Bible Questions & Discussion PAGE 277

Hi everyone.

We take what's meant to be literal in the word of God literal. When something is figuratively or is an allegory there's usually a symbol or sign in which the interpretation hinges on.

We use additional scripture to interpret scripture staying as literal as scripture allows. When time is given in scripture, we calculate the time and consider the events prophesied to be.

Here is a topic that I have been wanting to discuss for some time now.

1) The Abrahamic Covenant.

2) The Davidic covenant.

I don't wish to go into this alone and would appreciate help, not by way of debate but a means of study and to investigate scripture in a way one would use forensics to investigate a crime.

Yes, this would be nearly impossible being that the evidence/scripture we would be using would be based off one's interpretation.

However at least we might get a chance to examine our Hermeneutics as well as others.

A covenant is an agreement between two parties. There are two basic types of covenants: conditional and unconditional. A conditional or bilateral covenant is an agreement that is binding on both parties for its fulfillment. Both parties agree to fulfill certain conditions. If either party fails to meet their responsibilities, the covenant is broken and neither party has to fulfill the expectations of the covenant. An unconditional or unilateral covenant is an agreement between two parties, but only one of the two parties has to do something. Nothing is required of the other party.

The Abrahamic Covenant is an unconditional covenant. The actual covenant is found in Genesis 12:1-3. The ceremony recorded in Genesis 15 indicates the unconditional nature of the covenant. When a covenant was dependent upon both parties keeping commitments, then both parties would pass between the pieces of animals. In Genesis 15, God alone moves between the halves of the animals. Abraham was in a deep sleep.

See Part 2.

Seal judgments and trumpet judgments continued

I feel like a broken record here--or I could say CD but even that is retro nowadays. Anyway the sixth seal shows that everyone is aware of judgments being bought against the world by God and Christ ( Rev. 6:15-17). That hasn't happened yet clearly; and that is a result of course of the martyrs of the 5th Seal and reaping what they sowed in that regard. All the seals are personally opened by Christ and are therefore preceding the book itself being opened. The first seal in fact is judgment read these verses

2 Thessalonians 2:11

Daniel 8:23

Psalm 55:21

Daniel 8:25

Luke 21:35

2 Thessalonians 2:3

Daniel 9:27

So there will then be a time unlike today when there are no atheists; there will be only God and Satan worshippers; although men will worship demons through the trumpet judgments despite knowing the obvious that they are choosing that over the true God and what are increasing intensities of judgments.

More to come.

Hi Ronald.

Travels is over for the week!

It's always tough for me to keep up because all my replies and posts are off my cellphone.

I was looking at how the scripture would look using the Greek as you said. "Oudeis , no one"



Here it goes from verses 2-4.

And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?

And no one in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.

And I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.



You see it doesn't change nothing using the Greek word

"Oudeis" translated no one.

And I agree John was in the spirit, but John saw, and was shown visions all throughout Revelation.

And he sought the redeemer which had to be a man in particular locations and one was Heaven.

This took place around the throne!

Revelation 4:1-2. "After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

John describes what he saw and what he heard in a particular place.

I believe that we shall also reign on earth and that shouldn't void our access to Heaven.

Jesus is able to freely go to and from and I believe we will also because in this regard we shall be like him. 1 John 3:2.

Also see Romans 8:16-21.

We're joint heirs with Christ!!

God bless.

A discussion on the Seal Judgments

It seems necessary once again to emphasize the gravity of what is coming to pass in the death of one fourth of the earth during the sword famine and pestilence of the 2nd through 4th seal judgments. A brief examination of the most recent world war shows a population of about 2.3 billion in 1940 which was somewhat flattened during the death of 50 million individuals at that time.

That would be between 2 and 3 percent of the entire world population dying in that interval. Therefore we would have to multiply that percentage about ten times for the proportions dying in the seal judgments alone; numerically of course we are talking about almost 2 billion dying which would be at least 40 times the number in World War two (and that in probably about half the amount of time or less). This doesn't even take into account the myriads of martryrs beginning in the 5th Seal and continuing on throughout the rest of the Tribulation (or into the Great Tribulation).

We also have the warning about the saints being overcome in Daniel ( Daniel 7:25 as well as Revelation 11). That will only get worse when the mark is established; but clearly the affects of the fourth seal with death and hell following show that the period of time when the gates of hell won't prevail against the church will have passed ( Matthew 16:18). Therefore the believers will be a group which are Christians but not part of the church age with the function of the Holy Spirit as it is now (i.e the restrainer is removed ( 2 Thess. 2:8).

We therefore will see a conflagration of war; famine and plague unparalleled in modern times and unstoppable. Demons will be allowed to affect men during the trumpet judgments which still appears to be immediately before the Antichrist has the deadly wound and is possessed after the 5 months of torment in the 5th trumpet by the demon from the pit (Apollyon). That will cause worship and adoration; the image and the mark to begin.

Hi Giannis,

Thank you!

God bless,

RLW

Hello Ronald

The masculine form of "one", "no one", "who, whom, whose" etc is always used in greek when we are generally speaking for a man (male and female), but NOT for a thing, e.g. in Engl. you would say "If one believes in Jesus then THEY are saved", but in greek you say "If one believes in Jesus then HE is saved". Similarly for no one. But as I said not for a thing, only for people.

Hey S Spencer,

Thanks for your reply I know you are a traveling man and I know we differ on this and as long as we can inspire each other to study and keep our noses in the Bible that is ok.

This is my understanding and what I see, John was in the spirit, and he saw God with the book and a strong angel called out who is worthy to open the book. What I see is God on the throne, the four beasts, and the 24 elders.

John wept because there was, the Greek word Oudeis no man, no one, nothing at all that was worthy to open the book. No heavenly beings in heaven, No living being on earth, and No being who has lived and is now dead and buried under the earth was worthy to open the book.

I do not see John looking for anyone I see he was told no one was worthy. All I see that were there was God, the Lamb/Jesus, the four beasts, and the 24 elders when the Lamb/Jesus took the book the four beasts and the 24 elders, fell down before the Lamb/Jesus and with golden vials full of odors/prayers of the saints.

They sang a new song about the Lamb/Jesus "Thou art worthy to take the book" "and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;" These are the prayers of the saints, not people in heaven.

Then the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;

Other than the word oudeis translated as no man and the prayers of the saints I do not see any humans there. Then we have verse 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. Reign on the earth, not heaven. My understanding is the Church is not taken to heaven.

This is what I see and understand.

God bless,

RLW

Hey Giannis,

Thanks, I included too many words, I went back and the word that was used was oudeis meaning no one. I know you live in and are Greek and it helps to have someone like you on this site. I do not get into every Hebrew or Greek word unless my understanding is fuzzy.

I know this word you said is masculine, but can it be no one, no man, no woman, or nothing as was translated in other New Testament books?

Thanks for being here.

God bless,

RLW

The Kenites have waged war again God's true word from the beginning of the 2nd Earth age. Started in the garden with Satan getting Eve pregnant with Cain!

Richard H Priday Your posts do give one a lot to think about, Thank you for that Richard. You said "If 1948 was the sign of the fig tree; that means that the Lord should return by 2028; obviously with a 7 year Tribulation and being currently in 2023 that cant happen".

Then you also said "At any rate; we must realistically assess if we have been wrong assuming 1948;"

I have a different thought here Richard, Maybe you should be realistically assessing whether the rapture of the church comes before a 7 year Tribulation period?

When great tribulation starts that will be the midst, or middle which is the last 3 1/2 years that God will shorten for the elect's sake. I do believe we are in the beginning of sorrows time period now. If we look at ( Ps. 90:10) We see the last 10 year period is called (labour) and (sorrow). (it is soon cut off, and we fly away) The word (labour) is #5999; it means toil, wearing effort, worry, whether of body or mind, grievance (-vousness) iniquity, labour, mischief, miserable (-sery) pain (-ful) perverseness, sorrow, travail, trouble, wearisome, wickedness.

The word (sorrow) is #205; it means to pant, to exert oneself, usually in vain, to come to naught, strictly nothingness, also trouble, vanity, wickedness, affliction, evil, false, idol, iniquity, mischief, mourners (-ing) sorrow, unjust, unrighteous, vain, vanity, wicked (-ness). (The true meaning of those 2 words sound a lot like what people are dealing with today) Do they not?

Then we look at ( Mt. 24:4-8) v8 "All these are the beginning of (sorrows)" The word (sorrows) in this verse is #5604; it means a pang or throe, especially of childbirth, pain, sorrow, travail, grief (as dejecting).

We are in the beginning of sorrows now, when the great tribulation starts (which will be soon) that will be the last 3 1/2 year time period that will be shortened for the elect's sake. If this is the Truth then the Ps. 90:10 generational timeline is clearly still very possible. God Bless you Richard.

I think every Christian in the world should read 'What the translators of the 1611 KJV said to the reader!!! I have read it many times and continue to read it. Select the 1611 Bible icon, select introduction and scroll down to the Translators to the Reader. God Bless

You nailed it my brother.

The H.G.is a living being that has to be born in us...Jesus said that the Father will send the H.G. in my Name implying that Jesus is the father of the H.G....Thats y Isaiah refers to Christ as everlasting Father in 9:6...Thats y he is saying whosoever receives one such child in my name RECEIVES ME...And unless you receive the Kingdom of God as a lil Child you will in no wise enter there in...She brought forth a man child that is gonna rule all nations.... Rev 12:10...Thus the Child is a kingdom Child...And is the essence of the New Birth....Baptism of the H.G. The only baptism of Promise....Behold i send the Promise of my father upon you which was the baptism of Promise...He is the 3 rd person of the trinity thus a heavenly Jacob...Thus an Israel of God is on the horizon...The 3 rd person of the Davidic trinity was Solomon....But Jesus says a greater then Solomon is here ...Thus he will build a greater temple then Solomon in our hearts ( the Kingdom )...When Jesus said that which is BORN of spirit is Spirit...Thats the H.G. the Child of Promise....Jesus is his Father simply b/c the H.G. cannot be born in us without the seed of Jesus the living words of that book that he wrote with his own blood....That New Covenant in the Fathers right hand is Jesus and his words...Thats y he has to know us, its gotta be by his seed the living words of that book....ok lemme go GBU....Thus Jesus is truly the father of the H.G....Thats y Isaiah refers to Jesus as everlasting father...They don't call him the bridegroom for nothin.

After you become a born again Christian I probably have 10 questions bear with me Jesus does say it's not going to be easy I know the God of this world is the devil but Jesus Christ wins at the end when you walk with the Lord Jesus Christ what do you do wrong to open the door for the devil to come into your life yes I know that we have an angel I'm just trying to find out what I'm learning if it's true or not I do know what little I know I look around and things are not the way they're supposed to be it seems like if the devil is going to go after Jesus he's surely he's going to come after us I'm sure of that he doesn't want us to save souls thank you

Neither do I believe that any of us will go to heaven , just reading Isaiah and this Ch 57 verse 13 , it and many others like it , are very clear to me .

I can roll with that Charlie :) .

Dear all, peace and joy to you all.

If I receive from a human being a lie. My heart becomes very skeptical of this person. But if, on the other hand, this person apologizes, I must forgive.

Over the years, I've seen some translations that don't always sound good in my heart. - I didn't want that translation then. The problem is that I know others buy it and read and GET confusion. We know where this comes from! The worst thing here is knowing that others are reading fictional things. And believe in it. Today, many people also believe in myths and fairy tales, so one wonders where humanity is headed. We Christian know that there are only two ways. A leads to Heaven and the way of the denier and liar leads to perdition. So for eternity, is just a divide on two roads. We should all know if we're liars like Jimbob is talking about here. It is an advantage for us who confess Jesus that we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit so that we will recognize the liar!

For my part, I have two same Bibles, KJ. but to two different years. Only ten years in between. Here the translators have managed to change the sets. I have to say it annoys me. Because I can also really put my finger right on what's changed. In any case, if a setting is easier to read and understand, why should translators change it so that it becomes heavy and difficult to understand. If it is a copyright to God's Word, it is a desperate situation! So I hope stinginess and greed haven't gotten there.

Remember, it still is a reason why not all Jews have had Scripture revealed to them yet. I'm not saying this to cause offense. But that is the reality of God's Word. The Word SHALL lead to salvation. Revelation and the Truth SHALL be forthcoming. Practice by the Holy Spirit we will get this right in the end hopefully.

Stay strong in the word of God for your own sake. And go on admonishing and directing if anyone has asked for it. Then there will be peace. Love u all in Christ.

Romans 3 chapter

Thanks again Ronald. That's a good point you made: that Jesus being the "firstfruits of them that slept", would only apply to Himself & then afterwards to all those who rise from the dead in glorified bodies. That has helped my understanding, as I've always thought of simply a resurrection from the grave (thereby omitting Lazarus, the widow's son, & Jairus' daughter, who weren't buried/entombed). But they all, like us, await that day when our bodies will also rise & be received by the Lord in our perfect, whole & glorified state. Blessings.

I checked out NASA's map of the paths of those solar eclipses, Jimbob. Thanks for that. Very intriguing but could we ever attribute eclipses like these ones, however notable, to some connection to the times ahead? Since nothing resulted from them apart from those dedicated eclipse watchers/chasers getting a few minutes of excitement, I really can't perceive any specific warning from God; when they do happen, as also for earthquakes, pestilences, tidal waves, in quicker succession & with greater ferocity, then my ears & mind would definitely be alerted. Thanks again.

In the coming storm the LORD JESUS CHRIST is our shelter in the time of storm. May we trust and believe in all that the LORD has given to us to hear, heed, receive and accomplish for HIS praise and glory. Salvation and redemption Romans 10: 9-12; Study His Word 2 Timothy 2:15; know why we study 2 Timothy 3:16, 17; Love the lost 2 Peter 3:9; Go make disciples Matthew 28: 18-20. Pray for God's will 1 Timothy 2: 1-4. GOD be praise! Galatians 2: 20; 5:16

April 28, 2023

John P thank you for your kind words John. I am also grateful for you and everyone else on this site for sharing the Word of God. Iron sharpens Iron! I really don't know how Paul came into this conversation but I do have to disagree with your meaning of the word clouds John. It does say that in ( Heb. 12:1) But that is the only place Paul said a cloud of witnesses.. We cant say Paul meant a cloud of witnesses in every place he mentions in the clouds if we are to keep those verses in context. Even back in ( Dan. 7:13) it says "one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven". In ( Acts. 1:9-11) We are told in v9 "he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight" and in v11 We are told "this same Jesus, which is taken up from you, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven" (He was taken up and a cloud received Him, so He will return in like manner, in, or with a cloud) The harvest of the church is ( Rev. 14:14-16) v14 "And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man" v15 Tells us "Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time has come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe" (The harvest is by the Son of man (Jesus Christ) who sat on a white cloud) We need to keep these verses in context John. ( 1 Thess. 4:13-17) v17 Tells us "Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds" ("to meet the Lord in the air") (We meet Him in the clouds) ( 1 Cor. 15:51-54) Is the same event, when we meet Him in the clouds our bodies will be changed to spiritual bodies. This happens in ( Mt. 24:29-31) "Immediately after the tribulation" v30 "and they shall see the Son of man (Jesus Christ) coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory". Jesus does come in the clouds John. If I'm not mistaken I studied with the same Pastor you did for many years, this is one thing he did get wrong. Thank you John for your comment. Many Blessings.

Richard H Priday We are living some interesting times today, and the Bible tells us everything that will happen as if we were reading tomorrows news paper. This is a timeline as I see things happening today and in the near future, if you dont mind Richard. The prophecies of the Word of God are being fulfilled daily. I see us as being very close to the great tribulation starting. I think that's the last 3 1/2 year time period which God has promised to shorten for the elect's sake. I do believe we will be here for great tribulation, and like I said I think it will be soon. You said a false peace was confirmed with many during ( Dan. 9:27) This verse does not say its a peace treaty. It does say he will confirm a covenant with many for one week. This is the antichrist confirming this covenant for 7 years but it doesn't say the 7 years will be completed. God will shorten that last 3 1/2 years for the elect's sake. I believe the first 3 1/2 years are the beginning of sorrows in ( Mt. 24:4-12) I do believe we have been living in it for what I would say is 2 to 3 years. So what I see is the great tribulation period about to start but its going to be shortened for the elect's sake. I don't see any 7 year time period written definitively that could not be shortened by ( Mt. 24:21-22) The great tribulation time period is what God shortens. That is the last 3 1/2 years. ( Dan. 9:27) Tells us "in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate" (In the midst of the week is half way, 3 1/2 years into it) In ( Mt. 24:15,21,22) v15 ""When ye therefore see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, whoso readeth, let him understand;") (This is the Half way point) v21-22 "For then shall be great tribulation" The last 3 1/2 year time period is great tribulation, thats when Satan is cast out of heaven to the earth ( Rev. 12:7-9) Blessings Richard.

Jimbob, I am grateful for you and all of our brothers and sisters who are carrying forward the word of God. I will say what I believe what Paul was saying. Every person that preaches must be checked out in the word of God. There are many false prophets in the world today. They could be considered the same as most judges of today. Most judges go by precedent, not law, most preachers go by hearsay and not God's word. They rip The Word apart and makeup their stories, their sermon as they want. They do not know who Paul was, they only think they do. A lot want to take him out of the bible completely.

Paul was saying 'go forth and preach the true word of God, we cannot 'save anyone' but we can sure plant the seeds and God is the only one who can make them grow.

Paul spoke many tongues or languages; among them he spoke the common man's Greek or what we would call street talk today.

We say 'Paul wrote most of the new testament'. It was Luke who did most of the writing but those words God would give Paul to speak, Luke would write.

We can see how he would use the word 'cloud or clouds' in Heb. 12:1. Seems he would use it more than once as 'a cloud of witnesses'.

So seeing how God's word can be tourn apart by false prophets as in 1st Thessalonians 4, where most false prophets would get the 'rapture' from, when the word 'rapture' is not even in the word of God, Paul again would use the word 'cloud': he would say,

we would see Jesus 'coming in clouds', meaning in a cloud of witness. If we read from verse 13 to the end of the chapter. We will then see in verse 15 the word 'prevent' meaning we cannot be 'before them'. Why? We are standing on earth and they are with Christ. So we will also be changed into the spiritual body in the wink of the eye. May God bless us, everyone.

Our present reality

It is sobering to look at the history of great kingdoms such as Rome and the eventual downfall by corruption within. I have read about many similar events as to today in America that caused Rome to fall; such as many government type handouts; and of course licensiousness sexually. There is even a theory about the verse Luke 17:27 that there may have been same sex unions in the past that is being referred to.

Certainly Sodom and the surrounding cities shows a similar pattern to today. We should take note of Lot there; who decided to settle originally in the fertile plain; allowing appearances with his eyes to be what drove his decision to move there in the first place; while Abraham sought a better country as it were; and had promises not fulfilled in his lifetime through his progeny. The same concept of course brought Moses out of Egypt to wander in the wilderness for 40 years in what should have been a journey of a few months.

The pride that came before the fall of course is a sin associated with sodomy amongst other things. As I alluded to previously; the first seal of Revelation comes before war; famine and pestilence; a false peace confirmed with many according to Daniel 9:27. There has not been a mesmerizing orator since the time of Hitler and perhaps Mousallini in World War two that was able to conquer so quickly; gone are the Napoleans of the past. As Daniel states in chapter 8; verse 23 rulers will become completely wicked in that time when Antichrist; a man of intrigue arises. The one world religion will also promote the one world government. Through peace he shall destroy many ( Daniel 8:25). With world economies dissolving; and the removal of the ancient landmarks ( Prov. 22:28); no doubt he will realign the nations when he "divides the land for gain" ( Dan. 11:39) and that with the help of a "strange god."

Some think we can tough it out in the Tribulation. Let's not be there if we can avoid it!!

Agape.

The subject of hell-A necessary discussion

I have had a situation where a brother attending our church in small group has expressed doubts as to whether the lost remain in hell forever; as well as whether there is a state of "soul sleep" between the death of the body and our Resurrection.

This isn't the first time I've run into someone who felt that there was a "soul sleep" due to verses describing what appears at first glance to verify that theory. The answer lies in the meaning of the passage as to the word "qeber" which indicates the body ceasing to exist and "sheol" which is the realm of the underworld (in O.T. times where all went before the Resurrection allowed Satan not to hold the power of death). ( Heb. 2:14-15; Psalm 68:18; Matt. 27:52-53).

A logical analysis would determine that if we did cease to exist; there would no longer be wrath against us so that if we were to revive and we didn't exist for a time; then He would suddenly have to rekindle wrath; and also have to take into account the time when we weren't around as we couldn't still have a sin nature in that case. It also nullifies what appears to be a real account of Lazarus and the rich man in hell where Abraham was mentioned; along with those who appeared at the Transfiguration having to be explained away as some apparation.

It also puts a major damper on our evangelism. What kind of conviction do we have if the messenger is in doubt of God's Word in such a metter? There are dozens of mentions of hell even in the Old Testament in Psalms; as well as the account in Numbers where Korah and his immediate family was taken alive to hell ( Numbers 16:32-33). I haven't seen the stats on that subject but with the rejection of many key doctrines by today's so called "evangelicals" I would bet at least half don't believe in a literal hell.

In short to not include hell with heaven is like cutting all verses about the wicked attached to ones about the righteous; decimating Psalms.

The Rapture

According to 1 Corinthians 15:22 at the last trump the Lord comes for His church. Some say that Matthew 24:36 is referring to that day that no man knows the day and hour as being the Jewish feast of Trumpets. There could be something to that; with Christ fulfilling the Spring feasts already; namely the Passover lamb sacrificed for us; and the Pentecost ascension which; by the way was always celebrated on the "8th day" of the week.

As my last post indicates; there is little talk today among most professing believers of the Rapture. We see what could be an analogy of a separation or Rapture of some in Luke 12:45 where the watchmen is beaten by his fellow sorkers. There is even some say that same pattern in Song of Solomon 5:7.

Luke 21:36 instructs us to pray that we are worthy to escape all these things and to stand before the Son of Man. The original language uses the word "agonia" or something to that affect. Clearly; not all believers are praying in such a manner which questions their walk with God as to either their salvation or their position of readiness. I have probably presented some ideas last year as to whether all Christians are raptured or if some have to go through some of the Tribulation. What is certain is that these warnings; along with Revelation 3:10 are for those who are awake and waiting which I contended in my last posting that Malachi 3:16 spoke of.

Whatever our eschatology; fearing God and anticipating His arrival isn't restricted to those who hold a Pretribulational and Premillenial viewpoint. I have fellowshipped with Amillenials and Post Millenials who had more conviction about Christ coming as well as the terrible judgments on the earth than those who claim what I espouse; namely the Rapture followed by the 7 Year Tribulation and a Millennial rule of Christ before the eternal new earth. Even if I could press my viewpoint it isn't worth splitting hairs; we should all look to the scriptures daily.

Jimbob, you did not them one of the most important characters to compare the KJV and Niv.

That is Ezekiel Chapter 13, starting with verse 15 or 16, 'I am against those who teach my children to fly to save their souls'.

Richard H Priday thank you for your comment. I'd like to ask you a question Richard if you don't mind, in your response you stated that you believe there is truth in both statements.

Do you believe we have God's pure, preserved Word today? As the LORD promised in ( Ps. 12:6-7) to be preserved for ever.

Hey Chris,

Thanks again, I hope you don't mind, I understand you are done with this, and this is not to drag this on, a tit-for-tat and there is no need to reply. I usually keep posts short, but I feel I left things out and this will be it for this topic. Thanks again for the light on John 3:13.

The Priests and Pharisees kept on pushing Jesus for signs and proof and they were dead set on killing Him from early in Jesus' ministry. Jesus told them in John 8:28-29 that they would know He was the Messiah the Son of God and those things that happened when He died were proof for them. In John 5:25 "the hour is coming and now is,"

My understanding of the saints that came out of their graves was the same as Jairus's daughter, the widow of Nain's son. and Lazarus, when Jesus cried out caused all those things to happen and the saints came out of their graves and went into the city. Not in their glorified bodies but like Lazarus and the others.

In Matt. 27:54 They saw all these things happen they feared greatly saying "Truly this was the Son of God." The priests and Pharisees knew then they just killed the Messiah the Son of God. That is why they went to Pilate to guard the tomb, Matt. 27:62-66, as we see the disciples in shock still not knowing Jesus was going to be resurrected. The priests even with big money paid off the soldiers to tell a lie, Matt. 28:11-15.

Jesus is the Firstfruits and my understanding is He is the only one who has been resurrected with a glorified body until He returns.

God bless,

RLW

Hello Spencer, Chris and Alex.

I haven't got any free time to go through your posts now (I just had a look at them) but I hope I will be you with you tomorrow or most propably during the weekend.

GBU