's confession was on Passover and prefigures the identification of the Messiah for Crucifixion and the Transfiguration prefigures the Resurrection. ... Overview: The approximate time of the Transfiguration can be discerned from the following information-In John 6:4 we are told, 'the Jewish Passover feast was near'. This Passover was one year before Jesus' final Passover. The author understands "Passover was near" to mean that the month of Nisan/Abib was starting. Jesus that day fed 5000 men. That night Jesus spent in prayer then before dawn he walked across the Sea of Galilee in a storm. The next day in Capernaum Jesus declared that we must eat his body and drink his blood. Most who heard this message rejected it. After this rejection, Jesus appears to turn his ministry to the gentiles for a time. He then rather that preparing to go down to Jerusalem for the Passover, journeyed northwest (20-50 miles) to the region of Tyre and Sidon and healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman of great faith. Jesus then journeyed back to the Sea of Galilee and onto the Decapolis region. There he spent three days with, and fed 4000 men (probably gentiles) and then sent them away. Jesus then crossed the Sea of Galilee to Magadan or Dalmanutha where he encounters Pharisees and Sadducees looking for a sign. They again journeyed to the other side where Jesus healed a blind man in Bethsaida (near the northern end of the Sea of Galilee). These events and travel took nearly two weeks. Then Jesus and the apostles journeyed 25 miles north to the region of Caesarea Philippi, where Peter declared that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Then Jesus started to directly predict his crucifixion. Jesus had been doing this bit of traveling so that he came under that clause that permitted one to miss the Passover in Nisan and instead go in the second month if he was on a journey. Jesus by this time was well recognized and there was a constant threat to his life by the religious leaders. To have gone to Jerusalem for this feast would have precipitated his crucifixion a year early. They went in the second month when they could go secretly. The transfiguration occurs six days after Peter's confession. Now it is likely that Elijah was taken up from the same mountain that Moses died on, Mt. Nebo also known as Pizgah. Mt. Nebo is about a hundred miles south of Caesarea Philippi and 20 miles east of Jericho near the Dead Sea. Mt. Nebo: Why Mt. Nebo for the Transfiguration? Moses died on Mt Nebo (Deut. 34:1,7). Elijah was headed in the direction of Mt. Nebo when he was taken and Jeremiah hid the tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant on Mt. Nebo. In 2 Kings 2:1 Elijah starts from Gilgal in the hill country of Ephraim. He went about 8 miles south to Bethel. From there, he journeyed 13 miles east-southeast (ESE) to Jericho. From there, he continued on to the Jordan, if he continued ESE he came to the Jordan at 7 miles. He crossed the Jordan on dry land and continued. If he continued ESE in 14 miles, he would reach the summit of Mt. Nebo also known as Pizgah. This is speculative scenario, but is possible and even likely. Jeremiah hid the tabernacle, the altar of incense, and the Ark of the Covenant on Mt. Nebo. If Moses and Elijah both departed from Mt. Nebo how appropriate, that Jesus' departure discussed there. Peter called the mount of transfiguration a holy mountain-and Maccabees states Mt. Nebo was sanctified to God or made holy. It is also stated that the majesty of the LORD shall appear, and there shall be a cloud as it was also shown to Moses. These events fit the transfiguration-the disciples saw Jesus' majesty and the cloud. Jesus and the apostles then journeyed four days, about 90 miles south, then they rested near the Jericho on the Sabbath. The next day the transfiguration occurred-Sunday Omer/Easter Nisan. Went to a high mountain to pray-could they have prayed all night. Transfiguration occurred "as he was praying". Peter and his companions were very sleepy-an indication that the transfiguration occurred during the night-when they came fully awake they saw. The request to build shelters could imply a place to sleep as opposed to a tabernacle for the feast of Booths [more likely Peter was attempting to build shrine like structures to commemorate the people and the event an idea that Jesus did not seem to approve of]. This mention by Peter of booths has caused commentators to place this event near the feast of Booths or Tabernacles in the fall. The feast of Tabernacles must be celebrated in Jerusalem not on some high mountain, six days or less journey from Caesarea Philippi. This mountain is normally taken to be on or near Mt. Hermon, which dominated the area around that town. Peter's mention of booths has no connection with the feast of booths. In the gospel of John, the feast of Tabernacles follows the feeding of the 5000. But we know from Matthew's gospel that Jesus returned to Capernaum immediately following the Transfiguration incident because there was an attempt to collect the two-drachma tax. This tax was normally paid before Passover. Therefore, this cannot be occurring just before the feast the feast of Tabernacles because they leave from here and go to Capernaum rather than Jerusalem. It cannot be occurring after the feast because they are all the way up in Caesarea Philippi and have spent at least two weeks traveling about. </summary></html> http://www.tckillian.com/bible/EasterTransfiguration.htm ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 18 - Jesus places a special interest in the safety, well-being and care of all children -- 'Matthew 18:6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones [children] which believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea'</html><html><summary> Matthew 18:7-10 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! ... Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones [children]; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of My Father which is in heaven.' - It isn't the will of God to let evil happen in the world. Those who commit evil are not doing it for God and they are certainly not doing it on behalf of God. Evil is allowed to happen even to children but only momentarily because along with the evil a corresponding judgment is also occurring as well. - Guardian Angels: Angels are watching over us. Note: Holy Angels are always in the presence of God in Heaven but Heaven is not a faraway place [Heaven is a near place it is just a different realm that we cannot see] so actually Angels are both in the presence of God in Heaven and they are simultaneously watching over each of us. It is considered that Angels in the spirit realm travel faster than the speed of sound and at least as fast as the speed of light and possibly travel as fast as the speed of thought. A final note in the Bible the (Septuagint) Scriptures use some of the words Angels, stars in heaven, Saints and grains of sand 'upon the sea shore' interchangeably alluding that there are as many holy Angels as there are stars in heaven and as many people as there are grains of sand 'upon the sea shore' and that they all equal each other [probably to the exact number] we now know that there are billions of stars and billions of grains of sand and billions of people exist and billions more have existed on the planet [more people lived from the time of Adam to Noah than at any other time and also the time from Adam to Noah was a long time lasting some two thousand years]. With the number of holy Angels equaling the number of people it does seem to be designed that each child [biblically every human is a child until we become sons (adults) only once we enter into Heaven and the perceivable presence of God] meaning that each person does have their own Guardian Angel or at least an angel and even several angels to assist God in watching out for us, helping to protect us, encouraging us to take holy action while departing from evil and also actually fighting for us in keeping evil spirits and demonic entities away from us physically for most of our time helping to enabling us so that we can interact with God and with one another in a holy, often unrestricted manner. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 19 - Jesus continues to teach, instruct and lead the Disciples regarding both His cross to come and His eternal Kingdom - Emphasized and brought into view for the Disciples to learn about, to understand, to appreciate and most importantly for the Disciples to live eternally within -- ' Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them (Disciples), and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible'</html><html><summary> 'Matthew 19:28-30 And Jesus said unto them (Disciples), Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration [resurrection] when the Son of Man (Jesus) shall sit in the throne of His Glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My Name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But [follow Jesus as a servant because] many that are first [among men] shall be last; and the last [among society] shall be first.' - In saying to 'sit upon twelve thrones' Jesus is telling the Disciples that one system, the New Testament system is replacing the old system the Old Testament (Levitical) system and that the new system is superior to the old system. Also Note: 'in the regeneration' meaning that both system so have eternal ramifications and an eternal being as adherents to both systems combing in the resurrection to come because both systems are actually covered by the one oath, blood and ministry of Jesus Christ. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 20 - Jesus now moves His ministry from primarily teaching, healing, miracles and leadership into His ultimate stated purpose and destiny that of His crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem -- 'Matthew 20:17-19 And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, And shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again'</html><html><summary> 'Matthew 20:28 Even as the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister [to others], and to give His *life (lit. Soul) a ransom for many.' - 'Isaiah 53:10-11 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise Him (Jesus); He (Father) hath put Him to grief: when thou shalt make His *Soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed [Kingdom inheritors], He shall prolong His days [eternity], and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his Hand. He (Father) shall see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied [the cross is a complete sacrifice, humans can add nothing to the cross or take anything away from the cross of Jesus]: by His knowledge shall My Righteous Servant (Jesus) justify [make right with God] many; for He shall bear their iniquities.' - Jesus the 'son of Man' came to give His Soul as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus physically died on the cross but His Soul was also a sacrifice on the cross for us as well. The cross of Jesus Christ was a physical, emotional and Spiritual sacrifice for each of us. We are each healed spiritually, emotionally and eternally physically [new body] by the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross was so immense that it will take a finite mankind an eternity to even begin to grasp and understand the enormity of the love and of the sacrifice of the cross of Jesus Christ. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 21 - Jesus and His Disciples are now near Jerusalem - Jesus sends two of His Disciples to a Donkey with its young offspring - The Disciples bring the Lord [ultimate owner] His Donkey [the guy probably didn't redeem His donkey according to the law (Exodus 13:13) and as a first born colt it did belong to God] - Jesus then enters into Jerusalem riding upon an untamed colt [untamed to man but tame to God] -- 'Psalm 118:23-29 This is the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our eyes. This is the day [Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem] which the LORD hath made; we (Kingdom Disciples) will rejoice and be glad in it. Save [Salvation] now, I beseech thee, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech thee, send now prosperity [healing]. Blessed be He (Jesus) that cometh in the Name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the House [Temple worship] of the LORD. *God is the LORD, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice [Jesus] with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art My God, and I will praise thee [while Jesus is enduring His suffering He will praise His Father in Heaven]: thou art My God {My Father}, I will exalt [honor] thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.' {Note: The 70 Weeks of Daniel are counting the days of Gentile Kingdoms starting at "the commandment [by king Artaxerxes to Nehemiah to rebuild the Jerusalem wall about 445 B.C. (source: http://www.bereanwatchmen.com/j.r.lawendowski/daniels-70-weeks.html) - following the earlier King Cyrus 538 B.C. command for the Jews to return back to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity - both commands were given during the Gentile Persian empire of the 4th Global Gentile Kingdom] to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah" -- The 69th Week concluded on Saturday [not Sunday but (Palm Saturday)] the day of the [Jewish] Triumphal Entry [fulfillment of the Feast of Sabbath] of Jesus into Jerusalem [ending Global Gentile Kingdom reign (the beginning of the end of 1 Nation Gentile Global Reign until the 7th Kingdom, the Global Kingdom of Antichrist)]. Also Note: The 70th and final week of Daniels' 70 Weeks is in the Book of Revelation during the Gentile Antichrist Global Reign while the time period between the Triumphal Entry of Jesus (completed in Resurrection Sunday) is the Christian Church Age (Acts 15:14-18) until the empowerment of the 1 Antichrist Global Kingdom.}</html><html><summary> A Day foretold by the Prophets and the Scriptures: The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was foretold throughout the Hebrew Old Testament. The Psalms particularly Psalm 118, the Prophets Daniel and Ezekiel and in fact all of Heaven and all of creation desired to see the Day that the LORD had made the day that God came and established His Holy, just and righteous Kingdom among all mankind. - 'Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass [donkey], and upon a colt the foal [baby donkey] of an ass.' - 'Zechariah 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass [donkey], and upon a colt the foal [baby donkey] of an ass.' - *'Daniel 9:24-27 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [Jews] and upon thy Holy City [Jerusalem], to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision [Law] and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy (Jesus). Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah (Jesus) the Prince shall be seven weeks [seven Jewish decades 49 years - these weeks were the Jewish decade of seven years the Levitical decade seventh year of release], and threescore and two weeks [62 Jewish decades 434 years]: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. And after threescore and two weeks [the 434 years] shall Messiah be cut off [crucifixion], but not for Himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. And He [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [the 70th and final week regarding Jerusalem]: and in the midst of the week at [3½ years] he [Antichrist] shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation [in the rebuilt 3rd Temple] to cease, and for the overspreading [saturation] of abominations [evil] he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation [end of the Book of Revelation], and that determined shall be poured [bowl judgments of Revelation 16:1] upon the desolate.' </summary></html> http://basicchristian.org/blog_biblestudy.html ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 22 - Jesus is now in Jerusalem - His very presence creates a dilemma for both the religious leaders and the political leaders - A dilemma that will ultimately result in the rejection, betrayal and crucifixion of Jesus Christ the Son of Man and also the Son of God - 'Matthew 22:46 And no man was able to answer [discredit] Him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask Him any more [discrediting] questions.'</html><html><summary> Matthew 22:41-45 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, Saying, What think ye of (Messiah) Christ? whose son is He [is the Messiah the Son of God]? They say unto Him, The Son of David [a human]. He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit [anointed prophesying] call Him Lord [superior], saying, The LORD (God) said unto my Lord (the promised offspring Messiah of King David), Sit thou on My right hand [in Heaven], till I make thine enemies thy footstool? If David then call Him (Jesus) Lord, how is he his son [Jesus has always existed]? - In the patriarchal (father) system of the Bible and of humanity the father would never call a child 'Lord' or owner. The father is the lord (authority) and owner of the estate then the father passes on his estate to his sons in their inheritance. For King David to call a future descendant, not even yet born, his 'Lord' his authority, King David was acknowledging that he had inherited his throne, authority and kingdom from a future descendant the Messiah. King David made no claim of having established his throne to pass long to God but that God had established his throne for him to pass along to the Messiah Jesus Christ. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 23 - Jesus had entered Jerusalem as the King of the Universe in His Triumphal entry when Jesus briefly looked around in the Temple and departed - The next day Jesus returned to the Temple and removed the merchandisers [people who were wrongly using the Temple] from the Temple, His Father's House - The Temple is strictly for ministry and worship between God and His people and not for any other purposes - Jesus then returned this following day to teach in the Temple to the people without distractions from the merchants</html><html><summary> This current Generation and the destruction of both Jerusalem and the Temple: 'Matthew 21:43 Therefore say I (Jesus) unto you [Pharisees], The Kingdom of God [evidence of God in their midst] shall be taken from you, and given to a Nation [Gentiles] bringing forth the fruits thereof.' Note: In the Gospel of Matthew the Kingdom of Heaven is the eternal Kingdom while the Kingdom of God is evidence of God being in their midst here on earth i.e. Matthew 12:28. - 'Matthew 22:14 For many [all] are called, but few [answer the call and] are chosen.' Note: All are called by God to enter into a relationship with God [John 12:32] those who respond to the call like Abraham did become the 'chosen' of God. Being chosen [as Isaac was chosen over Ishmael] is a package deal and includes being elect [Jacob was elect, assigned a specific task to accomplish in becoming the father of 12 Tribes], justified [Jacob became Israel when he was justified by God and his name was changed from Jacob to Israel], predestined [Joseph was predestined to be changed into the image of Jesus as Joseph wore the multicolored coat Genesis 37:3] and glorified (changed into the [spiritual body] image of Jesus) [Joseph a Biblical type of Jesus was glorified (accomplished in his task he was elected to do) and ruled over both the Jewish nation and the Gentile world; all the Tribes of Israel bowed down to Joseph and Joseph was appointed authority in Egypt]. - 'Matthew 23:36 Verily I (Jesus) say unto you, All these things [destruction of Jerusalem and destruction the Temple] shall come upon this generation. Matthew 23:38-39 Behold, your house [Temple] is left unto you desolate [because the Spirit of the Living God (Jesus) is permanently departing the Temple - The Spirit of the Living God also departed the first Temple in Jerusalem [Ezekiel 10:18] before the destruction of the first Temple]. For I say unto you, Ye shall not see Me (Jesus) henceforth, till [second coming when] ye shall say, Blessed is He (Jesus) that cometh in the Name of the Lord.' </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 24 - Jesus having just permanently departed from the Temple and after telling of the coming destruction of the Temple to His Disciples - Jesus then went and sat by Himself at His favorite location a hillside of olive orchards called the Mount of Olives (Mt. Olivet) - The Disciples having just seen Jesus depart from the Temple [His Father's House] for the last time and having just heard Jesus tell them of the coming destruction of the Temple came to Jesus and asked Him when and where He intended to rule His Kingdom from since the Temple was going to be destroyed - Jesus told His Disciples to be careful that no one deceived them about His Kingdom - That initially His Kingdom is not of this world but that after a long time and a long series of events many of them supernatural that His Kingdom would then be ushered into this world</html><html><summary> The coming Generation and the fulfillment of all the events of the Book of Revelation: 'Matthew 24:34 Verily I (Jesus) say unto you, This [End Time] generation shall not pass, till all these things [mainly the book of Revelation] be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.' - Jesus has already said that the Temple was to be destroyed "There shall not be left here one (Temple) stone upon another" and that later the Antichrist (abomination of desolation) was to sit in the Temple "holy place" [rebuilt Temple] 'Matthew 24:15 When ye {presumably the End Time readers} therefore shall *see the abomination of desolation (Antichrist), spoken of by Daniel the prophet [Daniel 9:27], stand in the holy place [inside the 3rd veil in the rebuilt Temple], whoso *readeth, let him understand' Note: The event of the Antichrist is possibly going to be a televised type of event 'When ye therefore shall *see the abomination.' Events inside the Temple were not to be seen by the outside world and are enclosed y walls and curtains however Jesus seems to be alluding that this Temple event will be seen by everyone either in some televised format or possibly even in some demonic projection capabilities or possibly some massive demonic telepathic hallucinogenic type of event. Jesus began His discussion with His Disciples in warning them to not be deceived and Jesus reiterated several times that deception and demonic activity would increase around the time of the Antichrist. - The majority of the last generation End Time events of the book of Revelation are to be centered around the Jews and in the city of Jerusalem including a rebuilt Temple. 'Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people [Jews] and upon thy holy city (Jerusalem) ...' It seems that Jesus is summarizing all of the Jerusalem End Time Antichrist events into a Parable about a Fig Tree [Matthew 24:32-35]. The original Fig Tree was in Genesis 3:7 and was used by Adam and Eve in an attempt to cover their own sin. The Fig Tree in the Parable of Jesus is most probably the rebuilding of the 3rd Temple in Jerusalem because the type of Temple worship that is trying to be recreate has become obsolete by the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ so in a sense the 3rd Temple is a recreation of the Fig Tree because like the Fig Tree of Genesis the 3rd Temple in Jerusalem is going to be stitched together by human hands and it will absolutely not cover or remove any sin. However the Antichrist will invade the 3rd Temple and enter into the holy place and attempt to proclaim himself to be God from within the Temple as everyone alive and on the earth at that time will probably witness and *see somehow either by televised technology or a type of demonically spiritual activity. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 24 - Jesus continues His Mount Olivet discussion "Mount Olivet discourse" End Time teachings with His Disciples -- 'Matthew 24:3-6 And as He (Jesus) sat upon the Mount of Olives, the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of Thy coming [Kingdom reign], and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in My Name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet'</html><html><summary> The Elect of God: All the people throughout time who like Abraham have answered the call of God become the elect of God. 'Matthew 24:29 Immediately after the tribulation of those [End Time - war and famine - seven seal judgments - the book of Revelation] days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven [seven trumpet judgments - the book of Revelation], and the [Satanic] powers of the heavens shall be shaken [seven bowl judgments - the book of Revelation]: And then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming [Second Coming] in the clouds of heaven with Power and Great Glory. And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His *elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.' --- There are actually two groups of *elect people and this stems from the 'Firstborn' inheritance that Jesus Christ is to receive. - 'Deuteronomy 21:17 But he shall acknowledge the son of the hated {divorced wife} for the firstborn, by giving him a double portion of all that he hath: for he is the beginning of his strength; *the right of the firstborn is his.' - 'Colossians 1:18 And He (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the *firstborn [Resurrection] from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence.' The Biblical inheritance of the firstborn is a double portion and as an inheritance Jesus is to receive both the Jews and the Nations (Gentiles) two inheritances and therefore two groups of called and two groups of those who answer the call of God and become the chosen, elect, justified, predestined and glorified by God. Note: Jesus is to inherit the Jews and the Gentiles this does include all of those who have ever existed it includes the Righteous Gentiles of Lot's day before Abraham, all the time up until the Christian [mostly Gentile] Church and the future Gentile Martyred Saints of Revelation. Also Note: The inheritance of Jesus does include the earth, all creation and all possessions, the earth will pass away and there will be a new earth so primarily The Kingdom of Jesus is uniquely about people and about God's love for people. Jesus came to save the people and His plan for eternity is centered and oriented only around the people of His creation. --- Israel is one portion of inheritance for the firstborn Jesus Christ: 'Isaiah 19:25.. and Israel my Inheritance.' - 'Zechariah 2:12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah (Jewish nation) His portion in the holy land and shall choose [to reign from] Jerusalem again.' - 'Psalms 78:70-71 He chose David (king David) also His servant and took him from the sheepfolds [David was a shepherd]: From following the ewes (female sheep) great with young he brought him to feed Jacob His people [Jews] and Israel His (God's) inheritance. {Jacob and Israel are both mentioned both referring to the Jewish nation, this is a poetic way of emphasizing the Jewish nation.} --- Israel is the Elect of God: 'Isaiah 45:4 For Jacob My servant's sake, and Israel Mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known Me.' --- The Gentiles are the second [double portion] of inheritance for the firstborn Jesus Christ: 'Psalms 82:8 Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations.' - 'Psalms 2:7,8 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto Me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee [both physical birth of Jesus in the manger and Resurrection day of Jesus] Ask of Me (Father) and I shall give thee the heathen (Gentiles) for thine inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.' - 'Isaiah 54:3 For thou shall break forth on the right hand and on the left [the Jewish nation is not going to get wiped out but is going have a great population]; And thy seed (Jesus) shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate to be inhabited.' --- The [Gentile in nature] Christian Church is also the elect of God: 'Titus 1:1-2 [Apostle] Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began ...' </summary></html> <html>Matthew 24 (Part 2) - Jesus concludes His "Mount Olivet discourse" by telling His Disciples some more parables about the End Times and about His eternal Kingdom - Jesus began His Mount Olivet discourse talking about deception and the End Times and Jesus ends His final Mount Olivet words by talking about eternal judgment and eternal life -- 'Matthew 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal'</html><html><summary> The Second Coming of the Lord: Matthew 24:44-51 Therefore be ye [Disciples] also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of Man cometh [Second Coming]. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom His Lord hath made ruler over His household [Church], to give them meat [Bible study] in due season [every day]? Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when He cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That He shall make him ruler over all His [Heavenly] goods. But and if that evil servant [backslider] shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth His [2nd] coming; And shall begin to smite [abuse] his fellowservants [Disciples], and to eat and drink with the drunken; The Lord of that servant shall come [Second Coming] in a day when he looketh not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, and shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion [eternal damnation] with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. - The teaching of Jesus Christ is about Heaven and the open opportunity for people to spend eternity in heaven and His teaching is also about hell and the very real possibility of people spending eternity in hell. God created mankind for a purpose and God came to a separated mankind with His purpose to reunite mankind back together with Himself in Heaven where it has always been intended for mankind to be in fellowship and in communion with the Holy God. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 25-26 - Jesus has concluded His Mount Olivet teachings and discourse with His Disciples - Jesus now completely sets His mind on the events of the coming Feasts of the Passover Week - Events that will include initiating and instituting the New Testament with His Communion Bread and Wine offering to the Disciples - His self-sacrifice on the cross and three days later His Glorious Eternal Life Resurrection</html><html><summary> 'Matthew 26:17 Now the first day of the feast of unleavened bread [The Passover is an unleavened bread feast and the unleavened part starts on the 14the day of Nisan (the selection of the lamb is on the 10th) then the feast continues with the seven days of the Feast of Unleavened bread starting on the 15th of Nisan for a total of eight straight days of unleaded bread] the disciples came to Jesus, saying unto Him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the Passover? And He said, Go into the city (Jerusalem) to such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand; I will keep the Passover at thy house with My disciples. And the disciples did as Jesus had appointed them; and they made ready the Passover. Now when the even was come, He (Jesus) sat down with the twelve (Apostles). And as they did eat [the Passover], He said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you [Judas] shall betray Me. And they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto Him, Lord, is it I? And He answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with Me in the dish, the same shall betray Me. The Son of Man goeth [to the cross] as it is written of Him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born. Then Judas, which betrayed Him, answered and said, Master, is it I? He said unto Him, Thou hast said. And as they were eating, Jesus took Bread, and Blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the Disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My Body. And He took the Cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many [all] for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit [grape] of the vine, until that day when I drink it New with you in [Heaven] My Father's Kingdom. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives.' - The Communion of Jesus Christ: The sacrifice offering of Jesus Christ was His physical body, His mind (soul) and His Spirit [Jesus was separated from the Father while on the cross]. The Communion Bread and the Communion Cup that Jesus is offering His disciples to partake in references both the physical sacrifice offering of Jesus on and the cross and it also represents the Resurrected Eternal Spiritual Body and Spiritual Life Blood of the Resurrected Jesus. When we take and break the Unleavened Bread of Communion we are referencing the physical body of Jesus Christ and when we take the Wine of the Communion of Jesus Christ and mingle it with the water we are referencing the physical blood of Jesus Christ. When we eat the bread of the body of Jesus Christ we are internalizing the Resurrection and the eternal Spiritual body of Jesus and likewise when we drink of the Wine of Jesus we are drinking and internalizing the Resurrection and the eternal Spiritual life blood of Jesus. In a sense we are breaking the physical and taking on the Spiritual. -- '1 Corinthians 11:23-28 For I [Apostle Paul] have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night [Passover] in which He was betrayed [by Judas] took [physical] bread: And when He had given thanks, He brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is My body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of Me. After the same manner also He took the Cup, when He had supped, saying, This Cup is the [Resurrection] New Testament in My Blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of Me. For as often as ye eat this Bread, and drink this Cup, ye do shew the Lord's [physical] death till He come [2nd coming]. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the [physical and Spiritual resurrection] Body and Blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself [Melchizedek Priesthood], and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.' -- 'Deuteronomy 32:9-14 For the LORD'S portion is His people; Jacob is the lot of His inheritance ... and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.' </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 27 - After the Communion (Passover) Celebration Jesus and now eleven of His Apostles go to the Mount of Olives while Judas had departed earlier to betray Jesus - Jesus suffers betrayal, arrests, rejection, mockery and finally crucifixion and physical death</html><html><summary> The Atonement Sacrifice of Jesus Christ: 'Matthew 27:33 And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, They [Romans] gave Him (Jesus) vinegar to drink mingled with gall [extreme bitterness]: and when He had tasted thereof, He would not drink [Jesus had said during Communion that the next wine He would drink would be sweet wine in Heaven with His disciples, Jesus had no intention of drinking the bitter cup from Rome and mankind (the myrrh also in the wine revealed it to be Roman wine as adding myrrh to wine was a common Roman practice)] and they crucified Him ...' - 'Romans 5:11 And not only so [we have eternal life], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now received the atonement.' - The death of Jesus Christ on the cross was the start a part of the fulfillment of the Atonement sacrifice for the Day of Atonement Feast [Leviticus 16:1-34] a Feast that is actually a Fall Feast and will have its complete fulfillment in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. - In corresponding with the Atonement Sacrifice Barabbas is the Scapegoat who was set free while Jesus was the permanent sacrifice offering. In Hebrew Barabbas (Bar = son and Abba = Father) literally means son of the father and is actually a duplicate claim to the true status of Jesus Christ as Jesus is the Son of the Father. Barabbas in name is actually also claiming to be the son of the father therefore claiming to be the replacement of Jesus and Barabbas is actually a type of the Antichrist [anti in Greek is 'instead of' and means replacing] and it is possible even plausible that Barabbas may actually be the Antichrist. - When the scapegoat was released as Barabbas was released the scapegoat was to take with it all the sins of the Nation of Israel and if at any time the scapegoat returned all of the sins of the Nation of Israel returned with it. Jesus Christ is Atonement offering for all the sins of the world and therefore Barabbas as the scapegoat was departing with all the sins of the world. When the scapegoat Barabbas as the Antichrist returns to mankind claiming to be the son of the father instead of Jesus the Antichrist will bring with him all of the sins of the world all of the sins ever committed. Note: The custom of the Roman Governor to release one condemned Jewish prisoner during the Passover was a custom of the Roman Governor playing God saying to the Jews that they think their God will provide Passover life but instead the Governor was showing the people that he believed Rome to be God as Rome could grant life and pass over death so it was actually a mocking gesture from Rome towards the Jews and their customs as the people of God. </summary></html> <html><tt>CLONED ANTICHRIST BEAST REVEALED 8/12 - Cloned from blood removed [1978] from the Shroud of Turin [possibly cloned/gene-spliced with Prince Charles sperm and] used to impregnate Princess Diana (married 1981 to Prince Charles 13 years her senior) for the 1982 timed birth [30 in 2012] of Prince William {Princess Diana's son William turning 30 in 2012. The age of 30 is the biblical legal priestly age (before 30 a Levite could only be an assistant priest), both John the Baptist (Levitical and Jesus [Melchizedek Priest]) began their ministries at the legal age of 30 [John's mother and Mary were of the House of David/Judah but John's father was a Levitical Priest (Luke 1:8) a descendant of Aaron from the house of Levi]. Also the London 2012 Olympics the XXX Olympiad (unholy trinity Olympiad) is deliberately timed and placed to be in London in 2012 the birth of the New Age, for a desired Satanic awakening in 2013 [Fox News uses the number 13 in everything now]. It will also probably come out that Prince Charles is unable to naturally have children as Henry, the younger brother of Prince William is already considered by most not to be the son of Prince Charles but the son of James Hewitt.}[Note: Its possible and probable that Satan quickly realized who his scapegoat was in Barabbas and that Barabbas soon after his Passover release was recaptured by Roman soldiers and quickly crucified as Jesus had just recently been crucified and that Satan would devise a way to keep some of the blood [life] of Barabbas for future End Time use and that the image created on the Shroud of Turin and the blood on the Shroud of Turin are that of Barabbas. The unique image and bloodstained shroud cloth could be of Barabbas and having been kept and passed on by the followers of Barabbas until ultimately it came into the possession of the Crusaders and Knights Templar in about 1300 A.D. The shroud of Turin possibly being a cloth and image of Barnabas it's certainly not the image and blood of Jesus.] (YouTube)</tt></html><html><summary> Dr. Joye shocks George Noory on Coast-to-Coast - February 9, 2009. </summary></html> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYNnmp1vWRA <html><tt>foxnews.com: Italian Scientists Reproduces Shroud of Turin - A professor of organic chemistry at the University of Pavia - Garlaschelli made available to Reuters the paper he will deliver and the accompanying comparative photographs - But scientists have thus far been at a loss to explain how the [original Shroud of Turin] image was left on the cloth</tt></html><html><summary> ROME - An Italian scientist says he has reproduced the Shroud of Turin, a feat that he says proves definitively that the linen some Christians revere as Jesus Christ's burial cloth is a medieval fake. The shroud, measuring 14 feet, 4 inches by 3 feet, 7 inches bears the image, eerily reversed like a photographic negative, of a crucified man some believers say is Christ. "We have shown that is possible to reproduce something which has the same characteristics as the Shroud," Luigi Garlaschelli, who is due to illustrate the results at a conference on the para-normal this weekend in northern Italy, said on Monday. A professor of organic chemistry at the University of Pavia, Garlaschelli made available to Reuters the paper he will deliver and the accompanying comparative photographs. The Shroud of Turin shows the back and front of a bearded man with long hair, his arms crossed on his chest, while the entire cloth is marked by what appears to be rivulets of blood from wounds in the wrists, feet and side. Carbon dating tests by laboratories in Oxford, Zurich and Tucson, Arizona in 1988 caused a sensation by dating it from between 1260 and 1390. Skeptics said it was a hoax, possibly made to attract the profitable medieval pilgrimage business. - But scientists have thus far been at a loss to explain how the image was left on the cloth. Garlaschelli reproduced the full-sized shroud using materials and techniques that were available in the middle ages. They placed a linen sheet flat over a volunteer and then rubbed it with a pigment containing traces of acid. A mask was used for the face. PIGMENT, BLOODSTAINS AND SCORCHES: The pigment was then artificially aged by heating the cloth in an oven and washing it, a process which removed it from the surface but left a fuzzy, half-tone image similar to that on the Shroud. He believes the pigment on the original Shroud faded naturally over the centuries. They then added blood stains, burn holes, scorches and water stains to achieve the final effect. The Catholic Church does not claim the Shroud is authentic nor that it is a matter of faith, but says it should be a powerful reminder of Christ's passion. One of Christianity's most disputed relics, it is locked away at Turin Cathedral in Italy and rarely exhibited. It was last on display in 2000 and is due to be shown again next year. Garlaschelli expects people to contest his findings. </summary></html> http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,561081,00.html <html><tt>The Shroud Of Turin - The image on the Shroud is uniquely three-dimensional - The life-size image on the cloth is NOT the result of pigment, stain, *acid, dye, or any applied material - The image itself is confined to the top-most fibrils of the cloth's fibers - Whatever made the image did not penetrate the fibers of the cloth as all known artistic materials would - The exact way the man was crucified closely matches biblical accounts of Jesus's crucifixion. Among other things, there are 120 lesions, the shape of dumbbells, distributed over the back and running around the front of the body--probably caused by a Roman whip called a flagrum whose thongs were tipped with bits of lead or bone. There is a deep wound on the right side of the body between the ribs which bled profusely (which is what Biblical records indicate happened when a spear was thrust into Christ's side). There are thorn-like marks on the victim's head (possibly from a crown of thorns). And the victim's legs were not broken (which is significant both because Roman-style crucifixions ended with their victim's legs being broken and because the New Testament account of Christ's death indicates that this was a Roman custom which Jesus was spared from) - The beard and hair style of the crucified man were not common anywhere in the Roman Empire except Palestine. The image has Semitic features, including sidelocks and a unplaited ponytail</tt></html><html><summary> The Shroud Of Turin by David Sunfellow: The Shroud of Turin is one of the most venerated, most remarkable, most mysterious, most thoroughly studied artifacts in the world today. Believed by many to be the actual burial cloth of Christ, the Shroud made its first recorded appearance in 14th century France. Housed in the Italian city of Turin since 1578, renewed interest was generated in 1898 when the first photographs were made of the relic and it was discovered that the image on the Shroud was a photographic negative! How was such an image made? And how does one explain the incredibly life-like details which are remarkably consistent with Biblical accounts of Christ's crucifixion? Historians, pathologists, linguists, biblical scholars, textile experts, chemists, physicists, photographic specialists, artists, botanists, microbiologists and other scientists from around the world have been trying to answer these important questions for decades. Over the centuries, dozens of shrouds--some with images and some without--have surfaced claiming to be the burial cloth of Jesus. In the case of the Shroud of Turin, it has been publicly declared a forgery by both Roman Catholic Church officials and prominent scientists. In 1389 the local bishop of Troyes denounced the Shroud claiming an artist had confessed to forging it. More recently, in 1988, after three different laboratories Carbon-14 dated the Shroud and found it to be some 1200 years younger than it should have been, the Roman Catholic Church announced to the world the results of the test. As word spread that the Shroud of Turin was, after all, a medieval forgery, a firestorm was created in the Shroud community. While scores of Shroud scientists hotly challenged the entire Carbon-14 testing procedure, as well as the test results, lay people around the world had to wrestle with what appeared to be solid scientific proof that the Shroud was a fake. -- So where are things at now? Is the Shroud of Turin authentic, or not? Could a medieval artist, or for that matter, any artist, have forged it? And if the Shroud is an authentic burial cloth from the first century, is the man whose crucified image appears on the Shroud actually that of Jesus Christ? Combining ongoing discoveries about ancient Palestine with cutting-edge scientific analysis, a growing number of scientists (Christian, Jewish, agnostic and otherwise) are coming to the conclusion that the Shroud is indeed the actual burial cloth of Jesus Christ. If this is true, then not only does the Shroud bear witness to the fact that a man named Jesus actually lived and died in ancient Palestine, but it may also present physical proof that some kind of miraculous event took place after his death which caused his image to be imprinted on the Shroud! What's more, we may also be able to learn something about Jesus himself: What his physical characteristics were like, what kind of Jewish traditions he adhered to and rejected, how he, and his body, faced a horribly violent death. -- So what, exactly, do we know about the Shroud of Turin? Here are some of the astonishing findings that modern day science has uncovered so far: The body that appears on the Shroud is naked. Under Roman law, criminals were whipped and executed in the nude. (These are facts that most medieval artists would not have known, or if they had known, would not have dared to publicly reproduce.) The man that appears on the Shroud was crucified with nails driven through his wrists. Although artists throughout the centuries (and even stigmatists) have traditionally thought that Christ was nailed to the cross through his palms, it is now known that crucifixion victims were nailed to crosses through their wrists. This is supported both by archeological digs that discovered crucifixion victims with spike marks on their wrists (not palms) and also by studies that were conducted on corpses which proved that nails in palms will not support the weight of a body. The life-size image on the cloth is NOT the result of pigment, stain, acid, dye, or any applied material. The image itself is confined to the top-most fibrils of the cloth's fibers. Whatever made the image did not penetrate the fibers of the cloth as all known artistic materials would. The image on the Shroud is uniquely three-dimensional. Although most scientists believe that the image was made by the body emitting a burst of energy of some kind (which caused the body's image to be lightly burned onto the Shroud), they have no idea how this could have been done. Efforts to lightly burn images into shroud-like fabrics have all failed to reproduce the extraordinarily delicate, detailed, three-dimensional effect found on the Shroud. The way the image was burned onto the Shroud is also flawlessly accurate in terms of how a body emitting energy would imprint itself on a cloth that was covering it. The image of the Shroud is absolutely accurate in both anatomical and physiological details. The anatomical and physiological details of the Shroud accurately record what would happen to a man who experienced a Roman-style crucifixion (see Robert Bucklin's pathological report at the end of this summary). -- The Shroud is stained by human blood that has run out of the image's wounds. The way the blood flowed, puddled and stained the Shroud are perfectly correct. Unlike the Shroud's image which only appears on the topmost fibrils of fabric, the blood on the Shroud soaked deeply into the fabric. The exact way the man was crucified closely matches biblical accounts of Jesus's crucifixion. Among other things, there are 120 lesions, the shape of dumbbells, distributed over the back and running around the front of the body--probably caused by a Roman whip called a flagrum whose thongs were tipped with bits of lead or bone. There is a deep wound on the right side of the body between the ribs which bled profusely (which is what Biblical records indicate happened when a spear was thrust into Christ's side). There are thorn-like marks on the victim's head (possibly from a crown of thorns). And the victim's legs were not broken (which is significant both because Roman-style crucifixions ended with their victim's legs being broken and because the New Testament account of Christ's death indicates that this was a Roman custom which Jesus was spared from). -- The beard and hair style of the crucified man were not common anywhere in the Roman Empire except Palestine. The image has Semitic features, including sidelocks and a unplaited ponytail. The Shroud itself was woven with techniques common to the first century. The Shroud's distinctive weave is so rare that researchers seeking to find a control sample could not find one anywhere in the world. A dirt sample taken from near the Shroud image's feet was identified as a relatively rare form of calcium carbonate. Samples of dirt taken from Jerusalem revealed an unusually close match. This strongly suggests the man pictured on the Shroud was crucified in Palestine. 58 varieties of pollen were discovered on the Shroud. 11 of the pollen samples were from plants that do not exist in Europe, but which do exist in the Near East. The pollen samples also indicated that the fabric of the Shroud had to have been made in Palestine before circulating in Europe. Pollen samples also helped trace the Shroud's route from Palestine through Anatolia and Constantinople into Europe. Furthermore, two of the pollen samples that were discovered on the Shroud coincided with highly distinctive plants found in the region surrounding Jerusalem. The pollen study concluded that the Shroud itself was probably made near Jerusalem and that it had been in the vicinity of the Holy City for some time before being transported out of the area. Images of 28 different types of flowers, small bushes, and thorns have been detected in bunches around the Shroud image. All 28 grow in Israel, either in Jerusalem or in the nearby desert or Dead Sea area. Most of them are not found in Europe. 25 of the 28 flowers matched the pollen samples found on the Shroud. 27 of the 28 plants bloom during March and April, which corresponds to the time of the crucifixion. An image of a coin appears over the right eye of the Shroud image. This coin, a very rare Pontius Pilate lepton struck in 29 to 32 A.D., was not found until 1977. Tests which were conducted in 1993 on a piece of first century fabric similar to the Shroud's now indicate that a fire the Shroud passed through in 1532 corrupted the October 1988 Carbon-14 dates that concluded the Shroud was not authentic. According to these recent tests, which were conducted by scientists at the University of Arizona and Russian scientists in Moscow, the 1988 Carbon-14 dates were some 1200 years in error. This dates the Shroud back to the first or second century. Some historians believe the Shroud of Turin may be The Mandylion, or Edessa Portrait, a holy relic mentioned in some accounts as early as the first century. If this is so, then the Shroud can be traced, through various legends and stories, all the way back to first century Jerusalem. </summary></html> http://www.nhne.com/articles/sashroud.html <html><tt>ANTICHRIST - PRINCE WILLIAM 2012 - Is Prince Williams the Face on the Shroud of Turin? Is the Image on the Shroud the Antichrist - The Image of the Beast? (YouTube)</tt></html><html><summary> This video is intended to be just a "teaser" to the very real possibility that Prince William is the Beast of Revelation. Comments: Of course, his name is Will-I-Am; a play on the words of what God Himself said, "I Am." </summary></html> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT34cIASFqM <html><tt>How do you know that there is real blood (and not paint or a stain) on the Shroud of Turin? - 1980 They (Gilbert and Gilbert) concluded that the blood flecks are real blood - Several claims have been made that the blood has been found to be type AB - The blood appears to be so old that the DNA is badly fragmented</tt></html><html><summary> Alan Adler was an expert on porphyrins, the types of colored compounds seen in blood, chlorophyll, and many other natural products. He and Dr. John Heller, MD, studied the blood flecks on the STURP sampling tapes [Heller and Adler, Applied Optics 19, (16) 1980]. They converted the heme into its parent porphyrin, and they interpreted the spectra taken of blood spots by Gilbert and Gilbert. They concluded that the blood flecks are real blood. In addition to that, the x-ray-fluorescence spectra taken by STURP showed excess iron in blood areas, as expected for blood. Microchemical tests for proteins were positive in blood areas but not in any other parts of the Shroud. -- Several claims have been made that the blood has been found to be type AB, and claims have been made about DNA testing. We sent blood flecks to the laboratory devoted to the study of ancient blood at the State University of New York. None of these claims could be confirmed. The blood appears to be so old that the DNA is badly fragmented. Dr. Andrew Merriwether at SUNY has said that "... anyone can walk in off the street and amplify DNA from anything. The hard part is not to amplify what you don't want and only amplify what you want (endogenous DNA vs. contamination)." It is doubtful that good DNA analyses can be obtained from the Shroud. It is almost certain that the blood spots are blood, but no definitive statements can be made about its nature or provenience, i.e., whether it is male and from the Near East. </summary></html> http://www.shroudstory.com/faq/turin-shroud-faq-02.htm <html><tt>July 08, 2009: British Scientists Claim to Create Human Sperm - British scientists claim they have created human sperm from stem cells. But other experts have questioned their data</tt></html><html><summary> LONDON - British scientists claim they have created human sperm from stem cells. But other experts have questioned their data. Researchers at Newcastle University and the NorthEast England Stem Cell Institute say they used a new technique to derive what they described as sperm cells from embryonic stem cells. ... But many other British experts say they are unconvinced by the research. They also say the sperm cells created in the laboratory were clearly abnormal. </summary></html> http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,530621,00.html <html><tt>IUC World Exclusive: Prince Charles Not Harry's Real Father - the fact that Diana's ex lover James Hewitt is the Harry's real father - Diana stopped having sex with Charles years before Harry was born - Just the way they killed Diana they'll kill James</tt></html><html><summary> A longtime employee of Harry's mother Princess Diana told IUC that the Royal Family was involved in a massive cover-up to hide the fact that Diana's ex-lover James Hewitt is the Harry's real father. According to the source Prince Philip threatened Hewitt's life if he didn't go along with the cover-up. "They made him lie about the timeline," the source told IUC. "Prince Philip told Hewitt he would destroy him if it ever leaked out. It's impossible that Charles is Harry's real father. Hewitt was on the scene as Diana's lover two years before Harry was born. Diana stopped having sex with Charles years before Harry was born. Harry looks exactly like Hewitt." -- The massive cover-up involved Hewitt lying to the world about when his dalliance actually began with Diana. Originally he told the world he met Diana in 1986. Harry was born in 1984. Under hypnosis for a TV interview Hewitt admitted he met Diana in 1981 or 1982, had sexual relations with her then - some two years before Harry was born. A relative of Hewitt told IUC that privately Hewitt has always believed he's Harry's dad but has denied it in public because he fears for his life. He also wants to protect his son from being dethroned. ... The relative added that this is another example of why the Royal Family should be abolished. "They're the biggest crooks and liars in the world," he said. "All the evidence clearly demonstrates that James is Harry's real father. Just the way they killed Diana they'll kill James. You'll see, one day his body will be found mysteriously in a hotel room and the Royals will try to convince the world that James committed suicide." </summary></html> http://ianundercover.com/2009/05/31/iuc-world-exclusive-prince-charles-not-harrys-real-father-ex-diana-lover-keeps-silents-because-of-death-threats-from-royal-family/ <html><tt>cuttingedge.org: 2012 - Is This The Year When (British) Antichrist Might Arise? - "All right, I have seen enough calculations and discerning facts to convince me: Antichrist will arise from the House of Windsor (British Royalty) - If the timing is soon, Prince Charles will be that man; if the timing is delayed, Prince William will be Antichrist. However, Prince William must turns 30, which is the Jewish minimum age for a man to be a Rabbi. Williams turns 30 on 2012. Since the Illuminati always has a "Plan A" and a "Plan B", this scenario could be very probable</tt></html><html><summary> Suddenly, both Christian and New Age leaders are teaching that the year 2012 might be the year in which Antichrist arises. Cutting Edge weighs in on this discussion, with our knowledge of the occult, to conclude that 2012 might, indeed, be the year when the Masonic Messiah comes to the world scene! ... What Is So Special About 2012? This is the year in which the ancient, pagan Mayan Calendar changes to a New Age, an age in which a Messiah is supposed to arise. Listen to the official write-up from a New Age website. ""It is my great honor and privilege as Master Quetzalcoatl to return to Earth in this overt fashion to spearhead so to speak and bring to your attention the I AM University End of the Mayan Calendar and Countdown Project! As you might know, I Am Quetzalcoatl, Grand Master of the Mayan days ... You all know that the Mayan calendar as has been channeled and introduced to the Earth in the Ancient Days from Higher Cosmic Sources, ends in the year 2012 - on December 21st at 21:21:59 pm to be precise. This exact date and time marks the Official Ending of the Kali Yuga or Dark Age and the Official Birth of the Age of the Christ / Buddha / Krishna / Mohammed / Moses, and God! It is December 21st 2012 at 22:00 pm which marks the Official Return or Second Coming of the Christ, Imam Mahdi, Buddha Maitreya, Kalki Avatar, Great Tao, and Messiah!" ... The House of Windsor: The time in which a knowledgeable Christian will make a discerning decision regarding the identity of the man who will be Antichrist will be before he is arisen; and, this knowledge beforehand will require Biblical discernment, knowledge of Scripture, and a series of calculations! With this point made to me by a pastor, I bought Antichrist And A Cup of Tea and began to read, albeit still with a high degree of skepticism. About three-fourths of the way through this book, I set it down and said to myself, "All right, I have seen enough calculations and discerning facts to convince me: Antichrist will arise from the House of Windsor. If the timing is soon, Prince Charles will be that man; if the timing is delayed, Prince William will be Antichrist. However, Prince William must turns 30, which is the Jewish minimum age for a man to be a Rabbi. Williams turns 30 on 2012. Since the Illuminati always has a "Plan A" and a "Plan B", this scenario could be very probable. </summary></html> http://www.cuttingedge.org/NEWS/n2275.cfm <html><tt>Renaissance Radio #6: the New World Order's fake alien invasion set for the 2012 London Olympics (Mp3-Secular)</tt></html><html><summary> Renaissance Radio #6: Renaissance Radio is back to talk about Project Blue Beam, Rik Clay's murder, and the New World Order's fake alien invasion set for the 2012 London Olympics. </summary></html> http://www.blogtalkradio.com/renaissance-radio/page/2 <html><tt>Rik Clay - London-Zion-2012 - London the New Jerusalem - The New World Order's fake alien invasion likely being prepared for the 2012 London Olympics [iPaper Book - Right Click and Print] (Book-iPaper-Secular)</tt></html><html><summary> Thanks to infowarrior Andrew for compiling the entirety of Rik Clay's research on the New World Order's fake alien invasion likely being prepared for the 2012 London Olympics. Why is it both the Beijing and London Olympic logos can be arranged to form the word "Zion"? What is the plan for Project Bluebeam's top secret holographic technology? Why was Rik Clay killed (quite probably) shortly after releasing all this information on his blog? </summary></html> http://www.atlanteanconspiracy.com/2009/02/rik-clay-london-zion-2012-book.html ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Matthew 28 - The betrayal, rejection, crucifixion and death have all happened to Jesus as man has had his say about the Son of God - Jesus in turn has forgiven mankind for all of our transgressions - Jesus then conquered death as He resurrected from the grave the third day and began His Christian Church - The Old Testament has come to a conclusion and the New Testament has now begun being instituted in the person, life, power and resurrection authority of Jesus Christ -- 'Matthew 28:2-5 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here [dead]: for He is [alive] risen, as He said'</html><html><summary> Jesus reveals His eternal life Resurrection to His Disciples instructing them to go throughout the entire world teaching others and baptizing others all in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Jesus confirms that all power and authority in both heaven and earth are His and that therefore the Disciples are to go out into all Nations proclaiming the good news of the eternal life giving Gospel of Jesus Christ! - 'Matthew 28:16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away [from the upper room in Jerusalem] into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they (Disciples) saw Him, they Worshipped Him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all Nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.' </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html><summary>THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO</summary></html> ===== SAINT MARK ===== <html><tt>Gospel of Mark [the 2nd Gospel of Jesus Christ] - Mark's Gospel opens by proclaiming, "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God" This opening statement immediately reveals who Jesus is, and tells readers the point of the entire book {Note: The Gospel of Mark is considered by Papias (AD 60-130) and Clement of Alexandrea (AD 150-215) to be the eyewitness events and relocations of the Apostle Peter as told to Mark [John Mark] who faithfully recorded Peter's version of events in his Gospel of Mark.}</tt></html><html><summary> Mark's Gospel opens by proclaiming, "The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God." This opening statement immediately reveals who Jesus is, and tells readers the point of the entire book. The first part of the Gospel deals with John the Baptist and his preparation for Jesus. John starts baptizing people and attracting disciples. Jesus goes to John to be baptized as well. When he baptizes Jesus, a voice from heaven is heard: "You are my Son, the Beloved; with whom I am well pleased." In hearing this, God the Father, first person of the Trinity reveals who Jesus is in this first episode. The episode then ends with the arrest of John the Baptist. John's arrest serves as a warning that there will be a struggle between good and evil. ... From this point forward, the Gospel of Mark contains what is commonly called "the messianic mystery." This is the idea that the messiah will have to suffer, die, and then be raised. This was confusing to many of Jesus' followers, because their concept of the messiah was someone who, like King David, would come as a military hero to conquer their enemies. Jesus came to conquer, but He conquers sin and death. During this episode, Jesus asks the apostles "Who do people say that I am?" They respond, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets" [MK 8:27-30]. Jesus then asks, "But who do you say that I am?" At first, none of them respond, but then Peter answers: "You are the Messiah." [MK 8:31-33] Peter answers correctly, but does not fully understand what he is saying. Later in the Bible, Jesus tells him that it was God the Father who told him to say this, and he received this knowledge through a divine revelation. Thus Peter is the second person in Mark's Gospel to reveal who Jesus is. </summary></html> http://home.comcast.net/~mr.polselli/Mark.htm#Background Information <html><tt>Overview of the Gospel of Mark</tt></html><html><summary> An overview of the gospel of Mark includes biographical information about the author. We know, for example, that Mark came from a wealthy family who very likely hosted meetings of early Jerusalem believers, including the Master's Passover Supper (Mark 14:12-16, Acts 1:13, 12:12). It's possible that the young Mark followed Jesus and the disciples from his house to the Garden of Gethsemane, where he escaped capture only by fleeing naked when temple soldiers snatched at the linen sheet he wrapped around himself (Mark 14:51). We also know that Barnabas, who first led, then accompanied Paul on the first missionary journey, was a nephew of Mark's mother and therefore Mark's cousin (Colossians 4:10). Both Paul and Barnabas esteemed Mark worthy enough to accompany them when they left Jerusalem for Antioch after the famine-visit (Acts 11:27-30, 12:25); and when they began their first missionary journey (Acts 13:5). </summary></html> http://www.allaboutjesuschrist.org/overview-of-the-gospel-of-mark-faq.htm <html><tt>The Gospel of Mark - Background Notes - Mark [by modern critics of Christianity] is generally considered the first gospel account of Jesus that was written - Matthew & Luke likely drew on the writing of Mark as those subsequent gospels were composed - The vast majority of commentators believe the gospel of Mark was written by John Mark, the student of Peter and traveling companion of Paul and Barnabas {Note: The Gospels are placed in the Bible in the order that they were written first Matthew (the Gospel was to go to the Jewish people first), then Mark writing for the Apostle Peter used Matthew's Gospel as an example, then Luke used both Matthew and Mark (completing the three similar, synoptic Gospels), lastly John narrated his unique Gospel of Jesus Christ for the Church. Also Note: had the Gospels not been placed in the order that they were written (Matthew, mark, Luke and John) the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts would not be split up but the early Church decided that it was much more important to have the Gospels in the order that God gave them to the Church than to have The Gospel of Luke and Acts together in chronological order.}</tt></html><html><summary> John Mark: Converted to Christianity by Peter who calls him "his son" (1 Pet 5:14). Peter gave John Mark much attention in helping him grow in his faith - likely as a result of the prominence of his family in the faith community and his earnest desire to grow. Mark was at his mother's home when Peter arrived after his miraculous release from prison (Acts 12:12) - the only man identified by name from the "many people gathered there to pray". Papias (AD 60-130) and Clement of Alexandrea (AD 150-215) report that Mark was the close attendant and "interpreter" of Peter and wrote his gospel from the recollections and teachings of Peter. (Nelson, ISBE) Other tradition says Mark had been a priest (Barnabas, and the family, was a Levite) and after becoming a Christian he amputated a finger to disqualify himself for that service and gained the nickname kolobo-daktulos, "stumpy fingered". -- The Gospel according to Mark: The second book of the New Testament and the earliest of the four gospels, according to most New Testament scholars. The Gospel of Mark portrays the person of Jesus more by what He does than by what He says. It is characterized by a vivid, direct style that leaves the impression of familiarity with the original events. Although Mark is the shortest of the four gospels, it pays close attention to matters of human interest. Mark is fond of linking the episodes of Jesus' ministry together with catchwords (for example, "immediately," "then"), rather than editorial comment; and frequently he interrupts a longer story by inserting a smaller one within it (Mark 5:21-43; 6:6-30; 11:12-25; 14:1-11). </summary></html> http://bearingfruitthatlasts.blogspot.com/2008/09/gospel-of-mark-background-notes.html ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 1 - The Gospel of Mark starts with Peter's Great Revelation "Jesus the Son of God" the Revelation of Peter is recorded in each of the four Gospels [Matthew 16:16, Mark 8:29, Luke 9:20, John 6:69] - 'Mark 1:1 The beginning of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God'</html><html><summary> Mark 1:14-18 Now after that John [the Baptist] was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God, And saying, *The [Old Testament] time is fulfilled, and *the Kingdom of God is at hand: *repent ye, and believe the Gospel [Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God]. Now as He [Jesus] walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon [Peter] and *Andrew [originally a disciple of John the Baptist - John 1:40] his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed Him [Jesus]. And when He had gone a little farther thence, He saw James [martyred by Herod, Acts 12:2] the son of Zebedee, and John [the beloved Disciple, originally a disciple of John the Baptist - John 1:37] his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway He [Jesus] called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after Him. - Note: The Gospel of Mark is the eyewitness account and personal experiences of the Apostle Peter and therefore the Gospel of Mark begins with Jesus as an adult just as Jesus begins His ministry when Peter first encountered Jesus. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 2 - In these few events Peter continues to give close intimate first person details of his time spent with Jesus - Peter talks' about Jesus being in his house, his being with Jesus when He called Matthew into Discipleship and of Jesus being in Matthew's house along with Peter and many other disciples -- 'Mark 2:1 And again He [Jesus] entered into Capernaum, after some days; and it was noised that He was in *the house [Peter's house].'</html><html><summary> Mark 2:14 And as He [Jesus] passed by, He saw Levi [Matthew] the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom [tax station], and said unto him, Follow Me. And he arose and followed Him. And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house [Matthew's house], many publicans [tax collectors] and sinners sat also together with Jesus *and His disciples [including Peter]: for there were many, and they followed Him. And when the Scribes and Pharisees saw Him [Jesus] eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that He eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, He saith unto them, They that are whole [lit. healthy] have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous [redeemed Jews], but sinners to repentance. - Note: Jesus focused His ministry prior to His cross and His resurrection on the gathering of the lost sheep of the House of Israel. After His cross and resurrection Jesus is calling everyone into a personal relationship with Himself. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 3 - Peter and the Disciples on several occasions accompany Jesus into some of the Synagogues in Israel -- 'Mark 3:1-2 And He [Jesus] entered again into the Synagogue [in Capernaum]; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they [Pharisees] watched Him, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse Him.'</html><html><summary> Mark 3:6-8 6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians [Jewish supporters of King Herod] against Him, how they might destroy Him. But Jesus withdrew Himself with His disciples to the sea [Galilee]: and a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judaea, And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things He [Jesus] did, came unto Him. - Peter is recalling both the concerted opposition that Jesus faced and the broad based and very vast following that Jesus acquired during His brief public ministry. </summary></html> <html><tt>Capernaum - The house of St. Peter - The basalt Synagogue [at Capernaum] which is referred to in the four Gospels (Photos)</tt></html><html><summary> Overview: Aside from various references to Capernaum in the Gospels, the earliest literary attestation of Capernaum is from Josephus, who refers to the village in connection with a fertile spring. The Jewish historian reports he spent a night there with a fever during the second year of the Jewish War. For centuries, Capernaum has traditionally been identified as a site located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, about three miles west of the upper Jordan River. In 1838, Edward Robinson correctly identified there the remains of a synagogue that was partly excavated by Charles Wilson between 1865 and 1866. More extensive excavations took place in the early twentieth century, first by Heinrich Kohl and Carl Watzinger (1905) and then by Wendelin von Menden (1906-1915). In 1921, the synagogue was partially restored by Gaudenzio Orfali. In more recent times, Virgilio Corbo and Stanislao Loffreda conducted nineteen seasons at Capernaum between 1968 and 1986, excavating not only the synagogue, but also a nearby church that had long been associated with the house of St. Peter. Most recent excavations have revealed two synagogues, a white limestone synagogue dating from the fourth to fifth centuries CE [A.D.], and a black basalt synagogue dating from the first half of the first century CE [A.D.]. Only foundation walls, gray marble column fragments and a cobblestone floor remain from the earlier structure, which measured 24.5 by 18.7 meters on the exterior and possessed walls over a meter thick. ... This structure was built on top of an earlier synagogue [the Gospels synagogue] that was founded in the first century CE [A.D.] and constructed out of basalt. Only the foundation walls and cobblestone floor remain [exhibit B and C in the B&W photo] from this earlier [synagogue] building [the synagogue at Capernaum mentioned in the four Gospels]. Column drums made out of gray marble have also been discovered in a lower stratum of fill material. It is thus the basalt synagogue which is referred to in the four Gospels. </summary></html> http://www.pohick.org/sts/capernaum.html ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 4 - Peter was present at most of the teachings of Jesus Crist and experienced firsthand the many crowds that gathered to hear Jesus teach -- 'Mark 4:1-2 And He [Jesus] began again to teach by the [Galilee] sea side: and there was gathered unto Him a great multitude, so that He entered into a ship [fishing boat], and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the [shore] land. And He [Jesus] taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in His doctrine ...'</html><html><summary> Mark 4:9-12 And He [Jesus] said unto them [crowd of people], He that hath [Spiritual] ears to hear, let him hear. And when He [Jesus] was alone, they that were about Him with the Twelve [Apostles] asked of Him [about] the parable [regarding hearing]. And He said unto them, Unto you [through the Holy Spirit] it is given to know *the Mystery of the Kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, *and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; *lest at any time they should be {prematurely} converted, and their sins should be forgiven them {and then they fall away making it more difficult or even unable to be restored}. - Apparently what Jesus is talking about here is that Parables are given in order to help alleviate shallow, misguided and false conversions to Christianity. - Note: An easy, cheap (modern) Gospel is often a throwaway Gospel that people hear and then having easily accepted a simplistic message [lacking in conviction of sin and of the need for the cross and resurrection of Jesus] and usually having accepting it for wrong and selfish reasons can then later easily reject the Christian message not having had a definite eternal, divine [heavenly] basis for their relationship with God. - Also Note: The Gospel is also not manufactured of hardship, rules and regulations either but the Gospel is a living, accurate, truthful, Spiritual relationship with the living, loving, Holy creator of the universe, Father God [Jesus and the Holy Spirit] the eternal God of all existence. </summary></html> <html><tt>LivingWaters.com: True and False Conversion - Hell's Best Kept Secret (Online Audio)</tt></html><html><summary> True and False Conversion: While the other teachings in this series have special emphasis in particular areas, this teaching is foundational, and goes hand in hand with Tape A. It is very important that you understand it, as it will have great bearing on how you spend your time, and how you share the principles of God's Word. If you have ever wondered why so much of the Church looks and acts just like the world, you will love this teaching. ... Hell's Best Kept Secret: Why do 80-90% of those making a [modern] decision for Christ fall away from the faith? What is the principle that Spurgeon, Wesley, Whitefield, etc., used to reach the lost? Why has the Church neglected it? Don't let anything stop you from listening to this incredible teaching. </summary></html> http://www.livingwaters.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=itemlist&layout=category&task=category&id=2&Itemid=149&lang=en ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 5 - The Disciple and Apostle Peter is going to witness (Mark 5:2), experience (Luke 22:31) and discern (Acts 8:20) the spiritual realm on a level that few others have ever participated in - Jesus heals a man severely possessed by a multitude of demons -- 'Mark 5:18-20 And when He [Jesus] was come into the ship [fishing boat], he that had been possessed with the devil prayed [asked] Him [Jesus] that he might [travel] be with Him. Howbeit [however] Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, *Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis [the 10 Greek cities in Israel] how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. - Note: Jesus healed the man and did not take him away like some cult but instead restored the healed man to his family and his community and there within his own community did he begin to share with others the glorious compassion of the Lord Jesus Christ.'</html><html><summary> Mark 5:1-17 And they [Jesus and His Disciples] came over unto the other side of the Sea [of Galilee], into the country of the Gadarenes [Southern Galilee area]. And when He was come out of the ship [fishing boat], immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs [in the graveyard]; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces [by his demonic rage and strength]: neither could any man tame [comfort] him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting [harming] himself with stones. But when he saw Jesus [and safety] afar off, *he ran and worshipped Him [Jesus], And cried with a loud [demonic possessed] voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I [the demonic spirit speaking through the homeless man] adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For He [Jesus] said unto him [unclean spirit], Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And He [Jesus] asked him [unclean spirit], What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion [a large well-armed group]: for we are many. And he [unclean spirit] besought Him much that He would not send them [legion] away out of the country [the country (area) of the Gadarenes - apparently a demonic stronghold]. Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. *And forthwith Jesus gave them leave [permission]. And the unclean spirits went out [of the man], and entered into the swine [pigs]: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, they were about two thousand [pigs]; and were choked [drowned] in the sea. And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see [the pig carcasses] what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that *was possessed with the devil, *and had the legion, {now healed and} sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid [it was too much for them]. And they [those feeding the pigs] that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray [ask] Him [Jesus] to depart out of their [region] coasts. - The main work of Jesus is in the spiritual realm and He is presiding over both the clean (holy) spirit realm and also ultimately presiding over the disobedient unclean (unholy) demonic realm. The discovery of the spirit realm and the realization of the authority and work of Jesus in and over the spirit realm (1 Corinthians 15:24) is usually initially very overwhelming to most [if not all] people but the spirit realm [both the holy and unholy] is actually so pervasive that generally it cannot be ignored but must be dealt with by humans and hopefully dealt with in the correct context that Jesus Christ is the sole authority of the entire spiritual and physical spectrum encompassing both the physical and the spiritual realms. </summary></html> <html><tt>3 Striking Prayers In The Bible - There are three striking prayers found in the Bible which deserve our individual and undivided attention</tt></html><html><summary> There are three striking prayers found in the Bible which deserve our individual and undivided attention. Believe it or not - the first one was prayed by [legion] a group of three thousand demons. The second was prayed by a multitude of people [locals of Gadarenes]. And the third was prayed by a [homeless] man who was just set free from demonic power. ... In summary, the demons in the first example were wanting to get away from Jesus. The multitudes in the second example wanted Jesus to get away from them. And now, in this third example, we find the delivered man earnestly desiring to follow Jesus wherever He went. </summary></html> http://www.walkingintruth.org/Walkingintruth/devotions/wit2008/march_2008/wit031908.htm ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 6 - The people in the area 'country' of the Gadarenes had overcome their initial shock and had come to grips with their shocking spiritual realm encounter regarding Jesus and had begun to spread the word of the Good News of having a [spiritual, mind (soul) and possibly body] healing encounter with Jesus Christ -- 'Mark 6:53 And [later] when they had passed over [the Sea of Galilee], they came into the land of Gennesaret [Northern Galilee], and drew to the shore.'</html><html><summary> Mark 6:53 And when they had passed over [the Sea of Galilee], they came into the land of Gennesaret [Northern shore of Galilee], and drew to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they [people already] knew Him [from the previous healing of the demon possessed man in Gadarene - Southern Galilee], And [the people] ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard He [Jesus] was. And whithersoever He entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that they might touch if it were but the border of His garment: and as many as touched [made contact with] Him were made whole [lit. safe from illness - Sozo, G4982]. - The healing that is being discussed in this part of the Bible is "sozo" and means to be made safe by being removed from danger. For instance in a physical sense Jesus would be the barrier between a person and a disease such as malaria and with Jesus the person is 'sozo' safe from malaria. Later 'soszo' is carried out into 'Salvation' with Jesus being the barrier between us and sin and in the same way one would be healed physically from a disease like leprosy or malaria the blood of Jesus has healed and saved us from the eternal dangers of the disease of sin. - Also: Note healings can be physical, spiritual and emotional and will encompass a duration of time especially physical healings in that all the people that Jesus raised from the dead did eventually physically die again, the point being that 'sozo' is a continuing and ongoing work of salvation, healing and safety in the life of each individual in a 'contact' relationship with Jesus Christ. Salvation 'sozo' healing by God is not just a onetime, anonymous drive bye event but it is a continual [and spiritually eternal] part of the moment by moment relationship with God in Jesus Christ. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 7 - Jesus and His Disciples are now back in Capernaum at Peter's house -- 'Mark 7:9-13 And He [Jesus] said unto them [Jewish religious leaders], Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. ... Making the word of God of none [safety - Sozo] effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered [prescribed]: and many such like [ritualistic] things do ye.'</html><html><summary> Mark 7:14-23 And when He [Jesus] had called all the people unto Him, He said unto them, Hearken [listen] unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing [in food] from without a man, that entering into him can defile him [separate him from God]: but the things [thoughts, imaginations and actions] which come out of him [soul and spirit], those are they that defile the man [separate him from God]. If any man have [spiritual] ears to hear, let him hear. And when He was entered into the house [back in Capernaum at Peter's house] from the people, His Disciples asked Him concerning the parable. And He saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever [food] thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; *Because it entereth not into his heart [soul and spirit], but into the belly [stomach], and goeth out into the draught [dung], purging all meats? And He [Jesus] said, *That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man [separate him from God]. For from within, *out of the heart [mind, soul, spirit] of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye (looking to cause evil), blasphemy, *pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man [separating him from God]. - Spiritual, emotional and at times even physical healing and wellbeing are interconnected and related to one another. In order to be healed spiritually [Sozo] we have to cooperate emotionally and physically with God. - Note: Salvation, healing, Christian conduct and Christian maturity (Living Temple - Royal Priesthood) drawing close to God is going to be a major theme in the two Epistles of Peter. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 8 - Peter makes the eternal declaration that Jesus is the Christ the redeemer-savior of all mankind -- 'Mark 8:29 And He [Jesus] saith unto them [His Disciples], But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto Him, Thou art the Christ [Messiah].'</html><html><summary> Mark 8:27-38 And Jesus went out, and His disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way He asked His disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto Him, Thou art the Christ. And He [Jesus] charged them that they should tell no man of him [until after the fulness of His cross and resurrection]. *And He began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, *and after three days rise again. And He spake that saying openly. And Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned about and looked on His disciples, He [Jesus] rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let Him deny himself, and take up his cross [enter in], and follow Me. *For whosoever will save his [own] life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it. *For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? *Or what shall a man give in exchange for his [eternal] soul? *Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My Words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh [2nd Coming] in the Glory of His Father with the Holy Angels. - Note: We are like Peter and the other Disciples are given the opportunity to confess the eternal Truth that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and once we have entered into that eternal Truth and made that confession we are then to remain in it unwavering. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 9 - The Disciples Peter, John and his brother James are going to witness firsthand the resurrection, eternal life from death [Moses and Elijah] and the transfiguration powers [transforming the temporary physical realm into the eternal spiritual realm] of God in Jesus Christ -- 'Mark 9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the [eternal] Kingdom of God come with [transfiguration] power.'</html><html><summary> Mark 9:2 And after six [a temporary - incomplete Transfiguration] days Jesus taketh with Him Peter, and James [John's brother], and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart [outside of Israel] by themselves: and He [Jesus] was Transfigured [changed into His Spirit body] before them. And His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller [detergent] on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias (Elijah) with Moses [because of his sin Moses was not allowed to enter the Promise Land (before the cross of Jesus) so Jesus and the three Disciples went outside Israel (the promise land) for Jesus to meet with Moses and Elijah]: and they were talking with Jesus. And *Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, *it is good for us to be here [according to Peter's epistles this was the crowning achievement moment of his life to be at the Mount of Transfiguration and to witness the events]: and let us make three tabernacles [grottos]; one for thee [Jesus], and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist [knew] not what to say; for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud [of witness] that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear [listen to] Him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more [Moses and Elijah had returned back down to Paradise - Abraham bosom], save Jesus only with themselves. And as they came down from the Mountain, He [Jesus] charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of Man were risen [resurrection] from the dead. - Jesus instructed the Disciples not to tell the Gospel until they had the fullness of the Gospel in His cross and Resurrection. A Gospel that does not address both redemption from sin (the cross) and a reunited eternal life with God in Haven (the resurrection)is an incomplete Gospel message. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 10 - Jesus and His Disciples begin to make their way to Jerusalem for the events that would become known as Holy Week -- 'Mark 10:32 And they [Jesus and His Disciples] were in the way going up to Jerusalem [the events of Holy Week were about to begin]; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they [Disciples] were afraid. And He took again the Twelve [Apostles], and began to tell them what things should happen unto Him ...'</html><html><summary> Mark 10:33-34 Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man [Jesus] shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles: And they [also will reject Jesus and] shall mock Him, and shall scourge Him, and shall spit upon Him, and shall kill him: and the third day He [Jesus] shall rise [resurrection] again. - Note: For a time all of the disciples and Apostles of Jesus will flee from Jesus and all will reject Jesus including all the Jews and all the Gentiles alike. Forsaken, rejected and alone; all by Himself Jesus will go on trial, to the cross and to the grave but then to conquer in His Glorious eternal life Resurrection a life that Jesus since before the creation of time He has offered freely to all mankind. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 11 - The Triumphal Entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem where Jesus presents Himself as the King the promised Messiah (Christ) to all mankind both to the Jews and then to the Gentiles -- 'Mark 11:11 And Jesus entered into Jerusalem [on Saturday the Sabbath Feast day], and into the Temple: and when He had looked round about upon all things, and now the *eventide [lit. close of a feast day - Opsios, G3798 (a feminine noun instead of the regular masculine noun)] was come, He [Jesus] went out [back] unto Bethany with the Twelve [Apostles].' - Note: This unique day also corresponds with the Triumphal Entry of the Ark of the Covent's arrival into Jerusalem "2 Samuel 6:15 So [King] David and all the House of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD [into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day] with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet." - The prayer of King David upon bringing the Ark and the presence of God into Jerusalem - 1 Chronicles 16:7-36 [v.24 24 Declare His Glory among the heathen [Gentiles]; His marvellous works among all Nations. - v.30 Fear before Him, all the earth: the world [realm of God] also shall be stable, that it be not moved. - V.31 Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the Nations, The LORD reigneth (as King).]</html><html><summary> Mark 11:1-10 And when they [Jesus and His Disciples] came nigh [near] to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He [Jesus] sendeth forth two of His disciples, And saith unto them, Go your way into the village [Bethany] over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt [a young donkey] tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, Why do ye this? say ye that *the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither. And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go [apparently the colt was a firstborn animal and the owner did not redeem (Numbers 18:15) it from God therefore the young donkey did belong to God and not the person and everyone realizing the colt was unredeemed gave the colt to the two disciples to give to Jesus the true Lord (owner) of the colt]. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on Him; and He sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down [palm] branches off the trees, and strawed [covered the street with branches] them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, *saying, Hosanna; Blessed is He [Jesus] that cometh in the Name of the Lord [owner of the universe]: Blessed be *the Kingdom of our father [King] David, that cometh in the Name of the Lord: Hosanna [rejoice, praise] in [God] the Highest. - "Psalms 74:12 For God is my King of old, working Salvation in the midst of the earth." </summary></html> <html><tt>"Jesus Walk" the 10 Day Annual Easter Timeline Devotion - An Ancient Holy Week Timeline, Bible Study, Devotional & Personal Journal for Easter Week</tt></html><html><summary> As disciples of Jesus, let's go back with Jesus and the original disciples to revisit and re-live the last week that Jesus spent on earth. This week is also referred to as "Holy Week." The 10 days will be Friday through the next Sunday. To examine the last week we will have to piece together many items and statements from throughout the Bible. As we go back to the original Holy Week, we will travel like students and detectives, searching the scriptures for events and clues that took place nearly 2,000 years ago. We will in actuality be students and detectives of Jesus, searching out Who He is and what His ministry came to accomplish here on earth. </summary></html> http://www.basicchristian.org/jesuswalk.html ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 12 - Summary: The events of Holy Week as the Apostle Peter participated in them - The day after the [Saturday] Triumphal entry on the {Saturday Sabbath Feast Day} -- [Sunday: "Mark 11:12 And on the morrow (the day after Saturday)" Jesus cursed the fig tree (on Sunday) on His way into Jerusalem to cleanse the Temple by removing the money changers and reinstituting the Temple as a place of prayer and worship to God and then teaches the people "His doctrine" (Mark 11:18).] -- [Monday: "Mark 11:20 And in the morning (next day), as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots." "Mark 11:27 And they come again (still on Monday) to Jerusalem" Jesus again enters the now cleansed Temple and continues to teach to the people. Jesus' authority is questioned on this second day of teaching by the religious leaders and Jesus then begins to teach in Parables in the Temple and later that day Jesus [God] departs the Temple for the last time. Jesus then gives His mount Olivet Discourse (End Time) teaching.] -- [Tuesday: Judas meets with the religious and political leaders in order to betray Jesus.] -- [Wednesday: Passover {The Lord's Passover Feast Day}, Communion, the New Testament begins to be instituted in the body-blood, cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ.'] -- [Thursday: {The start of the Feast of Unleavened Bread} (the new Jewish day began at sundown) Arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, trials (six trials; three Jewish and three Gentile) and rejection of Jesus by both the Jews and the Gentiles. The cross, death and burial of Jesus.] -- [Friday: A normal day (non-Feast Day). The tomb is sealed by the Romans at the request of the Jewish leadership, the female disciples of Jesus purchase and prepare more oil and spices to further anoint the body of Jesus but are unable to further anoint the body because the tomb is now closed and sealed.] -- [Saturday: Again the weekly Sabbath Feast Day. The third day and third night of death is fulfilled.] -- [Sunday: At the Sunrise of the new day on the {Feast of Firstfruits} Jesus resurrects from the dead displaying to His followers His eternal resurrection life, His authority of life over death as He begins to reveal His eternal Kingdom Glory to mankind.]</html><html><summary> [Monday] Mark 12:1 And He [Jesus] began [the second and final day of Holy Week Temple Teachings] to speak unto them [in the Temple] by parables. ... Mark 12:18-27 Then come unto Him the Sadducees [Jewish religious and political leaders], which say there is no resurrection; and they asked Him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven {complete} brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. *And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err (error), *because ye know not the scriptures, *neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels [no sexual activity] which are in heaven. *And as touching the dead, that they rise [eternal life resurrection]: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the [burning] bush God spake unto him, *saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? *He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living [Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are still completely alive and living in the eternal realm]: ye therefore do greatly err. - Note: Before His own death and resurrection Jesus clears up any doubts about human sexual conduct in heaven [there isn't any] and about the fact that the human spirit and soul is eternal and does participate in God's eternal life resurrection plan for mankind. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 13 - [Monday] The 2nd and final day of Temple Teaching ends abruptly and later that day the [End Time] Mount Olivet Discourse is given by Jesus with only the Apostles Peter, James, John and Andrew in attendance -- "Mark 13:1-4 And [Monday] as He [Jesus] went out of the Temple, ... And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives over against [overlooking] the Temple, *Peter and James [John's brother] and John [John omitted (as unnecessary) the Mount Olivet (end time) teaching from his Gospel to the Christian Church] and Andrew [Peter's brother] asked Him [Jesus] privately, Tell us, when shall these [Kingdom of Christ] things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?' - Note: Peter, James and John were the only three Apostles present at the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus.</html><html><summary> Mark 13:28-37 Now learn a Parable of the Fig Tree [3rd Temple in Jerusalem]; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things [preparation to rebuild the 3rd Jewish Temple in Jerusalem] come to pass, know that it [the Kingdom of God] is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that *this generation [the End Time 1967 Jewish return to Jerusalem generation] shall not pass, till all these [End Time - Book of Revelation] things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour [the establishing of the Kingdom of God - Jesus' Throne on earth] knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in Heaven, neither the Son [Jesus - the Kingdom is being given to Jesus as a gift from the Father, therefore Jesus did not yet know the fullness and timing of His gift], but the Father [knows]. *Take ye heed, *watch [for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ] and *pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of Man [Jesus] is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. *Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even [evening], or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing [dawn], or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping [unconscious]. And what I say unto you *I say unto all, Watch [observe and look for the Kingdom of God]. - Note: The fig tree is a parable about man's own religious coverings [i.e. the 3rd Temple - the eventual temple of the Antichrist] as the original fig tree (Genesis 3:7) was a manmade attempt to cover mankind's sins with a false religion. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 14 - [Tuesday] The Holy Week events begin to focus on the Passover Feast and Jesus' institution of the New Testament -- 'Mark 14:1-2 [on Tuesday] After two days [counting Tuesday and starting Wednesday (i.e. John 20:26 And after eight days (7 Roman days) counting the current day Resurrection Sunday until the next Sunday)] was the feast of the [Lord's] Passover, and [the next day the start] of Unleavened Bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him [Jesus] by craft [deceit], and put Him to death. But they said [conspired], *Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people. - Note: The plans of Satan as enacted by the religious leaders of the day was not to fulfill the Feast Days given by God to Moses however that is exactly what did happen.'</html><html><summary> Mark 14:12-17 And [Wednesday] the first day of [the eight days of] Unleavened Bread [1 day of Lord's Passover + 7 days of Unleavened Bread], when they killed the Passover [Lamb][the Lord's Passover], His disciples said unto Him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the [Lord's] Passover? And He sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him {by Church tradition this person is thought to be Mark the writer of the Gospel}. And wheresoever he [Mark] shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, The Master [Jesus] saith, Where is the guestchamber [guestroom], where I shall eat the Passover with My Disciples? And he will shew you a large *upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. And His disciples went forth, and came into the city [Jerusalem], and found as He had said unto them: and they made ready the Passover. And in the evening He [Jesus] cometh with the Twelve [Apostles]. - Note: Generally it is thought that Jesus and the Apostles ate the Passover at Mark's parents' house and then that Mark followed Jesus and the Apostles to the Garden of Gethsemane where he recorded (Mark 14:51) his being discovered by others and having to flee from the area. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 15 - [Thursday] The arrest, trials, crucifixion and burial of Jesus -- 'Mark 15:1-2 And straightway in the morning [Thursday] the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole [Sanhedrin] council, and bound Jesus, and carried Him away, and delivered Him to [Pontius] Pilate. And Pilate asked Him [Jesus], Art thou the King of the Jews? And He [Jesus] answering said unto him, Thou sayest it [correct, Yes].'</html><html><summary> Mark 15:37-47 And Jesus [on the cross] cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost [died]. And the veil of the Temple was rent [torn] in twain [half] from the top to the bottom. And when the [Roman] Centurion, which stood over against Him, saw that He so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, *Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; Who also, when He was in Galilee, followed Him, and ministered unto Him; and many other women which came up with Him unto Jerusalem. And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day [of Unleavened Bread just] before the Sabbath {the Feast Sabbath (rest) not the saturday Sabbath}, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the Kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if He were already dead: and calling unto him the Centurion, he asked him whether He had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the Centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen, and laid Him in a sepulcher [tomb] which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld [observed] where He was laid. </summary></html> <html><tt>THE CRUCIFIXION SITE AND TOMB OF CHRIST - Close-up photo at left is of an iron shaft driven into [the outside of] the rock Tomb (Photos)</tt></html><html><summary> This is the burial place of Christ and you will notice the foot area at right that was enlarged [chiseled out] to accommodate Christ's feet, as he must have been taller than Joseph of Arimathea who had the tomb constructed for himself and was apparently 5' 8" tall. The cutting of the stone was hastily completed in order to accomplish the task of burial before the Sabbath hours, Friday at sunset. Mark 16:5 says Mary saw a young man or angel sitting on right side of tomb the first day of the week. He may have been in the right hand portion of this photo. ... "Make it as secure as you know how. So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard." Matt. 27:65,66 Close-up photo at left is of an iron shaft driven into the rock. Photo at right above would have the iron rod at far left in the photo. This would have prevented the stone from being rolled backward. The distance from the iron shaft to the stopping point at right is 13 ft. 2inches, per our measurements. "And they made His grave with the wicked-- but with the rich at His death" Isaiah 53:9. This text describes the other tombs to the left of this one where wealthy and wicked men were buried. </summary></html> http://www.arkdiscovery.com/aoc-1.htm <html><tt>The Real Calvary and the Real Holy Sepulcher [Tomb] - How did the Roman soldiers prevent the Stone from rolling back? Apparently by a spike at the edge of the Stone to the wall - We can see a broken iron spike embedded in the wall 71 inches above the ground, several feet to the left of the door (Photo)</tt></html><html><summary> The Great Seal Stone was rolled in and placed in the trough outside the entrance wall. It was big enough to cover the fairly large door. How did the Roman soldiers prevent the Stone from rolling back? Apparently by a spike at the edge of the Stone to the wall. We can see a broken iron spike embedded in the wall 71 inches above the ground, several feet to the left of the door; there is a stop carved into the face of the rock on the right side of the door. Obviously the spike was broken when the angel rolled the Stone on Resurrection morning. The separation of the spike from the stop is over 13 feet, which may be considered the diameter of the Stone. Recently elemental analysis has been carried out on fragments of the spike, and the metals found were iron and lead. The Roman practice was pouring molten lead into the hole before inserting the iron nail. Dating the metals is not possible with radiometric dating techniques. For more information visit www.wyattmuseum.com and www.anchorstone.com These details give much support to our belief that the Garden Tomb is the real Tomb of Jesus. </summary></html> http://www.biblediscoveries.com/content/view/23/40/ ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Mark 16 - The Sunday Sunrise, Eternal Life Resurrection of Jesus Christ!! -- 'Mark 16:1-2 And when the [Saturday] Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought [on Friday] sweet spices, that they might come and anoint Him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week [Sunday], they came unto the sepulchre [tomb] at [sunrise] the rising of the sun.'</html><html><summary> Mark 16:15-20 And He [the resurrected Jesus] said unto them [Apostles and Disciples], Go ye into all the world, and Preach the Gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized [identifies with Jesus] shall be Saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My Name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, [40 days later - The Ascension] He was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and Preached everywhere, *the Lord [continually] working with them, and confirming the [Gospel] Word with signs following. Amen. - The Gospel of Peter recorded by Mark is concluded. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html><summary>THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO</summary></html> ===== SAINT LUKE ===== <html><tt>Background Book of Luke - The book of Luke gives us the most complete look at the life of Jesus - Luke uses eyewitnesses as sources for his writings - He stresses Jesus' humanity and compassion as well as the power of the Holy Spirit and of prayer - Theme: Jesus Christ as the perfect man - Key verses: "When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, 'Certainly this was a righteous man'" Luke 23:47 - "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost" Luke 19:10</tt></html><html><summary> Book of Luke - Author: Luke - Time: 4 B.C. to 30 A.D. - The book of Luke gives us the most complete look at the life of Jesus. Luke uses eyewitnesses as sources for his writings. He stresses Jesus' humanity and compassion as well as the power of the Holy Spirit and of prayer. - Theme: Jesus Christ as the perfect man -- Key verses: "When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, 'Certainly this was a righteous man.'" Luke 23:47 -- "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10 -- Unique features: Luke wrote particularly for Greeks who delighted in wisdom, beauty and system. He therefore tells the story of Jesus, unfolding his development in a systematic manner, setting the facts in careful order. Luke was an artist with the pen, drawing the portrait of Jesus as the perfect man. He was also a careful historian; both his gospel and its sequel, the Acts of the Apostles are highly regarded among historians for their accuracy and attention to detail. </summary></html> http://www.readthebibletoday.org/books%20of%20bible%20popups/summary%20pages/luke.htm <html><tt>Profiles of Faith: Luke the Apostle Paul's Beloved Friend and Companion - Who was the man who would not only encourage Paul during this trying time but write two books of the New Testament? The Scriptures tell us little, but we can infer quite a bit by examining Luke's work and the times in which he lived - Luke appears to have been one of the early Gentile converts to Christianity - Luke apparently wrote his Gospel around A.D. 60-61, some 30 years after Jesus' death. We can arrive at this time by examining the evidence for when he wrote the book of Acts</tt></html><html><summary> It wasn't easy being Paul's friend and traveling companion. The apostle lived a hard and sometimes dangerous life. His enemies said he was a rabble-rouser, a troublemaker who slandered the Jews and dishonored the temple and, by extension, disdained the authority of the almighty Roman Empire. In reality Paul's enemies were the slanderers: "... We have found this man a plague," they said, "a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes" (Acts 24:5, emphasis added throughout). Such charges could get one thrown in prison, and in Paul's case they did. Few dared to accompany or visit Paul under this sort of dangerous and humiliating circumstance. But Luke dared. Few were as fearless as Paul's friend and trusted companion Luke. Luke stayed beside Paul, day in and out, for at least two years. Every day he walked past the Roman guards, who must have grown in their respect for him. His constancy commanded respect; he was as faithful as clockwork. Luke was faithful because he had a job to do: writing a history of the early years of the Church founded by the man he had become convinced was the very Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth. Only one thing was more important to Luke than being Paul's friend: his dedication as a servant of his Master, Jesus Christ. Paul found himself under house arrest in Rome, although he had committed no crime against either Jew or gentile. But Paul knew-through God's earlier revelation to him-that he would serve as God's witness before Caesar in Rome (Acts 27:24). So here he was. The times were trying for Paul. He needed encouragement, which God provided through a friendly, sensitive physician, a man named Luke. Under house arrest and confined to a rented house for at least two years, Paul was free to teach and preach the gospel of the coming Kingdom of God to the curious and to those whom God was calling (Acts 28:16, 30-31). His efforts bore fruit; Paul's teaching converted even members of Caesar's household (Philippians 4:22). -- Luke's background: Who was the man who would not only encourage Paul during this trying time but write two books of the New Testament? The Scriptures tell us little, but we can infer quite a bit by examining Luke's work and the times in which he lived. The early Church was predominantly Jewish. Jesus, the original apostles and later apostles such as Paul were all Jews. But the book of Acts records that, over time, gentiles (non-Jews) came to accept the message of the apostles and became members of the Church Jesus founded. Luke appears to have been one of the early gentile converts to Christianity. What are the scriptural indications he was a gentile? In Colossians 4:10-14 Paul names three of his companions and coworkers who were "my only fellow workers ... who are of the circumcision"-that is, Jewish-and then three other companions, including Luke. The obvious implication is that the latter three were gentiles. Luke was a learned man, a linguist. He spoke and wrote classical Greek, but he could also converse and write in Hebrew, Aramaic and Hellenistic Greek. His mastery of Greek indicates he probably was a Greek. His dedication shows us he had a heart of gold. Luke was educated, creative and talented. Among the Mediterranean people of the day, the Greeks were well educated and trained, especially in philosophy, oratory, writing and mathematics. Even the powerful Roman leaders were predisposed to the culture and education of the Greeks, who under Alexander the Great had built a mighty empire that preceded the Romans as the dominant power in the Mediterranean region and Middle East. ... Luke, the beloved physician: The Scriptures note that Luke was a physician (Colossians 4:14). A physician of Luke's day was not the same as modern physicians, since the science of medicine was not far advanced. Even so, the Greeks were head and shoulders above other gentiles when it came to science and medicine and the understanding of the workings of the human body. A physician of Luke's day could work with body and mind, though not in the sense of a modern surgeon. But Luke was interested in people's well-being; this is evident in his writings. An old saying fits with Luke's outlook: "A minister sees men at their best, a lawyer sees men at their worst, and a physician sees men as they are." Paul's deep respect and Christian love for Luke surface when he refers to him as "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). Luke showed interest in the welfare of women and children, as shown in his Gospel. In Judea, as in other places throughout the known world, women in Luke's day held a place low in society. For example, some historical accounts of the time report that Jewish men gave thanks to God each morning that they had not been born a gentile, slave or woman. Luke's perspective differs from the common portrayal of women of the time. Luke tells his birth narrative of Christ from Mary's point of view. Luke writes of Elizabeth, of Anna, of the widow at Nain, of the woman who anointed Jesus' feet in the house of Simon the Pharisee. Luke portrays Martha and Mary and Mary Magdalene. -- An invitation for gentiles: Luke appears to have written mainly , though not entirely, for gentiles. Again, Theophilus was probably a gentile. In comparison with the other three Gospels, Luke's is written to be more easily understood by a gentile. For example, notice that Luke used Roman dates in his works when he identified the Roman emperor and governor. In his writings Luke used the Greek equivalents of Hebrew words, which would make him more easily understood by Greeks. For example, he didn't use the Jewish term rabbi; instead he used a Greek word that means "master." Also, when he traces Jesus' descent, he goes back to Adam, the progenitor of the human race, rather than going back only as far as Abraham as Matthew had done. These small differences hint that Luke probably wrote his Gospel account so gentiles could more easily identify with Jesus and His teachings. Many scholars say Luke's Gospel is the easiest to read of the four and the easiest to understand of all the New Testament narratives and letters. -- Luke the careful historian: Luke apparently wrote his Gospel around A.D. 60-61, some 30 years after Jesus' death. We can arrive at this time by examining the evidence for when he wrote the book of Acts. Luke begins Acts by referring to "the former account" he had written (Acts 1:1), the Gospel of Luke. The final chapter of Acts concludes with events that preceded Nero's persecution of Christians (in 65) and Paul's death. Otherwise Luke surely would have mentioned both. The book ends with Paul under house arrest in Rome awaiting trial for the charges brought against him. No account of a trial or verdict is mentioned anywhere. Most Bible scholars thus agree that Acts was written around 63 and reflects events in the Church up until that time. Thus, if Luke wrote Acts then, he must have written his Gospel a few years earlier, ca. 60-61. (As a postscript to the book of Acts, the Romans apparently released Paul from his house arrest shortly thereafter, but Nero later imprisoned him again and had him executed around 66.) Apparently Luke was not an eyewitness of Jesus' mighty works and teachings but was one who copiously incorporated others' eyewitness accounts (Luke 1:1-2). When we examine Luke's Gospel we see how careful he was. In the first few verses He claims his work is the product of careful research. He notes that he bases his account on information "handed down to us by those who from the first were eye-witnesses" (verse 2). As a seasoned traveler, Luke had opportunities to interview the best sources (that is, Jesus' 12 apostles and Paul), and he listened carefully to their stories and testimonials, taking voluminous notes. Half of Luke's Gospel consists of material not found in the other three accounts of the life and work of Christ. This demonstrates that Luke searched out and interviewed other witnesses to the events he recorded. Luke was a meticulous historian. Notice his careful work as he dates the emergence of John the Baptist by cross-checking six contemporary datings: "In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar [1], Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea [2], Herod being tetrarch of Galilee [3], his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis [4], and Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene [5], while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests [6], the word of God came to John ..." (Luke 3:1-2). This shows Luke's penchant for accuracy that so characterized his writings. Five of the six chronological checkpoints deal with gentile data. The sixth deals with a point of interest to Jews. When it came to writing the book of Acts, Luke similarly had opportunity to interview many eyewitnesses. Luke wrote of the acts of the 12 apostles from Acts 1-12, then of Paul and others from Acts 13-28. He demonstrated the transition from the life and teachings of Jesus to the life and teachings of the Church. The book of Acts confirmed that what Jesus taught and practiced was indeed taught and practiced by the apostles and the early Church. </summary></html> http://www.gnmagazine.org/issues/gn32/profilefaithluke.htm <html><tt>Background of the Gospel of Luke</tt></html><html><summary> The Gospel of Luke has two distinctives from the other gospels. The first being the longest of the four gospels. The second is Luke is the only gospel with a sequel-the book of Acts. The two books and their message are virtually inseparable, despite their canonical division. Luke's gospel lays the foundation for many of the issues answered in Acts. The primary one being the equality of Jews and Gentiles in God's plan for salvation. Authorship and Date: Although neither the Gospel of Luke nor the Acts of the Apostles names an author, it is widely accepted that Luke is the author. Church tradition firmly affixes Luke as the author by A.D. 200 and remained so with no hint of contrary opinion. - The date of the Gospel's writing is slightly disputed, but not by a wide margin of time. The earliest possible date would be within the years of the last recorded events in Acts, around A.D. 62. The latest possible date is around 170. The most accepted dates fall sometime after the fall of Jerusalem, between 75-85. It is widely believed that Luke's gospel was penned after Mark's, which is dated in the 60s. Luke's gospel writing parallels Mark's, making it likely that Luke had access to a copy of the Gospel of Mark. </summary></html> http://www.xenos.org/teachings/nt/luke/background.htm ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 1 - Luke a Gentile Physician-Doctor [probably of Greek heritage and background], historian, companion to the Apostle Paul, eyewitness and early Christian Church recorder/reporter begins his Ministry to the Christian Church with his Gospel of Luke -- 'Luke 1:1-4 Forasmuch as *many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration [gospel] of those things [Ministry of Jesus Christ] which are most surely believed among us, Even as they [Disciples - Apostles] delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the Word; It seemed good to me also, having had perfect [complete] understanding of all things from the very first [virgin birth to the cross, resurrection and ascension], to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus [brotherly love for God], That thou mightest know *the certainty of those [Christian] things, wherein thou hast been instructed.'</html><html><summary> Zacharias receives news of the pregnancy of his wife with John the Baptist: Luke 1:18-20 18 And Zacharias [father of John the Baptist] said unto the Angel, Whereby shall I know this? for I am an old man, and my wife well stricken in years. And the Angel answering said unto him, *I am Gabriel [Daniel 8:16], that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season. ... Mary receives news of her pregnancy with Jesus: Luke 1:26-28 And in the sixth month [of Elisabeth's pregnancy] the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the House of David [descendants of King David]; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the Angel came in unto her, and said, Hail [Greetings], thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. ... Luke 1:39-45 And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; 40 And entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe [john the Baptist] leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: *for there shall be a performance of those [Redemption-Salvation] things which were told her from the Lord. ... The Reply of Mary - Mary's Magnificat: Luke 1:46-55 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and Holy is His Name. And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away. He hath holpen [helped] His servant [the Nation of] Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; As He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever. ... John the Baptist is born [six months before the birth of Jesus] Zacharias' prophecy: Luke 1:67-80 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for *He [Jesus] hath visited and redeemed his people [with the pregnancy of Mary redemption, the presence of God is already accomplished], And hath raised up an horn [strength] of Salvation for us in the House of his servant [King] David; As He spake by the mouth of His Holy Prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and *to remember His Holy Covenant [New Covenant]; The oath which He sware to our father Abraham, That He would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve Him without fear, In holiness and righteousness before Him, all the days of our life. And thou, child [John the Baptist], shalt be called the Prophet of the Highest [Jesus]: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; To give knowledge of Salvation unto His people by the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the Dayspring [sunrise resurrection] from on High hath visited us, To give [resurrection] light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing [Levite washing at 30 years old] unto Israel. - Note: Luke was a companion with the Apostle Paul visiting with Paul in Jerusalem and throughout many of the newly established Christian Churches including the important early Church at Ephesus a Church founded by the Disciple John who was accompanied by Mary the mother of Jesus. It is considered that Luke received all of his early Church background and information from firsthand and eyewitness accounts including the information about Mary being provided to Luke by Mary herself. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 2 - Luke records the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ, the entrance of the Savior [Messiah] of mankind into the world - Note: Luke is getting his information firsthand from Mary the mother of Jesus and Mary reveals [and wanted it known] that Joseph and Mary were Not yet married when the tax decree was announced that she was still the 'espoused wife' and Joseph had to make a final decision regarding the census about whether or not to take Mary [with Jesus] in marriage as his wife - Matthew [Matthew 1:20] records that an Angel of the Lord visited Joseph 'while he thought on such things' and then Joseph and Mary were married just prior to their trip to Bethlehem to pay their taxes and to be counted in the census and for Mary to give birth to Jesus in Bethlehem [lit. house of bread] to fulfill the prophecy (Micah 5:2) -- 'Luke 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that *all the world should be taxed [Rome is the 6th Kingdom of the world - Revelation 17:10]. And this taxing was first made {started - possibly a few years before} when Cyrenius [Quirinius] was governor [6 B.C. - 4 B.C.] of Syria. And all {eventually} went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; because he was of the House and lineage of David: To be taxed with Mary his espoused [engaged] wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped Him [Jesus] in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.' Note: Quirinius (Cyrenius) was a Roman official in charge of the military in Syria from 6 B.C. to 4 B.C. It's uncertain if the census originated in Syria and then took a couple of years to take effect in Rome and then to Jerusalem of if the original order initiated in Rome. The Dates of about 4 B.C. until 1 A.D. for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem and then about the year 33 A.D. for the cross and resurrection of Jesus in Jerusalem are very close in time to when the actual events happened.</html><html><summary> The entire Holy Angelic realm reacts to the human birth of the Messiah Jesus Christ: Luke 2:13-17 And suddenly there was with the Angel a multitude of the heavenly host [Angels] praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the Angels were gone away from them into Heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste [urgency], and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe [Jesus] lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known [told all] abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. ... The just and devout worshiper Simeon reacts to the presence of Jesus: Luke 2:25-32 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and *the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ [Messiah]. And he came by the Spirit into the Temple [2nd Temple in Jerusalem]: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for Him [circumcision and dedication] after the custom of the law, Then took he Him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen *thy Salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of *all people; *A light to lighten the Gentiles, and *the glory of thy people Israel. ... And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child [Jesus] is set for the fall [cross] and rising again [resurrection] of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also, *that the thoughts of many Hearts (souls of mankind) may be revealed. ... Anna the Prophetess responds to the presence of Jesus: Luke 2:36-38 36 And there was one Anna, a Prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the Tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the Temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of Him [Jesus] to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. ... At twelve years old Temple teachers respond to Jesus: Luke 2:46-47 And it came to pass, that after three days they [Joseph and Mary] found Him [Jesus] in the Temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors [Rabbis], both hearing them, and asking them questions. And all that heard Him were astonished at His [Biblical] understanding and [Spiritual] answers. </summary></html> <html><tt>The Berean Chronicles with Kelly McGinley - The Lord Jesus Christ's Birthday 2009 (Mp3)</tt></html><html><summary> The Grand Conspiracy Behind Changing the Lord Jesus Christ's Birthday - There is a conspiracy by the "religious" elite who act like the birth of the Lord Jesus was a secret. Basically, to support their false doctrine that He will return secretly. However, numerous scriptures show this teaching is false. Kelly goes through the recorded events in the scriptures surrounding the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. </summary></html> http://www.thebereanchroniclesaudio.com/ <html><tt>Were Joseph and Mary actually married (not just engaged) at the time of Jesus' birth?</tt></html><html><summary> We do not know exactly when it was that Mary broke the news to Joseph that she was expecting. It would have been very difficult to explain, after she rushed right off for three months; and then when she came back after all that time, she was expecting. Humanly-speaking, it would have been very easy to assume that she was unfaithful to Joseph while she was up in the hill country. We must also remember that their clothing was much more modest back in those days, and it would have been much more difficult to tell when a woman with child began to actually show the growth of the baby in the womb. We must also understand that husbands and wives who experience unfaithful mates go through mood swings. One moment, they are in tears and confirm their love toward their erring, but repentant mates. But the next hour or day, they may fight back great feelings of anger or resentment. It is a great battle to get an immoral mate to repent, and sometimes an even greater battle to get a hurt mate to forgive. What we end up with in this situation with Joseph and Mary, is that when she arrived back home, there was about six months before the birth. As was previously stated, we do not know when Mary actually told him that she was expecting. Being this was her first baby, and the modesty of the dress, it could have been a number of months before she actually began to show. Once she did tell Joseph, he obviously went through periods of affirmation of his love for her, and periods of doubt about her faithfulness. From the Scriptures, we know that it was an extreme struggle for him, right up until days before the birth. The struggle would have become much more intense as the birth drew nigh. </summary></html> http://www.libertygospeltracts.com/question/prequest/joemary.htm <html><tt>Wikipedia.org: Year zero - Dionysius Exiguus (470 A.D. - 544 A.D.) introduced the Anno Domini [lit. from Roman Latin, The Year Of Our Lord] [A.D.] era, which he used to identify the several Easters in his Easter table, but did not use it to date any historical event - When he devised his table, Julian calendar years were identified by naming the consuls who held office that year - he stated that the "present year" was "the consulship of Probus Junior [Flavius Probus]", which he also stated was 525 years "since the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ" - How he arrived at that number is unknown - He invented a new system of numbering years to replace the Diocletian years that had been used in an old Easter table because he did not wish to continue the memory of a tyrant who persecuted Christians</tt></html><html><summary> Bede (672 A.D. - 735 A.D.) was the first historian to use a BC year, and hence the first one to choose 1 as the origin of the BC era, thus 1 BC, in his Historia ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (Ecclesiastical history of the English people, 731). Bede did not sequentially number days of the month, weeks of the year, or months of the year, but he did number many of the days of the week using a counting origin of one in Ecclesiastical Latin. Previous Christian histories used anno mundi ("in the year of the world") beginning on the first day of Creation, or anno Adami ("in the year of Adam") beginning at the creation of Adam five days later (the sixth day of Creation week), used by Africanus, or anno Abrahami ("in the year of Abraham") beginning 3,412 years after Creation according to the Septuagint, used by Eusebius, all of which assigned "one" to the year beginning at Creation, or the creation of Adam, or the birth of Abraham, respectively. Bede continued this earlier tradition relative to the AD era. -- In chapter II of book I of Ecclesiastical history, Bede stated that Julius Caesar invaded Britain "in the year 693 after the building of Rome, but the sixtieth year before the incarnation of our Lord", while stating in chapter III, "in the year of Rome 798, Claudius" also invaded Britain and "within a very few days ... concluded the war in ... the forty sixth [year] from the incarnation of our Lord". Although both dates are wrong, they are sufficient to conclude that Bede did not include a year zero between BC and AD: 798 - 693 + 1 (because the years are inclusive) = 106, but 60 + 46 = 106, which leaves no room for a year zero. The modern English term "before Christ" (BC) is only a rough equivalent, not a direct translation, of Bede's Latin phrase ante incarnationis dominicae tempus ("before the time of the lord's incarnation"), which was itself never abbreviated. Bede's singular use of 'BC' continued to be used sporadically throughout the Middle Ages (albeit with a correct year). It is often stated that Bede did not use a year zero because he did not know about the number zero. Although the Arabic numeral for zero (0) did not enter Europe until the eleventh century, and Roman numerals had no symbol for zero, Bede and Dionysius Exiguus did use a Latin word, nulla meaning "nothing", alongside Roman numerals or Latin number words wherever a modern zero would have been used. -- The first extensive use (hundreds of times) of 'BC' occurred in Fasciculus Temporum by Werner Rolevinck in 1474, alongside years of the world (anno mundi). The anno Domini nomenclature was not widely used in Western Europe until the 9th century, and the 1 January to 31 December historical year was not uniform throughout Western Europe until 1752. The terms anno Domini, Dionysian era, Christian era, vulgar era, and common era were used interchangeably between the Renaissance and the 19th century, at least in Latin. But vulgar era was suppressed in English at the beginning of the 20th century after vulgar acquired the meaning of "offensively coarse", replacing its original meaning of "common" or "ordinary". Consequently, historians regard all these eras as equal. -- Since Bede, historians have not counted with a year zero. This means that between, for example, January 1, 500 BC and January 1, AD 500, there are 999 years: 500 for BC years, and 499 for AD years preceding 500. In common usage anno Domini 1 is preceded by the year 1 BC, without an intervening year zero. Thus the year 2006 actually signifies "the 2006th year". Neither the choice of calendar system (whether Julian or Gregorian) nor the era (Anno Domini or Common Era) determines whether a year zero will be used. If writers do not use the convention of their group (historians or astronomers), they must explicitly state whether they include a year 0 in their count of years, otherwise their historical dates will be misunderstood. No historian includes a year 0 when numbering years in the current standard era. Historians even refuse to use a year 0 when using negative years before our positive era, hence their -1 immediately precedes 1. </summary></html> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Year_zero ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 3 - Jesus is baptized both as an example for us and as a witness to His Divine, Holy stature -- 'Luke 3:21-22 Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and [then] praying, the Heaven was opened, And *the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon Him [Jesus], and a voice came from Heaven, which said, Thou art My beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.' - Note: This is another of the many Triune (Trinity) statements throughout the Bible where the Father, Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit are all in one location, all in one agreement and all testifying of their Triune nature as revealed in Jesus Christ to mankind.</html><html><summary> John the Baptist proclaims his service to the coming [yet unconfirmed] Messiah: Luke 3:16-18 John [the Baptist] answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He [Jesus] shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost [John 20:22 - Resurrection Sunday] and with fire [Acts 2:3 - Pentecost]: Whose fan [threshing tool] is in His hand, and he will thoroughly purge [empty] His floor, and will gather the wheat [good seed] into His garner [storage]; but the chaff [waste] He will burn with [eternal] fire unquenchable. And many other things in his exhortation preached he unto the people. - Note: Before the testimony of the Father in Heaven and the witness of the Holy Spirit setting upon Jesus, John the Baptist was unable to confirm to the crowds exactly who the Messiah was and even after the testimony from the baptism of Jesus, John the Baptist and many of John's followers were at times still uncertain about Jesus being the Messiah because Jesus did not fit the preconceived notions that the people had of the Messiah. The people generally thought the Messiah was going to physically set the people free from Roman rule and that He would usher in a new era of physical blessings, however the ministry of Jesus was almost completely Spiritual ushering in a reconciliation between God and mankind in the redemption and salvation work of Jesus Christ. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 4 - After His baptism, His anointing by the Holy Spirit and resisting the trials of the Devil then Jesus begins His earthly Ministry of reconciling lost mankind back into the perceivable presence of God -- 'Luke 4:14-22 And Jesus returned in the power of the [Holy] Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about. And He taught in their Synagogues, being glorified [accomplished] of all. And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up: and, as His custom was, He [Jesus] went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath Day [Saturday], and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the [Bible] book of the Prophet Esaias (Isaiah). And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, *The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me [Messiah] to preach the Gospel [Good News] to the poor; He [Father] hath sent Me [from Heaven] to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised [afflicted], To preach the acceptable [reconciliation time] year of the Lord. And He closed the book, and He gave it again to the Minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the Synagogue were fastened on Him. And He began to say unto them [devout worshipers of God], This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. And all bare Him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. ...'</html><html><summary> Satan reacts to the presence of Jesus Christ: Luke 4:1-8 And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan [river] {in modern day Jordan}, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, Being forty days tempted [harassed] of the Devil. And in those days He did eat nothing: and when they were ended, He afterward hungered. And the Devil said unto Him, If [lit. since] thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. And the Devil, taking Him up into an high mountain, shewed unto Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto Him, *All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind Me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve. ... Note: Satan is claiming that he has the power and the glory of all the [Gentile] kingdoms of the world. Satan is not claiming to have possession of the actual physical earth itself because Satan the Devil does not have possession of the physical earth God still retains possession of the earth. If Satan truly had power and glory over the earth then Satan could manifest from out of the dark and administer his kingdom however Satan has to conceal his identity and administer his kingdom via the proxy of deceived people and Nations. Only dominion (management) of the earth was given to Adam and Eve not possession. Adam and Eve did not possess the earth and therefore did not lose possession at the fall into sin. Eventually, after the Millennial Kingdom reign of Jesus on earth the New Earth will become the inheritance of the Saints of God but until that time God remains in complete possession of the earth. Satan temporarily has some influence in the political, social and even in the physical realm of mankind but not in an ownership type of way. Satan is still a trespasser and a usurper upon the earth. It is one of Satan's greatest lies to mankind that Satan has some form of authority in Heaven, on earth, or even in hell but Satan has none at least no eternal power apart from the powers of persuasion and deception. </summary></html> <html><tt>Threshing Floor Radio Show: Mission 2010 "The acceptable year of the Lord" by Randy Maugans (Mp3)</tt></html><html><summary> "New Year's Day"...in the system of Babylon. Do we honor it? Is it part of the "acceptable" time of YAHWEH? This "year" begins with a fresh mission, a renewal of energy, time, and commitment to the ONE thing that matters: PREACHING THE GOSPEL. Even so, more revelation, more power, more unfolding of the mysteries of Christ are in store-and with it more divisions, strife, and warfare. Gird up your loins, put on the armor...this show describes how to do so. -- "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord." Luke 4:19 </summary></html> http://threshingfloor-radio.com/index.php/2010/01/mission-2010/ ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 5 - Luke records the call on Peter's and Mathew's lives to follow Jesus -- 'Luke 5:27 And after these things He [Jesus] went forth, and saw a publican [tax collector], named Levi (Matthew), sitting at the receipt of custom: and He [Jesus] said unto him, Follow Me. And he (Matthew) left all, rose up, and followed [Jesus] Him.'</html><html><summary> Religious leaders, crowds of ordinary people and the very neediest of people all react to the presence of Jesus: Luke 5:17-26 And it came to pass on a certain day, as He [Jesus] was teaching, that there were Pharisees and Doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal [lit. physical and spiritual healing] them. And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy [advanced sexual disease]: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before Him. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the [roof] tiling with his couch [stretcher] into the midst before Jesus. And when He saw their faith, *He said unto him, Man, thy [sexual] sins [and all sins] are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? *Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? *But that ye may know that the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] *hath power *upon earth to forgive sins, He said unto the sick of the palsy, I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch [stretcher], and go into thine house. And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. And they were all amazed, and they glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things [lit. beyond expectation] to day. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 6 - After a night of being set apart and in prayer Jesus then selects 12 Apostles from among His many Disciples -- 'Luke 6:12-16 And it came to pass in those days, that He [Jesus] went out into a Mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called unto Him His Disciples: and of them He chose twelve, whom also He named Apostles [lit. sent out ones]; Simon, whom he also named Peter {the lead Disciple}, and Andrew his [Peter's] brother, James {martyred by Herod - Acts 12:2} and John {Gospel of John; 1st, 2nd, 3rd John; Book of Revelation}, Philip and Bartholomew {last known mention - Acts 1:13}, Matthew {Gospel of Matthew} and Thomas {John 20:25}, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.' [Note: two of the four listed brothers of Jesus in the Bible James and Jude would join the Church after the resurrection of Jesus and both James [early Church leader in Jerusalem] and Jude, both brothers of Jesus would each write a book of the Bible that has their name attached.]</html><html><summary> Jesus instructs His followers [Disciples] of the conduct that is required of them: Luke 6:27-38 But I [Jesus] say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Note: "Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise" is where mankind gets what is commonly called "The Golden Rule." </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 7 - The Ministry of John the Baptist is further separated from the Ministry of Jesus the Messiah -- 'Luke 7:28 For I [Jesus] say unto you [Disciples], Among those that are born of women there is not a greater Prophet [in knowledge of the Messiah] than John the Baptist: but he that is least {born again} in the Kingdom of God is greater [in personal, experiential knowledge of the Messiah] than he [John the Baptist].' Note: John the Baptist is a key person in transitioning the Old Testament Covenant of God into the New Testament Covenant of God. Had John the Baptist lived until after the Last Supper, the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus and into the institution of the New Testament Christian Church era it's certain that John would have had a major role in the Christian Church however John the Baptist was martyred as the last Old Testament Prophet and in a major sense John the Baptist was also martyred as the first New Testament Disciple as well, having rejoiced at the presence of Jesus while still in his mother's womb [Luke1:41].</html><html><summary> A Roman Centurion reacts to the presence of Jesus Christ: Luke 7:1-10 Now when He [Jesus] had ended all His sayings in the audience of the people, He entered into Capernaum. And a certain [Roman] Centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto Him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that He would come and heal his servant. And when they [Jewish elders] came to Jesus, they besought Him instantly, saying, That he [Roman Centurion] was worthy for whom He should do this: For he loveth our Nation [of Israel], and he hath built us a synagogue. *Then Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying unto Him, *Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: *but say in a word [speak with His authority of God], and my servant shall be healed [alive]. For I also am a man set under *authority, having under me soldiers, and I say [command] unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, [command] Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, He marvelled at him, and turned him about [and continued on to his house], and said unto the people that followed Him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith [in the authority of Jesus as God], no, not in Israel. - The Roman Centurion being a military man and a man of stature understood executive abilities, power, commands and authority and he understood that Jesus possessed ALL the Divine power and authority of God from Heaven including commanding and granting life to his sick and suffering servant. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 8 - Luke continues to document the open invitation of the Kingdom of God freely available to all mankind through the acceptance of Jesus Christ -- 'Luke 8:1-3 And it came to pass afterward, that He [Jesus] went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings [open invitation] of the Kingdom of God: and the Twelve [Apostles] were with Him, And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils [demons], And Joanna the wife of Chuza [King] Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which Ministered unto Him of their substance [abilities and finances].'</html><html><summary> Luke 8:16-18 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel [cup], or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid [hidden], that shall not be known and come abroad [into the open before God and the Angels of Heaven]. *Take heed therefore how ye hear [the spirits]: for whosoever hath [the light of the Holy Spirit], to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not [the light of the Holy Spirit], from him shall be taken even that *which he seemeth [by man's standards] to have. - Note: Jesus continues to speak and to warn His Disciples that there are counterfeit voices and deceiving spirits that are desperately seeking to lure people away from the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ. Also Note: How timely is this passage, even for our own day when it seems that daily what were once godly men with godly ministries are now ravenous wolves seeking to deceive, merchandise and devour the flock of God. Always be careful, read the Bible and be in constant prayer. Use godly discernment in going anyplace [even to Church] and in all interacting with people, even fellow Christians, friends, family members, whoever, etc., use caution and pray for God's presence and guidance in and around all of our daily activities and routines. Always try to hear the friendly comforting, strengthening voice of the Holy Spirit and always try to reject any countering, contentious, ungodly, despairing voices that disagree with and hinder the word and work of God. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 9 - Jesus instructs His Disciples in how they are to have access to Himself in His power and His authority in order to further His Kingdom of God - The Disciples do not directly heal people or directly cast out demons but do so by asking in prayer and intersession and through the laying on of hands for Jesus to do it for them if it is according to the will and purposes of Jesus at that time for His everlasting Kingdom -- 'Luke 9:1-6 Then He [Jesus] called His Twelve Disciples together, *and gave them power and authority over all devils [Satanic, demonic, influences], and to cure diseases. And He sent them *to preach the Kingdom of God, and to heal [make well] the sick. And He said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money; neither have two coats apiece. And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart. And whosoever will not receive you, when ye go out of that city, shake off the very dust [rejection] from your feet [soul] for a Testimony against them. And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the Gospel [Good News], and healing everywhere.' - Note: Luke 9:2 is known as the 'Rescinded Order' it will be replaced by Jesus in Luke 22:35-36 with a new command that the Disciples are to take with them money and provide for their Ministries as they are best able to do.</html><html><summary> Jesus being without sin is Transfigured and Glorified while still in His physical body: Luke 9:28-36 And it came to pass about an eight days [new beginning] after these sayings, He [Jesus] took Peter [Apostle to the Jews, Galatians 2:7] and John [Apostle to the Church, Revelation 4:1] and James [Apostle to the Martyred Saints, Acts 12:2], and went up into a Mountain [outside of Israel] {probably Mt. Nebo} to pray. And as He prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered [new beginning], and His raiment was white and glistering. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were *Moses and *Elias (Elijah): Who appeared in glory, and spake of His decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem [on the cross]. But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw His glory, and the two men that stood with Him. And it came to pass, as they [Peter, John, James] departed from Him [Jesus], Peter said unto Jesus, Master, *it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles [grottos]; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias (Elijah): not knowing what He said [about His coming death in Jerusalem]. While he [Peter] thus spake, there came a cloud {witness of Heaven}, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud {witness}. And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is My beloved Son: hear Him. And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone [without Moses and Elijah]. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen. - Note: The Apostle Peter dictated the events to Mark's book the Gospel of Mark and the Apostle Peter also wrote two Church epistles (letters) 1st and 2nd Peter. In the writings of Peter he seldom mentions any personal events that he was a part of with Jesus but mainly speaks and writes on the Ministry of Jesus as a whole however Peter's experience at the Mt. of Transfiguration {Mt. Nebo} seems to be a crowning moment for Peter in his experiences as a Disciple with Jesus. Peter during the actual events of the Transfiguration was so impressed that he determined to build monuments to each of the three participants and much later in life Peter continued to reflect on the events of that day and it is one of the few personal events that Peter openly shared with the Church in his Church letters [2 Peter 1:16-19]. </summary></html> <html><tt>Mt. Nebo where Moses Died is Located in Jordan [Jordan is an excellent part of the Biblical lands though it is not a part of the Holy Land - The Holy Land is exclusively Israel and specifically Jerusalem (Daniel 9:24)] - The Time and Place of the Transfiguration of Jesus</tt></html><html><summary> ABSTRACT: This speculative article proposes that the Transfiguration of Jesus occurred on Mt. Nebo, [Easter] Sunday April 20, six days after Passover April 14, AD 32 [the next year AD 33 was the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus] about three weeks following the feeding of the 5000. The 5000 were fed when Passover was "near". Standard chronologies place the Transfiguration around the feast of Tabernacles six-months later, on or near Mt. Hermon. Peter's confession was on Passover and prefigures the identification of the Messiah for Crucifixion and the Transfiguration prefigures the Resurrection. ... Overview: The approximate time of the Transfiguration can be discerned from the following information-In John 6:4 we are told, 'the Jewish Passover feast was near'. This Passover was one year before Jesus' final Passover. The author understands "Passover was near" to mean that the month of Nisan/Abib was starting. Jesus that day fed 5000 men. That night Jesus spent in prayer then before dawn he walked across the Sea of Galilee in a storm. The next day in Capernaum Jesus declared that we must eat his body and drink his blood. Most who heard this message rejected it. After this rejection, Jesus appears to turn his ministry to the gentiles for a time. He then rather that preparing to go down to Jerusalem for the Passover, journeyed northwest (20-50 miles) to the region of Tyre and Sidon and healed the daughter of a Canaanite woman of great faith. Jesus then journeyed back to the Sea of Galilee and onto the Decapolis region. There he spent three days with, and fed 4000 men (probably gentiles) and then sent them away. Jesus then crossed the Sea of Galilee to Magadan or Dalmanutha where he encounters Pharisees and Sadducees looking for a sign. They again journeyed to the other side where Jesus healed a blind man in Bethsaida (near the northern end of the Sea of Galilee). These events and travel took nearly two weeks. Then Jesus and the apostles journeyed 25 miles north to the region of Caesarea Philippi, where Peter declared that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Then Jesus started to directly predict his crucifixion. Jesus had been doing this bit of traveling so that he came under that clause that permitted one to miss the Passover in Nisan and instead go in the second month if he was on a journey. Jesus by this time was well recognized and there was a constant threat to his life by the religious leaders. To have gone to Jerusalem for this feast would have precipitated his crucifixion a year early. They went in the second month when they could go secretly. The transfiguration occurs six days after Peter's confession. Now it is likely that Elijah was taken up from the same mountain that Moses died on, Mt. Nebo also known as Pizgah. Mt. Nebo is about a hundred miles south of Caesarea Philippi and 20 miles east of Jericho near the Dead Sea. Mt. Nebo: Why Mt. Nebo for the Transfiguration? Moses died on Mt Nebo (Deut. 34:1,7). Elijah was headed in the direction of Mt. Nebo when he was taken and Jeremiah hid the tabernacle and Ark of the Covenant on Mt. Nebo. In 2 Kings 2:1 Elijah starts from Gilgal in the hill country of Ephraim. He went about 8 miles south to Bethel. From there, he journeyed 13 miles east-southeast (ESE) to Jericho. From there, he continued on to the Jordan, if he continued ESE he came to the Jordan at 7 miles. He crossed the Jordan on dry land and continued. If he continued ESE in 14 miles, he would reach the summit of Mt. Nebo also known as Pizgah. This is speculative scenario, but is possible and even likely. Jeremiah hid the tabernacle, the altar of incense, and the Ark of the Covenant on Mt. Nebo. If Moses and Elijah both departed from Mt. Nebo how appropriate, that Jesus' departure discussed there. Peter called the mount of transfiguration a holy mountain-and Maccabees states Mt. Nebo was sanctified to God or made holy. It is also stated that the majesty of the LORD shall appear, and there shall be a cloud as it was also shown to Moses. These events fit the transfiguration-the disciples saw Jesus' majesty and the cloud. Jesus and the apostles then journeyed four days, about 90 miles south, then they rested near the Jericho on the Sabbath. The next day the transfiguration occurred-Sunday Omer/Easter Nisan. Went to a high mountain to pray-could they have prayed all night. Transfiguration occurred "as he was praying". Peter and his companions were very sleepy-an indication that the transfiguration occurred during the night-when they came fully awake they saw. The request to build shelters could imply a place to sleep as opposed to a tabernacle for the feast of Booths [more likely Peter was attempting to build shrine like structures to commemorate the people and the event an idea that Jesus did not seem to approve of]. This mention by Peter of booths has caused commentators to place this event near the feast of Booths or Tabernacles in the fall. The feast of Tabernacles must be celebrated in Jerusalem not on some high mountain, six days or less journey from Caesarea Philippi. This mountain is normally taken to be on or near Mt. Hermon, which dominated the area around that town. Peter's mention of booths has no connection with the feast of booths. In the gospel of John, the feast of Tabernacles follows the feeding of the 5000. But we know from Matthew's gospel that Jesus returned to Capernaum immediately following the Transfiguration incident because there was an attempt to collect the two-drachma tax. This tax was normally paid before Passover. Therefore, this cannot be occurring just before the feast the feast of Tabernacles because they leave from here and go to Capernaum rather than Jerusalem. It cannot be occurring after the feast because they are all the way up in Caesarea Philippi and have spent at least two weeks traveling about. </summary></html> http://www.tckillian.com/bible/EasterTransfiguration.htm ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 10 - Luke continues to record the need for laborers to participate in the Harvest of the Kingdom of God -- 'Luke 10:1-2 After these things the Lord [Jesus] appointed other [people] seventy also, and sent them two and two before His face [appearance] into every city and place, whither He Himself would come. Therefore said He unto them, *The Harvest truly is great [magnificent], but the labourers are few: *pray ye therefore [unto God] the Lord of the Harvest [Jesus], that He would send forth labourers into His harvest.'</html><html><summary> Luke 10:17-24 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord [Jesus], even the devils [fallen angels, demons] are subject unto us *through Thy Name [the power and authority of Jesus]. And He said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall [with pride] from Heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means [eternally] hurt you. Notwithstanding in this *rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather *rejoice, because your names are written [eternally] in heaven. In that hour Jesus rejoiced in Spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven *and earth, that thou hast hid these [Kingdom of God] things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes [simple people]: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in Thy sight. All things are delivered to Me of My Father [God]: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and He to whom the Son will reveal Him. And He turned Him unto His disciples, and said privately, *Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many [O.T.] Prophets and [O.T.] Kings have desired to see those [Kingdom of God] things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things [teachings of Jesus] which ye hear, and have not heard them. Note Jesus reminds his Seventy Disciples that Satan [Lucifer] fell from Heaven because of His pride and that the Disciples should avoid a similar pride and a similar fall that could occur to each Disciple no matter how great the work or the accomplishments seem. The Kingdom of God comes from and is directed at the power and authority of Jesus Christ. When a Christian Ministers or does anything for the Kingdom of God, and we are all told to do all that we can in our own lives for the eternal Kingdom of God, it is accomplished through the leading, empowerment and most importantly the presence of God. When Christians work (labor) in the Kingdom of God it is with God at all times, in and with His presence, that we do all things. When a cult member labors for their cult it is without God in the hopes that one day God will take notice of their labors however God has already taken notice and rejected their labors because it is for the wrong kingdom it is not a part of the relationship [child of God], power and authority Kingdom of Jesus Christ. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 11 - The Disciples of Jesus begin to see the need for personal, powerful, authoritative , relationship prayer like the prayers of Jesus with the Holy Spirit and the Father in Heaven -- 'Luke 11:1-4 And it came to pass, that, as He [Jesus] was praying in a certain place, when He ceased [finished], one of His Disciples said unto Him, Lord, *teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. And He said unto them, When ye pray, say, *Our *Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed [Holy] be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come [manifest]. Thy will be done, as in Heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread [needs]. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted [trespassed] to us. *And lead us not into temptation [away from what might make us stumble or fall]; but *deliver us from evil [only the power and authority of Jesus can deliver us from evil].' Note: Only the power and authority of Jesus can deliver us from evil and ultimately only the power and authority of Jesus can provide for us in our lives so pray this framework of a prayer often [not in repetition but in relationship] knowing that we need to be continually in fellowship with God our "Heavenly Father", our "Holy Father" and our all loving, all knowing and all powerful Father.</html><html><summary> Luke 11:14-23 And He [Jesus] was casting out a devil [demon], and it was dumb. And it came to pass, when the devil was gone out, the dumb spake; and the people wondered {because it was thought people would need recite a spell in order to be freed from an evil spirit but this guy couldn't speak to recite a spell}. But some of them said, He [Jesus] casteth out devils through Beelzebub [Satan] the chief of the devils [demons]. And others, tempting Him, sought of Him a [another] sign from Heaven. But He, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, *Every kingdom divided against itself [civil war] is brought to desolation; and a house [family] divided against a house falleth. If Satan also be divided against himself, how shall his kingdom stand [Note: Satan often pretends to be divided against himself i.e. national politics (Republicans, Democrats) and Church politics (wolves and wolves)? because ye say that I cast out devils through Beelzebub. And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your sons cast them out [with spells and incantations]? therefore shall they be your judges. *But if I with the finger of God (without effort) [Exodus 8:19] cast out devils, no doubt *the Kingdom of God is come upon you. *When a strong man [physically] armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he [an evil spirit] shall come upon him, and overcome him, he [evil spirit] taketh from him [physical man] all his [physical] armour [strength] wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils [with other evil spirits]. He [the person] that is not with Me is against Me: *and he that gathereth not with Me scattereth.- Jesus is saying that the spiritual realm needs a clear distinction. There needs to be a clear declaration by the person in order to be separated from the physical realm and all the vulnerabilities of it concerning the evil spiritual realm. The most prominent and visible way to separate yourself from the vulnerable evil spirit realm is to confess Jesus with your mouth audibly (Romans 10:9) then the evil spirit realm is to back off because we are not scattered we are with Jesus Also Note: The water Baptism is also a confession and washing before God, mankind and even as a witness to the evil spirit realm. It is of extreme, paramount importance that a new Christian [and even continuing Christians sometimes renew (rededicate) their Baptism vows] gets water baptized as a public profession of faith in Jesus. It's important to be water baptized but it's also important to do it as a part of a personal relationship with Jesus and not as a ritual or because someone else wants it done. When the new Christian or a continuing Christian feels they should be Baptized in the Name of the Father the Son Jesus and the Holy Spirit then and only then should they do it. - A Final Note: The water Baptism is also a washing of setting apart from the spiritual realms and also washing for the Priestly duties of a Christian. Being water baptized means that the person is also taking on the authority and presence of a holy Priest (Melchizedek) before God a Christian is able to administer bread and wine, anoint with oil, baptize others, intercedes for others, lay hands on others and do all of the (Melchizedek) priestly functions before God. I don't think an un-baptized person has a ministry of offering bread and wine and of doing many of the Priestly functions as a Christian simply because they are not washed from the evil spiritual realm and not being separated from the evil spirit realm it could bring in more problems than blessing into Church functions. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 12 - Jesus continues to instruct His Disciples in having the proper priorities - that the eternal perspective with fear, reverence and awe for God and not for man especially humans in compromised leadership positions, but respect and honor for God is the only proper and safe eternal perspective for humans to have -- 'Luke 12:1-5 In the meantime, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, He [Jesus] began to say unto His Disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven [worldliness] of the Pharisees [religious leaders], which is hypocrisy [two faced]. For there is nothing covered [hidden], that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever [conversations] ye have spoken in darkness [secret] shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets [closed rooms] shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. And I say unto you My friends, *Be not afraid of them [authorities] that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear Him [God], which after He hath killed hath power to cast into hell; *yea, I say unto you, Fear Him [God].'</html><html><summary> Luke 12:35-40 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning; And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him *immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching [looking for his return]: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch [late night], or come in the third watch [early morning], and find them so, blessed are those servants. And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched [be alert], and not have suffered his house to be broken through. Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of Man [Jesus] cometh at an hour when ye think not [least expect it]. - The "Watch Ministry" watching and anticipating for the immediate return of Jesus Christ is probably the most crucial of any Christian Ministry. The early Christian Church was continually involved in Watching [Praying with eyes open] in anticipation for the return of Jesus. All of the great Christian Pastors and Leaders throughout Church History tell of the Morning and Evening Watch and of prayfully reading the Bible and looking to the horizon or to the sky in anticipation of that first glimpse of their coming King and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. - '2 Corinthians 6:27 In weariness and painfulness, *in watchings [looking for the return of Jesus] often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness [destitute]. ...' Note: The days of praying with our eyes closed and our heads bowed especially in public or even in a Church are long over. Christians need to be sitting up, alert and watching everything especially everything a pastor, elder, leader, evangelist, or guest is doing. Even if you are publically told or asked to bow your head for a moment of prayer or silence during an alter call or invitation, don't do it! Keep yourself in a respectful alert watching posture, looking and watching for Jesus and looking and watching with eyes wide open at the circumstances and events going on in and around the Church gathering. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 13 - Jesus reiterates that we humans live in a perilous and uncertain world both physically and spiritually and that the only safety both physically [eternally] and spiritually for us is to be repentant and within the presence of Jesus Christ -- 'Luke 13:1-5 There were present at that season some that told Him [Jesus] of the [martyred] Galilaeans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that [because they die a horrible public death] these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such [public] things? I tell you, Nay [No]: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise [physically - spiritually] perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the [natural disaster] tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay [No]: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise [spiritually] perish.'</html><html><summary> Luke 13:22-30 And He [Jesus] went through the cities and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem [towards Holy Week]. Then said one unto Him, Lord, are there few that be saved [Salvation]? And He said unto them, *Strive [be diligent] to enter in at the strait [non-crooked] gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. *When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door [closed the opportunity - ended the open invitation] (Revelation 4:1), and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not [you have the wrong spirit, not born again of the Holy Spirit] whence [lit. what origin] ye are: Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. But He shall say, *I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity [incompleteness] (Revelation 3:2). There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the [Jewish] Prophets, in the Kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they [everyone who comes to Jesus] shall come from the East, and from the West, and from the North, and from the South, and shall sit down in the Kingdom of God. And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last. - Jesus reiterates that we are to diligently work and strive to enter into His presence, to receive the Baptism of His Spirit (John 20:22) so we can be of the same Spirit of God and be assured to enter into the Kingdom of God. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 14 - Jesus instructs His followers to count the cost of following Him because to be able to count the cost is be able to successfully complete the project. The cost of following Jesus is death, our death to this world, but the completed project is eternal life in Jesus Christ. Our eternity in Heaven with Jesus! -- 'Luke 14:25-35 25 And there went great multitudes with Him [Jesus]: and He turned, and said unto them, If any man come to Me, and hate [lit. love less] not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, *and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross [death to this world], and come after Me [in God's Kingdom], cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and *counteth [count] the cost [of the project], whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply [half hazardly], after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth [with his generals] whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage [ambassador], and desireth conditions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost *his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but [even] men cast it out. He that hath [Spiritual] ears to hear, let him hear.' - Note: Salt as a chemical does not lose saltiness, however what can happen is that other substances that look like salt can be confused for salt or added to salt then the salt is no longer salty because it is compromised with other objects and materials that cannot perform the functions [spice, thirst and preserving ] of salt. The parable is teaching that people who become compromised by worldly objects and desires [comfort, security, money, reputation, respect, etc.] are substituting the false appearance of worldly salt for the real salt of the Kingdom of God.</html><html><summary> Luke 14:15-24 And when one of them that sat at meat with Him [Jesus] heard these things, he said unto Him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God. Then said He unto him, A certain man made a Great Supper, and bade [invited] many: And sent His servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, *Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray Thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray Thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to His servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, *and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and *compel them to come in, that My House may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden [and refused the invitation] shall taste of My supper. - The invitation to the Kingdom of God in Jesus Christ is an open invitation. All are invited to the "Great Supper" the Eternal Feast in Heaven with God. We each individually need simply to accept from Jesus and His servant the Holy Spirit the gracious invitation that is being offered to us and to then with thanks and gratitude acknowledge His invitation for us to be able to enter into His eternal Kingdom that awaits us all. </summary></html> <html><tt>Calvary Chapel Senior Pastor Chuck Smith now supports Rick Warren [Rick Warren's good friend (and Saddleback Church attendee) Rupert Murdoch, owner of Fox News also owns and distributes the Satanic bible, is a leading promoter of abortion and is also one of the leading distributors of pornographic material throughout the world] - {Note: Chuck Smith seems to think that 'anything' he does is a move of the Holy Spirit or is endorsed 'blessed' by the Holy Spirit simply because he does it and that is complete blasphemy! Pastor Chuck Smith needs to continually submit himself to the Holy Spirit in the same way and manner as everyone else. There are no special circumstances or special people, even in these End Times [or especially in these End Times], everyone is to be submitted to God at all times and there are no exceptions. Honestly, Pastor Chuck Smith and Pastor Rick Warren seem to think that they have some special anointed 'secret agent' End Time calling on their life and are to define and complete the Church and to personally above everyone else 'deliver the Church personally to God' as some super servant at the 2nd Coming appearance and return of Jesus and it is certainly not the case. - The Apostle Paul had the calling of Apostle on his life and the Apostle Paul openly and publically declared to everyone his calling [1 Corinthians 1:1] and his intentions within the Church. We now live in days where Church leaders and pseudo Church leaders like Smith and Warren seem to be enacting out a secret fantasy of an End Time calling [that does not exist] with their secret intentions and hidden agendas and it's not Biblically correct. Secrecy is a deception that is being imposed upon the Christian Church by the leaders of the Church and the Church doesn't need it or want it. - Also Note: Chuck Smith is always overselling his Calvary Chapel agenda and Rick Warren is always overly aggressive in demanding his agenda and both approaches towards people and audiences are unbiblical.} (YouTube)</tt></html><html><summary> This video shows the many compromises that Chuck Smith has made, on this one I fear he has gone beyond the pale. </summary></html> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdbxd6dKDxg ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 15 - The religious leaders with their own agendas and hidden ways continue to get in the way and to interfere with the actual work and Ministry of Jesus Christ -- 'Luke 15:1-2 Then drew near unto Him [Jesus] all the publicans [city officials] and sinners [outsiders] for to hear Him. And the Pharisees [religious leaders] and scribes murmured [complained], saying, *This man [does not do what we prescribe] receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.' - Note: The Religious leaders of that day refused to acknowledge that Jesus was a Prophet calling Him only a 'man' just as the religious Christian leaders of our day refuse to acknowledge that Jesus is the authority and leader over His Church and are acting as though Jesus is just a man who is absent and separated from His own Church.</html><html><summary> Luke 15:11-32 And He [Jesus] said, A certain man had two sons [Lit. Sons, inheritors - G5207, Huios]: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living [a living inheritance, while the Father was yet alive]. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son [lit. Child (yet to inherit) - G5043, Teknon], thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. - This Parable of Jesus illustrates a couple of points. 1. To be out of the presence of the Father [God] is to be dead, there is no life apart from God. 2. That we are Children [Teknon] of God while we are in our physical bodies on earth, we only become Sons [Huios] after receiving the inheritance from the Father in person in Heaven (Revelation 21:7). Note: After death and upon entering into the actual visible, perceivable presence of God in Heaven if we are clean [without sin] by the eternal life blood of Jesus and have received by faith God the Holy Spirit and we are a Child of God then once in Heaven and being of the same Spirit of God, He will then Adopt us as a Son and as a son we each receive of a Living Inheritance; a new name, a new [spiritual] body, a place to live and an occupation. An occupation, house - dwelling, a new name, family authority and an eternal spiritual body are all from the Father given to a Son as a part of the Adoption and Inheritance process from first being a 'born again' Child of God and then being Adopted as a Son of God into an eternal family relationship with God. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 16 - In His confrontation with the religious leaders Jesus instructs them that they need to change - selfish ways are an abomination to God and neither God nor the Law are going to change to accommodate a greedy selfish mankind it is up to mankind to change and conform into the image of God as glimpsed in the image of the Law and represented in the person of Jesus Christ -- 'Luke 16:14-17 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous [greed], heard all these things: and they derided Him [Jesus]. And He said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; *but God knoweth your hearts: *for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the Kingdom of God is preached, and every [greedy] man presseth [lit. inserts himself - i.e. party crasher] into it. And it is easier for Heaven and earth to pass [the law is a permanent foundation embodied in Jesus Christ], than one tittle of the law to fail.'</html><html><summary> Jesus tells an actual story [not a Parable] about the pre-heaven Paradise: Luke 16:19-31 There was a certain rich man [an actual man], which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar [an actual man] named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate [edge of his property], full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, *and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom [Paradise before the cross of Jesus]: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and *seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. *And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf [separation] fixed [permanent]: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house: *For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. *Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses [law] and the Prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay [No], father Abraham: *but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead [and several rose from the dead in including a Lazarus (John 11:44) and of course Jesus Himself (Luke 24:6)]. - Note: Before the cross and resurrection of Jesus there was no access for mankind into heaven. The Angels of Heaven had access to Heaven and even Satan and his fellow fallen Angels still have some access to heaven since the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden there has been no access for sinful mankind into God's Holy Heaven. Prior to the Ministry of Jesus [virgin birth, shed blood, death on the cross and His eternal resurrection life] mankind that died remained separated from God and did not go to Heaven but actually departed Souls went to the middle of the earth in a compartment called Paradise and apparently the compartment of hell was visibly and audibly nearby. After the resurrection of Jesus Christ He brought the departed Souls residing in Paradise with Him into Heaven (Ephesians 4:8) while the departed human Souls residing in the compartment of hell remain there until the judgment day having rejected Jesus Christ as their personal savior and proven by their own actions and deeds to be unworthy of being in the presence of God are cast into the eternal lake of fire. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 17 - As Jesus prepares to conclude His physical Ministry and physically depart from among His Disciples - Jesus continues to stress the importance of faith in God alone and of the necessity of rejecting the many false doctrines and deceivers that are going to follow after the work and Ministry of Jesus attempting only to enrich themselves and to deceive the Disciples of Jesus -- 'Luke 17:20-23 And when He [Jesus] was demanded of the Pharisees, when the Kingdom of God should come, He answered them and said, The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation [in one confined location]: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, *the Kingdom of God is [the born again Spirit] within you (John 3:3). And He said unto the disciples, The days will come, when ye shall desire to [physically] see [Jesus] one of the days of the Son of Man, and ye shall not [physically] see it [Jesus physically among them]. And they [deceivers] shall say to you [Disciples], See here [the kingdom of god]; or, see there [their kingdom of god]: go not after them, nor follow them.'</html><html><summary> Luke 17:1-10 Then said He [Jesus] unto the Disciples, It is impossible but that offences [persecution] will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. *Take heed to yourselves [that we do not offend others or worse to become bitter from being offended by others]: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. *And the Apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith [in Jesus, the Kingdom of God][the smallest amount] as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamore tree [offending person], Be thou plucked up by the root [you don't rule me or affect me eternally], and be thou planted in the sea [the evil intentions towards me are buried in the bottom of the sea]; and it should obey you. But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat [dinner]? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready [dinner] wherewith I may sup [dine], and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? *Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow [suggest] not. *So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you [by God], say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do [maintain a position of gratitude, indebtedness and faithfulness towards God]. - Note: our relationships with other people are almost as important as our relationship with God however unlike our relationship with God our relationships with other people [God is not complicating our relationship with Him] and even within ourselves can become very complex, confused and incorrect. It's important to maintain first a right relationship with God to be thankful and grateful to God and to try to see ourselves as precious in the sight of God as we are to Him and then from our precious relationship with God we can better interact with our self and then with others. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 18 - Jesus continues to make it clear that the Kingdom of God does not originate from humans and is not fabricated [built or advanced] by humans from the outside but is completely a work and accomplishment of God and that humans are to enter into the completed work and accomplishments of God in Jesus Christ and then once inside of the Kingdom of God [here on earth having received the 'born again Spirit'] we become a partaker [receive] and a participant [build, grow and mature] the Kingdom of God from within the Kingdom of God -- 'Luke 18:18-27 18 And a certain ruler asked Him [Jesus], saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou Me good [Jesus wanted it clear and to make certain that the man knew he was talking to God]? none is good, save one, that is, God [Jesus!]. Thou knowest the Commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept [from his wrong perspective] from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, He said unto him, *Yet lackest thou one [obvious] thing [greed]: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven: and come, follow Me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly [difficult] shall they that have riches [self-sufficiency] enter into the Kingdom of God! For it is easier for a [actual] camel to go through a [actual] needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God. *And they that heard it said, Who then can be Saved [perceiving that wealth is a blessing from God to the Saved]? And He said, The things [Redemption-Salvation, the Kingdom of God] which are impossible with men *are possible with God.'</html><html><summary> Luke 18:9-14 And He [Jesus] spake this *parable [where the story of Lazarus was an actual specific event, this event is so common among men that Jesus just calls it a parable] unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the Temple to pray; the one a Pharisee [religious leader], and the other a publican [city official working for Rome]. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto Heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, *God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house *justified rather than the other: forevery one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. -Religious leaders assume that they are Saved and have favor with God simple because of their service to God and standing among men and therefore they continually attempt to make others conform into their human image of salvation. When a religious leader believes himself to be Saved in part by his service to God or by his stature among his peers then naturally they think others should become, think, act and look like themselves in order to be Saved as they themselves believe they are [and probably are]. Of course it is a complete perversion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to try to get anyone to conform into the image of another human and not to provide them with the freedom to conform into their rightful image created by God. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 19 - Jesus prepares for and makes His Holy Week entrance into Jerusalem where Jesus offers His Kingdom and authority to mankind but is rejected by mankind [both the Jews and the Gentiles] -- 'Luke 18:31 Then He [Jesus] took unto Him the Twelve [Apostles], and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written *by the [O.T.] Prophets concerning the Son of Man [Jesus] shall be accomplished. For He shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they [Jews (Matthew 26:67-68) and Gentiles (Matthew 27:30-31)] shall scourge Him, *and [Jews and Gentiles] put Him to death: *and the third day He [Jesus] shall rise again [Resurrection Life].'</html><html><summary> Luke 19:26-42 ... For I [Jesus] say unto you [continuing His illustration], That unto every one which hath [a relationship with God] shall be given [more]; and from him that hath not [a relationship with God], even that he hath shall be taken away from him. But those mine enemies, *which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me. And when He had thus spoken [an illustration], He went before [in front of the Apostles], ascending up {on the Sabbath Day} to Jerusalem [with God (Jesus) there, Heaven on earth]. And it came to pass, when He was come nigh to [the villages of] Bethphage and Bethany [from Jerusalem a Sabbath Day's journey Acts 1:12], at the Mount called the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples, Saying, Go ye into the village over against you; in the which at your entering ye shall find a colt tied, whereon yet never man sat: loose him, and bring him hither. And if any man ask you, Why do ye loose him? thus shall ye say unto him, Because the Lord hath need of him. And they that were sent went their way, and found even as he had said unto them. And as they were loosing the colt, the owners thereof said unto them, Why loose ye the colt? And they said, The Lord [Jesus the true owner, owner of the universe] hath need of him. And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus thereon. And as He went [on the Saturday Sabbath Day, Triumphal Entry Saturday - modern Palm Sunday], they spread their clothes in the way. And when He was come nigh, even now at the descent of the Mount of Olives, *the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; *Saying, Blessed be the *King that cometh [on the Sabbath Day] in the Name of the Lord: *Peace in Heaven, and Glory in the Highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto Him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And He answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones [creation] would immediately cry out. And when He [Jesus] was come near, He beheld the city [Jerusalem], and wept over it, Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, *the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid (hidden) from thine eyes [but not removed just hidden]. - Note: In modern times the entrance of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem is celebrated on a Sunday as Palm Sunday however the actual Biblical event occurred on the Saturday Sabbath Feast Day [Mark 11:11, "eventide" - lit. close of the Feast Day]. The arrival of Jesus Christ and with His Kingdom of God the Kingdom of Heaven and Earth offered freely to mankind the fulfillment of the Sabbath rest [7th Day of Creation - 7th Dimension (Genesis 2:2), 4th of the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:8), 1st of the 8 Levitical 'Holy Convocations' Feasts (Leviticus 23:1-3)] is now made available in Jesus for mankind. With King Jesus reigning in and over our life we now have rest 'Sabbath' through the finished and accomplished works of Jesus [creation (original creation life), redemption (atoning cross of Jesus) and salvation (resurrection life of Jesus)] for all eternity! </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 20 - With the Kingdom of God now in effect after the Triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem - Immediately the authority of Jesus is questioned by the religious leaders of the day -- 'Luke 20:1-2 And it came to pass, that on one of those days, as He [Jesus] taught the people in the Temple, *and Preached the Gospel [good news of God towards mankind], the Chief Priests and the Scribes came upon Him with the Elders, And spake unto Him, saying, *Tell us, by what *authority doest thou these [Kingdom of God] things? or who is he that gave thee this authority?'</html><html><summary> Luke 20:27-40 Then came to Him [Jesus] certain of the Sadducees, *which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked Him, Saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If any man's brother die, having a wife, and he die without children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed [a generation] unto his brother. There were therefore seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and died without children. And the second took her to wife, and he died childless. And the third took her; and in like manner the seven also: and they left no children, and died. Last of all the woman died also. *Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. *And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry [in Heaven], nor are given [have sex] in marriage [no marriages or sex in Heaven]: Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels [with spiritual bodies for worshiping God, not physical bodies for sex]; and are the Children [family] of God, being the Children [family] of the resurrection [the confined earthly marriages and families are dissolved in heaven and expanded into the one true family as every human is already physically related and family in Adam and Eve and the Children of God are Spiritually related to God and each other in Jesus Christ]. *Now that the dead are raised, *even Moses shewed at the bush [Exodus 3:6], when he calleth the Lord the God of *Abraham, and the God of *Isaac, and the God of *Jacob. *For He [God] is not a God of the dead, *but of the living: *for all live unto Him. Then certain of the scribes answering said, Master, thou hast well said. And after that they durst not ask him any question at all. - Note: God is life! God is life even above death and therefore God is also Resurrection life! Everything outside of the presence of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is death while everything within the presence of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is life. To enter into the presence of God is to enter into life and to become a Child of God is to receive eternal life the free gift from God in Jesus Christ. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 21 - Jesus foretells the destruction of the Temple - The destruction of Jerusalem - and His 2nd Coming -- 'Luke 21:5-6 And as some spake of the Temple [2nd Temple], how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, He said [Prophecy], As for these things [building] which ye behold, the days will come [70 A.D.], in the which there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.'</html><html><summary> Luke 21:25-37 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars [Revelation 6:12-17, Sixth Seal]; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: *for the powers [fallen Angels] of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see [visibly] the Son of Man [Jesus Christ] coming in a cloud with Power and Great Glory. And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption [in the visible presence of God] draweth nigh [for those still on earth]. -- And [now Jesus switched from immediate prophecy to a Parable, distant future events] He [Jesus] spake to them a *Parable [parable - heavenly event or distant future event]; *Behold the fig tree [rebuilt 3rd Temple in Jerusalem], and all the trees [men - systems of men, man's worldly religion]; When they now shoot forth [sprout from underground, become visible no longer hidden (occult)], ye see and know of your own selves that summer [the growth and ripening just before the harvest] is now nigh at hand. So likewise ye [Disciples, Christians], when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the Kingdom of God is nigh [near, close in time] at hand [tangible]. Verily I say unto you, This generation [destruction of Temple, destruction of Jerusalem - generation, but not the parable events for that current generation] shall not pass away, till all be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but My words shall not pass away. *And take heed *to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting (excess ease), and drunkenness, and cares [worries] of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell [unsaved] on the face of the whole earth. *Watch ye [for the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ] therefore, and Pray Always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these [Great Tribulation] things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man. And in the day time He was teaching in the Temple; and at night He went out, and abode in the Mount that is called the Mount of Olives. - Revelation 6:12-17 And I [Disciple John] beheld when He [Jesus Christ] had opened the Sixth Seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a *fig tree casteth her untimely [out of season] figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. And the heaven [deep sky] departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens [manmade underground bunkers] and in the rocks of the mountains [caves, hollowed out mountains, i.e. NORAD]; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of Him that sitteth on the Throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of His wrath [Great Tribulation] is come; and who shall be able to stand? - Jesus explains the coming End Time events so that His disciples will not be shaken by the enormity [manmade, natural and supernatural] of the cataclysmic events to come: Note: the coming Seven year period that is considered the Last Week or 70th Week of Daniel is the timeframe for this last series of events that happen prior to the visible 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His 1,000 year Kingdom reign on earth. - Also Note: The 7 year period is divided into half comprising two 3½ year periods [because of the demonic violence and the violence of mankind the second half is cut short and according to Daniel [Daniel 12:12] and to Jesus [Matthew 24:21-22] the second half might last only 45 days instead of the given 3½ year - Note: the ministry of Jesus from Baptism by John the Baptist until the cross, resurrection and ascension was 3½ years, so basically Jesus, mankind (Tribulation) and Satan (Great Tribulation) all get a 3½ year 'Ministry' period upon the earth] the first half is the Tribulation [the unrestricted wrath (passion) and hatred of mankind and the demonic realm] and the second half is the Great Tribulation [Satan's vengeance, the vengeance of demons and of mankind and the necessary judgments of God upon an unjust and uncooperative mankind and upon the fallen Angels]. The three controlled systems of Revelation are Seals [overseen by Jesus], Trumpets [overseen by the Holy Spirit] and measured Vials (Bowls) [overseen by the Father]. The three systems intertwine and intermingle in the events of Revelation. Some Seals are broken some Trumpets are blown and some Vials are poured out then more of each etc. until the events of Revelation are completed and mankind is physically [visibly] reunited with God and no longer [since the Garden of Eden] separated from God. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 22 - The arrival of the events of Holy Week - The Feast Days - The Betrayer [Judas] - The Usurper [Barabbas] - The Cross, Death and Sealed Tomb of Jesus Christ - The Glorious and Triumphant Eternal Life Resurrection of Jesus Christ - The Beginning of the Christian Church - The Ascension of Jesus Christ -- 'Luke 22:1-8 Now the *feast of *unleavened bread [8 days total, two Feasts combined - The Lord's Passover Feast [2nd of the 8 Levitical Feasts - 14th of Nisan] (1 day) and the Feast of Unleavened Bread (7 days) [3rd of the 8 Levitical Feasts - starting the 15th of the Jewish month of Nisan] = Passover (8 days) and the fest of Firstfruits [3rd of the 8 Levitical Feasts] comes the First Sunday after the Lord's Passover] drew nigh, which is *called [all 8 days] The Passover. And the Chief Priests and Scribes sought how they might kill Him [Jesus]; *for they feared [losing their reputation and standing among] the people. *Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the Twelve. And he [Judas] went his way, and communed with the Chief Priests and Captains [Jewish guard], how he might betray Him [Jesus] unto them. *And they were glad, and covenanted to give him [Judas] *money. And he [Judas] promised, and sought opportunity to *betray [the three betrayers of the Bible are - Ahithophel (King David), Judas [Jewish] (Jesus' 1st Coming), False Prophet [Christian] (Jesus' 2nd Coming)] Him [Jesus] unto them in the absence [away from any crowds of people] of the multitude. Then came the day of Unleavened Bread [first day of the 8 days], when the Passover must be killed [Feast of the Lord's Passover]. And He [Jesus] sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the Passover [Lord's Passover], that we may eat.'</html><html><summary> Luke 22:14-21 [Wednesday - 14th of Nisan - Lord's Passover Feast - Last Supper Communion] And when the Hour was come, He [Jesus] sat down, and the Twelve Apostles with Him. And He said unto them, *With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the Kingdom of God. And He took the cup [1st cup of the 4 cups of Passover wine], and Gave Thanks, and said, *Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the Kingdom of God shall come. And He took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is My body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of Me. Likewise also the cup after supper [3rd cup, cup of redemption], saying, This cup is the New Testament [New Covenant] in My blood [shed physical blood and internalized Spiritual (eternal life blood)], which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him [Judas] that betrayeth Me is with Me on the table. And truly the Son of Man [Jesus] goeth, as it was determined [permitted by God]: but woe unto that man by whom He is betrayed! - Jesus institutes the New Covenant [New Testament] between God and mankind in His body. The Christian Communion of Jesus Christ represents both the physical body and the Spiritual body of Jesus Christ. When the physical unleavened bread is taken and broken it represents the physical body of Jesus. When the cup of wine is taken and mingled with the water it represents the cleansing physical blood and water that flowed from the side of Jesus on the cross. When the broken, unleavened bread is eaten it represents the eternal Spiritual body of Jesus Christ giving us an eternal Spiritual body and when the wine mixed with water is consumed it represents the eternal Spiritual life blood of Jesus giving us of His eternal Spiritual life. The physical blood and body of Jesus Christ was sacrificed for our sins that by His blood we are clean and then 3 days later the Spiritual body of Jesus rose from the grave to give us our eternal resurrection life in the eternal life of Jesus Christ. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 23 - The arrest, multiple trials [3 Jewish, 3 Roman - total 6 trials] - the cross - the death and the burial tomb of Jesus Christ -- 'Luke 23:13-15 And [Pontius] Pilate [the Roman Governor of Jerusalem where Jesus was accused], when he had called together the Chief Priests and the rulers [Roman and Jewish] and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this Man [Jesus] unto me, as one that perverteth [corrupts] the people: and, behold, I, having examined Him before you, have found no fault in this Man [Jesus] touching those things whereof ye accuse Him: No, nor yet Herod [the Roman Tetrarch (provincial ruler) of Judea including Nazareth where Jesus was a citizen]: for I sent you to Him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him.'</html><html><summary> [Thursday - 15th of Nisan - Feast of Unleavened Bread (removal of sin) - the cross and crucifixion of Jesus Christ] - Luke 23:33-56 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary [Latin - lit. cranium - skull], there they crucified Him [crushing forever the skull-head, power and authority of sin and Satan], and the [two] malefactors [repetitive, unable to rehabilitate, common petty criminals], one on the right hand, and the other on the left. *Then said Jesus [1st of 7 sayings on the cross], Father, forgive them; *for they know not what they do [grant human sinners entrance in to Heaven the true Sanctuary City]. And they parted his raiment [clothing], and cast lots. And the people stood beholding [participating]. And the rulers also with them derided Him, saying, He saved others; let Him save Himself, *if He be Christ, the chosen of God. And the [Roman] soldiers also mocked Him, coming to Him, and offering Him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the King of the Jews, save Thyself. And a superscription also was written over Him in letters of *Greek, and *Latin, and *Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, If thou be Christ, save Thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same [condemned] condemnation? And *we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our [continual] deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, *Lord, remember me when thou comest into *Thy Kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise [Paradise inside the center of the earth - Paradise no longer exists it is now relocated in Heaven the '3rd Heaven' the presence of God]. And it was about the sixth hour [12:00 noon], and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth [3:00 p.m.] hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil [separation between man and God] of the Temple was rent [torn] in the midst [top to bottom - God tore the veil]. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend My spirit [7th and final saying from the cross]: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost [Jesus commanded His soul and Spirit to leave His body, something humans do not have the authority to do with their own body]. *Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a Righteous Man. And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts {regretted their involvement and actions}, and returned. And all His acquaintance, and the women that followed Him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things. And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor [Jewish ruler]; and he was a good man, and a just: The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them; he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the Kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. *And he took it down [from the cross], and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in [solid] stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day [Thursday] was the preparation, and the Sabbath [evening Sabbath for the Feast of Unleavened Bread] drew on. And the women also, which came with Him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld [observed] the sepulchre [tomb], and how His body was laid. And they returned, and [Friday - regular day] prepared [purchased, worked and labored] spices and ointments; and rested the [Saturday] Sabbath day according to the Commandment [4th Commandment]. - The body of Jesus is placed in a tomb but the Spirit and Soul of Jesus departed and spend 3 days in the center of the earth [like the Prophet Jonah in the whale (fish)] in the old Paradise and while Jesus was there Jesus preached to the 'captives' [Ephesians 4:7] the people in paradise and Jesus proclaimed His victory [1 Peter 3:19] to the people in Hell. After His resurrection Jesus led the people from Paradise into Heaven and the presence of God while the people in Hell remain in their compartment until the Day of Judgment. </summary></html> <html><tt>Luke 23:34a "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing", one of the famous "seven last words" of Jesus, is enclosed by double brackets in NA and UBS, indicating that the logion is known not to be a part of the original text - In reality, however, a vigorous debate rages on, with the proponents of the shorter reading [omission] tending to emphasize external evidence, and defenders of the longer reading [inclusion] focusing on intrinsic probability. Both sides have claimed victory in the transcriptional arena but have paid little, if any, attention to early Christian interpretations of the prayer, giving this aspect of the debate a regrettably speculative flavor - In this essay I shall review the external evidence, arguing that proponents of the shorter reading have exaggerated their case - Then, after examining *the formidable intrinsic evidence in favor of the longer reading [inclusion], I shall turn to neglected transcriptional evidence that shows that Luke 23:34a was a problem passage [regarding Judaism] in early Christianity</tt></html><html><summary> Yet patristic citations offer a powerful and neglected counterweight to the papyrus. The prayer [Luke 23:34a] is cited by Irenaeus [130 AD - 202 AD] (Haer. 3.18.5 - k, Adversus Haereses or Against Heresies published in 180 AD) and apparently by Marcion (in Epiphanius, Pan. 42.11.6) in the second century, Hippolytus [Hippolytus of Rome (170 AD 235 AD)] (Ben. Is. Jac. 27.28) in the late second or early third century, as well as Origen [Origen of Alexandria (184/185 AD 253/254 AD)] (Pasch. 2.43.7-14; Horn. Lev. 2.1.5) in the third and Eusebius [Eusebius of Caesarea (263 AD - 339 AD)] (Hist. eccl. 2.23) in the fourth. Ephrem [Ephrem the Syrian (306 AD 373 AD)] cites the prayer three times in his commentary on the Diatessaron, which suggests that the prayer was in Tatian's [Tatian the Assyrian (120 AD 180 AD)] text in the middle of the second century (10.14; 21.3; 21.18). In addition, the prayer is found in the Pseudo-Clementine literature (Rec. 6.5; Hom. 11.20); Archelaus, Disputation with Manes 44; Apos. Con. 2.3.16; 5.3.14; Didascalia 25; Gos. Nic. 10; and Acts of Philip [about 350 AD or 400 AD] (ANF 8:500). Moreover, while the significance of Eusebius's citation of Hegesippus is disputed--a problem to which I shall return--Hegesippus also cited the prayer in the second century, if Eusebius transmitted his source more or less faithfully. As Kim Haines-Eitzen has noted, "These witnesses demonstrate that the prayer was known in the second century in Gaul, Alexandria, Palestine, Syria, and Rome." --- The evidence for the spuriousness of Luke 23:34a is both early and diverse. The prayer is missing from arguably the two strongest Alexandrian witnesses, p75 and Codex Vaticanus, as well as from 579 and the Sahidic version. It is missing also from important Western witnesses--most notably, the first hand of Codex Bezae and the Old Latin manuscripts a and d--and from the Caesarean manuscript Codex Koridethi. Finally, it is missing from Byzantine manuscripts stretching from Codex W in the late fourth century to 597 in the thirteenth century. --- IV. CONCLUSION The external evidence for Luke 23:34a is far from conclusive. Both the short and the long reading are found in every text type, including important Alexandrian witnesses. The short reading is supported by an important late-second- or early- third-century papyrus, but a good number of second- and third-century church fathers testify to the long reading. Moreover, intrinsic probability suggests that the prayer belongs in the text of Luke: the prayer matches Luke's preferred way of addressing God; its structure resembles that of the Lukan Lord's Prayer; it resembles Stephen's prayer for his killers without having a single word in common; and the link between ignorance and mitigated culpability matches a motif running throughout Luke-Acts. -- Regarding transcriptional probability, it is now clear that Luke 23:34a was a problem passage in early Christianity. We may, therefore, conclude that Harnack and others who suggested that the prayer was omitted for anti-Jewish reasons were on the right track. Note, however, that early Christian consternation with Luke 23:34a stemmed not from anti-Judaism alone but also from the fact that Jesus' prayer seemed to have gone unanswered, and from a sense that the Jews had been punished unjustly. The discomfort with the prayer explains why the external evidence for both readings is early and widespread; in all likelihood, Luke 23:34a was omitted fairly early [at Alexandria, Egypt - the catechetical school in Alexandria, Egypt - founded in about 176 AD], possibly by multiple scribes, while other scribes corrupted the text by changing [the text]. </summary></html> http://www.thefreelibrary.com/A+disconcerting+prayer%3A+on+the+originality+of+Luke+23%3A34a.-a0239266894 ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>Luke 24 - Resurrection Sunday - The Feast of Firstfruits - Jesus fulfills the Feast of Firstfruits by breathing the Firstfruits of His Resurrection Spirit life [Romans 8:23] into each of His Disciples - The Christian Church era begins - The Ascension of Jesus Christ back into Heaven takes place -- 'Luke 24:1-7 Now upon the first day [Sunday] of the week, very early in the morning [the Feast of Firstfruits the 4th of the 8 Levitical Feasts], they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared [on Friday], and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre [tomb]. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men [Angels] stood by them in shining garments: And as they [Disciples] were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they [Angels] said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here [in the tomb], but is Risen [eternally Alive!]: *remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee [from the beginning], Saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.' -- 'Romans 8:23-24 And not only they [all of creation], but *ourselves also, *which have the Firstfruits of the Spirit [each Christian personally breathed upon by Jesus, no exceptions - every person has to acknowledge the Kingdom of God [Jesus] (cross and resurrection) to then be baptized by Jesus and receive (by faith not by experience) His Spirit from Him [Matthew 3:11] in order to become a Christian, no exceptions - yesterday, today, tomorrow, the first day of the Christian Church [Resurrection Day] the last day of the Christian Church [Rapture Day] and every day in between - every Christian needs to recognize the Kingdom of Jesus and be baptized by Jesus with His Spirit life to then enter into the Church and be a part of the eternal Kingdom of God], even we *ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption [becoming Sons of God], to wit, the redemption of our body [receiving an eternal Spiritual body like Jesus now has]. For we are saved by hope [faith in the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus Christ] ...'</html><html><summary> Luke an early Christian convert, travel companion to the Apostle Paul and first Church historian concludes his incredible Gospel of Jesus Christ with the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the beginning and formation of the Christian Church and of the ascension of Jesus Christ back up into Heaven. - Luke 24:45 Then opened He their [new Christians] understanding [John 20:22], that they [Christians] might understand the Scriptures [Holy Bible], And said unto them [Christian Disciples], Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And *that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His [Jesus'] Name *among All Nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses [lit. martyr - G3144] of these things. And, behold, I send the Promise of My Father *upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be *endued with power from on high [at Pentecost]. And [forty days after the resurrection] He led them out as far as to Bethany, and He lifted up His hands, and Blessed them. And it came to pass, *while He Blessed them [Christians - Christian Church], He was parted from them, and carried up into Heaven. *And they [Christians] Worshipped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the Temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html><summary>THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO</summary></html> ===== SAINT JOHN ===== <html><tt>Gospel of John: The Son of God - A Gospel foreveryone - John has been called "the single most influential book of the New Testament" - "For many Christian people the Gospel according to St. John is the most precious book in the New Testament it is the book on which above all they feed their minds and nourish their hearts, and in which they rest their souls" - This Gospel has the most "penetrating gaze" of all the New Testament writers. A. T. Robertson says it is "the Holy of Holies of the New Testament"</tt></html><html><summary> AUTHOR: The human author was a Jew of Palestine, and an eyewitness of what he describes. The author claims to be "the disciple whom Jesus loved" (21:20, 24). The book consists largely of personal experiences of the author with Christ. "One may note all through the book evidences of an eye-witness in the vivid details." The internal evidence of the Gospel points directly to the Apostle John, the son of Zebedee and Salome, as the author (Matt. 19:20; Luke. 19:54; Mk. 3:17; Jn. 13:25; 18:16; 19:26; 20:2; Acts 3:4; 4:7; Rev. 1:9). He was the younger brother of James, and came from a fairly well-to-do family (Mark 15:40-41). He was a leader in the early church (Acts 3:1; 8:14; Gal. 2:9). All of the external evidence from the first centuries support John, the son of Zebedee, as the author. No other New Testament book has stronger external evidence since there were no real questions of authorship of John in the early church. He also wrote the three Epistles of John and Revelation. DATE: The majority of scholars date the Gospel of John in the last decade of the first century. Church tradition says John lived to an old age and to have died a natural death at Ephesus about A. D. 100. He was the last survivor of the apostolic group. The Gospel was probably written later than the three Synoptic Gospels, about A. D. 85-90. Three possible locations are suggested-Ephesus, Antioch, and Alexandria. PURPOSE: The author clearly states his purpose of writing in John 20:30-31. He writes to win others to like faith in Christ. John's thesis is given in 1:1-18. This Gospel was written for everyone. THEME: The deity of Jesus Christ is the theme of the book. The Divine Sonship of Jesus is set forth in John more than in anywhere else in the New Testament. Jesus is non-other than "the only begotten of the Father" (1:14, 18). All of John's evidence points to this conclusion. KEY VERSES: John 20:30-31. KEY WORD: The key word is "believe" which is found 98 times in this Gospel. STYLE: John writes for the thinking man. It is full of double meanings given in key words. He employs the language of the intellectuals of his time. The plan of this gospel is argumentative and not primarily biographical. A. T. Robertson wrote: "The language of the Fourth Gospel has the clarity of a spring, but we are not able to sound the bottom of the depths. Lucidity and profundity challenge and charm us as we linger over it." John uses quotes and allusions from the Old Testament. This Gospel contains more of Jesus' actual words than any of the other three gospels. John uses long discourses. He is a Jew who wrote in the Greek of his time. OMISSIONS IN JOHN: (1) No genealogy is recorded in this Gospel. (2) No account of His birth is given because He was "in the beginning." (3) Nothing about His boyhood is recorded by John. (4) Nothing about His temptations are recorded by John because God cannot be tempted. (5). No transfiguration is specified. (6) There are no parables in John. (7) No account of the ascension is given, or (8) the great commission. THEOLOGY OF JOHN: The Apostle John gives a clearer teaching about the Holy Spirit than any other gospel writer (14:26; 15:26; 16:7- 14). The book is filled with Deity. The Deity of Christ is found in every chapter. "The Word (logos) becomes flesh." John uses titles to portray the deity of Christ: "the Word was God" (1:1), "the lamb of God" (1:29), "the Messiah" (1:41), "the Son of God" (1:49), "the King of Israel" (1:49), the "Savior of the world" (4:42), "Lord and. . . God" (20:28), "I Am" (4:24, 26; 6:35; 8:12, 24, 28, 58; 10:7, 9, 11, 14; 11:25; 13:19; 14:6; 15:1, 5). The amazing thing is Satan and demons have almost no place in this Gospel (8:44; 12:31; 17:15). John does not record any demons being cast out. He treats themes such as the logos, love, life, light, truth, abiding in Christ, Spirit, world, lamb, wine, temple, the deity as well as the humanity of Jesus, etc. He traces a parallel development of faith and unbelief. One of the unifying themes in the Gospel is the growth of faith and development of unbelief. </summary></html> http://www.abideinchrist.com/messages/jnintro.html <html><tt>Agape Catholic Bible Study: THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN: BACKGROUND - It is John who gives us the theology of Christ as revealed in this deep mystery in which the promised Messiah comes to fulfilled the Old Covenant in His sacrifice and death on the cross, and through His resurrection to establish the New Covenant which transforms man's relationship with God through the gift of the redemption and salvation of mankind - In John's Gospel there is a deeply connected thread of the liturgy of the Old Covenant Church [Congregation] which will be transformed in Christ's resurrection into the New Covenant creation - Grasping the multiple Old Covenant connections is very important to understanding and correctly interpreting John's Gospel and its connection to Old Covenant feasts and sacraments - John's Gospel reveals to us the Ministry of the Divinity of Christ and the mystery of Christ united in the Most Holy Trinity, the unity and diversity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit</tt></html><html><summary> The Gospel According to John, Apostle of Jesus Christ, Bishop of Ephesus, stands as a unique testimony among the other 3 Gospels and indeed unique among the other books of the New Testament. Only in John's account of the ministry and life of Jesus of Nazareth is Jesus revealed as the "Word", the Living, creative Second Person of the Divine Trinity. It is John who gives us the theology of Christ as revealed in this deep mystery in which the promised Messiah comes to fulfilled the Old Covenant in His sacrifice and death on the cross, and through His resurrection to establish the New Covenant which transforms man's relationship with God through the gift of the redemption and salvation of mankind. When I had completed my year of research on John's Gospel I identified 5 statements of truth around which I would build this study: The fourth Gospel is the last Gospel to be written, therefore, John assumes we have read and studied the other 3 Gospel texts. Rather than just recording the events of Jesus' life, John is more concerned with the significance of Christ's coming and the His significance of His ministry. That the events and "signs" about which John writes had a deeper meaning not perceived at the time but through the ministry of the Holy Spirit these events and signs were revealed after Christ's resurrection and His appearance to the disciples and Apostles. It was after His resurrection that Jesus instructed the Apostles in the whole truth (John 2:20, 22; 12:16; 13:17-19; 14:26; 20:9; Luke 24:25-27, 44-48) and John's Gospel looks back on Christ's earthly life in the light of this complete understanding. In John's Gospel there is a deeply connected thread of the liturgy of the Old Covenant Church which will be transformed in Christ's resurrection into the New Covenant creation. Grasping the multiple Old Covenant connections is very important to understanding and correctly interpreting John's Gospel and its connection to Old Covenant feasts and sacraments. -- John's Gospel reveals to us the ministry of the divinity of Christ and the mystery of Christ united in the Most Holy Trinity, the unity and diversity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Authorship of the Fourth Gospel: The first questions we must address are the questions of authorship and the date this Gospel account was written. Today most modern Biblical scholars do not accept that John (Yehohanan) the Apostle, son of Zebedee, brother of James the Greater, and Bishop of Ephesus is the author of the fourth Gospel despite the fact that the Fathers of the Church unanimously identified the Apostle John as the inspired writer. Why then is John the Apostle's authorship almost universally rejected in modern critical scholarship? The answer involves several objections as to why the son of the fisherman Zebedee could have authored such a deeply theological text. The following list is a summary of the most often expressed arguments against Johannine [St. John] authorship: ... Internal Evidence Which Points to John the Apostle as the Inspired Writer: Point #1: The other Gospel writers all identify the son of the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth (kinswoman of Mary) as John "the Baptist" [or Baptizer]. It is obvious that the use of this title is necessary to avoid confusion with John son of Zebedee, the Apostle. But in the fourth Gospel, John son of Zechariah is identified simply as "John" 22 times (see John 1:6, 15, 19, 23, 26, 28, 29, 32, 35, 40; 3:23, 24, 25, 26, 27; 4:1; 5:33, 35, 36; 10:40, 41, 41). If there was an author other than John the Apostle wouldn't it be expected that there would be confusion between which "John" was being mentioned in the text? John never identifies himself by name in the Gospel, but if it was understood by the various churches of Asia Minor that their Bishop, John the Apostle, was the inspired writer it was not necessary to make the differentiation between himself and John the Baptist. Point #2: As I mentioned earlier, it is generally agreed today that the inspired writer of the fourth Gospel was an Israelite (or Jew) from the region we now call Palestine. The author accurately portrays Old Covenant customs, religious traditions, and the fine points of halakhic (legal) regulations that were unique to Israel as God's holy covenant people. The inspired writer of this Gospel is knowledgeable about the different sects of 1st century Judaism and is especially knowledgeable about the geography and topography of what was the Roman dominated province of Judea and the city of Jerusalem, identifying and correctly describing sites that were not rediscovered in Jerusalem until the late 1800s. All these qualifications fit John the Apostle. Point #3: The author identifies himself as an eyewitness to the events of the fourth Gospel and as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." He uses this designation five times: John 13:23, John 19:26, John 20:2, John 21:7, John 21:20. The author of the book of Revelation (whom the Fathers of the Church testify is John son of Zebedee, Bishop of Ephesus) identifies himself as "John" five times: Revelation 1:1, Revelation 1:4, Revelation 1:9, Revelation 21:2, Revelation 22:8. This may be a coincidence but considering the symbolic use of numbers in both the Gospel and in Revelation it could be another indicator of John's authorship; 5 is the symbolic number of grace in Scripture (see the document "The Significance of Numbers in Scripture" in the Documents section of Agape Bible Study). But how do we know which of the Apostles is "the one Jesus loved"? The Synoptic Gospels identify 3 Apostles that Jesus singled out on important occasions. These were Peter, to whom Jesus gave the "keys of the kingdom", James, the son of Zebedee, and James' younger brother, the Apostle John. It was to this trinity of Apostles that Jesus chose to reveal Himself in His glory on the Mt. of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-2; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36). We can narrow down the identity of the inspired writer of the fourth Gospel to one of these 3 men and, by eliminating the other 2, we can come to one final name. The "beloved disciple" who authors the fourth Gospel cannot be Peter because the fourth Gospel records that on several occasions Peter was accompanied by the "beloved disciple" (John 20:2; 21:20). James Zebedee is eliminated as a candidate for the "beloved disciple" by the fact that he was the first Apostle to be martyred (circa 42AD). We have an accurate date for his martyrdom not only from Christian sources (Acts 12:2, etc.) but also from Jewish accounts. This fact eliminates James because the fourth Gospel was written at least 25 years after his death. That only leaves John, son of Zebedee as the "beloved disciple". </summary></html> http://www.agapebiblestudy.com/John_Gospel/John_Gospel_Menu.php <html><tt>Ray Stedman - Adventuring Through the Bible - The Gospel of John - The fourth Gospel holds peculiar significance to me for many reasons, but especially because it is written by [John] the disciple closest to our Lord - He was of that inner circle which included Peter and James, who went with our Lord through the most intimate circumstances of His ministry and heard more than any of the others - Therefore, we open this book with a sense of anticipation - Here is the Testimony of our Lord's closest friend - But John goes deeper than that - He says that He [Jesus] is not only the Christ [Messiah], but *He is the Son of God - When you see Him in His delivering power, you are indeed seeing the Promised Deliverer, the Messiah - Does that amaze you? Have you thought that it was His miracles that proved He was God? No, no - They proved He was the Messiah, the Promised One. *It is His Words that prove He is God - Listen to them: "I am the bread of life" - That is, I am [Communion] the sustainer of life, the One who satisfies life (Mp3s)</tt></html><html><summary> The fourth Gospel holds peculiar significance to me for many reasons, but especially because it is written by the disciple closest to our Lord. When you read the Gospel of [John], you are reading the record of our Lord as seen through the eyes of a devoted disciple. Mark and Luke, of course, were dedicated Christians who knew and loved Jesus Christ, though they learned about him largely through the testimony of others, but John is one who leaned upon his breast. He was of that inner circle which included Peter and James, who went with our Lord through the most intimate circumstances of His ministry and heard more than any of the others. Therefore, we open this book with a sense of anticipation. Here is the testimony of our Lord's closest friend. In light of this, it is very startling to see how John's Gospel begins (chapter 1, verse 1): In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1 RSV) Sometimes I think it is difficult to believe that Jesus is God. I know there is not a Christian who has not at one time or another felt the full force of all the arguments that would make him out to be nothing more than a man. There are times when we find it difficult to lay hold of the full intent of those words and think of the man Jesus as God. But if we find it difficult, how much more did his own disciples find it so? They, of all men, would be least likely to believe that he was God, for they lived with him and saw his humanity as none of us ever has or ever will. They must have been confronted again and again with a question that puzzled and troubled them, "Who is this man?" As they themselves said, "What manner of man is this who heals the sick, raises the dead, quiets the wind and changes the water to wine?" (Matthew 8:27) I have often pictured them lying out under the stars with our Lord on a summer night by the Sea of Galilee. I can imagine Peter or John or one of the others waking in the night, rising up on an elbow, and as he looked at the Lord Jesus sleeping beside him, saying to himself, "Is it true? Can this man be the eternal God? What is the secret of his being, the mystery of his coming?" No wonder they puzzled about him and constantly conversed among themselves about the mystery of his being. Yet, so overwhelming and convincing was the evidence they saw and heard that when they reached the end of the story, when John began to write down the recollections of those amazing days, he began with declaring the deity of Jesus, "This is the One who was in the beginning. He was the Word who was with God, who was in the beginning with God, and was God" (John 1:1). That is the theme of this Gospel of John. In Matthew we see the Lord as the King; in Mark we see him as the servant, always busy in ceaseless activity, serving men; in Luke we see his perfection of humanity, man as God intended man to be. Now, in the Gospel of John, we see his entrance into the Holy of Holies. We learn the secret of his life. The key to the Gospel of John is found in the next to the last chapter. There are two endings to this little Gospel. John adds a postscript, which we call Chapter 21, that has to do with certain things that occurred after the resurrection. But John had ended his Gospel with these words (chapter 20, verses 30, 31): Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these [that is, these signs] are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing [that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God] you might have life in his name. (John 20:30-31 RSV) That is the twofold purpose of this book. First, John is setting out to give evidence why any man in any age or in any place can fully and wholeheartedly believe that Jesus is the Christ -- or to use the Hebrew form, Messiah, the Anointed One, the promised one. The second purpose is to show that he is the Son of God. ... The last miracle is the raising of Lazarus from the dead (see John 11:1-44), symbolizing the delivering of those who all their lives had been held under the bondage of Satan through fear of death. Thus these seven signs prove beyond question that Jesus is the Messiah. He is the expected One. But John goes deeper than that. He says that he is not only the Christ, but he is the Son of God. When you see him in his delivering power, you are indeed seeing the promised Deliverer, the Messiah. Ah, yes, John says, but that is not the greatest secret about him. When you see that he is the one able to do all these mighty things, meeting the deepest need of men's lives, look further and you will see there is glory yet. You discover that when you stand in the presence of his humanity, see his lovely eyes. feel the beating of his human heart, sense the compassion of his life poured out in service. you are also standing in the presence of God, you are seeing what God is like. "This One," he says, "is the Son of God." ... Does that amaze you? Have you thought that it was his miracles that proved he was God? No, no. They proved he was the Messiah, the Promised One. It is his words that prove he is God. Listen to them: "I am the bread of life," (John 6:35b RSV). That is, I am the sustainer of life, the One who satisfies life. </summary></html> http://www.raystedman.org/adventure/index.html <html><tt>Studying the Four Gospels of the Bible: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - Each Gospel is written to a Specific defined audience group of people (PDF)</tt></html><html><summary> Studying the Four Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. How they relate to and correspond with each other. Of first Importance when reading and studying the four Gospels is to recognize that each Gospel is written to a Specific defined audience and group of people. Matthew is written to the Jewish audience. Mark is written to the Roman, action - result oriented person. Luke is written to the Greek, thinking, discerning and understanding person. John is written to the "Born-Again" Christian Church member and why other additional writings are not in the Bible. </summary></html> http://www.basicchristian.org/gospels.html <html><tt>Cradle to Grave - The Life of Jesus Christ (Mp3s)</tt></html><html><summary> The Tabernacle's purpose is to change lives! We do this by loving God, loving people and by teaching people how to follow Jesus and how to labor for His Kingdom. </summary></html> http://www.buckleychurch.com/multimedia.cfm?filterMode=series&filterValue=8 <html><tt>TheoCentric.com: The Gospel of John - The Word Became Flesh - John 1:14 "And the Word [O.T.] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His Glory, the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of Grace and Truth." - The Word became flesh, not simply to die, but in order that we might live! - God united deity with humanity in Christ in order that humanity might forever be united with deity through Christ and in the Spirit! - In short, that we might share in the [Fellowship] Dance of Eternity... forever! - That we might know the love of Father, Son, and Spirit by sharing in the Sonship of Christ through the Spirit {Note: This extraordinary website TheoCentric.com has a slightly Christian Mystic approach. The Gospel of John is the union of the Word of God with the flesh of mankind and therefore there is a certain amount of Christian Mysticism involved in the Ministry of Jesus Christ although just enough that we as Christians should be aware of True Mysticism but exceedingly weary of the common everyday worldly mysticism and this website does an excellent job of separating and distinguishing between the two. - Also Note: The Word of God describes God and when God became human flesh as His Word had already described Him it was done so not as a philosophy or as pure mysticism but it was done as reality, the reality of God and as reality it is eternity.}</tt></html><html><summary> Today we celebrate the most important event of human history-the advent of our Lord, the birth of Jesus Christ. It is this event that is both the centerpiece and turning point of God's redemptive drama. But people are born all the time. What makes this birth so special? The uniqueness of the birth of Christ stems from who is born and why. Who is Jesus? "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God" (John 1:1-2). Before time began and before a single thing was created, John reveals a relationship of love and delight at the heart of reality-indeed, a *relationship that is reality itself! In eternity past, the Word (Jesus) and God (the Father) participated in a shared life of love, joy, and communion. Jesus was in a "face-to-face" relationship with the Father, while at the same time (mystery of mysteries!) Jesus fully shared in the deity of the Father. This relationship of mutual life and love-this eternal giving, receiving, and sharing of self-is the [Fellowship] Dance of Eternity. This Dance is the eternal movement of Father to Son, Son to Father, and Son and Father to Spirit. This fullness of life, love, joy, and communion was complete, needing nothing or no one to fill any deficiency. It is from the fullness of this Dance that God created: "All things came into being by Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being" (John 1:3). John fills in the gaps of Genesis by revealing that the Dance is the source of creation. It is not sovereign, impersonal, individual, and isolated power that is the source of all things. Rather, it is personal, relational, giving, and sharing love that is the source of all things. And this love which is the source of all things is also the goal and end of all things, for God made us to share in God's life, love, and communion. Let's make certain we understand this: God did not create us in order to love, but out of the abounding fullness of love between Father, Son, and Spirit, God created us to share in this love. In short, God created us to share in the Eternal Dance of Father, Son, and Spirit. ... Conclusion: God has said "yes" to humanity in the person of Christ. This is good news of great joy to all people! God has exalted humanity to the highest position through his union with humanity in Christ. A human being now shares in the Dance, making it possible for us to do so as well! Again, to use some clichés, God has "sunk to the lowest level" and "gone to the extreme" to embrace us. We are invited to the Dance of Eternity-a Dance of Love which is at the heart of reality. Will you accept the invitation by opening yourself up to the love of God in Christ? "But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name" (John 1:12). The invitation is open to all. Come join the Dance! </summary></html> http://www.theocentric.com/theology/christology/the_word_became_flesh_christma.html ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html><tt>Ex New-Ager Author's Testimony (Mp3)</tt></html><html><summary> A few days before his revealing book was ready for distribution, Randall Baer died under "very suspicious circumstances" in an automobile "accident" in Colorado. His car went over a 350ft. precipice near Del Norte, in South Central Colorado. There were no skidmarks in the vicinity. Was Baer murdered for having blown the cover off the New Age movement through his book and this audio? By the grace of Jesus he released this audio to warn Christians of the many faces of the new Age Movement and how it is influencing everything, Churches, Bibles, Business, schools, government, exercise, medicine and so much more. Having been in the New Age movement for 15 years and a bestselling author of New Age Books, he came to the Lord Jesus, then made this audio and wrote a book exposing the New Age Movement. 5 days before the book was to be released, he was killed. But they could not stop us from getting this audio. so we share it with you. He died to get us this message, let us not let his death be in vain. </summary></html> http://www.kingdomfromabove.com/audio.html <html><tt>CIA Disinfo Officers EXPOSED {Warning: first few seconds are graphic} (YouTube)</tt></html><html><summary> While some former clandestine military officers, clandestine intelligence agents, and NWO researchers like William Cooper, John Todd, Randall N. Baer, Phil Schneider and Fritz Springmeier have been murdered or imprisoned, a few suspicious individuals are allowed to lecture all around the globe, sell books, DVDs, t-shirts, and get airtime on television and radio shows. Why? Because their talking does not interfere with the plans of those who don't want you to know the truth. That's the story of David Icke, Alex Jones, the makers of Zeitgeist, and other shills, disinformation artists, pseudo-truthseekers and faux whistleblowers (like Ron Paul, Glenn Beck, Keith Olbermann, Jesse Ventura, Bill Maher, Penn & Teller, etc.). It's impossible to bury the truth forever - one way or another, it will always come out. The elite know this, and their rationale is: "If the truth is to come out anyway let it be OUR people that tell it" - so that they have control over it. Alex Jones was allowed to film the Cremation of Care ritual (that involves real human sacrifice) in Bohemian Grove because the elite want us - the small percentage of the population who cannot be controlled by the media - to be paralyzed with fear and to have no real leader to organize a rebellion. David Icke is allowed to educate those who he can reach as long as he can dirty the truth with his unfounded reptilian lies and confuse the shit out of conscious, open-minded people in hopes that, frustrated, we will give up truthseeking and delude ourselves into believing that there are no conspiracy facts or open secrets. The CIA's agenda is to flood the truth genre with disreputable content and thereby exhaust public interest. That's also why Illuminati Hollywood makes all these movies like "V for Vendetta", "The Matrix", "Angels and Demons", etc., so that when someone discovers the similarities to reality others will say: "You've watched too many movies, dude". </summary></html> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GI6HORxGq1Q ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 1 - The Disciple and Apostle John in his Gospel immediately sets out the eternal Divine nature of Jesus Christ "the Word" and also the eternal Divine nature of God - The disciple John tells how he and his friend Andrew went from being disciples of John the Baptist to disciples of Jesus -- 'John 1:36-38 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he [John the Baptist] saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And the two [of John's] disciples [Andrew, Peters brother and John, the writer of this Gospel of John] heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto Him, Rabbi, which is to say, being interpreted, Master, where dwellest thou? He saith unto them, Come and see.'</html><html><summary> 'John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. Note: In the opening of his Gospel John writes "In the beginning was the Word" some have said that because the word "the" is used with "the Word" it means that Jesus is not God when in fact it actually means that Jesus is God. Had John used "a" instead of "the" it might mean that Jesus was one of many god's like a word god, or a thought god, or a god of reason or intellect or something but the Apostle John purposely used the definite article "the" in order to limit the words of the Bible to be exclusively about Jesus Christ and in doing so proclaiming Jesus to be the human manifestation of the eternal God spoken by Word into the ears of the Prophets and written by Word onto the pages and scrolls of the Bible.' - 'John 1:15-18 John [the Baptist] bare witness of Him (Jesus), and cried, saying, This was He of whom I spake, He that cometh after me is Preferred before me: for He (Jesus) was [eternally] before me. And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law was given by Moses, but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ. No [human] man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He (Jesus) hath declared [represented] Him.' - John continues to decisively portray the unique Divinity of God among mankind in Jesus Christ. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 2 - Jesus begins to call and assemble His Disciples - Twelve of His Disciples would become His Apostles - The first miracle in the Gospel of John is recorded - The turning of water into wine for a wedding festival -- 'John 2:11 This beginning [1st] of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth His Glory; and His disciples believed on Him.'</html><html><summary> 'John 2:13 And the Jews' Passover [first of three Passover Feasts during the Ministry of Jesus] was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem, And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: And when he had made a scourge of small cords, He drove them all out of the temple [the first time], and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's House an House of merchandise. And His disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine House hath eaten Me up. Then answered the Jews and said unto Him, What sign [miracle] shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these [authoritative] things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this Temple, and in Three Days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But He spake of the Temple of His Body. When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the Scripture, and the Word which Jesus had said. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in His name, when they saw the miracles which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because He knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in [inside] man.' - Jesus demonstrates the proper way to cleanse a situation in the illustration of making "a scourge of small cords" apparently Jesus wove together three cords to make one cleansing cord this illustrate that two people plus the witness of the Holy Spirit should be involved in any cleansing removal situation. - 'Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord [including and involving the Holy Spirit] is not quickly broken.'</summary></html> <html><tt>BasicChristian.org: The Christian Walk Illustrated in the 7 Miracles of Jesus Recorded in the Gospel of John (PDF Available)</tt></html><html><summary> These are Seven Miracles performed by Jesus and recorded in the Gospel of John by John a disciple of Jesus. John was an eyewitness present at each of these seven miracles. These miracles are illustrations representing miracles that Jesus is currently doing in the life of each and every Christian. Colossians 1:10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. -- Topics: [Miracle #1] {John 2:1-12} Turning wedding water into wine. The New Christian is now clean and becomes filled with the Holy Spirit. -- [Miracle #2] {John 4: 46-54} Healing the Nobleman's Son. Our cured Life and Nobility in Jesus Christ. -- [Miracle #3] {John 5:1-17} Healing of the lame man to walk. The Christian can now walk a Christian lifestyle. -- [Miracle #4] {John 6:1-13} Feeding the Thousands with Bread and Fish. Fellowship of strengthening, building up, and nourishment in the faith among the believers. -- [Miracle #5] {John 6:16-21} Jesus calms the disciples during a storm. Jesus calms our fears during the storms of life. -- [Miracle #6] {John 9:1-41} Blind eyes opened. Apostles with their eyes opened to the hopeless plight of humanity are sent out to non-believers. -- [Miracle #7] {John 11:1-45} Resurrection of Lazarus from death to life. Resurrection of the believer from physical death to eternal life. ... Introduction: After accepting Jesus as our very own personal Lord and Savior by knowing that without the sacrifice of Jesus, what He did for us on the cross, that we would be permanently dead in our sin and rebellion, separated forever from God. Now that the sin has been paid for and taken away at the cross of Jesus we Christians are now free from sin and reunited with God in the Resurrection of Jesus. But what do we do now? After our conversion [Heavenly focus] for the Christian the conversion is just the start of Christianity the best is yet to come. In the fascinating Gospel of John, John one of the original 12 disciples of Jesus and an eyewitness that was present at all seven miracles, lays out seven miracles that Jesus Himself performed while in person on the earth and in a specific order. These seven miracles in the Gospel of John are a model of the very miracles that Jesus is doing right now this very moment and day in the life of every single living and breathing Christian. Let's take a look at the 7 miracles that Jesus performed and that His disciple John recorded for us. </summary></html> http://www.basicchristian.org/miracles.html ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 3 - Jesus instructs about how to become 'born again' in order to enter the Kingdom of God -- 'John 3:5-6 Jesus answered [Nicodemus], Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water [human] and of the Spirit [re-birth], he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh [physical - earthly]; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit [Spiritual - Heavenly].'</html><html><summary> 'John 3:15-21 That whosoever believeth in Him (Jesus) should not perish, *but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth on Him (Jesus) is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the Name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that Light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than Light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the Light, neither cometh to the Light, lest his deeds should be reproved [corrected]. But he that doeth truth cometh to the Light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought [fashioned] in God.' - The Kingdom of God is about life and it is about eternity it's not about being good and then becoming better in Jesus Christ it's about being dead and lost in sin and becoming new and Spiritually alive in Jesus Christ. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 4 - Jesus instructs his disciples in Priestly functions that would be included in His Christian Church - Jesus meets a woman at the well in Samaria -- 'John 4:1-4 When therefore the Lord (Jesus) knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John [the Baptist], Though Jesus Himself baptized not [not with water but after His Resurrection with His Spirit], but his disciples [baptized with water], He left Judaea, and departed again into Galilee. And He must needs go through Samaria [Jesus had an eternal appointment with a woman at a well].'</html><html><summary> 'John 4:6-39 Now Jacob's well was there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with his journey, sat thus on the well: and it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give Me to drink. For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat. Then saith the woman of Samaria unto Him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the [eternal] gift of God, and who it is [Messiah] that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee [Spiritual] living water. The woman saith unto Him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou greater than our [1/2] father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this [earthly] water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the [nourishing, Spiritual] water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into [eternal] everlasting life. The woman saith unto Him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her, Go, call thy husband, and come hither. The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is [a live-in boyfriend] not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly. The woman saith unto Him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a Prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain [Mt. Gerizim]; and ye say, that in Jerusalem [Mt. Zion] is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe Me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for Salvation is of the Jews. *But the hour cometh, and now is, when the True Worshippers shall Worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. *God is a Spirit: and they that Worship Him must Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. The woman saith unto Him, I know that Messias (Messiah) cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all [such religious] things. *Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am He [Messiah/Christ]. And upon this came His disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? *The woman then left her [earthly] waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, *Come, see a man, which told me all [living with men] things that ever I did [without condemnation]: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto Him. In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. ... And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on Him (Jesus) for the saying of the woman, which testified, He (Jesus) told me all that ever I did [without condemnation].' - It is often the goodness of God that draws people to Jesus. Jesus showed compassion when people needed compassion and Jesus showed contempt for man's preferences when the situation needed a radical redirection. But whether showing compassion or contempt Jesus did it in limited amounts and He did it at a time and in a manner that would draw everyone involved into a closer relationship and understanding with God.</summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 5 - Jesus keeps His works and His ministry focused and confined to the main task at hand - Representing His Father here on earth to mankind and accomplishing the task of the Cross and the Resurrection -- 'John 5:36-43 But I (Jesus) have greater witness than that of John [the Baptist]: for the works [cross and resurrection] which the Father hath given Me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of Me, that the Father hath sent Me. And the Father Himself, which hath sent Me, hath borne witness of Me [at the baptism]. Ye have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His shape. And ye have not His Word abiding in you: for (Jesus) whom He hath sent, Him ye believe not. *Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which Testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life. I receive not honour from men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. I am come in my Father's Name, and ye receive Me not: if another shall come in his own name [Antichrist], him ye will receive.'</html><html><summary> John 5:22-29 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son (Jesus): That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent Him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, *He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead [living spiritually dead] shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall [Spiritually] live. For as the Father hath Life in Himself; so hath He given to the Son to have Life in Himself; And hath given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves [physically dead] shall hear His voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. - Creation life for both humans and angels is everlasting and therefore the judgment to go with it is also everlasting. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 6 - Jesus' 5th Miracle 'walking on water' that is recorded in the Gospel of John - Jesus demonstrated that He had complete authority over all realms - The spiritual realm the human realm and the physical realm of nature -- 'John 6:19-21 So when they (Disciples) had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship [boat]: and they were afraid. But He (Jesus) saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. *Then they willingly received Him into the ship [boat]: and immediately the ship was at the land [destination] whither they went.'</html><html><summary> 'John 6:33-40 For the bread [Manna] of God is He (Jesus) which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. Then said they unto Him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And *Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst. But I said unto you, That ye also have seen Me, and believe not. All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out [reject]. For I came down from Heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of Him that sent Me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent Me, that of all which He hath given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that *every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.' - The eternal life and the eternal Kingdom of God that Jesus is offering is to be received inside of us at this point it is an internal Spiritual Kingdom. To miss out on the concept that the Kingdom of God is available now in Jesus Christ and to be unaware of its internal existence is to miss out on the Kingdom itself. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 7 - Jesus continues to teach and to make that point that what mankind has it temporary and is passing away but what He has to offer is eternal -- 'John 7:37-39 In the last day, that great day of the feast [Feast of Tabernacles, shelters - temporary homes], Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink. He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly [inner-life] shall flow rivers of living water [eternal Tabernacle]. But this spake He of the [Holy] Spirit, which they that believe on Him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet Glorified [Resurrection].' - 'John 7:52-53 They [Pharisees] answered and said unto Him, Art thou also of Galilee? Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no Prophet. And every man went unto his own [tabernacle] house.'</html><html><summary> 'John 7:2-10 Now the Jews' Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. His brethren (brothers; James, Jude, etc.) therefore said unto Him, Depart hence, and go into Judaea, that thy disciples also may see the works that thou doest. For there is no man that doeth anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou do these things, shew thyself to the world. *For neither did his brethren believe in him [James and Jude are known to have become believers after His resurrection]. Then Jesus said unto them, My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready. The world cannot hate you; but Me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast: *I go not up yet unto this feast; *for My time is not yet full come. When He had said these words unto them, He abode still in Galilee. But when His brethren were gone up, then went He also up unto the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret [in Resurrection Spirit].' - The time of Jesus to fulfill the Feast of Tabernacles has not yet com in full that is why Jesus went in part in secret. The Feast of Tabernacles is a 'Fall feast' a 'Second Coming' Feast that has begun now with the giving of the Holy Spirit but we do not yet have our permanent bodies we still 'tabernacle' in our physical bodies while on earth. Jesus went to the Feast of Tabernacles 'secretly' to give the Living Water to those who would believe in Him and receive it but the rest of the Feast the tabernacle becoming a temple will be completed at the Second Coming of Jesus. </summary></html> <html><tt>Did Jesus Lie? - "Look What's Missing" from modern [NIV] bibles {Note: I just emailed Chick Tracts for verification on David Daniels' claim that an unidentified Christian host of an unidentified Christian call in show made the comment "wiggle room" that Jesus might have lied. As soon as I can locate the specific name of the show and of the host and possibly a date and time of the show to go along with the accusations I'll post them. It's completely inappropriate to make an accusation like that without any substantiating material. *Updated: Now that I'm forced to speculate as to who the Christian radio call in show host was I'm going to go with the first name that popped into my head and speculate that Don Stewart who has hosted and co-hosts many Calvary Chapel radio shows is the referred to host and my second guess at this moment is Christian Research Institute Bible Answer Man, Hank Hanegraaff. So until we have more details or until the next speculation, Cheers!!! - Also Note: The NKJV in John 7:8 has the word 'yet' but it is footnoted that other manuscripts do not have that word implying that it should not be there. As deceptive as the NIV is known to be the NKJV [New King James Version] is possibly the most deceptive of all modern bible versions. The deceptive NKJV should be completely avoided by everyone seeking to fellowship with God through His holy word the Bible. ~ God bless you, David Anson Brown} (YouTube)</tt></html><html><summary> Author David Daniels shares information from chapter 1 of his book, "Look What's Missing," and shows why it's so important that your Bible is not missing anything! The book is available at www.chick.com or www.amazon.com. </summary></html> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7oWuQbgmjY <html><tt>Bible Versions Controversy Explained - Highly Recommended (Mp3)</tt></html><html><summary> Can you trust the new versions? before you say yes, you need to hear this message. learn where they came from [Antichrist agenda], who is behind them [practically everyone, NWO], and HEAR ACTUAL AUDIO FROM CHUCK SWENDOL, DR. D.A. WAITE AND OTHERS.. Learn what you need to know before you use that new [NKJV, NIV, Message, etc.] bible version. </summary></html> http://www.kingdomfromabove.com/audio.html ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 8 - Jesus teaches that freedom and eternity comes only from Truth and that His Words are Truth and therefore are freedom and eternity -- 'John 8:31-32 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in My word, then are ye My disciples indeed; And ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free.'</html><html><summary> 'John 8:1-12 [After the Feast of Tabernacles] Jesus went unto the Mount of Olives. And early in the morning He came again into the Temple, and all the people came unto Him; and He sat down, and taught them. And the Scribes and Pharisees brought unto Him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto Him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said, tempting Him, that they might have to accuse Him [trying to get Jesus to contradict the Laws of Moses, but Jesus is the voice that spoke the Law to Moses]. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground [dust, sin], as though He heard them not. So when they continued asking Him, He lifted up [resurrection] Himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. And again He stooped down, and wrote on the ground. And they which heard it, *being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up [resurrection] Himself, and saw none but the woman, He said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: He that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the Light of Life.' </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 9 - Jesus performs His 6th Miracle in the Gospel of John by healing a man blind since birth -- 'John 9:17 They say unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of Him (Jesus), that he hath opened thine eyes? He said, He (Jesus) is a prophet.'</html><html><summary> 'John 9:5-15 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 When He (Jesus) had thus spoken, He spat on the ground, and made clay [mankind, clay - the condition of frail humanity] 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 [Lit. Greek - Apostle], which is by interpretation, Sent. He went His way therefore, and washed, and came seeing. The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he: others said, He is like him: but he said, I am he. Therefore said they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A Man that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes [with clay], and said unto me, Go to the pool of Siloam [Apostle], and wash: and I went and washed, and I received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is He? He said, I know not. They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was the Sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I [went and] washed, and do see.' - The clay that Jesus made and anointed the eyes of the blind man with is the clay of humanity. The man was physically blind but he was also unaware that others who were not blind were still suffering just as much as he was but in different was. The man was "Sent out" Apostatized to go into the world and to see how others live others who do not have the luxury of begging in the Temple itself where the generosity of mankind is at its best but going out into the world and seeing the condition of the world apart from the Temple. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 10 - Jesus now teaches that He has more sheep to bring into His flock and into His pasture than just the natural sheep of Israel -- 'John 10:16 And other sheep [Gentiles] I have, which are not of this [Jewish] fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.'</html><html><summary> John 10:7-18 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers [i.e. King Saul - a type of Satan]: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd [i.e. King David - a type of Jesus]: the good shepherd giveth His Life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling [i.e King Solomon - a type of the Antichrist], and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth Me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear My voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down My life [Cross], that I might take it again [Resurrection]. *No man taketh it [life] from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of My Father. - The cross of Jesus Christ was not an accident nor the work of man or even of devils it was the predetermined plan of God because only the cross of Jesus could free mankind from our self-imposed predicament of sin and death and liberate us into the Heavenly eternal life that we were created to be a part of with God in Heaven. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 11 - Jesus performs His 7th Ministry Miracle in the Gospel of John when He calls the dead Lazarus by name and raises him back to life - 'John 11:43-45 43 And when He (Jesus) thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. And he (Lazarus) that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave clothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go. Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on Him.'</html><html><summary> 'John 11:11-27 These things said He: and after that He saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, *that I may awake him out of sleep [it's not that people sleep when they die but that sleep is a reference to death in that it is harmless to the Christian]. Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him. Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with Him. Then when Jesus came, he found that he [Lazarus] had lain in the grave four days already. ... Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, *Thy brother shall rise again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. *Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die [separate from God]. Believest thou this? She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.' - Jesus is unequivocally demonstrating that as God He has authority over human life and death and over human separation from God or human reconciliation to God. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 12 - The Gospel of John now takes us into Holy Week that last week of Jesus' Ministry physically among mankind on earth - "Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany" with the day of Passover plus the three days and three nights in the Tomb this places Jesus' and the Disciples arrival at Bethany on the Friday 10 days before the Sunday Resurrection with the actual Triumphal Entry "On the next day" occurring on the next day the Saturday Sabbath Day -- 'John 12:1-2 Then Jesus six days before the Passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead. There they made Him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him.' - 'John 12:12-15 On the next day [10th of Nisan - selection of the Passover lamb] much people that were come to the feast, when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, Took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him, and cried, Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord. And Jesus, when he had found a young ass, sat thereon; as it is written, Fear not, daughter of Sion (Zion): behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass's colt.'</html><html><summary> John 12:20-32 And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the [Passover] feast: The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus. Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of Man should be glorified. ... And I, if I be lifted up [crucifixion and resurrection] from the earth, will draw all men unto Me.' - The Gentiles were not allowed to seek Jesus until after His death and resurrection as only then will He "draw all men" unto Himself. - Note: It's hard for a Gentile to understand but actually both the O.T. and the N.T. Covenants of God are with the Jews [Jeremiah 31:31] and belong to the Jews [Hebrews 8:8]. There was no Gentile representation at the Passover when the N.T. was initiated apart from the Promise of God given to Abraham [Genesis 12:3] that in Jesus all Nations would be blessed. Everyone involved with and seated at the Passover Table was Jewish including Jesus and none of them became a Christian by eating the Passover. The Jewish Disciples of Jesus became Christian followers of Jesus the same way everyone else does by acknowledging His sinless death on the cross and by acknowledging His resurrection of eternal life. The New Testament that was instituted the evening of the Passover and went into effect with the death and resurrection of Jesus and is for the 'House of Israel'. The New Testament was not finalized at the Passover it was finalized and institutionalized with the giving of the Holy Spirit an event that happened after the Resurrection of Jesus [and after the betrayal and rejection of Jesus] then when He ascended into Heaven briefly the Day of His Resurrection and He was received by His Father in Heaven as the acceptable Atonement offering for mankind to God the Father then that same Resurrection day sent the Comforter the Holy Spirit to mankind in the Baptism of Jesus Christ. As Gentile Christians we have entered into the Jewish New Testament Covenant by the Promises of God not by the Covent of God. The New Testament Covenant belongs to the Jews and through the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ we are invited and welcomed into their Covenant to be partakers of their promises and of the blessings that have been given to the Jews from God. Having received an invitation to join in on their eternal Heavenly blessings we need to be certain that we do not, even accidently, take away from the Jews what already belongs to the Jews and we also need to make certain that we are grateful to God and to the Jews for the free gift we have been given and to receive it with gratitude and thankfulness so we don't accidently give a false impression of taking from the Jews something that is not ours and of being guilty of appearing to take and enter the Kingdom of God by force when in fact it has been freely given to us in the promises of God. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 13 - The day off the Passover after a lunch Jesus washes the feet of His disciples in preparation of the Passover later that evening -- 'John 13:31-35 Therefore, when he (Judas) was gone out [of the upper room], Jesus said, Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in Him. If God be glorified in Him, God shall also glorify Him in Himself, and shall straightway glorify Him. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. Ye shall seek Me: and as I said unto the Jews, Whither I go, ye cannot come [by the Laws of Moses]; so now I say to you. A New [Perspective] Commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you [New Perspective - He gave His life for us], that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another.'</html><html><summary> 'John 13:1-12 Now *before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end. And supper [lunch] being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray Him; Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper [lunch], and laid aside His garments; and took a towel, and girded Himself. After that He poureth water into a bason [basin], and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith He was girded. ... So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again ...' - 'John 13:21-3121 When Jesus had thus said, He was troubled in spirit, and testified, and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. Then the disciples looked one on another, doubting of whom he spake. Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples [John], whom Jesus loved. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him (John), that he should ask who it should be of whom He (Jesus) spake. He then lying on Jesus' breast saith unto Him, Lord, who is it? Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop [sauce], when I have dipped [bread in] it. And when He had dipped [bread in] the sop, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. And after the sop Satan entered into him (Judas). Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly. Now no man at the [Passover] table knew for what intent He spake this unto him. For some of them thought, because Judas had the bag, that Jesus had said unto him, Buy those things that we have need of against the feast [Feast of Unleavened Bread]; or, that he should give something to the poor. He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night [the Passover Feast is the only Feast that is not also a sundown curfew feast]. Therefore, when he (Judas) was gone out, Jesus said, Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in Him.' </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 14 - Judas having left before the conclusion of the Passover Feast - Jesus and remaining eleven Disciples conclude the Feast of Passover by singing a Psalm - Then the Passover Feast not being a curfew feast Jesus and His eleven Disciples depart the upper room and go to the Garden of Gethsemane, on Mount Olivet - Along the way to the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus explains that unless He departs the earth and goes back into Heaven that the Holy Spirit cannot be given or sent to mankind [mankind would still be in sin and cannot receive the Holy Spirit] -- 'John 14:1-4 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many mansions: *if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go [to Heaven] and prepare a place for you, I will come again [Second Coming], and receive you unto Myself; that where I Am, there ye may be also. And whither I go [Heaven] ye know, and the way [through Jesus Christ] ye know.'</html><html><summary> John 14:15-21 If ye love Me (Jesus), keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter [Holy Spirit], that He may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of Truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him; *for He dwelleth with you, and *shall be in you [born again]. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth Me no more; but ye (Disciples) see Me: because I live [Resurrection], ye shall [resurrection] live also. At that day ye shall know that I Am in My Father, and ye in Me, and *I in you [Resurrection Day]. He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and *I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him (believer-follower). </summary></html> <html><tt>52 different weekly Bible passages to read before taking the Lord's Supper - Jeff Himmel, the preacher at the Spring Warrior Church of Christ in Taylor County, Florida, wrote an interesting article in the church's weekly LifeLines bulletin entitled, Thoughts Around the Lord's Table {Note: These are some excellent verses but the pastor who wrote and published this article seemed to have the ever present agenda of putting all modern [paraphrase] bible versions on the same level as the KJV [translation] Bible. - Also Note: The various modern bible versions (NKJV, NIV, TNIV, NLT) are not "translations" but are what are called "paraphrases" where the modern 'translators' simply paraphrased the text of the modern bible versions with what they think the Bible should have originally said [and they use knowingly fraudulent and forged documents to attempt to justify their often egregious and erroneous paraphrases]. A paraphrase (opinionated) bible version is very, very different from the Trustworthy, accurately translated [mostly word for word at about 99.9%] KJV Bible.}</tt></html><html><summary> 52 Passages to read before taking the Lord's Supper: Before we pass around the Lord's Supper each week at Spring Warrior (Acts 20:7), the man responsible for leading the observance will usually read a passage from the Bible reminding us either of the significance of taking the Lord's Supper or the significance of Christ's death. In his article, Mr. Himmel points out that Christians oftentimes needlessly limit their choice of passages to simply a trite few (e.g., Matthew 26:26-29 1 Corinthians 11, etc.). There are many more passages available. So my challenge to the readers is this: If you lead the Lord's Supper, what passages do you read aloud? If you don't "head the table" in your congregation, but do read from your Bible while the Lord's Supper is being passed around, what passages do you read? I will begin our list with the tried and true mentioned in Jeff's article. Let's see if we can't come up with 52 different passages, one for each week throughout the year. Add your passages via a comment. Matthew 26:26-29. Matthew's account of the evening in which Christ instituted the Lord's Supper. Mark 14:22-26. Mark's parallel account to Matthew 26. Luke 22:14-22. Luke's account of the institution of the Lord's Supper differs from that described in Matthew and Mark in that it tells of Jesus instructing the disciples to "divide" the cup among themselves before partaking of the bread and fruit of the vine. This passage is useful when studying with someone who insists that everyone in the congregation should drink from the same cup ("one-cuppers"). Acts 20:7. Yes, this is a great passage for the authority for the observance occurring on the first day of the week, but can't we come up with a better passage for the meaning of the occasion? 1 Corinthians 11:23-29. "For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes." (1 Cor. 11:26, NKJV) Psalm 22, often referred to as the Psalm of the Cross. "They have pierced my hands and my feet ... They divide my garments among them" (NIV vss. 16, 19). and cast lots for my clothing Isaiah 53. A Messianic prophecy which actually begins In Isa. 52:13. Romans 5:6-11. "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom. 5:8, NKJV) 1 Corinthians 5:7 with Exodus 12:5, 14 (or Numbers 28:19). Christ is our Passover sacrifice who saves us from death. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 with Exodus 12:14-20. Taking the memorial feast in sincerity and truth. not in a sinful condition, and not with sinners. 2 Corinthians 5:14-21. "And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. " (2 Cor. 5:15, TNIV) 4/26/2009 Philippians 2:5-11. "He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross!" (Phil 2:8, TNIV) Philippians 3:10 with 1 Corinthians 11:24 and 1 Corinthians 10:16-18. "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death" (Phil. 3:10, NKJV). Christ says that the bread represents his body which was broken for us. Paul says that we partake or share the communion. So, in a sense, by partaking of the Lord's Supper we share in the sufferings of Christ. (5/17/09) Hebrews 2:14-18. "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." (Heb. 2:14-15, NKJV) Hebrews 9:12-15. "For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?" (Heb. 9:13-14, NKJV) You could start reading in verse 1, but I have paired these down into smaller readings simply to prepare our minds for taking the Lord's Supper. Hebrews 9:16-28. "He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. ... Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." (Heb. 9:26, 28, NKJV) Hebrews 10:1-10. "For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins. ... He takes away the first that He may establish the second." (Heb. 10:4, 9, NKJV) Hebrews 10:11-18. "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God. ... For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. ... Now where there is remission of these, there is no longer an offering for sin." (Heb. 10:12, 14, 18, NKJV) 1 John 4:9-10. "God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love-not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (NLT) Jeremiah 31:-34 with Matthew 26:26-28. "Behold, the days are coming, says the LORD, when I will make a new covenant .... I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more."(Jer. 31:31, 34) "Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matt. 26:27-28) Luke 22:20 with Genesis 31:44-54. Pointing out that part of the purpose behind the memorial feast is to remind people of their covenant relationship with God in much the same way that Jacob and Laban shared a feast to memorialize their covenant of peace. Exodus 12:5, 14 (or Numbers 28:19) with John 1:29. "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 3:16. By partaking in the communion, we are proclaiming Christ's life, death and resurrection. John 3:16 affirms that Christ was obedient to the will of God to the point of death for all who believe in Christ. Some may want to read this passage with 1 John 4:9-10. Deuteronomy 8:3 with John 6:30-33, 48-51. God gave the Jews manna so they would learn that they could not live by bread alone. Then He gave the world Jesus, the bread of life. John 6:54-56 with Deuteronomy 12:16 & Leviticus 17:10-11. Under the Old Law of Moses, God was given the blood of the sacrifice. Men were prohibited from drinking blood because life is in the blood. Under the New Covenant, Christ says that whoever drinks his blood has eternal life, and figuratively, we drink his blood when we drink the fruit of the vine. Although the context of John 6 is not directly related to the Lord's Supper, Christ is saying that whoever believes in Him eats His flesh and drinks His blood. Who believes Christ, but those who obey all His teachings, including the command (1 Cor. 11:24-25) to eat the Lord's Supper? (3/22/09) Acts 2:21-36, Peter's sermon on Pentecost. "Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it" (Acts 2:23-24, NKJV). 1 Corinthians 10:24 with Deuteronomy 16:3. Comparing Christ's body of suffering to the Passover bread of suffering. 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1. When we come together and share the same bread and fruit of the vine, we stress not only our unity and equality before God, but also His call for us to be holy, sanctified, set apart and consecrated. "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God." (2 Cor. 6:14-16, NKJV) Ephesians 2:11-18. Christ's death reconciled Jew and Gentile to each other and to God. The fruit of the vine represents Christ's blood which was shed for the remission of sins. (Matt. 26:27-28) Colossians 2:11-15, "... buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, ... having nailed it to the cross...." (NKJV) What additional passages can you come up with? </summary></html> http://www.bibleweb.com/2008/05/52-passages-to-read-before-taking-lords.htm ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 15 - Jesus and the Disciples are still continuing ther walk to the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus continues to instruct the Disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit about His Resurrection and about their eternity with Him in Heaven -- 'John 15:1-5 I Am the True Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman [Caretaker].'</html><html><summary> 'John 15:1-5 I Am the True Vine, and My Father is the Husbandman [Caretaker]. Every branch (Disciple) in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth [cleanses] it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the Vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me. I Am the Vine, ye (Disciples) are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.' - In Jesus there is life and fruitfulness [relationship with God] apart from Jesus there is no fruitfulness [relationship with God] and no life. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 16 - Jesus explains that the life of a Disciple without the physical presence of Jesus is going to be difficult -- 'John 16:1-3 These things have I (Jesus) spoken unto you, that ye (Disciples) should not be offended. They [religious and political leaders] shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor Me.'</html><html><summary> 'John 16:7-16 Nevertheless I (Jesus) tell you the Truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: *for if I go not away, the Comforter [Holy Spirit] will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. And when He is come, *He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on Me; Of righteousness, because I [Righteousness] go to My Father, and ye see Me no more; Of judgment, because the prince [Satan] of this world [system] is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of Truth, is come, He will guide you into all Truth: *for He [Holy Spirit] shall not speak [referencing] of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear [be in agreement with], that shall He speak: and He will shew you things to come. He shall glorify Me: *for He shall receive of Mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are Mine: therefore said I, that He shall take of Mine, and shall shew it unto you. *A little while, and ye shall not see Me [Crucifixion death]: and again, a little while, and ye shall see Me [Resurrection Life], because I go to the Father.' </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 17 - The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus - Jesus Prays for His disciples and all of this future followers His 'High Priestly Prayer' -- 'John 17:1-3 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given Him power over all flesh, *that He should give Eternal Life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And *this is Life Eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.' - 'John 17:20-21 Neither pray I for these (Disciples) alone [only], but for them [future Disciples] also which shall believe on Me through their word [Ministry]; that they all may be one [Church]; as thou, Father, art in Me, and I in thee, that they also may be one [body] in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent Me.</html><html><summary> John 17:1-26 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to Heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify Thee: As Thou hast given Him power over all flesh, *that He (Jesus) should give Eternal Life to as many as Thou hast given Him. And *this is Life Eternal, that they (humans) might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou Me with thine own self with *the glory which I had with Thee before the world was. I have manifested Thy Name unto the men which thou gavest Me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them Me; and *they have kept thy word. Now they have known that all things whatsoever thou hast given Me are of Thee. *For I have given unto them (Disciples) the Words which thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me. I pray for them (Disciples): *I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given Me; for they are Thine. And all Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I Am Glorified in them (Disciples). And now I Am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, *keep through Thine own Name those whom thou hast given Me, that they [Disciples] may be one, as we are. While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Thy Name: those that Thou gavest Me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition [Judas by his own freewill]; that the scripture might be fulfilled. And now come I to thee; and *these things I speak in the world, that they might have My joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them Thy Word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I Am not of the world. I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil. *They are not of the world, even as I Am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is Truth. As thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I Sanctify [go to Heaven] Myself, that they also might be sanctified through the Truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but *for them [future Disciples] also which shall Believe on Me through their word [Ministry]; That they all may be one [Church]; as thou, Father, art in Me, and I in thee, that they also may be one [body] in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent Me. And the Glory which thou gavest Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and Thou in Me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that Thou hast sent Me, *and hast loved them, as Thou hast loved Me. Father, I will that they also, whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am [in Heaven and while on earth]; that they may behold My glory, which Thou hast given Me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, the world hath not known Thee: but I have known Thee, and these have known that Thou hast sent Me. And I have declared unto them Thy Name, and will declare it: that the Love wherewith Thou hast Loved Me may be in them, and I in them.' The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus to His Father in Heaven revealing to His Disciples His heart towards His father and His heart towards all His Disciples. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 18 - After His High Priestly Prayer to His Father in Heaven - Jesus steps over the small stream "brook of Cedron" and Jesus with His eleven disciples arrive at the Garden of Gethsemane - Jesus separates Himself from His followers and goes a short distance to pray - Judas bringing Temple guards to arrest Jesus catches up with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus is arrested and brought to Jerusalem to multiple trials involving the Sanhedrin, Herod and finally Pontius Pilate who will sentence Jesus to death on the cross - As the dawn arises Peter will deny knowing Jesus three times -- 'John 18:1-2 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and His disciples. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with His disciples.'</html><html><summary> 'John 18:28 Then [Jewish leaders] led they Jesus from Caiaphas [the High Priest installed by Rome while Annas was the High Priest, there were two High Priests] unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the Passover [the Unleavened Bread portion of the Passover Week, the Crucifixion day was a Feast curfew day, Unleavened Bread has a curfew the Passover does not].' - 'John 18:36-38 Jesus answered [Pontius Pilate], *My Kingdom is not of this world: if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants [physically] fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is My Kingdom not from hence [the Kingdom of Jesus is no from Heaven]. Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a King then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I Am a King. [Yes] To this end was I born, and for this cause [King of the World] came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Every one that is of the Truth heareth My Voice. Pilate saith unto Him, What is truth?' - Note: The 'Thou sayst' was apparently a custom, and it was required when someone was in court facing Roman charges against them, to confirm dialect especially between a Roman and another culture. When a Roman official spoke the non-Roman would reply 'thou sayest' to confirm that they understood what the Roman was saying.' </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 19 - The rejection, death and burial of Jesus Christ is completed - The Crucifixion day is the [15th of Nisan] on the Feast of Unleavened Bread day the day after the [14th of Nisan] and the Passover Day - It is the same day [Exodus 12:17] that the Children of God left Egypt after the original death of the firstborn Passover in Egypt - {The Apostle Paul explains that the Passover was the night Jesus was betrayed [1 Corinthians 11:23 - "That the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread"] the day before His Crucifixion.} -- John 19:4-5 [Pontius] Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring Him (Jesus) forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in Him. Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! - 'Zechariah 6:11-12 Then take silver and gold, and make Crowns [silver - High Priest crown, gold - Kings crown], and set them upon the head of Joshua (Jesus) the son of Josedech, the High Priest; and speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, 'Behold the man' whose name is the Branch (Nazarene), and He shall grow up out of His place and He shall build the [Heavenly] Temple of the LORD:'</html><html><summary> John 19:25-27 25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the Disciple [John] standing by, whom He loved, He saith unto His mother, Woman, behold thy son [Christian fellowship]! Then saith He to the disciple, Behold thy mother [Christian fellowship]! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. - The name Mary in Hebrew means bitter so it was a 'bitter,' 'bitter,' 'bitter,' day, event and place to be at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ for the followers of Jesus. Note: Jesus on the cross united His Mother Mary and His Disciple John in Christian fellowship not in some form of worldly adoption. Biblically had Mary adopted the Disciple John then he would have gone to her house because that is what the adoption is it is rights and privileges of the house or estate. Apparently Joseph was clearly deceased not being available for any of the events of the adult life of Jesus and also apparently none of the brothers and sisters were followers of Him either, until after the resurrection so Jesus sent His mother to be with John and the soon to be forming Christian Church. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 20 - Resurrection Day - The first Jewish converts to Christianity through belief in the eternal life Resurrection of Jesus Christ - The Spirit Baptism of Jesus Christ begins - With the receiving of the Spirit of Jesus Christ a person [Jew or Gentile] becomes a Christian - The Christian Church begins! -- 'John 20:14 And when she [Mary Magdalene] had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and *knew not that it was Jesus.' [Note: Only Christians can recognize Jesus while Mary and the other Jewish Disciples and followers all had to become Christians like the Gentiles have to as well to then recognize Jesus] - 'Colossians 1:27 ... [the Resurrected Jesus] Christ in you, the hope of glory'</html><html><summary> John 20:19-23 Then the same day [Resurrection Day] at evening, being [Sunday] the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. And when He had so said, He shewed unto them his hands and His side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as My Father [in Heaven] hath sent Me [Jesus has been back to Heaven], even so send I you. And when He had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost [Having been to Heaven and received by the Father as the acceptable Atonement the Holy Spirit is now given and available to all mankind]: Whose soever sins ye remit [discernment via the Holy Spirit], they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain [discernment via the Holy Spirit], they are retained. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <html>John 21 - After His crucifixion and Glorious resurrection Jesus spends 40 more days with His Disciples instructing them in His eternal Kingdom - The Kingdom that that they are to present to all mankind -- 'John 21:1 After these [crucifixion and resurrection] things Jesus shewed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias (aka the Sea of Galilee and Lake Gennesaret); and on this wise shewed He Himself.'</html><html><summary> 'John 21:24-25 This is the disciple [John] which Testifieth of these things, and wrote these things: and we [Apostles] know that His Testimony [Jesus Christ] is True. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.' - The beloved Disciple and Apostle of Jesus Christ closes his Gospel to the Christian Church with his personal Testimony that what he has written and recorded for mankind is based in fact and actually did happen and occurred as he has written. </summary></html> ;#; - - - - - - ;#; <cite>Source: David Anson Brown "The blog Bible Study" 2009-2010 [[http://www.basicchristian.org/blog_biblestudy.html|BasicChristian.org]]</cite> --- //[[davidansonbrown@hotmail.com|David Anson Brown]] posted 2016/02/08//

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