Bible Discussion Replies PAGE 42

Mark 5:1-20 "My country" (2 of 2)

Mark in his gospel presents the Son in control so the earth obeyed the Will of his Father, By presenting the doctrine in the form of parables where the earth admits no other shortcuts but must follow just as faith of man would require steps in obedience."As if a man should cast seed into the ground;/And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how./For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."(4:26-29). Between sowing and harvest nothing else would hinder the reapers. So the earth admits no other sovereign authority than of his Father. So when he stilled the storm and calmed the sea so "And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Faith held both world's together. (4:39-41)

5:8 When Jesus cast out he did on the authority of the Spirit of his Father, " Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit." In healing the man it was manifest that the unclean spirit did not belong to the kingdom but was an usurper.

Why? For the simple reason that the spirit took over the man so his soul of man did not reveal the truth.. It lay under the shadow of the devil. Recently a pig's kidney replaced the damaged kidney of a man. The soul of man is still under the grace of his Father so his faith shall serve his Will. His creation still declares His glory because the man is created in 'our image and in our likeness.'

Dear Brother that was very helpful I have copied and kept that message for future reference thank you .

Mark 5:1-20 "my country" (1 of 2)

"And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country." (v.10)

Mark sets Jesus crossing" the other side of the sea into the country of the Gadarenes."The sea mentioned here is the lake of Galilee on the south. Lucan gospel explains the location so we may conclude that Jesus with his disciples arrived there from Galilee. ("which is over against Galilee".-8:26) Gadara is not directly named in the scripture but was a walled city where the Gentiles lived mostly and was a part of the Decapolis. The point of location we need note to our intent and purpose is this: geographically Gadarenes is situated on the east of the Jordan river. Crossing of the Jordan river in spiritual terms signifies death.

Jesus cast out the many demons from the man. They all had a request:"And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

"For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit."/And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many./And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country."(vv.8-10)

Unclean spirits require a body which is impossible for Satan to create. He is the father of lies and not of life. For this reason he used a serpent to beguile Eve and being cast out they had unanimously chose the herd of swine.

"All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds."(1 Co.15:38-40). Here we have a country separate from the land of Galilee. In the Parable of Lazarus and the rich man, the latter had a place while Galilee signified the blessed state of the beggar. The other man's riches come in all forms and weights. Sheep, cattle and swines are part contributing to the wealth, and the rich man who wished Lazarus to visit him had chosen his own country. His cry came too late. ( Luke 16:24)

Traditions,

Part 1

Traditions are practices, customs, or rituals that are passed down from generation to generation.

Truth refers to unbiassed reality, the correct representation of facts, it surpasses personal opinions or feelings.

Easter Sunday is a holiday celebrated by millions of people around the world who honor the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is also the day that many children excitedly wait for the Easter Bunny to arrive and deliver their treats of baskets filled with chocolate, eggs, and stuffed rabbits.

Easter is a holiday that is now chosen to correspond with the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox unless the full moon falls on a Sunday then it would be the next Sunday. Passover is now not considered in selecting the day. The Jewish feast that was the same day Jesus resurrected that most overlook is the Feast of First Fruits even though Jesus is the First Fruits of them that slept.

There are many myths about Easter, but all come from pagan sun worship and their festivals correspond with the sun's equinoxes. The ascension of Christ and Pentecost has been changed to 40 days from Easter and 50 days from Easter not from the first day after the Sabbath after Passover day.

Easter was originally called Resurrection Morning which was the Feast of First Fruits, the first day after the sabbath day after Passover during the Feast of unleavened bread, this is the first day in counting the days of the seven sabbaths of the Feasts of Weeks, that has been replaced with traditions of Good Friday, two days in the grave, sunrise services, Ezekiel 8:15-16, bunnies, colored eggs, baskets, pretty hats and dresses.

Does the Bible tell us what day Jesus was crucified? Yes, Jesus is our Passover and for Him to fulfill the Feasts it would have to be exactly as the first Passover. The lambs were taken up on the 10th and killed on the evening before the sunset on the 14th of Nisan, Exodus 12:1-6.

See part 2.

Traditions part 2

In John 12:1-16 this is 6 days before Passover and Jesus rides into Jerusalem the next day which would be the 10th, the day the lambs are taken up five days before Passover day which is called today Palm Sunday.

Each day is recorded in Matthew 21 through Matthew 27:56 Mark 11:1 through Mark 15:41 Luke 19:28 through Luke 23:49 John 12:1 through John 19:37.

On the 1st day of the week, we call Sunday, Jesus rode into Jerusalem and returned to Bethany in the evening to lodge.

The second day shows Jesus going to Jerusalem and returning to Bethany.

The third day is two days before Passover Matthew 26:2 Mark 14:1.

On the fourth day, Judas makes the deal to betray Jesus and toward the end of the day, the disciples ask him where he wants them to prepare to eat the Passover. God commanded it to be eaten inside the city walls but they did not eat the Passover, Luke 22:15-16.

When the sun went down the fourth day what we call Wednesday is the beginning of Passover day the 14th of Nisan the day the Passover lambs are killed, Mark 14:12 Luke 22:7. What confuses things is then and now Passover day and the Feast of Unleavened Bread is referred to as an eight-day feast. Passover day is a preparation day for the seven-day feast of Unleavened Bread not part of the seven-day feast.

The lambs were killed on the 14th in the evening, the time when the sun starts to go down, any time after noon and before the sun sets. The Passover is eaten the night of the 15th the first day of the seven-day feast which is a holy convocation/Sabbath Exodus 12:8 the same night they went out of Egypt not on Passover day.

The Lord's Supper and the crucifixion were on Passover day the fifth day from when Jesus rode into Jerusalem which would make that the 5th day of the week we call Thursday.

God bless,

RLW

Hello Jaz:

I am glad to welcome you to this site with the blessings of God. I do agree that studying God's word through the decrement of the Holy Spirit and prayer are the most important things we can ever do in our lives. I think on this sometimes, when I'm tempted to spend to much time on entertaining myself, although with goodly things. I compare how much time have I spent with my Savior and His word then I have spent on this entertainment. Psalms 1 was one of the first scriptures I read that woke me up to this. Verse 2 reads: "But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. We study it, we pray it and we meditate on it." God Bless :)

Hi Jaz,

I believe that game is also called telephone, it shows how easily misunderstandings can happen. There are two simple ones, how many of each of the animals went into the ark with Noah? Many may say two, one male and one female of each of the animals, this comes from many of the Sunday school books but is not what Scripture says.

And the wise men at the manger with all the nativity scenes out of porcelain and other art mediums and such but Scripture tells us they went to a house and saw the boy Jesus maybe as old as two, not a baby.

This may be trivial, but it shows us something this small we can be wrong about should humble us to pray for the truth of all of the word of God.

God bless,

RLW

Hello Jessica: It sounds like you have been a really good person all your life, although I'm not sure what kind of "social justice" you have been an advocate/activists for, but I'm sure you have done your best to help people. I understand you now want Justise from God for this terrible wrong that has been done to you. First, I'd like to ask: do you BELIEVE in God and Jesus only, or are you a forgiven, justified, regenerated, new birth child of God because you have repented to Jesus and Jesus only and accepted Christ as your Savior? If not please read the book of John and 1st, 2nd, 3rd Peter and pray and ask Jesus into your heart. If you have never done this, if you "believe" in God because of the denomination you in and believe a doctrine, which doesn't teach a one-on-one relationship with Jesus Christ then I can understand why this prayer has not been answered answered for you, however, if you are a true child of God, you must trust Him to handle this situation in His time and His way. By fretting over this situation you are not allowing God to have His way. It is a sign to Him that you don't trust Him to take care of this for you. I'd like to give you three scriptures that I hope will help you besides the books I mentioned above.

Mathew 6: 25-26, Romans 8:28, Ephesians 2:3-4

Hello: What does it mean when a child of God says: I love living a righteous life, but "AM NOT FULLY COMMETED" mean?

Psalms 66: 16-20:

16) Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. 17) I Cried unto him with my mouth, and he was extolled with my tongue. 18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me: 19) But verily God hath heard me; he hath attended to the voice of my prayer. 20) Blessed be God, with hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

I always kind of wondered exactly how, I as a human, could "bless" God so I looked up the meaning of the original word at Bible Hub, the word is "barak" (baw-rak) which means kneel.



Psalms 68: 3-5:

3 But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice. 4) Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him. 5) A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

JAH: abbreviation of Yhovah which is the sacred name of God.

Mark.4:30-32 "Parable of the mustard seed"

"It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth."(v.31). Mark is referring to the same as intended in the Gospel of Matthew.However emphases differ. 'The little one' in Matthew is compared to a grain. It is less than all the seeds in the earth. However it is not the same when Matthew says it was "which a man took, and sowed in his field.". He refers to their position as it is set in heaven. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven."(Matt.18:10). Matthew is serving the parable in terms of Jesus Christ on Alpha and Omega mode. The field is the world.(Matt.13:38)

Mark sets the parable in terms of heaven and the earth so the grain of mustard despite of its physical 'littleness" is empowered by the Spirit of God.

"t groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it."(v.32) Compare the tree in the king's dream, "the fowls of the heaven dwelt in the boughs thereof" (Dan.4:12). The shadow as the Spirit has indicated in several places signify the authority of God. For instance people brought their sick," Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them."(Ac.5:15) Mark is consistent in setting the Power of God casting its shadow so that the fowls of the air may under the shadow of it. "And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground;/And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how." (4:26-27)

Luke is closer to the parable in which it is cast into his garden.( Luke 13:19)

For significance of the fowls of the heaven, Re.19:17-18)

Thank you Brother and yes ! That is so true . When I was a child we used to play a game called Chinese whispers . We would sir in a circle and one of us would start by whispering something in the persons ear that was next to them . I might say 'today is very windy and I'm wearing a jumper' . We were only allowed to whisper it once and the person who heard it has to pass it on in a whisper just once to the child next to them . When the last child heard the whisper they had to say it out loud and it would always end up something very different to what it was in the beginning . Why do we think that God provided and preserved His Word in the way that He did ? So we can read it of course . That's hat He wants is to do and so we must if we wish to be secure in our relationship with Him through Christ His Word made flesh . Where else can we go to learn of our creator ? Saul foolishly sought information in the wrong place and suffered for his choice . John chapter 6 when Jesus said things that were hard for his disciples to understand some would turn away from him maybe they found his words distasteful . Verse 66 to 69 ,Lord , to whom shall we go ? thou hast the words of eternal life . This Word should be our touchstone always .

Amen Jaz,

Welcome to the site, what comes to mind is 2 Timothy 2:15-16, truth only comes from the Spirit of Truth, not our mind which is full of preconceived thoughts that blind our eyes, plug our ears, and block the truth.

God bless,

RLW

Mark 4:1-3 Introduction

"St Mark presents the parables of Jesus as mysteries so 'his doctrine' explains the familial relationship of the Father Son in terms of the earth."

"And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,/Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow"

Here we see what makes the Gospel of St Mark distinct from others, especially that of St Matthew to which it has more affinity an others. In three chapters St Mark having revealed the power of the Son in healing of demons states the concept of family with God as the only Father includes both heaven and the earth on single standard: faith.

The significance of the Parable of the Sower owes to the faith which incorporates both heaven and the earth as one entity: the kingdom of God.

Before the worlds began God sent forth his word which shall not return to him void. So the harvest at the end ought to teach us the one world at a time as interpreted by false teachers is not from God. Satan has spread his tares so denying deity to Jesus the word become flesh by some is from bad motives. "But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come."(v.29)

The seed is good as the ground which is good. So we have the yield. "And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred."(v.8). The variation in yield shows up the nature of heart, a spiritual space. God formed all hearts alike and tries their works. :He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.:(Ps.33:15)

St Matthew presents the Sermon on the Mount, which in order to give a context of the Alpha and Omega aspect of the Son is set against the mountain. St Marks presents 'his doctrine' in terms of the two worlds framed by his word. So the earth is not to be detached from heaven where the word sown , fruit of which are yet to collected as well.

Dear Christian Brother hello my name is Jaz and I'm new here . I've just read your message and it's so true . When I was a child I was told all kind of things about God by my family . As an adult I was shocked when I read the Bible for the first time to discover that so many things I had been told were not in the Bible . Sometimes the complete opposite ! It's so important for us to read the Bible for ourselves and not trust what people tell us to be true . God speaks for Himself in the Bible . We must pray for eyes and ears and open hearts and minds so we can come to know Him as He is and as He has revealed Himself to be in His Word . Our salvation is the most important thing and we must put our trust in God and in His Word not in how others interpret His Word . He has given us the Spirit of Truth we must be thankful for that and use it to read the Bible for ourselves .

Mark 4:26-29 "Mystery"

Mystery of heaven or of the earth is not in itself but is in the Son. Mystery of his Father was in his Will and consequently it as the unseen world was made to appear. God framed the worlds by his world and this mystery can only be explained by what is made to appear. (He.11:3). This being the case the Spirit gives us this line, " If any man have ears to hear, let him hear."(v.23). The key is faith, nothing else. So Jesus employed parables mystery of the kingdom of God can only be opened by faith and enter therein with the help of the Son. All other vain exercises, are temporal and not from God. So the world and how the system works so any fool may aspire to the highest office and sit there is temporal. "while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal."(2 Co.4:18) So when we saw a dictator like Joseph Stalin striding like a Colossus for some 30 years, there was this mystery of divine Will also at work. Having caused some 20 million deaths he went out like a flesh. What was he but a flash in the pan! What is seen is temporal. Crooks fools innocents saints and all, have had their day. But the earth abides forever because the mystery of the Will is in lockstep with the Son fulfilling it. It is to this the key text refers. "He (man) knoweth not how./For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear." It is as deep calls unto the deep.

In an astonishing cosmic cycle that occurs every 2.4 million years, Mars' gravitational pull is shifting Earth's path around the sun, warming its climate and increasing vigorous deep ocean circulation, according to a new study published a week ago in the journal Nature Communications. God is in charge, for sure. So nations beat the drum, instead of joy what it brings, destruction! The Soviet empire collapsed within 8 decades.

Concluding thoughts for now on misuse of scripture.

Remembering the Pharisees shows us a prime example of how not to use scripture. Mark 7:11 is exhibit one in this subject matter; where for financial gain the needs of a parent were said to be avoided and was used in their logic to exonerate themselves for what was "dedicated to God". Psalm 105:15 stating to do no harm to God's anointed ones or prophets has also been mishandled by the "prosperity" preachers in particular and could of course be used by any cult leaders who are false prophets.

Again we know how much Satan knows scripture. Anything that can be used to tickle men's ears and misused such as God's promises for blessings being boiled down to presumption of financial gain for all of God's people is made even more insane when attempting to justify such logic with other scriptures. Jesus was clearly a man of sorrows as Isaiah prophesied; and was essentially homeless; or at least a full time missionary along with the disciples; fully dependent on God for provisions. If He could state that we shouldn't concern ourselves with food and clothing ( Matthew 6:25) it is more than a stretch to entrust him for a Lamborghinis or jet plane. Note that Jesus didn't even mention SHELTER; and also indicated that the Son of Man has no place to lay His head ( Matt. 8:20). No point going further on that subject!

A further consideration ties in with what I mentioned about the Pharisees in regard to making scriptures legalistic to maintain pride. This used to be more popular when parents were strict with children two and three generations ago. It still occurs in some denominations today under a guise of "holiness" but seen for what it is when Christ's love isn't on display. We can list all day long what we don't do or don't permit; but we also need to realize that it is the love of Christ that constrains us and draws people in ( 2 Cor. 5:14; John 12:32).

in short; scripture is truth unless used for another agenda

Hello Richard,

If I may say when we open our Bible to read and study, if we are not willing to leave the baggage of traditions at the door and what we think we know, and in prayer with the mindset that we do not know anything our eyes and ears will be closed to the Spirit of truth. Until we are willing to humble ourselves the truth will be hidden.

Deuteronomy 29:4 Yet the Lord hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.

God bless,

RLW

Further insight on how not to approach scripture

There are things in scripture despite all of it being of value that shouldn't be emulated; this would include Satan's tactics in twisting the Word for his own benefit or all the examples of individuals including true saints of God falling into patterns of sin.

Truly we can say the Bible gives a true account of what sinners did but we don't want to follow after their footsteps.

I would also contend that sections such as Genesis 6 and others about the Nephilim and descendants of the giant races shouldn't evolve into an obsession which often leads us to the Apocrypha and other spurious writings (such as about the "watchers" that can lead us down a rabbit trail leading to our own destruction). Hidden wisdom and such is something we need to be wary of; along with texts from other religions. This all; of course evolves from what was released when the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was tampered with by our first ancestors.

We are told also not to be caught up in "endless geneologies" ( 1 Tim. 1:4). The study of the origin of the Patriarchs certainly can be edifying; but of course such nonsense as the descendants of Cain being extrapolated as meaning all dark skinned races are cursed is obviously twisting scripture beyond where it is intended. Just the fact that all the old world was wiped out and started anew with Noah should dispel that idea; let alone the fact that we all are descendants of Adam and all related. Those who were not truly men; that is the sons of the giants may be "men of renown" ( Gen. 6:4); but we aren't to make huge idols of them like the pagans did.

Scripture also shouldn't be used to push our own agenda; whether "Christian nationalism" that purports to be a theocracy like ancient Israel with a Dominionism mentality that we will make the world suitable for Christ to return or other such malarky. The Word has been interpreted incorrectly through cherry picking as well.

How to and not to study scripture

The Bible if we accept what it says is true is said to be totally inspired by God and is profitable for teaching; rebuke; etc. ( 2 Tim. 3:16). That being said; we need to have time in our devotions to study the Living Word ( Heb. 4:12) for our edification. It is clear; however especially in time past such as the 19th Century the Bible as literature was standard curriculum in American schools; and still is utilized in developing nations to ostensively teach English as a second language and oftentimes with the motivation of fulfilling the Great Commission. There are also historical and archaelogical sources of information in scripture which help to back up scientific finds; including the account of Creation. Finally; of course we have the other types of literary study that focus on the poetry including hidden acrostic patterns in the original language.

Going beyond these standard methodologies; we have what is known as the Bible Code originally pursued in depth by Michael Drosnin which in the 1990s apparently found equidistant patterns that allowed him to warn Rabin in Israel that he would be assassinated which later proved to be true. We see in that book and more recent literature what seems pretty solid proof of patterns of other things seen in a rear view lens quite often. The original books of the Bible at least with the Pantateuch had to be copied with the end result being the EXACT number of letters of the original manuscript in a copy or else the entire copy would be destroyed and would have to be started AGAIN. Such painstaking translation allows for accuracy to be something we can have great confidence in and any patterns that do exist maintained. Basically; however I would appeal to Deuteronomy 29:29 that some things in the hidden counsel of God shouldn't be pursued. We can study patterns or even have much head knowledge of the Word but without the Spirit at work and salvation message preached it is in vain

Amen Momsage,

Can't you just picture it in your mind? How beautiful it will be the new earth pure untouched by sin, we will have a joy and peace we have never known. There is much given to us in these verses.

God bless,

RLW

Revelations 21: 22-27

22) And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 23) And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. 24)And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. 25) And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26) And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27) And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh it a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Revelations: 22: 1-7:

1) And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2) in the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3) And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4) And they shall see His face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5) And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God give the them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 6) And he said unto me, "These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.

(verse 7 is in red) "Behold I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

Thanx soo mooch 4 letttin me intwo the light.

Mark 4:1-11 "Unto you given" (2 of 2)

Heresies did not occur happenstance; but their knowledge of good and evil is still where the fall of man left it. Eve let truth given to her aside and let the counsel of the serpent, that seemed better' decide. She let the context determine if it is good or evil. Thus the context of glory of this world has created in them a contextual truth so they serve both God and mammon. If Adam was not trustworthy with the glory and true riches let him as the Parable of the Shred Steward tells,"for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light./And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations./ He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much."( Luke 16:8-11)

Ge.1Mark 4:1-11 "Unto you given" (1 of 2)

"And he said unto them, Unto you 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" Mark gives us mystery of the family as is in heaven and on earth where God is one. He has set his throne which is the throne of sovereignty. He blessed all in his Son and the mystery is of his Will.

St Paul makes his sovereignty as the central plank so his good pleasure in his Son extended to all who received him in faith:

1:"hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." This refers to the everlasting covenant where on day Six God expresses "behold, it was good"(Ge.1:31). This covenant is inclusive so it is not any nation but whosoever received the Son should have adoption, of children as stated in the next:

2: "as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, "unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,(Ep.1:3-6). So the man is adopted to himself so he is 'the Father who art in heaven.'

3: everlasting life is conditional so John's Gospel assures us "That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."( John 3:16). Today is the day of salvation is now while we are in our vile bodies and it refers our world of flesh and blood. Simultaneously the day refers in heaven as long as the Alpha and Omega mode of Jesus Christ extends and it is not for us to know. The point is we are saved according to the covenant, when we died to the world and to sin. We have a building of God, a spiritual body awaiting us. (2 Co.5:1)

Mark tells us in the next verse those who have dismissed this mystery shall not benefit from parables. "That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them."(4:12). Heresies did not occur happenstance.

2 Kings 8:26 Ahaziah was 22 years old when he began his reign after his father died.

2 Chronicles 22:2 Ahaziah was 42 when he began his reign.

I've heard numerous explanations; I am looking for a consensus viewpoint.

Was there a mistranslation as it was supposed to say "Sum of Years" as in the 42 years of reign that had passed since the house of Omri. Or was it mistranslated and intended to say 22 years like 2 Kings. Or is there another explanation.

Thank you, Lord, for Jesus who sent his Spirit to live in our hearts, the only temple you ever wanted. Amen.

Mark 3- Conclusion

"Who is my mother, or my brethren?"

The question is all the more striking since Jesus does not include his father. Jesus never had doubt as to where he came from or was going to. St Luke informs us, "And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?"( Luke 2:49). His Father was in heaven and he knew his deity was still entwined in his Father's bosom. So the words that he spoke as he heard while in heaven and what he put in his mouth. So the conclusion? Man can only be part of their relationship by acknowledging that he has to fulfill the will of the Father which art in heaven while in flesh and blood. No other shortcuts.

"For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother."

God breathed in the nostrils of man so everyone of us is represented in Adam. The spirit of God breathed into us must be for entering into the rest of God. The kingdom of God rules over all so His sovereignty is what makes His creation bask in his power and glory.(Ps.103:19). We shall understand the power of the Spirit in controlling movements. Murmuring of starling is fascinating to watch. As they sway en masse and form clouds no one can be identified in the multitude. One may be any where and yet nowhere. They flit and float without any mishap. How do they do it? There is a skill the spirit of God has given them, the wherewithal so they prosper.

The same power of God and glory and the fall of man shows where he differs from the birds of the air. Instead of being sustained by the grace from the throne of God he speaks of culture as Jews would wave 'the traditions of their fathers' that brought condemnation from Jesus. Without acknowledging God as the Father and doing his will perfectly no nations shall survive.

Mark 3:31-35 "Our Father in heaven"

Jesus was ever dutiful Son who would while hanging on the cross entrusted the care of his mother to John, "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!/Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home."( John 19:26-27). By literal approach how false teachers consistently strip passages of their pith and serve the husks instead. This is one example. Covenant between God and Man entrusts man with His creation and does he care?

God had prepared a worm as he a great fish to instruct Prophet Jonah. At the end of the book He tells Jonah,"And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?"( Jonah 4:11) Family of man is incomplete without this same care for His creation. The Four beasts in heaven is a memorial.

Pilgrims in 1630 settled in the Americas to make a New Canaan. However it was like sewing old garment to the new in the manner the divine Will was shortchanged. Salt crystal is made up of chlorine and sodium which by themselves have their distinctive characteristics. Sodium is metal, and corrosive while chlorine is a gas and poisonous. How billions of these atoms are precisely arranged by force keeping the formation gives the table salt its savor. In the manner culture wars have dogged the country tells making a family or nation without fulfilling the will of the Father is a non-starter. "And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: but new wine must be put into new bottles."(2:22)

Mark 3:31-35 "Our Father in heaven" (1 of 2)

"Who is my mother, or my brethren?"

In this passage the Spirit is setting two sets of families each representing the world of the Spirit and of the body. In the former world familial relationship is pendent to the covenant between God and Man, The latter is symbolic of heaven but in keeping with the body formed of the dust, it is the union of dust to dust and ashes to ashes. "For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven."(12:25; Matt.22:30). Resurrection of the dead is restoration of the covenant to its former glory where Power and glory of God renders the Man his throne so "and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God."(Re.21:3)

Thus the saying of Jesus refers to the world of the Spirit,"But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren./And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."(Matt.23:8-9)

In marriage man and woman leave their parents and they shall be one flesh, "And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?"( Luke 16:12; Ge.2:23)

This was provisioned for in the covenant. In Ge.1:28-29 we are shown what our Father in heaven had entrusted them with His creation. "And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth." This was entrusted with man in his Son. It is to this God willed and the covenant exists, and as a proof sent his only begotten Son to the world in fulness of time.

As the key verse states there is no gender difference. Only those who do the will of God.