Bible Questions Page 8

Mark 10:1-12 "Hardness of your heart" (1 of 2)

Here we have two aspects of life where sin controls circumstances of man's world. We shall come to the other man's riches reigning uppermost whereas God covered him with glory and honor in the beginning; so much so Adam and Eve were naked and yet they felt no shame at all. Wealth of a sinful man's inventive mind, in terms of a sentient life did not exist at all.

The man who came running to Jesus must not have come on the spur of the moment. A good life for a fine mind can hold a deadening effect when one sees at every turn the squalor and misery of lives floating about. It is like a healthy man chained to a almost a decaying corpse. Does it not spoil his sleep though he has a comfortable bed to sleep on? He may have kept a good table with rich viands and possessed thoroughbreds in his stables and lived in the midst of objet d'art, and he may have even tried not to succumb to its lure. He would only know how his soul has been left bound so he hastened to Jesus in a moral dilemma. Only when the moment of truth demanded him to declare where he stood in terms of eternal life, "And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions".(v.22)

The Spirit repeats thrice in vv.23-25 Jesus makes a general observation; secondly with regards to those who would want an abiding life as branches to the true Vine. " Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!"(v.24)

"Who then can be saved?/And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible."(vv.26-27) Grace is required to negotiate between true riches and other man's riches.

On the other hand true riches of man has been established between God and Man and the blessings are allowed to whosoever trusted the Son unreservedly. Besides God sanctified the day Seven and would send him to the world in fullness of time.

Mark 9:1-13 "As it is written of him"

Transfiguration of Jesus at the mount throws up light beyond the glorious body, a building of God eternal in heavens. The disciples going to Emmaus would not have recognized the risen Jesus but they did and it had to do with the word. " Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"( Luke 24:31-32). When Jesus opened their eyes they did know it was he indeed.

Then we have the mount itself to consider. "And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them."(v.2). As with the Sermon on the mount we have the high mountain which is the testimony of God and Jesus as the rock cut not with hands, signifying we are looking at the Word become flesh.

Mark mentions Moses and Elias " and they were talking with Jesus."(v.24). When Jesus explained the word of God to Cleopas and his companion, "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself." ( Luke 24:27) Luke elsewhere gives an additional insight to the transfiguration."And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:/Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem." Moses and Elias and Jesus are the three in glory in that specific moment of transfiguration while the three disciples, Peter James and John were in their physical bodies. In short, the Transfiguration is clear illustration of two worlds of the Spirit and of the flesh and blood operating simultaneously. The word concerning him sets prophets serving outside the timescale as we know the term. For this reason Jesus speaks of Elias,"But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him." (v.13) The ministry of Elias and Moses were as a double Jesus Christ

Mark 9: 43-48 "Hand Foot and Eye" (1 of 2)

Here we have a saying that must prove as Euclid's Elements proposed pons asinorum for the medieval students; and here we have one as similar for those who approach the word of God by intellect and explain the meanings literally. Here are three injunctions stated by Jesus Christ: "And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off" (v.43) secondly, "And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off" (v.45) and finally, And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out."(v.47). The Spirit gives the same formula after the three sayings that makes it special and to be understood as of grave importance. In v.44,v.46 and in v.48 "Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.". Seven messages to the churches end with the same line, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;."(Re.2:7). If the formula is specifically applied to the churches what shall we make of Jesus gives at the end of the Parable of the Sower? "And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear."(4:9,23;Matt.13:9) "It is to his disciples unto whom grace is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. This formula forms a hedge about, a caveat for whosoever would want to enter the kingdom of God. In this context the Spirit while presenting the 'seven days' from the everlasting covenant in Ge.Ch.1 we have this at the end of each 'day', "And the evening and the morning were...".(1:5,8,13,19,23,31). Where was these leading us to? "And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made." Seventh day explains that He blessed whosoever would enter therein in his Son.(Ge.2:3) The hand foot and the eye refers to the body of the church or the Bride. Hence both gospels of St Mark and Matthew sets these sayings in context of offending 'these little ones that believe in me"(9:41-42; Matt.18:6)

Our Lord JESUS emphatically said:All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth-Mat.28:18.

The world of Devil as a whole,with all kind of structures they all have, yeah,all the nations and peculiar system of life of each one,are sufferring and will suffer catastrofic and insufferable punishments in this seventh and last millennium,or seventh and last Day,the LORD's Day.Get ready.

See,the precedent period of Tribulation,period of sorrows listed by JESUS-Mat.24:3-8-is the first signal of the beginning of the ETERNAL chastisement ahead.In fact,the ETERNAL punishment of all nations it had a written deadline to start,understand?And it has already really started.

Now,within this environment of punishments and pains and entire collapse of the Devil's world,the false messiah of the Jews will manifest himself as JESUS prophesied,saying to the Jews an IMPOSTOR they will receive as their messiah- John 5:43-47, combined with 2 Thes.2:3-12,and Re.13 :11.

Thus, in the midst of severe chastisement and great suffering in all nations due the wrath of the Lamb,-Re.6:14-17, we will soon see two Beasts reigning on Earth:

1-the old Gentile Beast of the Sea; and

2-the Beast of the earth(Israel)who will still manifest himself, from then on will begin the period of the last week(of years), the 70th week Daniel 9:27,and each Beast will reign for 3.5 years-42 months-or 1260 days-and who will first rule the 5th and last satanic kingdom - Daniel 2:41-44- is the old Gentile Beast of the sea-Re.13:1.

Then Re.11:2 and Re.13:5 will begin LITERALLY to be fulfilled as first period of the last week.The worst of all punishments will happen in the beginning of the 2nd half of the last week,with the establishment of the Abomination of Desolation for 1290 days-Dan.12:v.11.

12Blessed is he that waiteth,and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.(Oh yes,blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the Ineffable,Wonderful,Indescribable,Unspeakable day,the day 1.335.Hallelujaaah!!!

Mark 9:50 "Life"

"Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."

Salt is compared to life which could be lived to no purpose or to life abundant. The word of God warned Lot and his family to go forward but Mrs Lot would rather live in the past. "Remember Lot's wife," serves as a warning to all those who holds no vision as Abraham has had. "For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God." He.11:10. So living in tents as pilgrims and sojourners his vision ever led him forth so much so heaven in the Parable of Jesus is compared to Abraham's bosom.

In vv28-50 the Spirit mentions the house as separate from the world. "And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out?" As with parables the mysteries were not for those who had no appreciation for the saltiness of their soul. Killing time in mindless pursuits is what they call as having good time. From the edge of their lost contents they may sent postcards telling,'wish you were here!'. In the house the disciples would press their masters for answers so they did have a sound base upon which they could build up, "Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another."

vv.33-34 There was oneupmanship among them. How often did they forget that they could nothing without their master? The house is a synonym for abiding life as in the Parable of the 'I am the true vine.' ( John 15:3) They were yet to understand the principle of Association. Charity of giving a glass of water is in the connection between the one in need and God in heaven. "Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me." False shepherds wax eloquent over 1 Co.13 and let not their Jesus talk fool anyone. Without abiding life in Christ it is for their own glory.

Mark 9:18-19 "Thy disciples"

"And I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not./He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me."

Jesus' call,"Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me," includes not only the twelve but whosoever is called, and according to the scriptures (which hinges on the blessings spelt forth in the covenant,) is expected to respond.The living soul would mean whosoever valued truth above what is seen or temporal so life of the Spirit sets the polestar for his onward voyage. "I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star."(Re.22:16). It is thus the inner man presents the gospel to man. Faith with works renders him hold Jesus Christ as the Captain of his salvation and run the race so the only life he seeks is beyond life of the senses. Peter merely responded to the question and answered correctly, "Thou art the Christ."(8:29) Shortly there after he shows he was still struggling to find his feet in the matter of discipleship. Rebuking him Jesus said,"for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."(8:33). Peter and the rest had a long way to go but the promise was that they lived by grace, from his fullness. Wherever they fumbled Jesus was ther as in the case of the demon possessed boy, Jesus would say, "bring him unto me".

"Let him deny himself" also meant the disciples were amenable to correction. "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."( John 3: 21). Peter had to bear his cross, and denial of Christ was in the past for Jesus forgave his lapse and placed the flock under his care. "Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it."

Two WARS run in the Earth-Russia/Ukraine& Israel/Palestine,the worst WAR will happen in HEAVEN,a celestial ENVIRONMENT (Eph.1:3-8),a spiritual WAR-Re.11:15-18;and one of the 7 heads of the Beast of sea,a Gentile Beast-Re.13:1-the MAIN PARTNER of the Dragon-Re.13:11 combined with Re.13:2,will be mortally wounded-Re.13:3, and Isaiah 51:9-16 reveal as follow:

9Awake,awake,put on strength,O arm of the Lord;awake,as in the ancient days,in the generations of old.Art thou not it that hath cut RAHAB,and wounded the DRAGON?

10Art thou not it which has dried the sea(by allegory,now peoples,and NATIONS,and multitudes of all tongues),the waters of the great deep;that has made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over?(You know the Hebrews had to cross the Red Sea,and walk through a desert until they got to the Promised Land.What about GOD's people now in this current time?)Now GOD's people must go through(I mean win a war)against the Red Dragon)

11Therefore the redeemed of the Lord shall return,and come with singing unto Zion;and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy;and sorrow and mourning shall flee away

12I,even I,am he that comforteth you:who art thou,that thou should be afraid of a man that shall die,and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;

13And forgettest the Lord thy maker,that has stretched forth the heavens,and laid the foundations of the earth;and has feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor,as if he were ready to destroy?where is the fury of the oppressor?

14The captive exile hastenes that he may be loosed,and that he should not die in the pit,nor that his bread should fail.

15But I am the Lord thy GOD,that divided the sea,whose waves roared:The Lord of hosts is His name

16And I have put my words in thy mouth,and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand,that I may plant the heavens,and lay the foundations of the earth,and say unto Zion,Thou art my people

Get ready

Mark 9:1-13 "As it is written of him"

"And how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought." (v.12)

This key verse shall explain this saying of Jesus. It also tells how vital was for the multitude that he called them as well as his disciples, so it goes to the very core of the kingdom of God. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it./For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"(8:34-36). For my sake and for the gospel's sake is distinct from the Son for whom 'this day' is decreed. (Ps.2:7) So the gospel and the Word become flesh, the Son of man fulfills the provision of 'the seven days' in the everlasting covenant.

What God has sanctified covers the body of Christ and the duration of which is 'this day'. God was from the beginning and the Word was with him. Because of Adam and his disobedience sin entered into the world so with obedience what Jesus proved was the excellence of the soul which is the earnest of divine sovereignty of soul. Life of the vile body cannot let go "I will" So when the pomp and circumstance of the king of Tyre wants to impose his will he proves to whom he holds affinity. His will worship sets him as the son of perdition. "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire./Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." (Ez.28:14-16; "I will be like the most High./Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell."-Is.14:14-15)

God made man a living soul, and the life is what the Word become flesh made manifest. Humility of Jesus set at nought his own body after the likeness of men. So redemption of one's soul has only single way into the kingdom of God. "I am the Way" Ph.2:5-9)

Revelation 12:10-14 help us to understand prophecies of Isaiah described as posted below:

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven(heaven?Eph.1:3-8),Now is come salvation,and strength,and the KINGDOM OF OUR GOD (Re. 11:15-18 combined with 1Cor.15:24-26 & Luke 20:35-36.Take a look), and the power of his Christ:for the accuser of our brethren is cast down,which accused them before our GOD day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the BLOOD of the Lamb,and by the Word of their testimony;and they loved not their lives unto the death.

12 Therefore rejoice,ye heavens(the celestial environment of the OT and NT-Eph.1:3-8),and ye that dwell in them.Woe to the inhabiters of the earth(Israel,the clay-Is.64:8-the dry land-Gen.1:9)and of the sea (waters-Gentile nations-Re.17:15)! for the Devil is come down unto you,having great wrath,because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

13 And when the dragon(Re.12:9)saw that he was cast unto the earth,he persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child.

14 And to the woman(to the Church of the Lord)were given two WINGS(OT and NT-the Bible)of a great eagle,that she might FLY into the wilderness,into her place,where she is nourished(by the Word of GOD, the Word is GOD)for a time,and times,and half a time(1260 days, caught up), from the face of the serpent.

There will be WAR against three unclean spirits like frogs-Re.16:13-15-,and one of the seven heads of the Beast of sea(waters-Re.17:15- refer to a Gentile Beast) will be wounded mortally.(Re.13:3). By the way, the next Pope is the last to be elected.

Be careful and get ready

Mat.25:6-At midnight there was a cry:Behold,the bridegroom cometh;go ye out to meet Him

Rev.19:7-8

7Let us be glad and rejoice,and give honour to him:for the marriage of the Lamb is come,and his wife hath made herself ready

8And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white:the fine linen is the righteousness of saints

How does Revelation describe the marriage supper?

Re.19:17-18

17And I saw an angel standing in the sun;and he cried with a loud voice,saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven,Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great GOD;

18That ye may eat the flesh of kings,and the flesh of captains,and the flesh of mighty men,and the flesh of horses,and of them that sit on them,and the flesh of all men...

Questions?

1-An angel standing in the sun:What sun?

We know that the woman is clothed with the sun-Re.12:1.It must be the light of the greater Light-JESUS. Malachi 4:2-Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings;

2- the fowls that FLY in the midst of heaven:What fowls?

Is.60:1-5&8-A clue to understand these allegories:

1Arise,shine;for thy light is come,and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.

2For,behold,the darkness shall cover the earth(Israel,the clay-Is.64:8 combined with Gen.1:9),and gross darkness the people:but the Lord shall arise upon thee,and His glory shall be seen upon thee

3And the Gentiles(the waters-Gen.1:9 and Re.17:15)shall come to thy light,and kings(Re.1:6) to the brightness of thy rising

4Lift up thine eyes round about,and see:all they gather themselves together,they come to thee:thy sons shall come from far,and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side

5Then thou shalt see,and flow together,and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged;because the abundance of the sea-Re.17:15-shall be converted unto thee...the Gentiles shall come unto thee

...

8Who are these that FLY as a cloud,and as the doves to their windows?

Next

Matt.8:27 "Whom do ye say I am"

"And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?"

Ministry of Jesus Christ was foreordained so how the Gospel yielded on earth was in terms of the Son. As the Son of man he became the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. so the number of Seven as the Perfect Number has ministry yet being crowned with glory and honor. So we have Jesus Christ who of God has become Sanctification. "For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,"(He.2:9-11; 1 Co.1:30) What Elijah did in the time of the kings was as a double for the Son. The Spirit gives the tag Three and a half (Time, Times and a Hal another variant)" to establish in terms of the Word was God and the Word become flesh there is split. Seven days in the everlasting covenant shall be fulfilled.

St Mark's narrative prepared for this confession by Peter by the healing of the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman. Truth in her inward parts gave faith wings when needed to say what pleased Jesus. "And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter./And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed."(7:29) Truth for all is the same since God fashioned all heart alike. But He shall try their works. So faith with works is working in obedience to the word and with the Son. "And he charged them that they should tell no man of him."(v.30)

As with the blind man Jesus tells his disciples to tell no one. We have an example in Matt.28:12-18. The Jews conspired to bury the truth of resurrection and still is continues where alternate reality is practised and the base cannot have enough of it.

Mark 8:26-30 "Few are chosen"

"And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town."

Jesus laid his hand upon the blind man second time and his answer establishes that he was the Christ, the Son of God. His laying hand is very similar to the shadow, an example we have seen in the Acts of the Apostles.(5:15) The shadow of Peter doubling for ' under the shadow of the Almighty." By sending him away Jesus was commanding to live by faith in God who as the Psalmist confesses, "in him will I trust."(Ps.91:1-2).In other words he was ordained to live serving Him so he was to seek fellowship elsewhere and not with the unbelievers. "Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure./...Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after."(1 Ti.5:22,24)

Calling was universal as the Marriage of the King's Son tells us. "Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage./ So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests."(Matt.22:9-10). But without righteousness no one will be admitted.

Kingdom of God is not about quantity but of life everlasting. "For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost./For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men."(Ro.14:17-18)

Jesus at the end of the parable said,"For many are called, but few are chosen."(Matt.22:14). God knows who are his which has no expiry date. In his Son God has foreseen them and the word of God shall see it is fulfilled "But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land."( Luke 4:25) See the tag of Three and a half?

Mark 8:37-38 "Soul of man"

"Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?/ Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

God breathed into the nostrils of man and made him a living soul. The Gospel of St Mark sets his sights on the Gospel with the Son of man in the glory of his Father with his holy angels.So emphasis is on nations, of light and of the darkness. Nation of Israel and of the Gentiles are besides the point.

The healing of the blind was a case in point. He would be taken apart from Bethsaida, a disbelieving town as Jesus joining his disciples in the ship was a signal to calm the seas. Similarly as with the symbolism of the house, the vessel was separate from the boisterous sea, a metaphor for the wicked world. The blindness of the man shall be only cleared when he saw the holy angels as men set apart in the world of the Spirit. Breath of God is the expression of the eternal word so his divine will is a sign for the truth set in his inward parts. Soul is the inner man for which he is accountable to Him.

In the night vision of Daniel the Spirit refers to the Son"and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven." One like the Son of man considering it was a night vision we can be certain that we are looking at the everlasting covenant when "the judgment was set, and the books were opened."(Dan.7:11,13). The Gospel sets with the generation of Jesus Christ those who are his and those who rejected it as belonging 'in this adulterous and sinful generation'. So predestination merely refers to the calling and we who are his, are warned to make our calling and election sure.

Jesus would yet preach in Bethesda so his obedience to the Word overrode everything else. "woe unto thee, Bethsaida!,"(Matt.11:21-22)

Mark 8:22-23 "Bethsaida"

"And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him./ And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town"

In Ch.6 :45 we find that after Feeding the Five Thousand Jesus sent his disciples by a ship on the sea of Galilee while he took time out to pray. The miracle of walking on water occurs here. Bethsaida may be the epitome of wicked and adulterous generation Jesus refers to in Ch.8:11-13 "And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him./ And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation." This also happens about the same lake. St Mark uses the stilling of the boisterous sea by Jesus for a purpose. "And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased." (6:51) The troubled sea refers to the wicked world and Bethsaida was condemned for their rejection of the Son. For this reason Jesus laid the blind man out of the town.



So what lesson do we take from the healing of the blind? He looks up and saw men walking as trees; isn't this how false teachers declare prosperity and their active faith the means to make them richer? "And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod."(8:15). Man of flesh and blood cannot enter the kingdom of heaven. So Christ lays his hand again upon him,"After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly." When we see Christian nationalism and culture wars about us be certain their blindness is no less.

Bethsaida was renamed as Julia as a sop to the Imperial Rome by the grandson of Herod but it's was condemned to be wiped off from the face of the earth. It is just another name for the cities so judged and named in Re.11:8.

Comparing the Resurection to the Rapture

John 11:26 says... And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

A true believer is "crucified with Christ" and it is not I who live ( Gal. 2:20). Our experience will differ somewhat in timing from those already asleep ( 1 Thess. 4:16). As Hebrews 9:27 states we are all to "die once and face the judgment". Also it states being "absent from the body is present with the Lord." ( 2 Cor. 5:8). This necessitates the "Bema Seat" judgment to occur at death; or in the case of those still alive and raptured up; at that time. So in a sense; it will be in completing the death process of the sanctification which ultimately brings us eternal life.

I have often reminded people that martyrdom should it come is the end of a life of sanctification. In some ways that would be much like the Rapture in that there is a sudden end to our time on earth. It is possible someone could be martyred after a rather poor testimony and lukewarmness in this life; but more often scripturally at least it seems the persecutions and sufferings prepare a person for that end and death is simply a final display of Christ's holiness in the life of a saint. These truths are what makes all the claimed dreams about the rapture seem suspect. For one thing the Resurrection of the just is rarely even mentioned even though scripture states it to be the first thing immediately followed it seems by the Rapture of those still alive at the time. Some debate if Revelation 4:1 is indeed a foreshadowing of the Rapture; I would say it is and certainly the vision of Christ in the first chapter and his state of being as though dead will be our own condition when first beholding His glory. There is much ado about deceased relatives and other glories of a heavenly place and whatever is stated scripturally about that is true but of course the majesty of God overshadows that. Whatever the trip up is; the Bema Seat takes front & center

God does not lie .

Genesis chapter 2 verse 17 . Adam and Eve did not die on that very day .

2nd Peter chapter 3 verse 8 .

How long did Methuselah live ? Genesis chapter 5 verse 27 .

No one ever lived to fulfill one thousand years or as it states in 2nd Peter chapter 3 verse 8 one day .

God does not lie . We just don't always put the pieces together correctly .

Ezekiel 18:25-28 states:

25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal?

26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die.

27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

28 Because he considereth, and turneth away from all his transgressions that he hath committed, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

These verses at first glance seem to contradict the idea of the Grace of God. A basic argument that holds some water here is that the Spirit of God didn't work at it does today ( John 16:8) with a permanent indwelling as this and other verses promise.

We could also look at such instances as King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:6 who apparently had a righteous life and God heard his prayer to continue 15 more years. One good study is with Saul's foolishness which ended with an early death after he saught wisdom from the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. We see other wicked kings as well have a shortened life; perhaps also Solomon. Of course we all die physically; and some would argue the soul dies also only the spirit goes on to eternity. I would add the solution is in verse 31 of Ezekiel 18 which mentions getting a new heart and spirit. This only comes through the Lord ( Ezekiel 36:26-27). Without this we can superficially ask forgiveness every time an outward sin is found; but this doesn't make us able to do good because of man's sin nature; and ignores sins of omission as well as one's we aren't aware of. It also shows how we shouldn't boast how long we haven't sinned as some foolishly proclaim; ignoring warnings in 1 John about the fact that we are a liar if we claim we have no sin. God's children are corrected even through their sin in the sanctification process.

Mark 8:1-9 "Three and Seven" (2 of 2)

How Jesus presented the loaves in the Feeding of Five Thousand is different than in the Four Thousand. Mark presents the Son of man, "And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed" (6:41). His humanity is revealed here. He looks up to heaven so when he gathers the 12 baskets of broken loaves it is the testimony of the word become flesh. Compare it with the Four Thousand,-"And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people."(8:6-7) As the Son he gave thanks or blessed them. He does not look up to heaven as in other case. The Spirit is very particular as draw a distinction between the Son (the heaven) and the Son of man (the earth). In short the body of the scriptures revolve about two loci, from his deity and from his humanity respectively.

It is also noteworthy that the Spirit has given us this short colloquy in order to instruct us the point we make in these posts:

"When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve./ And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.? And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?" (8:19-21) For those who approach his word superficially the Spirit asks ,"How is it that ye do not understand?"

Mark 7:32-37

"(Jesus)he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak."

As with the raising of Jairus' daughter Jesus does healing and St Mark intends us to see it as significant. "And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him./And he took him aside from the multitude,." In the case of the man with palsy, "And it was noised that he was in the house."(2:1) He saw the faith who found an ingenious way to get the man before Jesus. "When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee."(2:1-5,10) Who was Jesus? "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins," it was faith that connected him to the world. His Father sent him with a mandate that made sin standing athwart man and his malady. So he addressed it by forgiving him. Their faith was good as of the impotent man.

Whether in the house or in the open, the man in need of a cure was on one-to -one with Jesus and faith was what effected the healing. In the case of the Syrophoenician woman who sought out Jesus when he visited their environs, the demon-possessed damsel was in her house while her mother displayed her faith. She was as much an intercessor as Jesus stood in relation to his Father. "Behold I and the children which God hath given me./ Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;/And deliver them.(He.2:13-15)" Her daughter was instantly healed as in the case of the deaf and dumb man. " And straightway his ears were opened,... and he spake plain."(v.35) What is the significance of a man's spittle when it was the means to heal him? It just proves," Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same." His humanity fits with his need.

Mark-7 Synopsis

In vv.3-4 Mark explains for the non Jewish converts about the tradition of the elders. Similarly he quotes the words and supplies its meaning. "Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise."(5:41)

In vv. 5:40 "And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying." The world would not know the distinction between sleeping and dying. In the land of the living Jesus knew his Father better than they all. He is the God of the living. So he did not want the disbelieving world in the house where he was present.

Another interesting feature of the gospel is in the manner the Evangelist uses the tag of the house to designate two worlds. In the raising of the dead Jesus goes into the house and in healing the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman he rewarded her implicit faith by sending her off,"And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed."(7:30).In both cases the house has to have belief for its own sake. "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?"( Luke 18:8). The earth abides forever because it belongs to the Son.

vv.14-16 Jesus preaches gospel to the world and the Spirit gives us a clue as to how it is to be interpreted." If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." St Mark thereafter inserts this verse, "And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable."(v.17) The house is where the Master expounds truth to those who hunger after righteousness."But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear./ For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them./Hear ye therefore." (Matt.13:16-18)

Mark 7:13 "Of none effect"

" Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye."

Parable of the Sower illustrates how the word sown in the heart of man fails to produce what is intended. God formed all hearts alike but the enemy slipping in tares speak of a heart that is let untended. It is a no man's land or the wayside where birds of the air can make away with the good seed. The heart is like a sluggard's field for many and with such what is truth? It is all things to all occasions. God commanded the man not to eat of the fruit of tree of knowledge of good and evil. But Eve let the serpent an occasion to hear his take on the matter. is truth to be treated for anyone to counsel how? Eve let the context determine her course of action. Her senses took over bypassing what was inscribed in her hearts. Ever since what has knowledge of good and evil given her? God cursed the ground, "for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;/ Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee;"(Ge.3:17-18)

Spiritual meaning of thorns and thistles we may glean from the Parable of the Sower. For instance the oncologists warns us of a troubling trend that Early onset cancer, which is defined as happening in adults under 50 years of age, is no anomaly. In fact, it is part of a rising global trend in which newly diagnosed cancer patients are getting younger. Further, it deflates the myth that cancer is the preserve of older people. Cumulative effect of sin treated so lightly for instance glossing over the works embedded in faith so fruits of the Spirit is produced by abiding life in Christ. How can those actively engaged in culture wars, and churches that ride the coattails of politicians come to the light lest their works of darkness be reproved by Christ? Instead the imposter religion has traditions of their elders. Sin never remains single but every evil work are carried on without let up

Mark 7:1-9 Doctrinal war"

God framed the worlds by the word of God. So the Word lays down the constitution of His kingdom where both unseen and what was made to appear are complete in his Son Jesus Christ. (He.11:3; Col.1:19). Of him we received grace for grace which empowers us to not only believe in him and enjoy the liberty of producing the fruits of the Spirit. Besides the blessings of his Father in him also has given us the peace which is not as the world can give so death signifies only dissolution of our vile bodies. Everlasting life that comes with faith shall continue.

Mark narrates how the Pharisees and the scribes coming from Jerusalem were offended at the disciples of Jesus. "Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?"(v.5). How did the tradition of the elder become the Law without God permitting doctrine of men supersede his word? Recent news illustrates the same dilemma. Is Constitution of a nation and their Bill of Rights are to be given same sanctity and worshiped? Jesus did drive out those who made it a business, "And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves."(Matt.21:13). There is a place where state's business are transacted and when we pray it has to be done with all our heart our soul and might. This is how tradition of the elders where money is to be made becomes a doctrine. Where does it come from? Not from unwashed hands but from the heart of man. " For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,/Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:/All these evil things come from within, and defile the man."(vv.21-23)

What goes into the mouth shall find their own passage while what comes out of heart can be very deceptive. So love of God is either whole hearted for his glory or none at all.

Mark 6:45-56

v.10 "And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place." St Mark also designates the twelve as the associates so the principle of Association is stated indirectly. Those who rejected them was tantamount to reject him who sent them.(v.11a) Compare Matt.10:40; Luke 10:16. The cities stood in judgment and were not part of the house. This explains that Jesus was not aware of the fate of John the Baptist, who would remain within as Erasmus would not join with Luther when broke away from the Mother Church.In his case it did not work, either. Within a century of his death religious wars broke out widening the rift farther. Honor of Herod, the unclean spirit was working among princes of the church. Both Calvin and Luther were not behind in their maneuvering.

v.31 "And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while." Jesus had no interest in news of the day and it was no different than what we hear these days. Dog eats dog and ungodly men make a mountain of molehill of them. Their conspiracy theories are ropes they hang themselves with. So Jesus took them apart after they had completed their mission.

vv.39-40 " And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass./ And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties".In the multiplying of loaves those who present were to form file and rank and the order within the house speak of worship with a sober mind and peace. Peace of God is the characteristic of the house where they lodged. Rumors of war, accidents famine plagues that assail us from news media tells the world where Satan has them in thrall and what does he flash before their eyes? Honor of a Herod and worth is it? By not giving glory an angel would strike him instantly. What price was his glory? (Ac.12:22-23)

v.46 " And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray."

Mark 6:41 Two fishes"

"And the two fishes divided he among them all./And they did all eat, and were filled." Here we have an example of kangaroo words. The two primarily refers to the number of fishes while there were five loaves of bread. What you eat has it way of passage, and as Jesus took pains to explain it is eaten "Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats?(7:19). What the heart can do leads to everlasting life while traditions of man, with his table manners in the Roman times often lasted into late hours in suppers where the guests would end under the table in their own vomit. What the Spirit is demonstrating are heaven and earth as two worlds so Jesus " And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them."(v.41)

Before appointing the twelve he goes up to a mountain, and called them who would. His Sermon on the Mount set the Rock of Ages for a testimony and Mark similarly narrates that Jesus bound the twelve to service so their authority came from heaven as his came. As the master so were the disciples.

As indicative of their singleness of purpose Jesus took the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them." In short the disciples were partakers of the heavenly calling.(He.3:1). The number of fishes is two and signifies a number of objects each is set in terms of God. God fashions all hearts alike and tries their works. In the Parable of the Talents each servant was bound to give account over them. Number of men in this chapter "And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men".(v.44) In the other,"And they that had eaten were about four thousand: "(8:9). These are set for a purpose.

Why do men hate God?

When attempting to bring attention to man's deplorable state of heart Wh( Jeremiah 17:9) I have found in my own self examination that it is best to evaluate all that we consider what Phillipians 4:8 states and then look at our own heart and soul carefully.

When we seek all that men may say is kind; benevolent; compassionate; etc. and try to find pleasure in life apart from God of course we look to other religions and usually end up in a humanistic mentality. We ascribe to others as well who seem to portray such attributes as somehow "enlightened". I can only speak for myself as a man here; but how much of the flesh is appealed to in today's "Christian" music industry? If someone is young; thin and attractive does it move us as much as someone who is a bit overweight and unattractive who performs on stage? Do we favor those in our own social circles or families above others? What are our motives when we serve others?

Such logic of course often results in men not appreciating what God does provide such as a wife mentioned in Proverbs 18:22.

To find the "grass greener on the other side of the field" people think it worthwhile to get a new model and get rid of the spouse that they have been granted by covenant; something Malachi 2:15 says we should not do (also see Proverbs 15:18-20). Interestingly Proverbs 15:8 just before that talks about the sacrifice of the wicked being detestable as contrasted to prayers of the righteous.

Of course many hate God outright; at least being honest about their intentions; accusing God often of being a "killjoy" and sometimes being an admitted Satanist "do as thou wilt" mentality. Of course we have to look at men's obvious evil acts; so we have laws God has set forth to keep order. With all the self professed benefits of "freedom" we see the end result in the fruits of violence and discord in society that many possess or develop as the cultish mentality comes out. Mark 7:21 is the end result.

Mark 6:7 "The Twelve"

"And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits."

Jesus ordained them for a purpose. " And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him./And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach"(3:13-14).Having introduced the disciples the Spirit gives us two symbols which gives an altogether different emphasis to the discipleship.

We shall first examine it before we take up the topic. St Matthew presents the doctrine of his Father before a mountain while St Mark informs us that Jesus first went up into a mountain and calls whom he would. It does not mean the twelve disciples were among them but the emblem of Zion (Is.28:16; Matt.5:1) is the witness for the discipleship. Jesus Christ the rock of ages embodies the doctrine of his Father; so are the twelve disciples. By choosing Judas Iscariot as one of the twelve he was accountable to the Word as he as the word become flesh his testimony also was on the line. Testimony of Jesus: the spirit of prophesy.(Re.19:10) . Mark gives us the list and ends with," And Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house." (3:19) The house is not specified but the house serves as a proper context for Jesus and all his twelve disciples. St Mark sets the entire gospel about Jesus as that of the Son so the house referred here is the Father's house." In my Father's house are many mansions:.:( John 14:2) Of whose house are we? Is simplicity in Christ or honor of Herod what do we hunger for?

When it was time he sent them as the key verse says, two by two and gave them authority just as his Father had given him.

Jesus had no place to lay his head. He sent his disciples similarly to depend solely on His Father in heaven. Faith made them feel at home and the peace of which was not as the world gives. This was Christ's testimon.y

Mark 6:14-18 "Honor of Herod"

" and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him."

Herod was not farther from truth to set John in relation to Jesus. Nevertheless he had blood on his hand. Satan is a murderer. (John8:44) Mark set the Gadarenes episode to bring out the similarities with the unclean spirits, be it one or legion having the same cast of mind, they know the truth when they see or hear it. Is is under the department of conscience. Herod's conscience pricked that he put to death an innocent man. But Satan had given him safe cover as with the man with the legion at his throat. He would not cast them out by faith. Instead he did some monkeying. his untamed spirit was such the Marvel comics could have found their superhero, 'dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:"(5:3)

Satan had given his seat and authority as he did with the beast. (" and the dragon gave him his power, and his seat, and great authority-"Re.13:2)"For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly." In what was his fear different from the Jews? "This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me./Howbeit in vain do they worship me."(7:6-7) Herod read the script given to him and he had a part to play. Hearing with his heart and understanding the will of God and being converted was not allowed. Instead Satan gave him pomp and circumstance, as sop to the dignity of a ruler. Do we not see such honor unravelling before our very eyes? Power is potent as a drink. Even after drawn over hot coals of impeachment what do we hear? "They have stricken me, shalt thou say, and I was not sick; They have beaten me, and I felt it not: When shall I awake? I will seek it yet again."(Pr.23:35)

Such honor is like the golden ring on the snout of a swine.

Mark 5:36-45 Multiplying loaves (1 of 2)

While studying the significance of the command numbers Twelve and Seven respectively their place in the body of Scriptures is to fix the role of the Son as the heir of all things and the Son of man who is the Word become flesh. It is in the latter role whose humanity sets the doctrine of God as the good news since he died and rose again. "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man."(He.2:9). So he appointed the twelve in obedience to the Word who was with God.( John 1:1). By healing two, where twelve years are a reminder of the word of God stated in Ge.6:3. As the Word become flesh he obeyed the word of God. Similarly when virtue went out Jesus it was the Spirit's way of reminding that he was anointed for his ministry. He was the Servant-Messiah, fulfilling what was spoken of him by the prophets, "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses."(Matt.8:17)

For this reason the Spirit gives us the number of baskets as twelve, which serves as a testimony to God. "And they did all eat, and were filled./And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes."(vv.42-43)

The Holy Spirit tags the entities who made the everlasting covenant as the Father and the Son. Of the latter John says,"All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made./In him was life; and the life was the light of men."(John1:3-4). Fulfilling the divine Will of the Father we have the tag Seven which is Perfect number. Seven provisions in the covenant therefore are seven days. Thus when the angel warns "for the hour of his judgment is come" the hour is set in heaven and it is not as we count earth time. Ministry of Jesus is from heaven so what role did all the prophets until John did? ( Luke 16:16)

Hi everyone, i was kinda curious about revelation as it seems to be filled with many prophecies. so one thing that comes to mind is "what is the mark of the beast" found in revelation 13? would appreciate the explanation! thank you

Mark 5:24-34 "Twelve years"

"And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years," The Spirit gives us when it comes to the healing of the daughter of Jairus and the woman with an issue of blood the number in terms of years in both cases.

In the previous post we covered the Command number 12 being assigned to the gospel whether in heaven or on the earth. For this reason the Spirit refers to the everlasting gospel. ("And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people."-Re.14:6)

The spiritual significance of the gospel is set in terms of man. In the case of Noah we have this rule:"And the Lord said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years."(Ge.6:3) Life of The two who stood in need of healing was set in context of the word of God. By the same token having decreed a day for the Son (Ps.2:7-8) the seven 'days' are not days as we normally apply the duration of 24 hours. Instead it is set in the context of the everlasting covenant between God and Man. It is how we approach the entire opening chapter of the Book of Genesis. 'Days' and years" are kangaroo words so we are warned to look beyond the chronological time. We are considering the word as eternal and his promises are yea in his Son.

The woman with the issue of blood came where Jesus was present in order to get the healing. He was in a throng did not stop her, She herself thought of a way and "She said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole./ And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague./ And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?"(vv.28-30) She was a pioneer for this reason. We read in 6:56 the sick touching the hem.