Bible Questions Page 7

Mark 14:50 "forsook him"

"And they all forsook him, and fled."

In continuation to the previous post Jesus knew beforehand that his disciples would flee from him in 'the evil hour. As it was written of him in the scriptures they were also written and in the same quote from Zachariah we read thus, "Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones." The eleven disciples are 'the sheep' mentioned there. By the principle of Association the little ones include us as well. We received the gospel of salvation as 'the little ones'. We were called before the worlds began but how did we receive it?"and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;/And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen"(1 Co.1:27-28)

God chose man and not nations. "Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come."( 1 Co.10:11)These are examples for our spiritual instruction

The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. "But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal"(1 Co.12:7) This shall explain the Law of Gradation where all things are held together in Christ. Moses doubled for Jesus and how the Spirit has organised his going up the mount we have here in v.26. "And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives." The mount of Olives is a sign. Jesus was taken in because as the word of God had foreshadowed the evil hour was to manifest, as the golden calf leading to the imposter church of our times, and many other events all these leading to the final battle. (Re.19). These kangaroo events teach us, "There is nothing new under the sun.(Ec.1:9)"

Mark 14:27 "As it is written"

"And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered."

I shall not detail what I have mentioned of this quote from Prophet Zechariah (13:7) while I coverd Matthew. The point is simple. Jesus as the Word become flesh obeyed his God completely so much so he knew the evil hour closing in on him, down to the exact minute. Jesus says further down in this chapter, "I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled."(14:49). Luke present us one curious aspect of time. "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness."( Luke 22:53). The power of darkness also has been at work equally as the word that God commanded, "Let there be light." Why did Jesus Christ manifest? "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil."( 1 John 3:8). So both good seed and tares growing in the field is nothing to marvel at. While Moses was with God down below the golden calf being set up was no coincidence. The evil work had succeeded throwing off some from the fellowship of God with Man. Moses as a double for the Son went up even as Jesus' Ascension gives it as a kangaroo event. So what we find of the Church of Rome setting up their golden calf is no brainer. The ten spies who brought evil report and brought God to intervene (Nu..14) we have even now as Evangelical Right, lining up behind a captain as bizarre as the Pied Piper of Hamelin. "And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt."(14:4). New Canaan is impossible for the reprobate minds. The point we need see here is the word of God is given to us to profit withal. (1 Co.12:7)

Is John the Baptist the same John who wrote" revelation

Jer.4:26-28

26I beheld,and the fruitful place was a wilderness(place where JESUS preached the Gospel,it was fruitful until 70AD),and all the cities thereof were broken down(even the Temple in LITERAL fulfillment of GOD's Word),at the presence of the Lord(yes)by His fierce anger.

27The Lord said,The whole land(Israel)shall be desolate;yet will I not make a full end(there shall be great tribulation,such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time,no,nor ever shall be).

28For this shall the earth(Israel)mourn,and the heavens above be black(the 1st & 2nd heavens-Eph.1:3-8-,i.e.the OT and NT will no longer be valid,

for that which decayes and waxes old is ready to vanish,so the 3rd will still be established from now on),for I have spoken it,I have purposed it,and will not repent,neither will I turn back from it.(the heavens(the first two heavens)and the earth(current Israel),which are now,by the same Word are kept in store,reserved unto fire against this Day of Judgment(the Judgment Seat of Christ)and perdition of ungodly men.

Is.65:17-I create NEW heavens(the 3rd)and a NEW earth(ISRAEL)and the former shall not be remembered,nor come into mind.

Je.4:23-25

23I beheld the earth(Israel)...without form,and void;and the heavens(Eph.1:3-8)they had no light

24I beheld the mountains...they trembled,the hills moved lightly

25I ...there was no man,and all the birds of the heavens were fled

Re.6:12-17

12When he opened the sixth seal,lo,there was a great earthquake;sun became black...the moon as blood;

13The stars of heaven(angels)fell unto the earth shaken of a mighty wind(Re.12:4).

14And heaven departed...;every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

15Kings of earth,and great men,rich men,chief captains,the mighty men hid themselves in the dens and rocks;

16Saying to the mountains and rocks,Fall on us,hide us from the face of Him that sits on the throne,and from the wrath of the Lamb:

17The great Day of His WRATH is come;who shall be able to stand?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto JESUS; Now we know that thou has a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?

Whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (or not?)

Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of GOD, which should come into the world.

I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of GOD, GOD will give it thee.

Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

Words of JESUS from John chapters 8, and 11, and 17

The Word is GOD, the Word is from everlasting to everslasting, the Word is self-executing, understand? Get ready

For our conversation is in heaven, you believe? If not, come up here.

Blessed be the GOD and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. From whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself. (This is a process, a wor of our Lord JESUS, not a magic)

Philippians 3:20-21 combined with Ephesians 1:38 and 1 Thessalonians 4:17 and Daniel 12:3 Take a look.

Mark 14:12-25 "Upper Room"

This upper room has been prepared for a special occasion. Who had it prepared for Jesus? In the Gospel of St John Jesus assured his disciples, "And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."( John 14:3). "For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God." (He.3:4) As with the colt for his Son to go to Jerusalem God had provided all thing for life and godliness for his Son. God had appointed himas the heir of all things.

When Jesus said of foxes having holes and the birds their nests he was stating his own case as a man. In the world each one is so particular to flaunt their fashionable address God chose the upper room, and the Spirit has not given as one except that whatever God chose was in his Power and glory.

Jesus assured "My Father and I are one" and wherever he walked and abode signaled his Father to testify. "Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased."(1:11). Psalmist refers to this relationship of the Father. "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." (Ps.139:8)

The Last supper enacted in that upper room evokes for us the same betrayal when Satan betrayed the trust of the Most High. For this reason Jesus refersto Judas as the son of perdition. "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; that the scripture might be fulfilled." ( John 17:12)

We have several instances where what are presented before us is a kangaroo word in terms of the eternal Word. Thus the alabaster box is a kangaroo word for the woman who prepared the body of the Son for his burial. Ezekiel thus ingesting the roll that God gave him becomes a double for the Son. "Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel."(Ez.3:1)

Mark 14:1-9 "In Bethany"

"And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head."(v.3)

All the four gospels carry this incident where the woman had prescience to anoint Jesus for his burial. None present there except Jesus who understood the significance of her action. "He (Jesus Christ) knew all men, and needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man."Besides he knew what he was there for, among them and also knew where he was going to. His deity was as the Word become flesh. In Luke we read thus, "For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."( Luke 22:37)

How can a woman of ill repute find the right occasion to be born again or in this case, Mary as John gives her a name, break the box unless her faith and of Christ was one?( John 12:3) God breathed into man and made him a living soul. Faith is what explains this relationship between God and man. "Faith is one."(Ep.4:5) So in her action she poured out herself in order to prepare him beforehand for her burial.

What is the significance of Bethany? In the Gospel of John Jesus was in the company of Lazarus whom he had raised from death. "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."( John 11:25).

The alabaster box is similar to the earthen vessel that Jeremiah broke as commanded of God. The box doubles for Mary whose faith became a memorial unto her. St Mark juxtaposes this with the breaking of bread during the Last supper.(v.22)

Studying scripture: Catechisms

Having wiped out my last posting AGAIN by pushing the wrong button I will have more to say perhaps later regarding devotionals.

I thought I would shift gears and discuss Catechisms. I expect many know that a Catechism is a sort of reciting of a Doctrinal Statement.

Let's be honest here; although maybe it's just me...such studies can often be the most BORING ones we undertake and if someone is really not a believer it could in my opinion do more harm then good even if it is a scripturally solid one. The first thing of course we must investigate is; when considering becoming a church member in particular is are there any issues that jump out to us that we cannot believe or are unwilling to be dogmatic about? I am from a Protestant and primarily Reformed background; and generally ascribe to things in the Heidelburg confession; for instance. That being said; for whatever reason the designation exist; I find the term "DIVINES" for those who came up with certain Reformed confessions as being a repulsive term. I have shown evidence in the past of certain behaviors among Calvin and Luthor; no matter how critical they were for getting back to "Sola Scriptura" and concepts of Predestination that I don't care to mention them as examples to follow and say instead that they brought out scriptural truths such as are found in the book of John in particular as to God calling and choosing people the Son would reveal Himself to. Such a concept saturates many chapters in John in particular but is found in many other places in scripture. We don't find the term "total depravity" in scripture but there are many places where it says man can do no good and his good works are as "filthy rags" ( Isaiah 64:6).

I mentioned in an earlier post that the Orthodox Presbyterian church (OPC) that existed in Pittsburgh before folding allowed me to be a member but not of full standing as to my take on infant Baptism. We shoudn't rush membership.

Mark 14:34-37 "The Porter" (2 of 2)

The indwelling Spirit is counted as one with the man. Jesus assured,"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."( John 16:8-9). This being the case whosoever follows strange doctrine does so at his own peril. He has effectively quenched the Holy Spirit. The Parable of the Five foolish virgins explain it. Number Five shows this unity of the Spirit whereby the man anointed by the Spirit is five. Grieving Holy Spirit doesnot let off the guilty.

In Ezekiel We see the glory of God departing the house. In vv.14-17 "So the spirit lifted me up, and took me away, and I went in bitterness, in the heat of my spirit; but the hand of theLordwas strong upon me." This foreshadows the anointing of the Holy Spirit because of which his sheep are to be restrained in the house as Ezekiel was. "And it came to pass at the end of seven days, that the word of theLordcame unto me, saying,/Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel."

As witnesses for Christ are we doing our job well?

Then the spirit entered into me, and set me upon my feet, and spake with me, and said unto me, Go, shut thyself within thine house."(Ez.3:24). The risen Christ has left 'his house' and every one of us to be watchful and faithful. "For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house," and "whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."He.3:6)

Mark 13 :34-37 "The Porter" (1 of 2)

"And commanded the porter to watch."

Ezekiel before Jesus was designated as the Son of man. God commands the prophet, "Son of man, eat that thou findest; eat this roll, and go speak unto the house of Israel." The Holy Spirit presents Jesus Christ as the word become flesh. It shall help us understand the v.34. "For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work." This is precisely what the great commission in Gospel of St Matthew signifies. (Matt.28:18-20) Every believer thus has been assigned his work. So the indwelling Holy Spirit is designated as the porter. In short every believer is commanded to be at his post, "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning."(v.35)

We have a few more parallels from the life of Ezekiel in order to illumine our understanding of the great commission to which we shall come anon. We find the porter mentioned in this passage, "But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep./To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out."( John 10:2-3) This explains the knock on the door, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."(Re.3:20-21). Those who let him in do so because his word resonates which is what voice recognition of the eternal word does. "And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice." By the same token who gets entangles with strange doctrine, -for instance Christian nationalism and prosperity is not his. These entered not by the door and whosoever is not, his shall follow them.

So what is the porter doing when sin enters through the back door?

Mark 13 "Fulfilment" (2 of 2)

"Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away."(v.31) Jesus Christ as the same yesterday today and forever, warns the four disciples what must happen hereafter. "But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things."(v.23)

The second Temple of Herod shall not stand."Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down."(v.2) Parallel to this he also warns of his death. "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."( John 2:19-22)

In order to be certain that we are not taken with the perishing Jesus introduced the sign of the end times. His body was broken up so shall everything in heaven and the earth. "Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven./Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain."(He.12:26-27). The Word of God has set the warning from the beginning. What occurred at Mount Sinai was one such warning, and when the end shall come is not for us to know.

"But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father./Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.:(vv.32-33)

Mark 13 "Fulfillment" (1 of 2)

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,/Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?"(vv.3-4)

Mark is specific with regards to the disciples and curiously enough we have four disciples named here in the backdrop of the mount of Olives. Whereas at the mount of Transfiguration Jesus took three apart from the other disciples.(9:2; Matt.17:1) Significance of the command number Three placed Moses Elias and Jesus signifying the world of the Spirit correspond with the three in world of the flesh and blood. Three refers to the Son.

Moses was faithful in all his house. "as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;/But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.".(He.3:5-6) While studying the end of the world, we are here focusing on the burden of Jesus regarding his house. So he gives a parable at the end of which he warns, "Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning:/Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping./And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch."(vv.35-37) The very high mountain where Jesus transfigured was with the glory of God. Redemption of our vile bodies signalled the spiritual body that Jesus put on at that point of time. The Spirit places emphasis on the glory of the Son.

Now the four disciples signify the significance of the Word.

"And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven."(v.27). "I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth," refer to the word of God, Jesus Christ the same, Re.7:1; He.13:8

Mark 12:40-44 "Faith"

St Mark gives us the v.40 almost identical with that of Matthew ch.23 but the former uses it a point of departure in order to illustrate in real time of a widow parting with her only livelihood. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation."(23:14). How truth reaches a congregation when the scribes and Pharisee teach is different than the widow whose penury offered no stumbling block from exercising faith. Jesus "And beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much."

The widow "but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living" places her life squarely upon whom it belongs. It catches the eye of our Savior.

In the Parable of the Rich Fool he had all the worldly goods but lacked the good sense. He was not rich towards God. So God tells him, " Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?"( Luke 12:20) Jesus commends the poor widow who exercised faith most wisely. The scribes and Pharisee as we are familiar with the term applied 'active' faith so the poor and needy part with their living, in expectations of a windfall. Jesus calls their shepherding as 'devouring' instead.

God sent his only begotten Son in order to give whosoever believed in him, everlasting life. Jesus also tells how anyone may do the work of God. It can only be with Jesus, "Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?/Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent."( John 6:28-29)

This is faith where the poor widow worked with God and for her livelihood she did not have to put on the mind of the scribes and Pharisees, devouring the gullible among their audience. For the faith of the widow was set in heavenly places with the Son.

How will God's people be distinguished from the wicked? Rev. 7:1-3

Mark 12: 32-35 "The scribes"

"And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?"(v.35). The scribes as mentioned here is a generic name for those who interpret the Law but they do not consider they are bound by it. "All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not." For they says, and they do not."(Matt.23:2-3). Matthew is referring to the scribes and the Pharisees who sit in Moses' seat. It is a metaphor for spiritual authority of the Law. Isaiah gives us a throne which is the ultimate authority "The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool."(Is.66:1)

Mark gives 'the woe to ye' discourse in Ch.23 as part of his doctrine which explains why the word of God is a two-edged sword (He.4:12).The Gospel is for salvation and if it is neglected it shall prove unto damnation. "And he said unto them in his doctrine," is consequential since it is the eternal word. In our times we could call what the scribes indulged was in Jesus talk. The saying of Jesus "but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not," is a sane advice for Christians who would want to live a godly life.

Jesus.

In vv.35-37 Jesus asks,"How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David?"The scribes erred in their textual criticism by omitting the intent and the integrity of the Psalm 110:1 This is what literal approach does. What they threw out is the everlasting covenant were seven days pendent on the day decreed for the Son. Along with it goes the significance of the Lamb slain, (Ps.2:7; Re.13:8) What happened in a megachurch where The elders had publicly disciplined a woman for refusing to take back her husband owes to their lack of understanding the word. As it turned out, the woman's fears proved true, and her husband went to prison for child molestation and abuse. The church never retracted its discipline or apologised in the 20+ years since.

Mark 12:28-34

St Mark gives us two commandments which shall explain what keeps the kingdom of God together. Merriam -Webster explains the scribe as a member of a learned class in ancient Israel through New Testament times studying the Scriptures and serving as copyists, editors, teachers, and jurists. One of their class, who was present when Jesus put to silence the Sadducees had a question to ask. He would have pored over the texts in order to interpret all the law and the prophets wanted to tempt Jesus as St Matthew puts it. That the ten commandments could be reduced to two must have come as a surprise to him. Never in his understanding had this truth dawned as to what Jesus signified. As the Lord from heaven the Decalogue began from one ("God is one") and also ended with him. This made both heaven and the earth on single yardstick in the matter of fulfilling the will of God. God is a Spirit and without its sovereignty and without obeying it a many may make it his business to preach but is an ignoramus as the Pharisees and the scribes who were out to destroy Jesus who was the fulfillment of the Law. When God sent his Son Jesus was a sign to which Prophet Isaiah had predicted (Is.7:14). They also heard him deliver the doctrine of hid Father which we know as the Sermon on the Mount.

The writer to the Hebrews place the role of the Son, "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,/Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son," (He.1:1-2). In their opposition what did the ten in the Decalogue meant? They were judged already. The two commandments represented the deity and humanity of the Son. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."(Matt.22:40). The Word as the sound and as a sign made the kingdom of God work. Their questions were to no avail because faith without works is dead. The discreet answer of the scribe is in "with all your heart, with all your soul etc., v.33

Mark 12:17-37

"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him."

The two worlds of the Spirit and of the body have only language which is faith. (He.11:3) When the Son said,A body hast prepared me it made the DNA between the world made to appear and the world unseen as the only proof of paternity. Thus the body of the Son is the visible image of the invisible God. ( Col 1:15) In the Parable of the Tares we have the good seed and the tares which can be known by their fruits. "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?"(Matt.7:16)

So God is a Spirit sent his Son as the word become flesh.He did not ask the impossible when he went to the fig tree. The glory of the tree with seed in itself was determined according to the everlasting covenant, and the blessing of man in 'our likeness' connected as with the body God gave both. It was on the basis of faith and not by the will of the tares, source of which is by courtesy of the enemy who slipped in while the world slept. Caesars have come and gone, none of them has shown their glory endured. Had these men faith in God as the rewarder of the just?

In the hypothetical question the Sadducees put to Jesus vv.19-23 they were in error since the concept of marriage instituted by the tradition of their fathers was not founded on truth. "And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, 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 which are in heaven."(vv.24-25) In our times by false shepherds who dismiss works from their faith and espouse politicians as the Herodians, blame the victims for refusing to live with child molesters and perverts? Excommunicating Eileen and condoning the abuser if how the elders read the word of God. The tares shall continue but how long?

Mark 12:13-18 "Tempting Jesus"

"And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words."Earlier when John the Baptist arrived at the scene, stirring up great many people who came to be baptized at his hand we read,"And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?" John categorically rejected any notion that he was the Christ. It did not stop there."Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us."( John 1:19-22). Now the chief priests scribes and various sects who came to Jesus, "and they wanted to catch him in his words" firstly simulated fear for God, "They say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth" the same method that Satan employed to tempt Jesus and he also began," he said, If thou be the Son of God, command". The playbook of Satan is for whosoever who would want to be a power player in the world and the Herodians were one such in the time of Jesus, and in our times we have their ilk appearing in droves behind their candidate and sets Christian Visibility Day for other reason than they are sent. It is the spirit of wickedness at work, "And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming."(2 The.2:8). For those who abide in Christ and seek to see the light in his light does Christian visibility Day make any sense? St Paul is clear in warning, "In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."(2 Co.4:4)

Jesus warned of this wicked and adulterous generation. Evangelicals want a sign and and Jesus refers to the son of perdition,Matt.24:15. the sign of our times Desolation is sure to come

Does anyone have a good, reputable site where I can obtain information on the early Church Fathers and Church History and Doctrine? Thank you...

Mark 12:10-12 "The Rock of Ages"

St Mark cites Jesus referring the quote from the Psalm (118:22-23) which is identical in the gospel of St Matthew. The parable of rock is with direct reference to the judgment which we have it executed by an angel from above causing the fall of Babylon.(Re.18:21) Israel's failure is symptomatic of the wicked nations that have no interest in giving glory to the sovereign Lord of heaven and the earth. So they shall be judged with all other nations for their failure to produce fruits thereof. When they least expect God shall take the vineyard from the miserable husbandmen and give to others, Thus the parable centers about the Son who also is the Rock of Ages. In his rejection Israel committed a fatal error and it is to which the above mentioned quote from the Psalm alludes.

"Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?/Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." (Matt.21:42-43)

Mark gives us the answer of Jesus, "What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others"(v.9). St Matthew sets him as a symbol, as the rock of offense and as the stone of stumbling. "And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." (21:44)

"And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way." (v.12) The chief priests scribes and the Pharisees would try to destroy Jesus somehow.

God's is all knowing

"Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine." Genesis 20:7 KJV

(even in the midst of Abraham's deceit God intervened and protected both him and his wife Sarah)

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD." Isaiah 54:17 KJV

(my learning from this is to trust God, as in the scriptures:)

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 KJV

"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah." Psalms 62:8 KJV

"He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered." Proverbs 28:26 KJV

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jeremiah 17:9 KJV

Mark 12 "Parables"

Before we go into the parables Jesus employed them in order to illustrate realities of heaven from that of the earth. In Matt21:.45-46 we read that "And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them./But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet". It was not for want of intelligence that they rejected Jesus but out of envy. The multitude took Jesus as a prophet so when he spoke truth it resonated within and accepted as truth. Besides God had given such power for the Son of man healed the sick and cast out the demons from among them. Faith is the only that can reconcile both the worlds.

12:1 " A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country." God is who planted the vineyard, the world. He made man his steward. By far country the heaven is implied. The world is hedged about refers the blessings God had promised in the everlasting covenant. The tower and the wine fat signifies the spirit of God and soul of man of which he has to give account. "The land shall not be sold for ever: for the land is mine; for ye are strangers and sojourners with me," (Le.25:23)explains the significance of letting out to husbandmen.

v.2 "And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant," In next three verses we are considering Moses and the Law which as Israel set to work became for breaking the tradition of their fathers. The stoning of Stephen (Ac.7:59-60)

vv6-8 Jesus foretells of what the Jews intended to do. "And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard."

in v.9 "What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do?" The Gentile nations come in. The chief priests and Pharisees understood but without faith it was lost on them.

Mark 11:18 "Doctrine of man"

Matthew also gives us this colloquy where he dilates upon their controversy with parables. At the end he says,"And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his parables, they perceived that he spake of them./But when they sought to lay hands on him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.(Matt.21:28-46). There was the fear of men that governed the chief priests and Pharisees while Jesus as the Word become flesh would only serve what he represented in his humanity. "Thy word is truth." Unless he had let the word sanctify him how could he sanctify any man?"For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one. "I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise thee," was a Messianic prophecy which fulfilled in him.(Ps.22:22)

On the other hand the chief priests scribes and Pharisees made doctrine of God to none effect. "Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."(7:13) .

St Paul explains it thus, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." Jesus came from God while his detractors angled for the praise of men.

Mark gives us several instances of the word of God being fulfilled in Jesus so it was not past or future of now that weighed uppermost but the eternal word. In cursing the fig tree he did not have to prove his claim that he was the rightful heir but his faith established the truth. Both power and glory operating in heaven and earth is encapsulated in faith.(vv.23-24). "And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and castitinto the sea"(Re.18:21) is a fulfillment of the word: of the rock cut out without hands"(Dan.2:34-35)

"And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots." Jesus explained simply, "Have faith in God."

Mark 11 "The eternal word in his rounds" (1 of 2)

The Gospel of St Mark is especial for the reason that the life of Jesus is set as the validation of the Messianic prophecies, for instance the divine Will,"Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies,"(Ps.110:1-3). Accordingly God has prepared everything to augur success in his ministry which is to be accomplished both in his humanity but also in heaven. Consequently his entry into Jerusalem is designated as a triumphal entry. At the heart of his ministry is the eternal word. So the evangelist piles up several instances underpinning the assertion of Jesus," Before Abraham was, I am." . We shall study this chapter from this angle.

"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." Jesus sent two disciples to Bethphage and the colt was to be found 'in a place where two ways met,' This resonates in his affirmation "I am the way". The colt has never been tried on and it has been reserved for the master's service. The mention of the door evokes the saying of the Good Shepherd. "I am the door."( John 10:7,9)

St Mark informs us in.v.11 that he went to the temple first time and saw for himself and second visit was to cleanse the temple itself. (vv.15-17) This runs parallel with his own advent and he shall slay the wicked when he appears second time. ("and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."-Is.11:3-4;Re.19:15) Only Mark gives two visits to the temple foreshadowing two Advents where the second is as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

In vv.13-14 we have Jesus cursing the fig tree. Only Mark gives this,"and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet." Is it out of sync with rest of the narrative?

God made his Son in charge "And every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." (Ge.1:28)

Mark 11 "eternal word"

St Mark sets the Healing of Bartimaeus with him joining Jesus with this line,"and followed Jesus in the way." In this chapter we see the eternal word forever settled in heaven meeting the way he took 'in the way." So the now meeting the eternal aspects of the word is stated in rather obvious manner, so how we approach the triumphal entry of Jesus cannot go wrong. Jesus sends two of his disciples to fetch the colt already provided for. "And they went their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met." Where the two ways meet is a direct way of the scripture, of what is written of me' being fulfilled. We need not ask how the colt shall be provided for the Son as he passed through Jerusalem and as Isaiah says, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."(Is.55:11)

Here below are the citations from the prophets of old which also ought to convince us that there was nothing in Jerusalem that kept him there. He was among his own as the word become flesh but the nation of Israel showed themsselves unworthy for the grace and truth which made Jesus of Nazareth as the only begotten Son.

vv.1-11

Here we have the fulfillment of Messianic prophecy in the Book of Psalms. "Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord."(Ps.118:26)

vv.12-17

"Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people."(Is.56:7)

" Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the Lord."(Je.7:11)

Mark :46-52 "Immediately"

While Lazarus figures in a Parable we have the healing of a blind beggar and he is named. As his name Bartimeaus implies he is the son of Timaeus. He is addressing "Thou son of David, have mercy on me." The son of David informs it is a request from a man in need of the Son of man.. Matthew 1:1 gives us the generation of Jesus Christ in which he is the son of Abraham and the son of David. Two names representing his Alpha Omega aspect.

Jesus first would want Bartimeaus speak out what specifically he needed."(Jesus)said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight./And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight." The Spirit here gives the fulfilment of the word of God, "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."(Ps.107:20) Compare this with his healing of the man with palsy by the pool of Bethesda. "And immediately the man was made whole."( John 5;9) There also the Spirit mentions 'immediately' referring to the ministry of Jesus, theword become flesh. In this context what shall we make of the Psalm quote? It is the word of God of which the Holy Spirit instructs us, "For ever, OLord, thy word is settled in heaven."(Ps.119:89)

"Immediately' as used profusely in the Gospel is as loaded as the term "now" referring to Jesus as the word become flesh.

The gospel thus reached Bartemaeus. So the Spirit adds,"and followed Jesus in the way."

Mark 10:28-31 "Now in this time"

The twelve apostles were far from perfection and they had forsaken all was not enough. Significant is that the answer Jesus gave Peter was for all, so we need take it as applied to the discipleship. It is 'for my sake and the gospel's',"But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." (vv.28-29). Jesus promised them,"Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."(Matt.18:.18) Notice that it is addressed to the twelve,"whatsoever ye shall bind on earth." Judas shortchanged his share 'now in this time' and in the world to come for 30 pieces of silver. It is for this reason the caveat given in v.31. " But many that are first shall be last; and the last first." St Matthew also gives it but judging the twelve tribes of Israel is given to the twelve. "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel."(Mattt.19:28) So the element of 'Now' is by the Law of Gradation is the authority of Jesus Christ and he foretells the guilt of the nation.

"Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?/ Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city:/That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar./Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation." (Matt.23:33-36)

Through Jewish calendar the Jewish people use it for counting time and commemorating birthdays, festivities, weddings, deaths, religious celebrations and other solemnities. According to the Hebrews,the years are counted from what they believe to be the creation of Adam.

Created over 3000 years ago,the Jewish calendar is based on the movements of the Moon and the Sun,and is therefore a lunisolar calendar.In this way,months are counted from the lunar cycles,and years from the solar cycles.Therefore,years can range from 12 to 13 months,with 29 or 30 days.

In September 2023 of the Gregorian calendar, the year 5784 of the Jewish calendar began, exactly on September 15th, and end will occur on October 2th, 2024 .

How to explain the difference of exactly 240 years in the Jewish calendar?

Trying to answer the question by/through/according to biblical events, I found three interesting and suggestive happenings of Jewish History within the Bible, which certainly Jews dismiss without an explanation, perhaps because of shame at facts that are a stain on the nation's history of Israel.

According to biblical events, I found three interesting and suggestive happenings of Israel's chatisements in Jewish History and within the Bible, as described below ,each one with its long period of time that certainly Jews discard without an explanation, perhaps because of shame of facts which are a stain on the history of the nation of Israel.(like their original fall; captivity; golden calf/idolatry/ rebellion against GOD)

1-The Jewish Calendar begins in Seth,not in Adam,so we have less 130 years here;

2-Jews do not consider their 40 years of wandering in the desert, from Egypt to the promised land;

3-They do not consider also their shameful 70 years of captivity in Babylon.

This explanation shows why the Jews calendar has a difference of 240 years as was above exposed.What other explanation could there be that would justify this difference of exactly 240 years?

I would like to know

Mark 10:1-12 (2 of 2) Hardness of Heart

"But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female." (v.6) God is love is a facet of holiness of God. When God breathed into the nostrils of man there was no need for spelling out holiness as such. In his breath all that were needful for his life and godliness was impressed as a candle is lit by another. Quality of light sets both giver and the given on the same stand,- Holiness made it so natural so love of man so learned did not carry any other feeling than was impressed. By the same token in loving the world God made love Person specific. ( John 3:16)

Male and female he created them is with reference to the holiness so love has a body as a candle has and it is quality also speaks about love of two bodies maintain a common purpose. The Spirit presents the House with seven pillars as a body built by Wisdom, which is a feminine principle.(Pr.9:1)God a Spirit is Power dovetailing into Wisdom is how the Spirit presents the divine Holiness. By the same token his Son has a body which is the Word become God loved the world therefore it must be seen and the heat thereof must be felt throughout. In due time God sent Jesus Christ as the true light. While he presented the doctrine of his Father it had to be out in the open fulfilling the saying, "Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?"(4:21).

"Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away./And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept."(vv.4-5) Compare with what John says," In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."( John 1:1) Because of the hardness of heart Moses allowed man put away, which is like the candle put under the bed. Jesus refers to it as adultery of one against the other.

"And in the house" Jesus explained it in terms of the Law of the Spirit. (Matt.19:9-11)