Re.6:2-And I saw,and behold a white horse:and he that sat on him had a BOW;and a CROWN was given unto him(He is a Prince of GOD):and he went forth conquering,and to conquer.
Thine ARROWS are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies (enemies of JESUS,anti-JESUS,Antichrist;whereby the people fall under thee- Psalm 45:5.
Isaiah 7:22-24
22...he shall eat butter:for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land(the remnant-144K) Question:The rebel Israel was banned from their land and was spread around the whole world from year 70 AD until 1948,but from now on?being ruled by a false God,a false messiah?- Revelation 13:11-18).
23 And it shall come to pass in that day(the current seventh and last Day,seventh and last millennium)that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings,it shall even be for briers and thorns.(because are good for nothing)
24 With ARROWS and with BOWS shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
Isaiah 45:2
2Thou art fairer than the children of men:grace is poured into thy lips:therefore GOD hath blessed thee for ever.
3Gird thy Sword upon thy thigh,O most MIGHTY, with thy glory and thy majesty.(He's a Prince of GOD)
4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness;and thy right hand shall TEACH thee terrible things.
6Thy throne,O God(GOD the Father, GOD Son and(God of the earth- Revelation 11:4),is for ever and ever:the sceptre of thy kingdom is a RIGHT sceptre.
7Thou lovest righteousness,and hatest wickedness:therefore God(God the Father/God the Son),thy God,has ANNOINTED thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Zech.4:11-14
What are these two olive trees upon the right and left side of the candlestick?
What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
Knowest thou not what these be?
These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth
Having set forth a few warnings on how NOT to read scripture I will continue with some further analysis but thought I would begin discussion on how we should read it.
1. First and foremost; we need to be DEAD serious as to the eternal ramifications of our spiritual condition which is a result of our sinful inheritance through Adam as well as the acting out of our sins through commission of acts or omission of things the Lord has made clear result in judgment. One can quibble as to details of the description of hell; but it's reality and eternal finality are not options to disregard. To put it in simple terms those that believe in the Biblical heaven never seem to debate as to whether it lasts forever; and rarely that it is a literal place. Given the same descriptions of the finality of hell we have no reason from the text alone to debate the fact that there is a place of eternal torment for the wicked. The only caveat is that the current "holding cell" status of hell ends at the Great White Throne judgment; where all wicked are cast into their eternal existance in the lake of fire to continue their suffering in an eternal physical body that cannot be extinguished. There is hardly anything we can read or ponder on that has anything remotely resembling the urgency of the Bible. Our temporal earthly existence and our faith or lack thereof determines our eternal destiny; as well as degrees of reward or punishment based on actions on earth. Our life therefore is either in ourselves on the throne or God. Either Satan or God is our master and as the usurper of all earthly riches it is no wonder that the Babylon the Great economic system makes the love of money the root of all evil. ( 1 Tim. 6:10). What we see with human eyes at best is a dim reflection in Creation of God's glory. What is unseen is what we must believe; as every knee shall bow before Him someday ( John 20:29; Phillipians 2:10-11; Isaiah 45:23).
Yes the Light is indeed the Light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ. And upon careful study of the scriptures the darkness was already there, thus it was created because as you pointed out in Isaiah 45:7. I have revelation that that darkness was the Old Lucifer who turned the light God gave to him into that darkness and God knew he would,for it is All according to his eternal purpose. The Light of the knowledge of God excelleth that darkness. Thus something happened between Genesis 1:1-2. For everything was overturned and made a wilderness at the fierce anger of the Lord. I think it's in Jeremiah 4:23- (Paraphrase) got I'm speaking the truth from the heart. " I beheld and lo the earth was void and empty and darkness and it was overthrow by the fierce anger of the Lord. And Isaiah 14 says Lucifer made the world as a wilderness. And he calls the darkness - NIGHT. So it was overthrown in the night by The lord.- Job 34:25. And paraphrasing Jesus Christ. He said are their not 12 hours in a day? And John 9:4 I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is DAY: THE NIGHT COMETH, WHEN NO MAN CAN WORK JOHN 9:5- while I Am in the world,I am the Light of the world. He will come as a thief in the night. I am persuaded I have the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of prophecy. Not that I am anything or anyone. But Jesus Christ And Him loving My poor and needy self. Thank you so much for blessing me with an opportunity to share the deep things of God's unsearchable word. God bless you
I am not sure to whom you asked this question. If I may, I feel you have put on chest waders, I love it. I would love to hear your thoughts; may we all grow in the knowledge of our LORD. "What came first? Light or darkness? And where and when were they created or formed or made."
If we look at Genesis darkness was, and God said let there be light, and He divided them. Does that make darkness before light? God called the light day and the darkness night. What was this light since there was not a sun until day four?
Light has both physical and theological aspects. The "complete light" is that "true light that gives light to every man", the light of God which has come into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, John 1:9. Jesus said of himself "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world".
Or should we consider Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Does not all creation come from the only God, our Father?
Jesus the Messiah/Christ God's only begotten Son is the purpose, I do not know if I am reading your question correctly, may you and others have more or different understandings.
1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us we have the mind of Christ, but no one can know the mind of God. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus. All began with Jesus; Jesus is the beginning of God's plan. Isaiah 45:18Isaiah 46:8-10 God and there is none like Him, He declared the end from the beginning His counsel (His purpose and plan by His will) shall stand and God will do all His pleasure, Psalms 33:11.
God is not in our time the end of His plan is as the beginning God's plan was completed when He made it, we have the Bible, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit His plan is made known to us as our time comes to be, as in Ephesians 1:10-12 to be the praise and glory to God.
God declared from the very beginnings of history, Acts 17:24-26 there is but one human race, we all are of the same blood, and in Jesus Christ we become brothers and sisters. In God's plan, it is finished, nothing will change. In God, it is finished already to Him who is from everlasting to everlasting, Psalms 90:2 and how He can "calleth those things which be not as though they were." Romans 4:17-18.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Did Jesus exist before creation? Did the Holy Spirit exist before creation?
Jesus existed in God's plan, Jesus is the beginning of creation Rev. 3:14 and by Him were all things created Col. 1:16 my understanding is Jesus, was the first in God's plan of creation and everything was created by God, in and through the plan and purpose of Jesus. My understanding Jesus did not physically exist until the fullness of time. Ephesians 1:10 He was born of Mary the Son of God. the seed of woman. Genesis 3:15Matthew 1:20
My understanding is the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, not a person, Genesis 1:2. We see all the greetings are from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:71 Corinthians 1:32 Corinthians 1:2Galatians 1:3Ephesians 1:2Ephesians 6:23Philippians 1:2Colossians 1:2 and 6 more. The Holy Spirit not being included is a good clue the Holy Spirit was not considered a person by Paul and others at that time.
If so, who were they in relation to the Father?
I believe the above answers this.
How did the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all create all that is, seen or unseen?
My understanding is God the Father created all, Genesis 1:1Genesis 1:31Proverbs 16:4Isaiah 45:18Nehemiah 9:6.
Does Scripture teach that God is only one person who manifests in three forms, but all these manifestations are only one person?
Scripture does not support Modalism I have never considered this and do not know anything about it.
I know you are an author and your vocabulary is greater than mine I will try to respond but to be truthful you are hard to follow. First MOU my understanding is a nonbinding agreement between parties stating their intentions. How can that be a covenant a covenant is a relationship between partners either conditional or unconditional and this covenant is between God the Father and God the Son. Would not the Holy Spirit be a part of this covenant and the will of God that the Son completes? John 6:38 It is God's will not Jesus's like He said in Luke 22:42.
If God is a triune God, would it not be the will of all three with no difference in authority or knowledge? Why the need for a covenant between them since all three are God and all three are equal?
At the beginning of each day, God said what was to be, the spoken word of God, and it was so. Other than speculation how can we say the Son was in agreement? Isaiah 45:18 In Genesis 1:28 would be an unconditional covenant, more of a blessing, God placed man above all that was created on earth and man was given dominion over it. God delegated the rule of man over His creation and no consequences were stated, we see how that turned out.
I agree Jesus did not need to be water baptized for remittance of sin, but He did need the anointing of the Holy Ghost/Spirit to become the Messiah/Christ. The word of God was in Jesus and by the Holy Ghost/Spirit Jesus did the works of His Father therefore Jesus was the tabernacle of God, the image of God for every word Jesus said was not His but the word of God the Father. John 4:34John 5:30John 12:44-45
Philip was the first to bring the gospel to the Samaritans.
Hello Adam. I consider your question through two separate perspectives: one, before the incarnation of the Word of God and the other, after it. From my readings of the whole Word of God, I don't believe that the writers of the OT nor their hearers would have understood any other concept or acceptance of the God's Nature other than 'He is One & there is none beside Him' (e.g. Isaiah 45:5.6).
Even the "Shema Yisrael" ( Deuteronomy 6:4,5) is Israel's central belief & affirmation on the singularity of God's Person, & any suggestion of a 'compound' Nature of God would be anathema. Also Isaiah 53:1-12 and Isaiah 9:6,7 references to a coming Messiah, which should clearly reveal the Divine Nature of a Coming One, is discarded by them, then & now. So, anything of a Triune God must be rejected by the Jew, & only the operation of God by His Spirit (i.e. God revealing Himself & working before them) should be acceptable to them (e.g. Psalm 51:10,11; Isaiah 11:2; & many others). As believers though, we can see the Triune God in operation in the whole Bible, but Israel is blinded to this Truth & their hearts hardened.
When Jesus came & spoke (e.g. John 16:27,28; John 17:5), He declared His Divine Nature, that which was not revealed before. So your reference ( Matthew 22:32), speaks primarily of the One Nature of God; but to those who believe, having received salvation through Jesus Christ, know that the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob was always the Triune God, Who would one day manifest Himself fully to a needy world: God's Word first by the prophets, now given through His Word made flesh ( Hebrews 1:1-3) . What Israel knew of the One God then, should have revealed the full Nature of a Triune God at the appearance of their Messiah. But their eyes were blinded & hearts hardened. Therefore, as Christians, I believe that we should see God (in the OT & NT) as a Triune God, manifesting Himself also as His Word and His Spirit going forth to accomplish His Will over His creation.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his maker! Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth ....
Ezekiel 38:21 And I will call for a sword (the word of God) against him (the WORD) throughout all my mountains (peoples): saith the LORD: every man's sword (word) shall be against his brother(s) (word).
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT MAN, unto the measure and the stature and FULLNESS of Christ:
God's plan is for us to strive against each other, Joseph's brother DID NOT like the word their brother Joseph spoken, and sold him into slavery.
But look what Joseph said, by the spirit of Christ:
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought EVIL against me, but God meant it unto GOOD, to SAVE much people alive.
Just walk in the truth of the WORD, his ways are not our ways.
by angelic hosts, saints, and believers along with the Father, we have to conclude that God is a unity of Persons as One Being or else God would have lied about being the only God and there is no others beside Him. Yet, just as Isaiah 45:23 says that every knee shall bow and every tongue swear" and in Philippians 2:10-11 says that every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is LORD to the glory of God."
Isaiah 45:25" In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified.." so in Jesus, the promised Seed of Abraham, are all the seed of Abraham justified. Gal. 3:8;14 that is , those who believe in Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile.
Adam, thank you again for holding firm on this doctrine. We need to continue to speak forth what the Scriptures say concerning Who Jesus truly is, by the words He spoke, the inspired words of the apostles, and the works of Jesus that only God could do (forgive sins, heal the sick, give sight to the blind, control the weather, cast out demons, and be the only perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins.
I appreciate you and your reply. I drove 200 miles today; a bit weary. Thus my reply to yours will be shorter than I prefer at this time. And oh, no need to be sorry.
Although I've read Job, I don't remember Job 28:28. When I read Isaiah 45:7 along with it, it's somewhat confusing. I must now conclude that in order to gain understanding, I must depart from God to do so. Now I'm sorry, because I have to accept that God is evil because God is the Source of "Evil".
Evil makes evil just as fear makes fear and Love creates Itself. Could you please explain which quality you attribute to Satan; evil or love? Perhaps neither? Or maybe just one of these characteristics; if so, then I must assume God and Satan have something in common, and thus share a common purpose.
The New Testament claims if Satan opposes himself and is divided he cannot stand and his end has come. Actually, this principle applies to everything, including God. Personally, I don't believe God is divided. I do believe He is One.
The Bible also states in James that things produce what they are, not what they are not; and furthermore, both fresh water and its OPPOSITE, salt water, cannot flow from the same spring. Thus OPPOSITES cannot flow from the Mind of God. As I've suggested in the past, this would indicate that faith in Love AND fear is the result of a double-minded entity. If someone has faith in God Who is Love, then he MUST ALSO have faith in evil if God is Evil.
Quoting me Scripture is fine, of course. But, I'm fairly familiar with it, and can also read fairly well. What would be helpful is reconciling what appears as irreconcilable, i.e. opposing; with something unambiguous, leading to an obvious conclusion. This would be helpful also, because obviousness IS the essential characteristic of reality, i.e. truth. And I'm quite certain the ego is afraid of the obvious.
God's Blessings on you, TODAY, this day of our Lord.
You ask what I SEE (by the GRACE of our Lord) concerning God's kingdom, now on EARTH, and forever to be on EARTH.
Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens, God himself that formed the earth and made it, he hath establish it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be INHABITED: I am the Lord, and none else.
Daniel 12:4 But thou, Oh Daniel, seal up the words, even unto the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, AND KNOWLEDGE (of the POWER of God) SHALL BE INCREASED.
The POWER of the WORKS of CHRIST'S CROSS has been lost to the doctrines of man.
Paul said: when I am gone grievious wolves shall come in and destroy the flock.
For about 2000 years now God's people (a remnant) have been isolated in small flocks, each being GIVEN small amounts of truth.
God uses evil for GOOD, and I do BELIEVE the world wide web is EVIL, BUT by the increase of knowledge to have world wide communication, God's remnant is being brought together to CONFESS THEIR SINS TO EACH OTHER.
Not the SINS of the FLESH, they DIED on the CROSS, OUR SIN OF UNBELIEF, the POWER given us by the RESURRECTION of Christ. The POWER of JUDGEMENT, to first judge ourselves, then the WORLD.
Our beggerally little flock HAS NOT been eating enough FOOD, only the CRUMBS from a table that is all YOURS.
There is NOTHING to be ADDED, nor can anything be TAKEN AWAY, WE are a FINISHED CREATION, all by the RESURRECTION of CHRIST.
Jesus said in ( Rev 22:13) I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
The first verse and the last verse in the Bible are ( Gen 1:1) and ( Rev 22:21)
The first and last words in the first and last verses are
( Gen 1:1) (In) and (earth)
And in ( Rev 22:21) (The) and (Amen)
These four words (In) (earth) (The) and (Amen) show up in the KJB 77777 times! And the KJB ONLY!
( Isaiah 45:23) "I have (sworn) by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness" The word (sworn) is #7650; it means to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) ( Ps 12:6-7)
I ended my last post briefly discussing the Persian; Greek and Roman empires which would all have a part of history when they affected Israel. In the Persian empire Cyrus the Great (see Ezra) would allow the Temple to be rebuilt even though he didn't know the Lord he showed favor to Israel. ( Isaiah 45:4-6). Later Antiochus Epiphanes as a type of Antichrist would during the intertestamental period take over the Temple (actually part of the Syrian empire but also spread Greek cultural ideas). God through the Macabees fought back and eventually they were defeated. Finally; of course the Roman empire would have a tenuous existance with the Jewish nation; and be a part of Christ's crucifixion. They also; (until today's modern version still forming) would be defeated.
We see examples of God working with Nebuchadnezzar to bring about true conversion. We also see examples such as Naaman the Syrian in 2 Kings 5 who God healed; as well as the story of Jonah with the Ninevites who repented and God spared for a time of judgment; but in the book of Nahum God's patience ran out and they were destroyed. We also see examples such as Ruth who was a Gentile that came to believe and became part of the royal lineage and even Rahab in the same light. In general though God winked at certain things in the past but ( Acts 17:30-31) but now in New Testament times there were stricter standards.
Christ would also begin with only ministering to the "lost sheep of Israel". ( Matthew 15:24 but mentioned earlier when the 70 were sent out). In this case a Gentile woman showed great faith and Christ healed her daughter. The plan now was to fulfill the prophecies in Isaiah 42:1-9 about being a light to the Gentiles. This began with Christ spending much time with the Samaritan woman and others possessed by demons which added to crowds from surrounding nations; and showed the lack of faith in his own hometown as a contrast ( Mark 6:4).
Ok, so I see I stirred up a "hornet's nest", and that's a good thing! Like acid, deadly by itself yet when it's used in the right mixture it becomes a catalyst, a necessary agent for change.
Universalism! It's TRUTH. I'll do a quick overview to try to explain it. God will one day SAVE all His creatures, even the demons. Why you ask, actually why is easy because He is God and God is GOOD! How, is the more pertinent question. I'll start off by using the same scripture God opened my eyes with, Isaiah 45:23, and confirmed again in Romans 14:11. God has NEVER said a frivolous thing, ever! And if a person came up to us and said,"I have bowed my knee to God and confessed to Christ!" We, as messengers of truth would have to say, "Amen, welcome brother/sister!" The Key is Truthfulness, if this is done in Truth then it is done and has been done since The Cross of Christ. Therefore, we Understand that God said that He will bring it about, thus, if He brings it about then we can be SURE that it was done in TRUTH.
I'll try to answer as many questions as possible, the first was from Bro Dan and an astute point was made, namely, " Most will be to late, as it will be after they are dead, and standing before Jesus on Judgement Day." To this I point to, Psalms 139:7-12 and Romans 8:35-39. Proof that Nothing can stand in the way of God Almighty! I'll reveal another revelation that refutes the doctrine of demons, hell is NOT Eternal! Revelation 20:13-14 confirms this and we can see that those in hell will be Called before The White Throne of Judgment. This is important because we go there to see if our name is in The Lamb's Book of Life, the FACT that people that were in hell are there is Awesome because do you know who won't be there? Revelation 20:10-13. Notice how these are cast into the lake of fire BEFORE we are go to The Great White Throne. Can you see who else will not be there because they are Already judged? Revelation 19:20, them that receive the mark of the beast.
Good morning all, morning meditations regarding king Cyrus a gentile king.
Isaiah 44:28 "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the Temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."
Isaiah 45:1-2 "Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:"
Ezra 5:13 "But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God."
God knew Cyrus would be king and His shepherd for a great purpose. It was all part of the ushering in of the time for the Messiah, Christ to come where regenerated gentiles could be kings in Christ in the house of God. The decree was the beginning of this time that would be detailed to Daniel and supported again in Revelation by Christ.
You might want to take a look at Isaiah 45:18 which reads "For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else."
With reference to Isaiah 45:7 and your concerns regarding:
1. "I form the light, and create darkness"
2. "I make peace, and create evil" - my response is this.
The Bible reveals many 'opposites' (or contrasts) that exist in scripture, such as:
- Being HOLY or UNHOLY ( 1 Peter 1:16; Heb 12:14)
- Being SAVED or UNSAVED (or 'lost' - Romans 10:9-10; Matt 18:11)
- Walking in the SPIRIT or walking in the FLESH ( Rom 8:1; 2 Peter 2:10)
It is in this context that God created DARKNESS so that the LIGHT that He dwells in ( 1 Tim 6:15-1) has some comparison. It is the same principle regarding "peace" (a good life and the pursuit of happiness) and "evil" (meaning war, death and destruction) that God creates these things.
However, on a spiritual basis, LIGHT represents absolute TRUTH, whereas DARKNESS represents lies, deception, misinformation, etc.
"And this is the condemnation, that LIGHT [via the words of Christ and the Apostles] is come into the world, and [religious-based] men LOVED DARKNESS rather than LIGHT [or Bible-based truth], because their deeds [of corrupting God's word - 2 Cor 2:17] were EVIL." ( John 3:19).
As for God creating "EVIL" the same principle applies:
- Being GOOD or being EVIL ( Matt 19:17; John 3:20)
- Doing GOOD or doing EVIL ( Matt 5:44; 1 Peter 3:12)
The principles in Isa 45:7 therefore regulate what people attract on Earth from God according to this statement:
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth [by his actions - meaning, 'good' or 'evil' in this life], that shall he also reap [in the next life]. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh [or lusts in this life] shall of the flesh reap corruption [in Hell throughout eternity]; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap LIFE EVERLASTING [with God - IF all the conditions associated with Salvation are met]." ( Galatians 6:6-8)
Isaiah 45:7. These verses from verse 1 to 7, are a discourse to Cyrus, the Persian King, revealing Who this God is, One Who will use the king as His instrument. So verse 7 comes as a further reminder to Cyrus that this God is unlike anyone else: He creates Light & He has the power to remove it (once Light from a source is removed, darkness prevails - darkness is the default with light's absence). He can bring about peace (or, happiness, prosperity) & also can remove that (therefore evil instantly emerges & is rampant, with Satan ready to pour out his evil upon man & the world). The Lord has the power to do all things, which the Persian gods could never do.
To be able to correctly understand the 'behavior' of a Holy God Who can do no evil, for evil is never present within Him, the only way that I can read this verse, is to know that the God Who creates, can also remove - not that God has any evil planned for there is no evil in Him. So in one sense God does create 'evil' and 'darkness', but this is not because of His Will to do so, but in His Power to remove what He has placed there (giving or taking away peace with God & man; placing or removing His light (physical & spiritual light)). However, it is true, God does bring on what appears to us as 'evil', as in consigning men to hell, but that comes as a justified punishment for man's disobedience & rejection of Him. For your consideration.
Isaiah 45:7 - "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things."
I'm having difficulty reconciling the above with 1 John 1:5 - "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." And also, Proverbs 8:13 - "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil............."
When combining the verses, it appears that God hates the evil He created and that He created darkness out of something not in Him at all.
Man is God's INSTRUMENTS, he does all the WORK'S of God through man.
Man just does not have the KNOWLEDGE to believe God is doing EVERYTHING, through man.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that worketh IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Jeremiah 51:20 Thou (man) are MY (God's) weapons of WAR ......
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod (weapon) of MY (God) anger, and the staff (weapon) in thy hand is MY (GOD) indignation ...
Isaiah 45:1 ...to Cyrus, whose right hand I (God) have holden, to SUBDUE NATIONS .....
Daniel 4:34 ..... and MY UNDERSTANDING RETURNED .....
Daniel 4:35 ....and he (God) doeth according to HIS (God) WILL ..... among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
God had a purpose for Aaron, also a purpose for those that perished, Aaron also DIED, just a differennt APPOINTED time.
God knows what he is doing and EVIL always works to GOOD.
Genesis 50:20 ....you thought EVIL against me, but God meant it for GOOD ..... to keep many people ALIVE .....
Judas betrayed Christ; EVIL, the Father meant that betrayal for GOOD: to keep all people ALIVE in Christ Jesus ....
Hosea 4:6 My people perish FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE .....
Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand saints.
Jude 1:15 To EXECUTE JUDGEMENT ON ALL ----is this ALL creation or not ---- and to CONVINCE ALL ---is this ALL creation or not ---- that are ungodly among them of ALL ---is the all or just part ---- their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Do you think when this JUDGEMENT is EXECUTED against them it will CONVINCE them to TURN from their ways and bow and confess Christ as LORD.
Everyone (ALL) is either going to be a JUDGE or be JUDGED.
All this happens when Christ resurrects the ungodly back to their flesh and blood bodies.
Isaiah 29:9 ....when thy JUDGEMENTS are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Every knee will BOW and every tongue will CONFESS: CHRIST IS LORD.
Romans 14:11
Isaiah 45:23
Philippians 2:10
Romans 10:10 ....and with the mouth confession is made unto SALVATION.
These scriptures can trip you up when we use them for doctrine when talking about NATIONAL ISRAEL.
Some day God will open the eyes of Israel to show them that all their services was pointing them through the same door that the Gentiles goes through to get to the father. "CHRIST".
There will be two folds that will come together under one shepherd. There's no advantage to either fold. That's what Colossians 3:11-12 and Galatians 3:27-39 is saying. Angels, People, The Church and Israel is called elect in the Bible.
Israel and the Church has different origins and has a different path and destiny.
( Don't mistake that for having a different path for salvation.)
They have a separate purpose. When Jesus speaks of Israel as his elect in Matthew 24. he speaks of Israel as a nation. National Israel.
The Church isn't National Israel or "The new Israel. Is the Church Jacob also?
They're both are Chosen or elected by God to do the will of God for different purposes.
The bible makes references to both National Israel and the remnant.
Paul makes that distinction in Romans when he says all Israel is not Israel and when he mentions Kinsman of the flesh. Paul hammers away at this in Romans chapters 9,10 and 11.
Daniel 12:1 Speaks of National Israel.
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the ( CHILDREN OF THY PEOPLE ): and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time (THY PEOPLE) shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
There is a notion these days that states that the Bible call us "little gods" and this Psalm is their evidence for that assumption.
The scriptures use this term to describe those judges or teachers of the law who were learned in the Torah but as this chapter points out judged for hypocricy.
Verse 3 shows a theme which is echoed in 1 Tim. 5 starting in verse 3; as well as James 1:27 which also refers to widows and orphans as to the definition of "true religion."
Verse 6 seems to suggest that these are all children of God; of the Most High. However; the context of most of this Psalm seems to suggest partiality to the wicked and therefore going against God's ordinances. This was a type of Pharasitical behavior that characterized those who would not escape the damnation of hell as quoted in Matthew 23:33. In one sense; of course all those in Israel of noble lineage could follow their family tree to prove that they were sons of Abraham. But again; not all were true children ( Romans 9:7). In one sense we were all created in God's image; more precisely now in the image of Adam. We were all put in the book of the living ( Psalm 69:28). That is different from the Book of Life; clearly. Perhaps the meaning remains ambiguous; the nation of Israel were chosen as a whole but only a remnant truly believed.
The Psalm is generally a call for men to be wise judges; but also ends with God being implored to act (verse 8). In any event every knee will bow someday to God and to His Christ (as quoted in Philippians AND Romans but also from God being represented in Isaiah 45:23).
God also allows wicked judgments to accomplish His purposes in the end; refining His people for instance.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christ (Christ is the word, so there shall arise false words), and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; in so much that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE (but is not possible), they should deceive the very elect.
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, WHO WERE ORDAINED TO THIS CONDEMNATION .....
God says he himself has caused this and brought it to pass.
Luke 22:31 ....Satan has desired to have you, THAT HE MAY SIFT YOU as wheat ....
Luke 22:32 But I WILL PRAY FOR YOU: that your faith (the faith of Christ) fail not .... IT'S CHRIST'S WORKS ....
Isaiah 28:21 ....that he may do HIS WORK, HIS STRANGE WORK; and bring TO PASS his act, HIS STRANGE ACT.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his maker! Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth, Shall the clay say to him that fashioned it, What makest thou? OR THY WORK, He hath no hands?
Isaiah 48:10 Behold I have refined the, but not with silver, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself; but endureth for awhile, and when tribulations and persecutions ariseth because of the WORD, by and by he is offended.
Christ had many disciples, but when the words became to hard for them they went the way of the world.
Matthew 13:23 ..... and false prophets, shall show great signs and wonders .....
Revelation .... and with him the false prophet ....were cast alive into the a lake of fire burning with BRIMSTONE
Isaiah 30:33 ....the breath of the Lord, like a stream of BRIMSTONE, doeth kindle it.
Isaiah 33:14 ...Who among us SHALL DWELL with the devouring fire ( Hebrews 12:29)? who amongst us SHALL DWELL with everlasting burning?
Isaiah 9:5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise and garments rolled in blood, but this (battle) shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
Isaiah 9:18 ...and the people shall be the fuel of the fire .....
Genesis 2:15,16,17, Genesis 3:1-6, skipping parts Genesis 3:14,15, between the seed of Serpent - Revelation 20:2,
John 8:34, 1John 3, Romans 5, John 3:16-21, James 1:5, Proverbs 8:17,
Example, simple Salvation "GOD save me" many times in life threatening situations, & many times HE has. Psalms 18:3, Psalms 107:13, Psalms 44:7, Luke 18:42, Psalms 34:6,
Matthew 10:22, Hebrews 2, Matthew 24, Mark 13, Psalms 139,
Why is Romans 10:9 not a salvation message to the world? Christ, at some point in time, is going to raise all unbelievers back to their flesh.
Romans 10:9 If thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, THOU SHALL BE SAVED.
There is no time line defined in this verse ,as in this age we are now in, the feast of first fruits, there is still the age of the ingathering, the feast of tabernacles, yet to come.
No one is saved until they depart this body of mortal flesh, no one is born again until they depart this body of mortal flesh.
I Timothy 6:16 Who (Christ) ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the LIGHT which no man can approach unto ......
1 Corinthians 15:53 ....this mortal (at the death of this body) SHALL PUT ON IMMORTALITY ......
1 Corinthians 15:49 A we bear have borne the image of the earthly (mortal), we shall also SHALL bear the image of the heavenly --- IMMORTALITY --- Christ ONLY hath immortality ----
But God giveth IT (the new creation, born a second time) a BODY as it has pleased him, and to ever SEED his OWN BODY ----Christ is the BODY of the FATHER ----
Psalms 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they ARE CREATED (the second birth, upon the death of this mortal body): and thou renewest the face of the earth ---- Revelations 21:5 ....I make all things new .....
Isaiah 45:23 ....every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess ....
Romans 14:11 ....every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess ....
Romans 10:9 That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the grave, THOU SHALL BE SAVE.
Romans 10:10 ..... and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
1 Timothy 4:10 .....who is SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, specially those that believe.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these thing happen FOR ENSAMPLES; and they are written for OUR ADMONITION .....
Understanding "God works all things out for the good for those who love Him" ( Romans 8:28) needs to be taken; of course in context with the end of the verse "who have been called according to His purpose". Deuteronomy 29:29 states that certain things in the "hidden counsel of God" are not for us to try to comprehend. We can be assured; however that through our own sin God's people are chastised as well as through those done against them. I have cited references to these concepts before.
To take a couple examples from y own personal acquaintances; I know of a friend who was born out of his mom being raped. He recently has seen his mother converted to the faith and they live together under the same roof (she is in her 70's). The other person I know is also in her seventies; and had a child after being raped. The mother is a believer (if still alive she has been in hospice care and unfortunately I am not sure of her status after having to move from Pittsburgh in 2021). Her daughter is the only friend she has basically; apparently other members of the family are deceased or there were issues. I was able to help facilitate communication between them after her daughter in Canada moved to a new address through a phone call and mail.
There are certainly other people who have chosen abortion or remaining incommunicado with their own offspring after these events (although in all fairness the adoption agencies may have prevented it).
There are several things to consider. God Himself declares "I create both good and evil." ( Isaiah 45:7). This; of course can be defined as a calamity; or perhaps in David's case the better choice when God dealt with the repercussions of sin ( 2 Samuel 24:12). Certainly Satan was used for God's purposes and is the major theme of the entire book of Job. Another viewpoint is that we are never free to "save ourselves" but certainly it appears God lets men freely decide things in this life
Psalm 139:8 makes it clear that everywhere; including hell God's presence is there. God; however depending on the state of an individual our soul has a different experience. With David; in old times sheol was the place of comfort as well as torment (see Luke 16:19-31). After captivity was made cptive (i.e. souls of the righteous were brought out after the Resurrection ( Psalm 68:18) then "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord ( 2 Cor. 5:6). Therefore; we saw some of the saints come out of their graves after Christ's Resurrection (sort of the "first of the firstfruits").
God cannot look onto sin ( Matt. 27:45-46). Christ was the "sin bearer" who took on our sins (see Isaiah 53; Numbers 21:8). This explains the Godhead in some sense; as if all of the Godhead died at the crucifixion the whole universe would cease to exist. Jesus; however overcame death as it could not hold Him ( Acts 2:24). When He said "it is finished" and died then the work was done ( John 19:30). The rest of the time He was declaring victory to all (including unregenerate lost souls and demons bound in the underworld) in 1 Peter 3:18-20 then He ascended back to the Father where He ever lives to intercede for us ( Heb. 7:25).
It is clear that every eye shall see Him ( Rev. 1:7); Rev. 5:13; Rev. 20 and Great White Throne Judgment). Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ( Philippians 2:10-11 and also reflected in Isaiah 45:23. During the Tribulation men also will be actively cursing God and Antichrist Himself will blaspheme Him as well as those who dwell in heaven ( Rev. 6:15; Revelation 13). It is clear that everyone will know about God and Christ by the sixth seal but it won't do those any good who have not been regenerated. It is only in those God chooses to reveal Himself through the Son that come to know Him ( Matt. 11:27 and see much of Gospel of John including some of my commentaries on Predestination). Also see Psalm 19; ROmans 1
Thine ARROWS are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies (enemies of JESUS,anti-JESUS,Antichrist;whereby the people fall under thee- Psalm 45:5.
Isaiah 7:22-24
22...he shall eat butter:for butter and honey shall every one eat that is left in the land(the remnant-144K) Question:The rebel Israel was banned from their land and was spread around the whole world from year 70 AD until 1948,but from now on?being ruled by a false God,a false messiah?- Revelation 13:11-18).
23 And it shall come to pass in that day(the current seventh and last Day,seventh and last millennium)that every place shall be, where there were a thousand vines at a thousand silverlings,it shall even be for briers and thorns.(because are good for nothing)
24 With ARROWS and with BOWS shall men come thither; because all the land shall become briers and thorns.
Isaiah 45:2
2Thou art fairer than the children of men:grace is poured into thy lips:therefore GOD hath blessed thee for ever.
3Gird thy Sword upon thy thigh,O most MIGHTY, with thy glory and thy majesty.(He's a Prince of GOD)
4And in thy majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness;and thy right hand shall TEACH thee terrible things.
6Thy throne,O God(GOD the Father, GOD Son and(God of the earth- Revelation 11:4),is for ever and ever:the sceptre of thy kingdom is a RIGHT sceptre.
7Thou lovest righteousness,and hatest wickedness:therefore God(God the Father/God the Son),thy God,has ANNOINTED thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Zech.4:11-14
What are these two olive trees upon the right and left side of the candlestick?
What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
Knowest thou not what these be?
These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth
Having set forth a few warnings on how NOT to read scripture I will continue with some further analysis but thought I would begin discussion on how we should read it.
1. First and foremost; we need to be DEAD serious as to the eternal ramifications of our spiritual condition which is a result of our sinful inheritance through Adam as well as the acting out of our sins through commission of acts or omission of things the Lord has made clear result in judgment. One can quibble as to details of the description of hell; but it's reality and eternal finality are not options to disregard. To put it in simple terms those that believe in the Biblical heaven never seem to debate as to whether it lasts forever; and rarely that it is a literal place. Given the same descriptions of the finality of hell we have no reason from the text alone to debate the fact that there is a place of eternal torment for the wicked. The only caveat is that the current "holding cell" status of hell ends at the Great White Throne judgment; where all wicked are cast into their eternal existance in the lake of fire to continue their suffering in an eternal physical body that cannot be extinguished. There is hardly anything we can read or ponder on that has anything remotely resembling the urgency of the Bible. Our temporal earthly existence and our faith or lack thereof determines our eternal destiny; as well as degrees of reward or punishment based on actions on earth. Our life therefore is either in ourselves on the throne or God. Either Satan or God is our master and as the usurper of all earthly riches it is no wonder that the Babylon the Great economic system makes the love of money the root of all evil. ( 1 Tim. 6:10). What we see with human eyes at best is a dim reflection in Creation of God's glory. What is unseen is what we must believe; as every knee shall bow before Him someday ( John 20:29; Phillipians 2:10-11; Isaiah 45:23).
I am not sure to whom you asked this question. If I may, I feel you have put on chest waders, I love it. I would love to hear your thoughts; may we all grow in the knowledge of our LORD. "What came first? Light or darkness? And where and when were they created or formed or made."
If we look at Genesis darkness was, and God said let there be light, and He divided them. Does that make darkness before light? God called the light day and the darkness night. What was this light since there was not a sun until day four?
Light has both physical and theological aspects. The "complete light" is that "true light that gives light to every man", the light of God which has come into the world in the person of Jesus Christ, John 1:9. Jesus said of himself "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world".
Or should we consider Isaiah 45:7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
Does not all creation come from the only God, our Father?
God bless,
RLW
God's eternal purpose
Jesus the Messiah/Christ God's only begotten Son is the purpose, I do not know if I am reading your question correctly, may you and others have more or different understandings.
1 Corinthians 2:16 tells us we have the mind of Christ, but no one can know the mind of God. 2 Peter 3:18 tells us to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus. All began with Jesus; Jesus is the beginning of God's plan. Isaiah 45:18 Isaiah 46:8-10 God and there is none like Him, He declared the end from the beginning His counsel (His purpose and plan by His will) shall stand and God will do all His pleasure, Psalms 33:11.
God is not in our time the end of His plan is as the beginning God's plan was completed when He made it, we have the Bible, and with the guidance of the Holy Spirit His plan is made known to us as our time comes to be, as in Ephesians 1:10-12 to be the praise and glory to God.
God declared from the very beginnings of history, Acts 17:24-26 there is but one human race, we all are of the same blood, and in Jesus Christ we become brothers and sisters. In God's plan, it is finished, nothing will change. In God, it is finished already to Him who is from everlasting to everlasting, Psalms 90:2 and how He can "calleth those things which be not as though they were." Romans 4:17-18.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
God bless,
RLW
Part 2 Trinity discussion
Did Jesus exist before creation? Did the Holy Spirit exist before creation?
Jesus existed in God's plan, Jesus is the beginning of creation Rev. 3:14 and by Him were all things created Col. 1:16 my understanding is Jesus, was the first in God's plan of creation and everything was created by God, in and through the plan and purpose of Jesus. My understanding Jesus did not physically exist until the fullness of time. Ephesians 1:10 He was born of Mary the Son of God. the seed of woman. Genesis 3:15 Matthew 1:20
My understanding is the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God, not a person, Genesis 1:2. We see all the greetings are from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 1:7 1 Corinthians 1:3 2 Corinthians 1:2 Galatians 1:3 Ephesians 1:2 Ephesians 6:23 Philippians 1:2 Colossians 1:2 and 6 more. The Holy Spirit not being included is a good clue the Holy Spirit was not considered a person by Paul and others at that time.
If so, who were they in relation to the Father?
I believe the above answers this.
How did the Father, the Son, and the Spirit all create all that is, seen or unseen?
My understanding is God the Father created all, Genesis 1:1 Genesis 1:31 Proverbs 16:4 Isaiah 45:18 Nehemiah 9:6.
Does Scripture teach that God is only one person who manifests in three forms, but all these manifestations are only one person?
Scripture does not support Modalism I have never considered this and do not know anything about it.
See part 3.
I know you are an author and your vocabulary is greater than mine I will try to respond but to be truthful you are hard to follow. First MOU my understanding is a nonbinding agreement between parties stating their intentions. How can that be a covenant a covenant is a relationship between partners either conditional or unconditional and this covenant is between God the Father and God the Son. Would not the Holy Spirit be a part of this covenant and the will of God that the Son completes? John 6:38 It is God's will not Jesus's like He said in Luke 22:42.
If God is a triune God, would it not be the will of all three with no difference in authority or knowledge? Why the need for a covenant between them since all three are God and all three are equal?
At the beginning of each day, God said what was to be, the spoken word of God, and it was so. Other than speculation how can we say the Son was in agreement? Isaiah 45:18 In Genesis 1:28 would be an unconditional covenant, more of a blessing, God placed man above all that was created on earth and man was given dominion over it. God delegated the rule of man over His creation and no consequences were stated, we see how that turned out.
I agree Jesus did not need to be water baptized for remittance of sin, but He did need the anointing of the Holy Ghost/Spirit to become the Messiah/Christ. The word of God was in Jesus and by the Holy Ghost/Spirit Jesus did the works of His Father therefore Jesus was the tabernacle of God, the image of God for every word Jesus said was not His but the word of God the Father. John 4:34 John 5:30 John 12:44-45
Philip was the first to bring the gospel to the Samaritans.
I hope you can make sense of this.
God bless,
RLW
Even the "Shema Yisrael" ( Deuteronomy 6:4,5) is Israel's central belief & affirmation on the singularity of God's Person, & any suggestion of a 'compound' Nature of God would be anathema. Also Isaiah 53:1-12 and Isaiah 9:6,7 references to a coming Messiah, which should clearly reveal the Divine Nature of a Coming One, is discarded by them, then & now. So, anything of a Triune God must be rejected by the Jew, & only the operation of God by His Spirit (i.e. God revealing Himself & working before them) should be acceptable to them (e.g. Psalm 51:10,11; Isaiah 11:2; & many others). As believers though, we can see the Triune God in operation in the whole Bible, but Israel is blinded to this Truth & their hearts hardened.
When Jesus came & spoke (e.g. John 16:27,28; John 17:5), He declared His Divine Nature, that which was not revealed before. So your reference ( Matthew 22:32), speaks primarily of the One Nature of God; but to those who believe, having received salvation through Jesus Christ, know that the God of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob was always the Triune God, Who would one day manifest Himself fully to a needy world: God's Word first by the prophets, now given through His Word made flesh ( Hebrews 1:1-3) . What Israel knew of the One God then, should have revealed the full Nature of a Triune God at the appearance of their Messiah. But their eyes were blinded & hearts hardened. Therefore, as Christians, I believe that we should see God (in the OT & NT) as a Triune God, manifesting Himself also as His Word and His Spirit going forth to accomplish His Will over His creation.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his maker! Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth ....
Ezekiel 38:21 And I will call for a sword (the word of God) against him (the WORD) throughout all my mountains (peoples): saith the LORD: every man's sword (word) shall be against his brother(s) (word).
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a PERFECT MAN, unto the measure and the stature and FULLNESS of Christ:
God's plan is for us to strive against each other, Joseph's brother DID NOT like the word their brother Joseph spoken, and sold him into slavery.
But look what Joseph said, by the spirit of Christ:
Genesis 50:20 But as for you, ye thought EVIL against me, but God meant it unto GOOD, to SAVE much people alive.
Just walk in the truth of the WORD, his ways are not our ways.
God Bless YOU!
by angelic hosts, saints, and believers along with the Father, we have to conclude that God is a unity of Persons as One Being or else God would have lied about being the only God and there is no others beside Him. Yet, just as Isaiah 45:23 says that every knee shall bow and every tongue swear" and in Philippians 2:10-11 says that every knee shall bow and tongue confess that Jesus is LORD to the glory of God."
Isaiah 45:25" In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified.." so in Jesus, the promised Seed of Abraham, are all the seed of Abraham justified. Gal. 3:8;14 that is , those who believe in Jesus, whether Jew or Gentile.
Adam, thank you again for holding firm on this doctrine. We need to continue to speak forth what the Scriptures say concerning Who Jesus truly is, by the words He spoke, the inspired words of the apostles, and the works of Jesus that only God could do (forgive sins, heal the sick, give sight to the blind, control the weather, cast out demons, and be the only perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins.
I appreciate you and your reply. I drove 200 miles today; a bit weary. Thus my reply to yours will be shorter than I prefer at this time. And oh, no need to be sorry.
Although I've read Job, I don't remember Job 28:28. When I read Isaiah 45:7 along with it, it's somewhat confusing. I must now conclude that in order to gain understanding, I must depart from God to do so. Now I'm sorry, because I have to accept that God is evil because God is the Source of "Evil".
Evil makes evil just as fear makes fear and Love creates Itself. Could you please explain which quality you attribute to Satan; evil or love? Perhaps neither? Or maybe just one of these characteristics; if so, then I must assume God and Satan have something in common, and thus share a common purpose.
The New Testament claims if Satan opposes himself and is divided he cannot stand and his end has come. Actually, this principle applies to everything, including God. Personally, I don't believe God is divided. I do believe He is One.
The Bible also states in James that things produce what they are, not what they are not; and furthermore, both fresh water and its OPPOSITE, salt water, cannot flow from the same spring. Thus OPPOSITES cannot flow from the Mind of God. As I've suggested in the past, this would indicate that faith in Love AND fear is the result of a double-minded entity. If someone has faith in God Who is Love, then he MUST ALSO have faith in evil if God is Evil.
Quoting me Scripture is fine, of course. But, I'm fairly familiar with it, and can also read fairly well. What would be helpful is reconciling what appears as irreconcilable, i.e. opposing; with something unambiguous, leading to an obvious conclusion. This would be helpful also, because obviousness IS the essential characteristic of reality, i.e. truth. And I'm quite certain the ego is afraid of the obvious.
Peace
God's Blessings on you, TODAY, this day of our Lord.
You ask what I SEE (by the GRACE of our Lord) concerning God's kingdom, now on EARTH, and forever to be on EARTH.
Isaiah 45:18 For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens, God himself that formed the earth and made it, he hath establish it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be INHABITED: I am the Lord, and none else.
Daniel 12:4 But thou, Oh Daniel, seal up the words, even unto the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, AND KNOWLEDGE (of the POWER of God) SHALL BE INCREASED.
The POWER of the WORKS of CHRIST'S CROSS has been lost to the doctrines of man.
Paul said: when I am gone grievious wolves shall come in and destroy the flock.
For about 2000 years now God's people (a remnant) have been isolated in small flocks, each being GIVEN small amounts of truth.
God uses evil for GOOD, and I do BELIEVE the world wide web is EVIL, BUT by the increase of knowledge to have world wide communication, God's remnant is being brought together to CONFESS THEIR SINS TO EACH OTHER.
Not the SINS of the FLESH, they DIED on the CROSS, OUR SIN OF UNBELIEF, the POWER given us by the RESURRECTION of Christ. The POWER of JUDGEMENT, to first judge ourselves, then the WORLD.
Our beggerally little flock HAS NOT been eating enough FOOD, only the CRUMBS from a table that is all YOURS.
There is NOTHING to be ADDED, nor can anything be TAKEN AWAY, WE are a FINISHED CREATION, all by the RESURRECTION of CHRIST.
God BLESS YOU!
The first verse and the last verse in the Bible are ( Gen 1:1) and ( Rev 22:21)
The first and last words in the first and last verses are
( Gen 1:1) (In) and (earth)
And in ( Rev 22:21) (The) and (Amen)
These four words (In) (earth) (The) and (Amen) show up in the KJB 77777 times! And the KJB ONLY!
( Isaiah 45:23) "I have (sworn) by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness" The word (sworn) is #7650; it means to be complete, to seven oneself, (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) ( Ps 12:6-7)
The KJB is the pure preserved Word of God!
( Titus 1:9-16)
Truth matters.
Blessings to all who seek His Truth.
I ended my last post briefly discussing the Persian; Greek and Roman empires which would all have a part of history when they affected Israel. In the Persian empire Cyrus the Great (see Ezra) would allow the Temple to be rebuilt even though he didn't know the Lord he showed favor to Israel. ( Isaiah 45:4-6). Later Antiochus Epiphanes as a type of Antichrist would during the intertestamental period take over the Temple (actually part of the Syrian empire but also spread Greek cultural ideas). God through the Macabees fought back and eventually they were defeated. Finally; of course the Roman empire would have a tenuous existance with the Jewish nation; and be a part of Christ's crucifixion. They also; (until today's modern version still forming) would be defeated.
We see examples of God working with Nebuchadnezzar to bring about true conversion. We also see examples such as Naaman the Syrian in 2 Kings 5 who God healed; as well as the story of Jonah with the Ninevites who repented and God spared for a time of judgment; but in the book of Nahum God's patience ran out and they were destroyed. We also see examples such as Ruth who was a Gentile that came to believe and became part of the royal lineage and even Rahab in the same light. In general though God winked at certain things in the past but ( Acts 17:30-31) but now in New Testament times there were stricter standards.
Christ would also begin with only ministering to the "lost sheep of Israel". ( Matthew 15:24 but mentioned earlier when the 70 were sent out). In this case a Gentile woman showed great faith and Christ healed her daughter. The plan now was to fulfill the prophecies in Isaiah 42:1-9 about being a light to the Gentiles. This began with Christ spending much time with the Samaritan woman and others possessed by demons which added to crowds from surrounding nations; and showed the lack of faith in his own hometown as a contrast ( Mark 6:4).
Universalism! It's TRUTH. I'll do a quick overview to try to explain it. God will one day SAVE all His creatures, even the demons. Why you ask, actually why is easy because He is God and God is GOOD! How, is the more pertinent question. I'll start off by using the same scripture God opened my eyes with, Isaiah 45:23, and confirmed again in Romans 14:11. God has NEVER said a frivolous thing, ever! And if a person came up to us and said,"I have bowed my knee to God and confessed to Christ!" We, as messengers of truth would have to say, "Amen, welcome brother/sister!" The Key is Truthfulness, if this is done in Truth then it is done and has been done since The Cross of Christ. Therefore, we Understand that God said that He will bring it about, thus, if He brings it about then we can be SURE that it was done in TRUTH.
I'll try to answer as many questions as possible, the first was from Bro Dan and an astute point was made, namely, " Most will be to late, as it will be after they are dead, and standing before Jesus on Judgement Day." To this I point to, Psalms 139:7-12 and Romans 8:35-39. Proof that Nothing can stand in the way of God Almighty! I'll reveal another revelation that refutes the doctrine of demons, hell is NOT Eternal! Revelation 20:13-14 confirms this and we can see that those in hell will be Called before The White Throne of Judgment. This is important because we go there to see if our name is in The Lamb's Book of Life, the FACT that people that were in hell are there is Awesome because do you know who won't be there? Revelation 20:10-13. Notice how these are cast into the lake of fire BEFORE we are go to The Great White Throne. Can you see who else will not be there because they are Already judged? Revelation 19:20, them that receive the mark of the beast.
Isaiah 44:28 "That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the Temple, Thy foundation shall be laid."
Isaiah 45:1-2 "Thus saith the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:"
Ezra 5:13 "But in the first year of Cyrus king of Babylon the same king Cyrus made a decree to build this house of God."
God knew Cyrus would be king and His shepherd for a great purpose. It was all part of the ushering in of the time for the Messiah, Christ to come where regenerated gentiles could be kings in Christ in the house of God. The decree was the beginning of this time that would be detailed to Daniel and supported again in Revelation by Christ.
You might want to take a look at Isaiah 45:18 which reads "For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else."
Not sure if this is what you're looking for?
1. "I form the light, and create darkness"
2. "I make peace, and create evil" - my response is this.
The Bible reveals many 'opposites' (or contrasts) that exist in scripture, such as:
- Being HOLY or UNHOLY ( 1 Peter 1:16; Heb 12:14)
- Being SAVED or UNSAVED (or 'lost' - Romans 10:9-10; Matt 18:11)
- Walking in the SPIRIT or walking in the FLESH ( Rom 8:1; 2 Peter 2:10)
It is in this context that God created DARKNESS so that the LIGHT that He dwells in ( 1 Tim 6:15-1) has some comparison. It is the same principle regarding "peace" (a good life and the pursuit of happiness) and "evil" (meaning war, death and destruction) that God creates these things.
However, on a spiritual basis, LIGHT represents absolute TRUTH, whereas DARKNESS represents lies, deception, misinformation, etc.
"And this is the condemnation, that LIGHT [via the words of Christ and the Apostles] is come into the world, and [religious-based] men LOVED DARKNESS rather than LIGHT [or Bible-based truth], because their deeds [of corrupting God's word - 2 Cor 2:17] were EVIL." ( John 3:19).
As for God creating "EVIL" the same principle applies:
- Being GOOD or being EVIL ( Matt 19:17; John 3:20)
- Doing GOOD or doing EVIL ( Matt 5:44; 1 Peter 3:12)
The principles in Isa 45:7 therefore regulate what people attract on Earth from God according to this statement:
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth [by his actions - meaning, 'good' or 'evil' in this life], that shall he also reap [in the next life]. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh [or lusts in this life] shall of the flesh reap corruption [in Hell throughout eternity]; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap LIFE EVERLASTING [with God - IF all the conditions associated with Salvation are met]." ( Galatians 6:6-8)
I hope this answers your questions, One eighty.
Isaiah 45:7. These verses from verse 1 to 7, are a discourse to Cyrus, the Persian King, revealing Who this God is, One Who will use the king as His instrument. So verse 7 comes as a further reminder to Cyrus that this God is unlike anyone else: He creates Light & He has the power to remove it (once Light from a source is removed, darkness prevails - darkness is the default with light's absence). He can bring about peace (or, happiness, prosperity) & also can remove that (therefore evil instantly emerges & is rampant, with Satan ready to pour out his evil upon man & the world). The Lord has the power to do all things, which the Persian gods could never do.
To be able to correctly understand the 'behavior' of a Holy God Who can do no evil, for evil is never present within Him, the only way that I can read this verse, is to know that the God Who creates, can also remove - not that God has any evil planned for there is no evil in Him. So in one sense God does create 'evil' and 'darkness', but this is not because of His Will to do so, but in His Power to remove what He has placed there (giving or taking away peace with God & man; placing or removing His light (physical & spiritual light)). However, it is true, God does bring on what appears to us as 'evil', as in consigning men to hell, but that comes as a justified punishment for man's disobedience & rejection of Him. For your consideration.
Isaiah 45:7 - "I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things."
I'm having difficulty reconciling the above with 1 John 1:5 - "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." And also, Proverbs 8:13 - "The fear of the Lord is to hate evil............."
When combining the verses, it appears that God hates the evil He created and that He created darkness out of something not in Him at all.
Any help would be appreciated.
God Is
Peace
Man is God's INSTRUMENTS, he does all the WORK'S of God through man.
Man just does not have the KNOWLEDGE to believe God is doing EVERYTHING, through man.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God that worketh IN YOU both TO WILL and TO DO his good pleasure.
Jeremiah 51:20 Thou (man) are MY (God's) weapons of WAR ......
Isaiah 10:5 O Assyrian, the rod (weapon) of MY (God) anger, and the staff (weapon) in thy hand is MY (GOD) indignation ...
Isaiah 45:1 ...to Cyrus, whose right hand I (God) have holden, to SUBDUE NATIONS .....
Daniel 4:34 ..... and MY UNDERSTANDING RETURNED .....
Daniel 4:35 ....and he (God) doeth according to HIS (God) WILL ..... among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
God had a purpose for Aaron, also a purpose for those that perished, Aaron also DIED, just a differennt APPOINTED time.
God knows what he is doing and EVIL always works to GOOD.
Genesis 50:20 ....you thought EVIL against me, but God meant it for GOOD ..... to keep many people ALIVE .....
Judas betrayed Christ; EVIL, the Father meant that betrayal for GOOD: to keep all people ALIVE in Christ Jesus ....
Hosea 4:6 My people perish FOR LACK OF KNOWLEDGE .....
God Bless YOU!
Are you going to judge the world with Christ?
Jude 1:14 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand saints.
Jude 1:15 To EXECUTE JUDGEMENT ON ALL ----is this ALL creation or not ---- and to CONVINCE ALL ---is this ALL creation or not ---- that are ungodly among them of ALL ---is the all or just part ---- their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
Do you think when this JUDGEMENT is EXECUTED against them it will CONVINCE them to TURN from their ways and bow and confess Christ as LORD.
Everyone (ALL) is either going to be a JUDGE or be JUDGED.
All this happens when Christ resurrects the ungodly back to their flesh and blood bodies.
Isaiah 29:9 ....when thy JUDGEMENTS are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world WILL LEARN RIGHTEOUSNESS.
Every knee will BOW and every tongue will CONFESS: CHRIST IS LORD.
Romans 14:11
Isaiah 45:23
Philippians 2:10
Romans 10:10 ....and with the mouth confession is made unto SALVATION.
God Bless YOU!
Isaiah 45:4.
Part 1.
Romans 2:25-29.
Colossians 3:11-12
and Galatians 3:27-39
These scriptures can trip you up when we use them for doctrine when talking about NATIONAL ISRAEL.
Some day God will open the eyes of Israel to show them that all their services was pointing them through the same door that the Gentiles goes through to get to the father. "CHRIST".
There will be two folds that will come together under one shepherd. There's no advantage to either fold. That's what Colossians 3:11-12 and Galatians 3:27-39 is saying. Angels, People, The Church and Israel is called elect in the Bible.
Israel and the Church has different origins and has a different path and destiny.
( Don't mistake that for having a different path for salvation.)
They have a separate purpose. When Jesus speaks of Israel as his elect in Matthew 24. he speaks of Israel as a nation. National Israel.
The Church isn't National Israel or "The new Israel. Is the Church Jacob also?
They're both are Chosen or elected by God to do the will of God for different purposes.
The bible makes references to both National Israel and the remnant.
Paul makes that distinction in Romans when he says all Israel is not Israel and when he mentions Kinsman of the flesh. Paul hammers away at this in Romans chapters 9,10 and 11.
Daniel 12:1 Speaks of National Israel.
"And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the ( CHILDREN OF THY PEOPLE ): and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time (THY PEOPLE) shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
"Daniels people is not the Church"
See key verses Daniel 9:24-27 in
Part 2.
There is a notion these days that states that the Bible call us "little gods" and this Psalm is their evidence for that assumption.
The scriptures use this term to describe those judges or teachers of the law who were learned in the Torah but as this chapter points out judged for hypocricy.
Verse 3 shows a theme which is echoed in 1 Tim. 5 starting in verse 3; as well as James 1:27 which also refers to widows and orphans as to the definition of "true religion."
Verse 6 seems to suggest that these are all children of God; of the Most High. However; the context of most of this Psalm seems to suggest partiality to the wicked and therefore going against God's ordinances. This was a type of Pharasitical behavior that characterized those who would not escape the damnation of hell as quoted in Matthew 23:33. In one sense; of course all those in Israel of noble lineage could follow their family tree to prove that they were sons of Abraham. But again; not all were true children ( Romans 9:7). In one sense we were all created in God's image; more precisely now in the image of Adam. We were all put in the book of the living ( Psalm 69:28). That is different from the Book of Life; clearly. Perhaps the meaning remains ambiguous; the nation of Israel were chosen as a whole but only a remnant truly believed.
The Psalm is generally a call for men to be wise judges; but also ends with God being implored to act (verse 8). In any event every knee will bow someday to God and to His Christ (as quoted in Philippians AND Romans but also from God being represented in Isaiah 45:23).
God also allows wicked judgments to accomplish His purposes in the end; refining His people for instance.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christ (Christ is the word, so there shall arise false words), and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; in so much that, IF IT WERE POSSIBLE (but is not possible), they should deceive the very elect.
Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, WHO WERE ORDAINED TO THIS CONDEMNATION .....
God says he himself has caused this and brought it to pass.
Luke 22:31 ....Satan has desired to have you, THAT HE MAY SIFT YOU as wheat ....
Luke 22:32 But I WILL PRAY FOR YOU: that your faith (the faith of Christ) fail not .... IT'S CHRIST'S WORKS ....
Isaiah 28:21 ....that he may do HIS WORK, HIS STRANGE WORK; and bring TO PASS his act, HIS STRANGE ACT.
Isaiah 45:9 Woe unto him that striveth with his maker! Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the earth, Shall the clay say to him that fashioned it, What makest thou? OR THY WORK, He hath no hands?
Isaiah 48:10 Behold I have refined the, but not with silver, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.
Matthew 13:21 Yet hath he not root in himself; but endureth for awhile, and when tribulations and persecutions ariseth because of the WORD, by and by he is offended.
Christ had many disciples, but when the words became to hard for them they went the way of the world.
Matthew 13:23 ..... and false prophets, shall show great signs and wonders .....
Revelation .... and with him the false prophet ....were cast alive into the a lake of fire burning with BRIMSTONE
Isaiah 30:33 ....the breath of the Lord, like a stream of BRIMSTONE, doeth kindle it.
Isaiah 33:14 ...Who among us SHALL DWELL with the devouring fire ( Hebrews 12:29)? who amongst us SHALL DWELL with everlasting burning?
Isaiah 9:5 For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise and garments rolled in blood, but this (battle) shall be with burning and fuel of fire.
Isaiah 9:18 ...and the people shall be the fuel of the fire .....
God Bless YOU!
Genesis 2:15,16,17, Genesis 3:1-6, skipping parts Genesis 3:14,15, between the seed of Serpent - Revelation 20:2,
John 8:34, 1John 3, Romans 5, John 3:16-21, James 1:5, Proverbs 8:17,
Example, simple Salvation "GOD save me" many times in life threatening situations, & many times HE has. Psalms 18:3, Psalms 107:13, Psalms 44:7, Luke 18:42, Psalms 34:6,
Matthew 10:22, Hebrews 2, Matthew 24, Mark 13, Psalms 139,
Romans 10:13, context Romans 10, Everlasting Salvation, Isaiah 45:17, Acts 4,
1John 3:14, Job 38:17, Revelation 20, Psalms 49, Ecclesiastes 8:8, Romans 5, Revelation 21,
Hopefully these are helpful
Why is Romans 10:9 not a salvation message to the world? Christ, at some point in time, is going to raise all unbelievers back to their flesh.
Romans 10:9 If thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, THOU SHALL BE SAVED.
There is no time line defined in this verse ,as in this age we are now in, the feast of first fruits, there is still the age of the ingathering, the feast of tabernacles, yet to come.
No one is saved until they depart this body of mortal flesh, no one is born again until they depart this body of mortal flesh.
I Timothy 6:16 Who (Christ) ONLY hath IMMORTALITY, dwelling in the LIGHT which no man can approach unto ......
1 Corinthians 15:53 ....this mortal (at the death of this body) SHALL PUT ON IMMORTALITY ......
1 Corinthians 15:49 A we bear have borne the image of the earthly (mortal), we shall also SHALL bear the image of the heavenly --- IMMORTALITY --- Christ ONLY hath immortality ----
But God giveth IT (the new creation, born a second time) a BODY as it has pleased him, and to ever SEED his OWN BODY ----Christ is the BODY of the FATHER ----
Psalms 104:30 Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they ARE CREATED (the second birth, upon the death of this mortal body): and thou renewest the face of the earth ---- Revelations 21:5 ....I make all things new .....
Isaiah 45:23 ....every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess ....
Romans 14:11 ....every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess ....
Romans 10:9 That if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the grave, THOU SHALL BE SAVE.
Romans 10:10 ..... and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
1 Timothy 4:10 .....who is SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN, specially those that believe.
1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these thing happen FOR ENSAMPLES; and they are written for OUR ADMONITION .....
God Bless You as we come to TRUTH
Understanding "God works all things out for the good for those who love Him" ( Romans 8:28) needs to be taken; of course in context with the end of the verse "who have been called according to His purpose". Deuteronomy 29:29 states that certain things in the "hidden counsel of God" are not for us to try to comprehend. We can be assured; however that through our own sin God's people are chastised as well as through those done against them. I have cited references to these concepts before.
To take a couple examples from y own personal acquaintances; I know of a friend who was born out of his mom being raped. He recently has seen his mother converted to the faith and they live together under the same roof (she is in her 70's). The other person I know is also in her seventies; and had a child after being raped. The mother is a believer (if still alive she has been in hospice care and unfortunately I am not sure of her status after having to move from Pittsburgh in 2021). Her daughter is the only friend she has basically; apparently other members of the family are deceased or there were issues. I was able to help facilitate communication between them after her daughter in Canada moved to a new address through a phone call and mail.
There are certainly other people who have chosen abortion or remaining incommunicado with their own offspring after these events (although in all fairness the adoption agencies may have prevented it).
There are several things to consider. God Himself declares "I create both good and evil." ( Isaiah 45:7). This; of course can be defined as a calamity; or perhaps in David's case the better choice when God dealt with the repercussions of sin ( 2 Samuel 24:12). Certainly Satan was used for God's purposes and is the major theme of the entire book of Job. Another viewpoint is that we are never free to "save ourselves" but certainly it appears God lets men freely decide things in this life
God cannot look onto sin ( Matt. 27:45-46). Christ was the "sin bearer" who took on our sins (see Isaiah 53; Numbers 21:8). This explains the Godhead in some sense; as if all of the Godhead died at the crucifixion the whole universe would cease to exist. Jesus; however overcame death as it could not hold Him ( Acts 2:24). When He said "it is finished" and died then the work was done ( John 19:30). The rest of the time He was declaring victory to all (including unregenerate lost souls and demons bound in the underworld) in 1 Peter 3:18-20 then He ascended back to the Father where He ever lives to intercede for us ( Heb. 7:25).
It is clear that every eye shall see Him ( Rev. 1:7); Rev. 5:13; Rev. 20 and Great White Throne Judgment). Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord ( Philippians 2:10-11 and also reflected in Isaiah 45:23. During the Tribulation men also will be actively cursing God and Antichrist Himself will blaspheme Him as well as those who dwell in heaven ( Rev. 6:15; Revelation 13). It is clear that everyone will know about God and Christ by the sixth seal but it won't do those any good who have not been regenerated. It is only in those God chooses to reveal Himself through the Son that come to know Him ( Matt. 11:27 and see much of Gospel of John including some of my commentaries on Predestination). Also see Psalm 19; ROmans 1
Thanks
GBU