Hi Chris: I didn't understand your first question so I can't answer it and I disagree that being sinless now make me revert back to a body like in the Garden of Eden but I don't want to go into that in this discussion.
I am sinless. As He instructs me to be because He says in His word for us to be perfect as His Father in heaven is perfect (Math. 5:48) and we are to be holy as He is holy. ( Leviticus 11: 44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7, 1 Peter 1: 15-16). People think these verses are just suggestions, or they don't count because they are in the OT. God's word from Genesis 1:1 to Rev. 12:22 all matter and tells us exactly how God wants us to live holy, righteous lives. I, of course, cannot be sinless as Jesus was because I was born into original sin and He wasn't. But when I was washed clean and made new by His divine blood, He rid me of the desire to sin. The devil tries to tempt me, but because I am without the nature to sin; the adamic nature, I have no desire to sin. I am also filled with the Holy Ghost, so I have all the weapons I need to resist him and as long as I keep these weapons, of prayer, reading and the study of His word, and fasting, new and at my side, I will be able to resist the temptation. It's when a christians gets lax or distracted or lazy that they can eventually fall back into sin. But if they want to make heaven they must do their first fruits (asking forgiveness for sin and asking that the desires for son be removed) again. These verses of perfection and holiness are exactly what God expects of us and He wouldn't tell us to be that way if He didn't make a way for us to be like this. I wasn't sinless until I gave my heart, soul and "old man" to Jesus. When I was saved, I not only prayed for my soul to be washed clean through His divine, forgiving blood, I also prayed and told the Lord that I didn't want to sin anymore and asked if He would take the desire to sin from me (the human nature I inherited from Adam.)
He answered my prayers and I was saved and sanctified and no longer a sinner, as long as I didn't go back into sin and backslide. I didn't have to "sin a little bit everyday" against my free will because I didn't want to sin in the first place."The old man" (human nature) was eradicated by the divine blood of Jesus. It was a wonderful time of joy.
Romans 6,
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The people in these verses are those who refuse to believe they are sinners in the first place, scoffers who don't believe in sin, don't think they need salvation because they don't believe they are sinners.
When Paul was writing this letter he expected the Roman church to read it from beginning to end, as a letter would be read, and to understand that, although the law needs to exist to show us what sin is, and that we can be tempted to break these laws and sin when we are tempted of satan, that as christians, God expected the church to live sinless because God forbade them to believe they could sin under Grace.
For those who may wish to respond to this discussion, I welcome the replies, however, please discuss the sinning/christian doctrine with scriptures and Godly common sense. Please show me where I am wrong with the scriptures I have used by telling me why the interpretation I have given is incorrect. Not simply by your opinion, but by other scriptures. What God says not man. God Bless :)
Yesterday I came across a YouTube video of Joyce Meyer who appears to be a Christian female pastor.
Most all Christians I see on TV come across as false teachers and this is troubling. Nearly all seem to be obsessed with money and power and are crafty and deceptive in their words. The following verse comes to mind:
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15 KJV
What I don't understand is how they come to this prominent position in the first place. Does God let them attain this and why?
Did they start out with good intentions then become corrupted, or have they always been wolves in sheep's clothing?
Hi GiGi: In this quote from your reply to me you have hit the nail right on the head with what you said at the very end which I highlighted.
"Good afternoon, Momsage, I am one who thinks that faults and propensities in our personalities and character can be considered sinful. If one has a quick temper, is easily provoked, unwilling to forgive offenses, is self-seeking, envies, prideful, thinks evil thoughts, or any number of "faults' or "weaknesses" one is sinning with these faults/weaknesses when we give in and let them be expressed." What you have listed, despite what you believe, are not faults, they are sins. The American Heritage Dictionary defines fault/weakness (these are the same thing) as minor character flaws. There is nothing minor about sin. Do you think the wages God promised us if we are sinning don't count because you believe in the sinning/christian doctrine: that you can't help behaving this way because of your human nature?
This is so wrong and dangerous. You assume that I am just as guilty of the sins you listed because you are. I am not. There is no sin in my life or on my soul and that isn't bragging, it's a testimony to the wonderful power of Jesus' divine blood that washed away my sins, sanctified me (killed the old man, human nature) and the keeping power of the Holy Spirit.
I heard the truth of Jesus Christ and His wonderful salvation in 1970. I sincerely believed in it and repented and gave my heart to Him completely and I became a true believer. Since that time, I did backslide, but God kept after me, took me back after I did my first fruits over again and now my life is totally dedicated to Him and I live without sin because I don't want to sin and don't believe "I have to sin a little bit every day." This belief makes no sense, it is an oxymoron: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words. Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
How sad that you and others who believe the precious, divine blood and the incredible power of the Holy Spirit is not good enough to overcome your human nature, that you have to struggle every day with sin, I perceive you are not talking about the temptation to sin or you wouldn't be calling yourself a sinner.
The whole reason you are still struggling with these sins is because you don't believe you can get them completely, totally out of your life. You can, if you believe in the sanctifying blood of Jesus and the strength of the Holy Spirit. We are also sanctified so that our human nature to sin is under the blood and it is eradicated. It has no more power over us as long as we give over to God during temptation and have faith that in Him that we will be able to overcome the temptation so we don't HAVE to sin, not so we CAN sin with impunity because we "can't" help it. This is so wrong. Why wouldn't you want to stop struggling with these sins and eradicate them form your life completely?
Here are some scriptures that tell this truth to us by God Himself:
Ephesians 4:22
"If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye PUT OFF concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye PUT ON THE NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (emphasis' are mine)
Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
Romans 6: 12-14
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts.
We all sin and this digs deep in your soul and let’s GOD know just how sorry you are and begs for mercy and asks to be forgiven while taking responsibility
I believe in the trinity doctrine, and believe it is vital in understand much of scripture.
However, no doctrine should cause you to hate your Brothern. I have not seen hatred towards non trinity believers on this site.
However, hating a false doctrine is another or thing.
There is doctrine like the trinity that causes division and to be truthful I have seen more people being chased down that hold the view than those that don't hold it.
If NOT holding the trinity view is not a salvation issue, then HOLDING the trinity view is also NOT a salvation issue.
Has either of the views consumed you?
Are you treating people the way you are asking to be treated?
If one feels discussing it is pushing it, and you engage in it by support from afar, or directly, are not you also guilty of pushing it?
Have we been moved off our purpose and as a body what we have been called to do?
Why don't we display the same energy when calling out sin such as abortion, same sex marriage, Partiality, "inside and outside the Church"?
What light is being displayed debating translations but yet refuse to spend your time with whatever translation you use to display the Gospel as it is put on the back burner.
We seem to spend a lot of time desiring vain glory, back slapping and display and at times shunning rather than edifying.
Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Are we doing that?
There is plenty of scripture to use to examine ourselves and there is certainly one word that we should all have for one another and that is Love.
Israel is counted among the nations that have come under the rod of the king of Babylon. As we shall see judgment beginning here leads us to the vision of Dry Bones(Ez.37). Judgment on Egypt and its auxiliaries lead to this, 'And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height (32:5)" From Ch.37 onwards Ezekiel eloquently raises the banner of God's Mercy and takes us to the Vision of living Waters,' a river that could not be passed over(47:5)'.It ties up the Vision of John in the City of God (Re.22:1).
"Nations"
In divine Will the nation of Israel stood in relation to Amorites and many other nations. God considered Abraham as His friend so he revealed why the Promised Land is denied to him. "For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." His Sovereign Will saw all men and nations as one so His mercy and judgment would demand Israel wait its turn while he judged Egypt before Israel was led forth to the land of promise. (Ge.15:16).
So chain of events bringing each player into prominence or move them aside was according to his Salvation Plan. Success of individuals was however dependent on their implicit trust in God.
"Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit(v.18).
'The daughters of the famous nations - i:e., the nations with their peoples. Egypt is to share the fate of other ancient nations 'Elam and all her multitude', Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude, Edom and Zidon were once prosperous and famous, now in decline. From the expression given below, 'go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised' we can assume that law of Gradation places all nations,- people of the covenant by the heathen nation as one and worthy of judgment. (See under M-law of Gradation)
This we have from God who appointed his prophet Ezekiel has his ministry as he has for Isaiah and Jeremiah. "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant (Je.1:10)" Not only rooting out but also planting are to be seen the back page. Gentiles and Israel shall be led to a Spiritual awakening that must however be on the ruin of worldly ambition and their vain strivings.
These nations were consigned 'unto the nether parts of the earth'. Compare with this verse, 'Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord(Obad.1:4).Judgment beginning with Egypt must be seen as one single arc connecting old world present and future so all ungodly nations being merely figment of the uncircumcised heart shall suffer the same fate.
The one and only purpose of mankind is to love and worship God and to treat others as we would want to be treated. If we choose to do this we are promised by our Creater an eternal life of unimaginably bless with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
I live in the middle of a small industrial town , right in its centre . Fifty yards from my home is a small lake where we have regularly been blessed by a pair of swans , they mate for life . Last year they raised six signets here . I was terrified for them because of this area , lots of dog walkers etc so I did include them in my prayers . From my home I can't quite see the lake because of another building in the way ,but this morning as I looked out of my kitchen window I saw four huge white birds flying together , I knew it's too late for geese , I quickly got my glasses and saw that it was four of the swans . They circled the area flying very high and after a minute , seemed to pick a direction and just flew off in a straight line . I watched them for as long as I could see them . May God bless them and keep them safe , healthy and together . Thy Kingdom Come , when lions shall lay down next to lambs and both shall eat straw and they shall not hurt nor destroy and shall learn war no more .
Mat. 7:15 Talks about wolves in sheep's clothing, false prophets. I was attending a non-denominational church. I loved the church. They were very loving, caring and fun to be with. The pastor seemed to be of the same spirit toward me. The sermon on Sunday morning was broadcast by our head pastor from another city on large screens but we did the service locally before his sermon. At the Wednesday night service my pastor, Pastor Bob, brought the sermon or a lesson. I wasn't as impressed with Pastor Jim's preaching as I was with my pastor and I always kind of wanted him to preach on Sunday mornings. Pastor Jim seemed a little arrogant. I had been a KJB user in all my walk with the Lord and these Pastors used the NIV. At the time I followed along in my KJB and paid close attention to what was being preached. One Sunday the musicians began singing the song "Reckless Love." I was disturbed by this song to me it was putting our righteous God in a negative light. I made a polite comment on a comment card that perhaps it wasn't a good song for us to be singing about our sovereign God but I wouldn't be offended if we sang it. Then I noticed that Pastor Bob began to shun me and finally I asked him aside to quietly talk to him before a Wednesday night service why he was treating me this way. He said my comment annoyed him because he loved the song. The wolf had revealed himself, loving a song more then me. He was cold and unfriendly, he then said he was going to read a scripture and I asked him to use the KJB version. He scoffed at me and as he walked away he said "That isn't even written by God!" I left the service immediately without a word to anyone. After much prayer, I never went back. The song was a mute point, how could I sit under this man's preaching who had thrown God's inspired Word out the window. I didn't say anything except to my Christian children so they would know why I stopped going. I pray God will bring Pastor Bob back to to the light.
"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. for the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if we will hear his voice. O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord all the earth, sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. for the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods."
I was just wondering why in the King James Bible some of the verses start with a half moon and I? It isn't necessarily when God or Christ is speaking and my Bible offers no explanation.
Based in the Word of God, on GOD's six Days of creation and one Day of rest (a total of seven days) plus the Scriptures that teach that one Day is with the Lord as a thousand years, so MANKIND would go through six GOD Days of 1,000 years each (a total of 6,000 years) plus a Millennium of 1,000 years rest (now a total of 7,000 years).
According biblical Chronology, starting by Genesis 5, as follow:
Adam lived .........................130 yrs and begat Seth
Seth lived ...........................105 yrs and begat Enosh;
Enosh lived .........................90 yrs and begat Kenan;
Kenanlived..........................70 yrs and begat Mahalalel;
Mahalalellived .....................65 yrs and begat Jared;
Jaredlived .........................162 yrs and begat Enoch;
Enochlived ..........................65 yrs and begat Methuselah;
Methuselahlived..................187 yrs and begat Lamech;
Lamechlived.......................182 yrs and begat Noah;
From Noah's birth till the Flood 600 yrs.
Total of years from Adam to the Flood=1656 yrs
Notice that the table above is proved by the Word of GOD,Let us study the times until our days by the Word of GOD-the Word is GOD. So,see the timetable below:
SIX PERIODS OF BIBLICAL TIMES -------------------- DURATION
I - From Adam to the Flood-( Genesis 5)---------------1656 years
II - From the Flood to Abraham-( Genesis 11&12)------427 years
III - From Abraham to Exodus-(Gal.3:17)--------------430 years
IV-From Exodus to king Saul-(1Reis6:1(480-84)-------396 years
V -From Saul to the fall of Jerusalem -------------------508 years
VI -From the fall of Jerusalem to Jesus -----------------587 years
Thus,from Adam to the 1stcoming of Jesus -----------4004 years
From Jesus to our days(Christian Calendar)-----------2023 years
Total from Adam to our days ---------------------------6027 years
So, we are living in the beginning of the seventh and last millennium
He is ALL powerful. There is nothing that is impossible for Him to do except sin and go against His character. He is the Supreme Being whose power is unlimited, infinite in strength and unsurpassed by any power that exists. Nothing can out-power Him.
It is so amazing to think that the whole of creation was made by His own power according to His own will executed by the Son and Spirit with Him. In our creatureliness we know well our limitations and how small our own faith can be in what God can do. We should ask Him for whatever we need and wish to happen in our lives with trust and belief that He is good and more than able to do whatever He wills.
Knowing that God is stronger that angels and demons, men and his inventions, any nation, any governing power, any fore in nature. He can move mountains, literally, if He so wishes, flatten them, dry up the oceans, whatever He wishes to do wit in nature He will do. No one can thwart Him in His righteous works.
Yet, when there are great tragedies such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires and so many die or are injured and our homes are destroyed, we wonder why He let "innocent" people be taken by such disasters. He could prevent these things from ever happening.
When people get ill or diseased, when an epidemic takes so many lives, we wonder "Why".
When war happens and people get overtaken by their enemies and so many are killed, maimed, or taken prisoner. We gasp at the horror of war.
But we can know that God is sovereign. He knows who are His in every situation and will do what works best in His great plan. We can always look to Him to guide us in times of troubles and strengthen us when we suffer if He chooses for us to go through these things.
The end of all this is that GOD WINS! The evil one was defeated at the cross and we can know that our inheritance is far greater than we could ever know.
Gen. 17:1 He calls Himself "God Almighty" to Abraham,
here we come to letter "O" and there are three biggies i regards to God.
OMNISCENT-ALL KNOWING
OMINPOTENT-ALL POWERFUL
OMINIPRESENT- PRESENT EVERYWHERE AT ALL TIMES.
This post will take up the omniscience of God. He knows everything that is, everything, that happens in past history and everything that will happen in future history. He knows everything from everlasting to everlasting.
He knows every thought that has ever been made by heavenly beings or humans and He knows every thought that will occur in the future. He knows every word ever spoken or what will be spoken. Nothing is hidden from Him: in heaven, on earth, and in hell.
Therefore, God cannot be fooled, deceived, taken by surprise, and fail to have a plan for every aspect of every person's existence. He knows all of the animals, when they die, they are born. When they need food, and when they are preyed upon.
He knows all that is in all of the universe. He is the Creator. He makes alive and brings death to man and living things. He knows the smallest aspect of atoms and all that makes up a planet, solar system, galaxy, everything in outer space, all of the powers that He put in place to order the universe, light, gravity, magnetism, force, energy, matter, and that which is immaterial in the spiritual realm.
For some such knowledge may cause them to fear God and want to hide from Him, but believers can be comforted that He knows what we need before we ask and is a good Father and gives His children good gifts when they ask of Him. He knows who we will interact with each moment and desires to helps us to do what is loving and good to others.
He knows all of our health matters from the time of conception to the time of our death. We may not know why we may become ill or be injured or be afflicted with a disease. But God know why He allows all things in our life. We can trust that His will is always good and best for us.
He knows who our children are before they are conceived, same with us.
Could I ask for more info on the topic that I was presented with:
Jesus answered to His family that wanted to see Him, by saying I am with my Mother and Sisters and brethren, ( Matt 12:49) when I am with my followers. Does this then justify that the commandment (Honor your father and your mother) could refer to to elderly "brothers and sisters" within the Body of Christ, be seen as your "father and Mother" and not your biological parents?
Parable of the Sower is explained in vv18-23 so any additional explanation refers to it must fit within the meaning intended. In the age of missionary work each evangelist like pioneers of 48s bring in many with whose help churches are planted, shops are set up from where regularly tracts and other Christian literature including Bibles can be distributed. Gold rush in the past created boom towns and in the Gospel outreach we may see similar seed plots forming. The seeds sown by the Sower falling by the wayside refer to the failure in grounding the believer with the wholesome doctrine. Jesus was aware of the problem. "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;/Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest."(9:37-38)
"When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side."(v.19)
There is likelihood of strange birds descending who like Simon the Sorcerer (Ac.8:21) and seven sons of Scava, the Jew setting up their own spiel. Either their heart is not right before God or that they are preaching, by second hand 'by Jesus whom Paul preacheth'(Ac.19:13).
vv.20-21 stony places refer to the spiritual state of a believer by some hidden fault,-unconfessed sin or unforgiveness against others so this has to be dealt with first.
"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."(v.24). No two hearts produce same results no two stomachs would mean their intake also will be alike. The same principle in the collecting of manna did apply:"And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over,....they gathered every man according to his eating.:(Ex.16:18) We are all fellow-laborers with Christ.
Parables are to be understood as introduction 'How To Do the Will of My Father in some easy lessons' could well be the byline to the whole body of Parables. Key to understand him is to do the will of God the Father,"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself ( John 7:17)."
Judaea being a pastoral land people surely would have understood the hazards a sower faced some seed falling over stony places and birds of the air making away with good portion of what cast aboard. Many of his audience as with his disciples eked out a living by catch of the sea. He described life of the people in their everyday setting and it is of the here and now. As in his own case his humanity and divinity were to be totally resolved so his humanity reflected the nature of God. He did not therefore give tit for tat but raised himself consciously to delineate his Father in his humanity. It needed a conscious effort and so with parables one did not solve the Two worlds-in-one simply by hearing. As Jesus explains the parables were also a medium to separate chaff from the good."And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?/He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given(13:10-11)".
This explains the caveat placed by the Spirit:"Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."(v.9)
Faith is signified by the ear of faith. So hearer is only one who hears as one has to do with background noise. Ear of faith listens and like the people of Berea, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so./Therefore many of them believed."(Ac.17:11-13)
"And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore./And he spake many things unto them in parables"
Compare the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount where "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him."Here we have his disciples mentioned, and his call to them was," Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."(3:19). The Mount represented where came from. Heavenly Zion on which the kingdom of heaven was founded. (Is.28:16). The number 12 accordingly was a reminder of Jesus Christ the Man the message.
He was the Mediator between heaven and the earth. The Spirit serves as a narrative mode of the eternal Word so Jesus speaking from a ship reinforces the context of the river of time. Parables were the means to reconcile the ways of God with those of man and it helped only those who were as single minded as the merchant man who 'had found one pearl of great price.' (vv.44-45). Is.55:9.
By principle of Association he was the bread from heaven and in the multiplying of loaves and fishes we are given heavenly realities set in comparison with the natural world. As many as who received him were the promise of God given. In line with the principle of Similitude Evangelist Matthew gives us the Last Supper where he broke the bread "And said, Take, eat; this is my body."(26:26; John 6:51). It is no coincidence that we have a Parable of the Wedding Banquet.(22:1-14)
Parables dealt with the Word as mentioned above and the Gospel of God signified the word become flesh. He was sent as foretold by the Preacher,"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days./Give a portion to seven, and also to eight."(Ec.11:1-2)
The earth as a field serves where the heart of man is understood as fashioned by God alike. Stony places point to the state of man who must deal with it to be fruitful.
About 2,000 years ago, in about the last days or about the last week, week 70 Daniel 9:27, JESUS warned: Matthew 24:6
6 And you will hear of wars and RUMORS of wars: take heed that you be not dismayed: for all these things must come to pass, but the END is not yet.
The testimony of my Lord JESUS is the Spirit of prophecy:
In LITERAL fulfillment of JESUS prophecy as above and for this current time, we see:
War between Russia and Ukraine;
War between Israel and Gaza;
Rumour of war between Venezuela and Guyana;
In fact, neither Biden nor the Americans want any more fights': what would be the US role in the crisis between Venezuela and Guyana? Well, my Lord JESUS is in command of the History from now on, and He will make to happen what needs to continue LITERALLY fulfilling what He preached for the last Day, that is the seventh and last Day or seventh and last millennium.
Be careful and get ready
My Lord JESUS also said There will be also war against three unclean spirits like frogs.(Why frogs?) - Revelation 16:13-15:
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs (a satanic trinity) come out of the MOUTH of the dragon, and out of the MOUTH of the Beast (Beast of sea- Revelation 13:1-10), and out of the MOUTH of the false prophet(false messiah- John 5:43-47 combined with Revelation 13:11-18, among other biblical references).
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great Day(the LORD's Day) of God Almighty-(the seventh and last Day or seventh and last millennium).
15 Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. BEHOLD, I come as a thief.
Be careful and get ready
If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?1 Cor.14:8
Do you know the hymn "When The Trumpet Of The Lord Shall Sound"? Hear it.
Word as a sign is eternal and backed by Power of God. Jesus declared that he came to fulfill it in its entirety- "one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law," An adulterous and wicked generation instead affixes their power contradicting the divine Will "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"(Is.5:20). Rather than love the Lord with their whole heart and their might reverence of God was in their traditions. In their seeking sign without intending to change their heart they showed their disbelief. Jesus would not enter the house of Jairus until those who 'laughed him to scorn' were put out. "But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose."(9:23-25) Jesus well knew their motives before they asked to see a sign.
"All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him."(11:27). In accusing his powers coming from Beelzebub they were in danger of hell fire. He warned them not to speak blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. We need infer the context for this verse,"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."(12:30). Even warding off a single unclean spirit, with such a divided heart as they had, was to invite "seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there."
"Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee./ But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas."
Birth of Jesus was a sign that Prophet Isaiah had given beforehand. So were 'the little ones' whom he sent out to preach." Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion."(Is.8:18) Such a sign is what the Word signifies. It is a sound and seen both which occurred in the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, "the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."(Ac.2:33). Without faith the nation of Israel would not profit from a sign and their entire history attested. So the sign of Jonah was an invitation to them to see their true state and be converted. Oh no they would not take it.
At the end of the chapter we read the validation of the Power of the Spirit that made the disciples his brethren determined in the will of his Father. "And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!/ For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
"But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."(v.28) The same power was given to his disciples because God dealt with it liberally. In His glory and power there was no point in partiality because the glory was patent in their wellbeing. "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."( Luke 10:17). Jesus exulted in his spirit and glorified God,"I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.."(11:25).
I certainly do want to avoid
leading someone wrong. God
forbid.
In chapter 12, verse 1, I am reading
we also are Those words speaks
to me as the time in which he was living.
I am sinless. As He instructs me to be because He says in His word for us to be perfect as His Father in heaven is perfect (Math. 5:48) and we are to be holy as He is holy. ( Leviticus 11: 44-45, Leviticus 19:2, Leviticus 20:7, 1 Peter 1: 15-16). People think these verses are just suggestions, or they don't count because they are in the OT. God's word from Genesis 1:1 to Rev. 12:22 all matter and tells us exactly how God wants us to live holy, righteous lives. I, of course, cannot be sinless as Jesus was because I was born into original sin and He wasn't. But when I was washed clean and made new by His divine blood, He rid me of the desire to sin. The devil tries to tempt me, but because I am without the nature to sin; the adamic nature, I have no desire to sin. I am also filled with the Holy Ghost, so I have all the weapons I need to resist him and as long as I keep these weapons, of prayer, reading and the study of His word, and fasting, new and at my side, I will be able to resist the temptation. It's when a christians gets lax or distracted or lazy that they can eventually fall back into sin. But if they want to make heaven they must do their first fruits (asking forgiveness for sin and asking that the desires for son be removed) again. These verses of perfection and holiness are exactly what God expects of us and He wouldn't tell us to be that way if He didn't make a way for us to be like this. I wasn't sinless until I gave my heart, soul and "old man" to Jesus. When I was saved, I not only prayed for my soul to be washed clean through His divine, forgiving blood, I also prayed and told the Lord that I didn't want to sin anymore and asked if He would take the desire to sin from me (the human nature I inherited from Adam.)
Romans 6,
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
The people in these verses are those who refuse to believe they are sinners in the first place, scoffers who don't believe in sin, don't think they need salvation because they don't believe they are sinners.
When Paul was writing this letter he expected the Roman church to read it from beginning to end, as a letter would be read, and to understand that, although the law needs to exist to show us what sin is, and that we can be tempted to break these laws and sin when we are tempted of satan, that as christians, God expected the church to live sinless because God forbade them to believe they could sin under Grace.
For those who may wish to respond to this discussion, I welcome the replies, however, please discuss the sinning/christian doctrine with scriptures and Godly common sense. Please show me where I am wrong with the scriptures I have used by telling me why the interpretation I have given is incorrect. Not simply by your opinion, but by other scriptures. What God says not man. God Bless :)
Most all Christians I see on TV come across as false teachers and this is troubling. Nearly all seem to be obsessed with money and power and are crafty and deceptive in their words. The following verse comes to mind:
"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Matthew 7:15 KJV
What I don't understand is how they come to this prominent position in the first place. Does God let them attain this and why?
Did they start out with good intentions then become corrupted, or have they always been wolves in sheep's clothing?
God bless
Hi GiGi: In this quote from your reply to me you have hit the nail right on the head with what you said at the very end which I highlighted.
"Good afternoon, Momsage, I am one who thinks that faults and propensities in our personalities and character can be considered sinful. If one has a quick temper, is easily provoked, unwilling to forgive offenses, is self-seeking, envies, prideful, thinks evil thoughts, or any number of "faults' or "weaknesses" one is sinning with these faults/weaknesses when we give in and let them be expressed." What you have listed, despite what you believe, are not faults, they are sins. The American Heritage Dictionary defines fault/weakness (these are the same thing) as minor character flaws. There is nothing minor about sin. Do you think the wages God promised us if we are sinning don't count because you believe in the sinning/christian doctrine: that you can't help behaving this way because of your human nature?
This is so wrong and dangerous. You assume that I am just as guilty of the sins you listed because you are. I am not. There is no sin in my life or on my soul and that isn't bragging, it's a testimony to the wonderful power of Jesus' divine blood that washed away my sins, sanctified me (killed the old man, human nature) and the keeping power of the Holy Spirit.
I heard the truth of Jesus Christ and His wonderful salvation in 1970. I sincerely believed in it and repented and gave my heart to Him completely and I became a true believer. Since that time, I did backslide, but God kept after me, took me back after I did my first fruits over again and now my life is totally dedicated to Him and I live without sin because I don't want to sin and don't believe "I have to sin a little bit every day." This belief makes no sense, it is an oxymoron: a combination of contradictory or incongruous words. Merriam-Webster Dictionary.
How sad that you and others who believe the precious, divine blood and the incredible power of the Holy Spirit is not good enough to overcome your human nature, that you have to struggle every day with sin, I perceive you are not talking about the temptation to sin or you wouldn't be calling yourself a sinner.
The whole reason you are still struggling with these sins is because you don't believe you can get them completely, totally out of your life. You can, if you believe in the sanctifying blood of Jesus and the strength of the Holy Spirit. We are also sanctified so that our human nature to sin is under the blood and it is eradicated. It has no more power over us as long as we give over to God during temptation and have faith that in Him that we will be able to overcome the temptation so we don't HAVE to sin, not so we CAN sin with impunity because we "can't" help it. This is so wrong. Why wouldn't you want to stop struggling with these sins and eradicate them form your life completely?
Here are some scriptures that tell this truth to us by God Himself:
Ephesians 4:22
"If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye PUT OFF concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye PUT ON THE NEW MAN, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. (emphasis' are mine)
Romans 6:6 "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
Romans 6: 12-14
"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts.
I believe in the trinity doctrine, and believe it is vital in understand much of scripture.
However, no doctrine should cause you to hate your Brothern. I have not seen hatred towards non trinity believers on this site.
However, hating a false doctrine is another or thing.
There is doctrine like the trinity that causes division and to be truthful I have seen more people being chased down that hold the view than those that don't hold it.
If NOT holding the trinity view is not a salvation issue, then HOLDING the trinity view is also NOT a salvation issue.
Has either of the views consumed you?
Are you treating people the way you are asking to be treated?
If one feels discussing it is pushing it, and you engage in it by support from afar, or directly, are not you also guilty of pushing it?
Have we been moved off our purpose and as a body what we have been called to do?
Why don't we display the same energy when calling out sin such as abortion, same sex marriage, Partiality, "inside and outside the Church"?
What light is being displayed debating translations but yet refuse to spend your time with whatever translation you use to display the Gospel as it is put on the back burner.
We seem to spend a lot of time desiring vain glory, back slapping and display and at times shunning rather than edifying.
Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Are we doing that?
There is plenty of scripture to use to examine ourselves and there is certainly one word that we should all have for one another and that is Love.
God bless.
Israel is counted among the nations that have come under the rod of the king of Babylon. As we shall see judgment beginning here leads us to the vision of Dry Bones(Ez.37). Judgment on Egypt and its auxiliaries lead to this, 'And I will lay thy flesh upon the mountains, and fill the valleys with thy height (32:5)" From Ch.37 onwards Ezekiel eloquently raises the banner of God's Mercy and takes us to the Vision of living Waters,' a river that could not be passed over(47:5)'.It ties up the Vision of John in the City of God (Re.22:1).
"Nations"
In divine Will the nation of Israel stood in relation to Amorites and many other nations. God considered Abraham as His friend so he revealed why the Promised Land is denied to him. "For the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full." His Sovereign Will saw all men and nations as one so His mercy and judgment would demand Israel wait its turn while he judged Egypt before Israel was led forth to the land of promise. (Ge.15:16).
So chain of events bringing each player into prominence or move them aside was according to his Salvation Plan. Success of individuals was however dependent on their implicit trust in God.
"Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit(v.18).
'The daughters of the famous nations - i:e., the nations with their peoples. Egypt is to share the fate of other ancient nations 'Elam and all her multitude', Meshech, Tubal, and all her multitude, Edom and Zidon were once prosperous and famous, now in decline. From the expression given below, 'go down, and be thou laid with the uncircumcised' we can assume that law of Gradation places all nations,- people of the covenant by the heathen nation as one and worthy of judgment. (See under M-law of Gradation)
This we have from God who appointed his prophet Ezekiel has his ministry as he has for Isaiah and Jeremiah. "See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant (Je.1:10)" Not only rooting out but also planting are to be seen the back page. Gentiles and Israel shall be led to a Spiritual awakening that must however be on the ruin of worldly ambition and their vain strivings.
These nations were consigned 'unto the nether parts of the earth'. Compare with this verse, 'Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the Lord(Obad.1:4).Judgment beginning with Egypt must be seen as one single arc connecting old world present and future so all ungodly nations being merely figment of the uncircumcised heart shall suffer the same fate.
Matthew 22:: 37-39. God Bless :)
God Bless :)
"O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. for the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is his also. the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. Today if we will hear his voice. O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord all the earth, sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. for the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods."
Based in the Word of God, on GOD's six Days of creation and one Day of rest (a total of seven days) plus the Scriptures that teach that one Day is with the Lord as a thousand years, so MANKIND would go through six GOD Days of 1,000 years each (a total of 6,000 years) plus a Millennium of 1,000 years rest (now a total of 7,000 years).
According biblical Chronology, starting by Genesis 5, as follow:
Adam lived .........................130 yrs and begat Seth
Seth lived ...........................105 yrs and begat Enosh;
Enosh lived .........................90 yrs and begat Kenan;
Kenanlived..........................70 yrs and begat Mahalalel;
Mahalalellived .....................65 yrs and begat Jared;
Jaredlived .........................162 yrs and begat Enoch;
Enochlived ..........................65 yrs and begat Methuselah;
Methuselahlived..................187 yrs and begat Lamech;
Lamechlived.......................182 yrs and begat Noah;
From Noah's birth till the Flood 600 yrs.
Total of years from Adam to the Flood=1656 yrs
Notice that the table above is proved by the Word of GOD,Let us study the times until our days by the Word of GOD-the Word is GOD. So,see the timetable below:
SIX PERIODS OF BIBLICAL TIMES -------------------- DURATION
I - From Adam to the Flood-( Genesis 5)---------------1656 years
II - From the Flood to Abraham-( Genesis 11&12)------427 years
III - From Abraham to Exodus-(Gal.3:17)--------------430 years
IV-From Exodus to king Saul-(1Reis6:1(480-84)-------396 years
V -From Saul to the fall of Jerusalem -------------------508 years
VI -From the fall of Jerusalem to Jesus -----------------587 years
Thus,from Adam to the 1stcoming of Jesus -----------4004 years
From Jesus to our days(Christian Calendar)-----------2023 years
Total from Adam to our days ---------------------------6027 years
So, we are living in the beginning of the seventh and last millennium
or seventh and last Day,the Lord's Day
Get ready
He is ALL powerful. There is nothing that is impossible for Him to do except sin and go against His character. He is the Supreme Being whose power is unlimited, infinite in strength and unsurpassed by any power that exists. Nothing can out-power Him.
It is so amazing to think that the whole of creation was made by His own power according to His own will executed by the Son and Spirit with Him. In our creatureliness we know well our limitations and how small our own faith can be in what God can do. We should ask Him for whatever we need and wish to happen in our lives with trust and belief that He is good and more than able to do whatever He wills.
Knowing that God is stronger that angels and demons, men and his inventions, any nation, any governing power, any fore in nature. He can move mountains, literally, if He so wishes, flatten them, dry up the oceans, whatever He wishes to do wit in nature He will do. No one can thwart Him in His righteous works.
Yet, when there are great tragedies such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires and so many die or are injured and our homes are destroyed, we wonder why He let "innocent" people be taken by such disasters. He could prevent these things from ever happening.
When people get ill or diseased, when an epidemic takes so many lives, we wonder "Why".
When war happens and people get overtaken by their enemies and so many are killed, maimed, or taken prisoner. We gasp at the horror of war.
But we can know that God is sovereign. He knows who are His in every situation and will do what works best in His great plan. We can always look to Him to guide us in times of troubles and strengthen us when we suffer if He chooses for us to go through these things.
The end of all this is that GOD WINS! The evil one was defeated at the cross and we can know that our inheritance is far greater than we could ever know.
Gen. 17:1 He calls Himself "God Almighty" to Abraham,
OMNISCENT-ALL KNOWING
OMINPOTENT-ALL POWERFUL
OMINIPRESENT- PRESENT EVERYWHERE AT ALL TIMES.
This post will take up the omniscience of God. He knows everything that is, everything, that happens in past history and everything that will happen in future history. He knows everything from everlasting to everlasting.
He knows every thought that has ever been made by heavenly beings or humans and He knows every thought that will occur in the future. He knows every word ever spoken or what will be spoken. Nothing is hidden from Him: in heaven, on earth, and in hell.
Therefore, God cannot be fooled, deceived, taken by surprise, and fail to have a plan for every aspect of every person's existence. He knows all of the animals, when they die, they are born. When they need food, and when they are preyed upon.
He knows all that is in all of the universe. He is the Creator. He makes alive and brings death to man and living things. He knows the smallest aspect of atoms and all that makes up a planet, solar system, galaxy, everything in outer space, all of the powers that He put in place to order the universe, light, gravity, magnetism, force, energy, matter, and that which is immaterial in the spiritual realm.
For some such knowledge may cause them to fear God and want to hide from Him, but believers can be comforted that He knows what we need before we ask and is a good Father and gives His children good gifts when they ask of Him. He knows who we will interact with each moment and desires to helps us to do what is loving and good to others.
He knows all of our health matters from the time of conception to the time of our death. We may not know why we may become ill or be injured or be afflicted with a disease. But God know why He allows all things in our life. We can trust that His will is always good and best for us.
He knows who our children are before they are conceived, same with us.
Jesus answered to His family that wanted to see Him, by saying I am with my Mother and Sisters and brethren, ( Matt 12:49) when I am with my followers. Does this then justify that the commandment (Honor your father and your mother) could refer to to elderly "brothers and sisters" within the Body of Christ, be seen as your "father and Mother" and not your biological parents?
Parable of the Sower is explained in vv18-23 so any additional explanation refers to it must fit within the meaning intended. In the age of missionary work each evangelist like pioneers of 48s bring in many with whose help churches are planted, shops are set up from where regularly tracts and other Christian literature including Bibles can be distributed. Gold rush in the past created boom towns and in the Gospel outreach we may see similar seed plots forming. The seeds sown by the Sower falling by the wayside refer to the failure in grounding the believer with the wholesome doctrine. Jesus was aware of the problem. "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;/Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest."(9:37-38)
"When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side."(v.19)
There is likelihood of strange birds descending who like Simon the Sorcerer (Ac.8:21) and seven sons of Scava, the Jew setting up their own spiel. Either their heart is not right before God or that they are preaching, by second hand 'by Jesus whom Paul preacheth'(Ac.19:13).
vv.20-21 stony places refer to the spiritual state of a believer by some hidden fault,-unconfessed sin or unforgiveness against others so this has to be dealt with first.
"But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."(v.24). No two hearts produce same results no two stomachs would mean their intake also will be alike. The same principle in the collecting of manna did apply:"And when they did mete it with an omer, he that gathered much had nothing over,....they gathered every man according to his eating.:(Ex.16:18) We are all fellow-laborers with Christ.
Parables are to be understood as introduction 'How To Do the Will of My Father in some easy lessons' could well be the byline to the whole body of Parables. Key to understand him is to do the will of God the Father,"If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself ( John 7:17)."
Judaea being a pastoral land people surely would have understood the hazards a sower faced some seed falling over stony places and birds of the air making away with good portion of what cast aboard. Many of his audience as with his disciples eked out a living by catch of the sea. He described life of the people in their everyday setting and it is of the here and now. As in his own case his humanity and divinity were to be totally resolved so his humanity reflected the nature of God. He did not therefore give tit for tat but raised himself consciously to delineate his Father in his humanity. It needed a conscious effort and so with parables one did not solve the Two worlds-in-one simply by hearing. As Jesus explains the parables were also a medium to separate chaff from the good."And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?/He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given(13:10-11)".
This explains the caveat placed by the Spirit:"Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."(v.9)
Faith is signified by the ear of faith. So hearer is only one who hears as one has to do with background noise. Ear of faith listens and like the people of Berea, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so./Therefore many of them believed."(Ac.17:11-13)
"And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore./And he spake many things unto them in parables"
Compare the introduction to the Sermon on the Mount where "And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him."Here we have his disciples mentioned, and his call to them was," Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."(3:19). The Mount represented where came from. Heavenly Zion on which the kingdom of heaven was founded. (Is.28:16). The number 12 accordingly was a reminder of Jesus Christ the Man the message.
He was the Mediator between heaven and the earth. The Spirit serves as a narrative mode of the eternal Word so Jesus speaking from a ship reinforces the context of the river of time. Parables were the means to reconcile the ways of God with those of man and it helped only those who were as single minded as the merchant man who 'had found one pearl of great price.' (vv.44-45). Is.55:9.
By principle of Association he was the bread from heaven and in the multiplying of loaves and fishes we are given heavenly realities set in comparison with the natural world. As many as who received him were the promise of God given. In line with the principle of Similitude Evangelist Matthew gives us the Last Supper where he broke the bread "And said, Take, eat; this is my body."(26:26; John 6:51). It is no coincidence that we have a Parable of the Wedding Banquet.(22:1-14)
Parables dealt with the Word as mentioned above and the Gospel of God signified the word become flesh. He was sent as foretold by the Preacher,"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days./Give a portion to seven, and also to eight."(Ec.11:1-2)
The earth as a field serves where the heart of man is understood as fashioned by God alike. Stony places point to the state of man who must deal with it to be fruitful.
6 And you will hear of wars and RUMORS of wars: take heed that you be not dismayed: for all these things must come to pass, but the END is not yet.
The testimony of my Lord JESUS is the Spirit of prophecy:
In LITERAL fulfillment of JESUS prophecy as above and for this current time, we see:
War between Russia and Ukraine;
War between Israel and Gaza;
Rumour of war between Venezuela and Guyana;
In fact, neither Biden nor the Americans want any more fights': what would be the US role in the crisis between Venezuela and Guyana? Well, my Lord JESUS is in command of the History from now on, and He will make to happen what needs to continue LITERALLY fulfilling what He preached for the last Day, that is the seventh and last Day or seventh and last millennium.
Be careful and get ready
My Lord JESUS also said There will be also war against three unclean spirits like frogs.(Why frogs?) - Revelation 16:13-15:
13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs (a satanic trinity) come out of the MOUTH of the dragon, and out of the MOUTH of the Beast (Beast of sea- Revelation 13:1-10), and out of the MOUTH of the false prophet(false messiah- John 5:43-47 combined with Revelation 13:11-18, among other biblical references).
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great Day(the LORD's Day) of God Almighty-(the seventh and last Day or seventh and last millennium).
15 Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. BEHOLD, I come as a thief.
Be careful and get ready
If the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?1 Cor.14:8
Do you know the hymn "When The Trumpet Of The Lord Shall Sound"? Hear it.
GOD BLESS
Word as a sign is eternal and backed by Power of God. Jesus declared that he came to fulfill it in its entirety- "one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law," An adulterous and wicked generation instead affixes their power contradicting the divine Will "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"(Is.5:20). Rather than love the Lord with their whole heart and their might reverence of God was in their traditions. In their seeking sign without intending to change their heart they showed their disbelief. Jesus would not enter the house of Jairus until those who 'laughed him to scorn' were put out. "But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose."(9:23-25) Jesus well knew their motives before they asked to see a sign.
"All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him."(11:27). In accusing his powers coming from Beelzebub they were in danger of hell fire. He warned them not to speak blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. We need infer the context for this verse,"He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad."(12:30). Even warding off a single unclean spirit, with such a divided heart as they had, was to invite "seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there."
"Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee./ But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas."
Birth of Jesus was a sign that Prophet Isaiah had given beforehand. So were 'the little ones' whom he sent out to preach." Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the Lord of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion."(Is.8:18) Such a sign is what the Word signifies. It is a sound and seen both which occurred in the outpouring of the Holy Ghost, "the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear."(Ac.2:33). Without faith the nation of Israel would not profit from a sign and their entire history attested. So the sign of Jonah was an invitation to them to see their true state and be converted. Oh no they would not take it.
At the end of the chapter we read the validation of the Power of the Spirit that made the disciples his brethren determined in the will of his Father. "And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!/ For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
"But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you."(v.28) The same power was given to his disciples because God dealt with it liberally. In His glory and power there was no point in partiality because the glory was patent in their wellbeing. "And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name."( Luke 10:17). Jesus exulted in his spirit and glorified God,"I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.."(11:25).